From Human to Yokai: Echoes of Rando

by CaioCoia

A dying man finds himself in the body of Rando from Yu Yu Hakusho after his death. Struggling with his new identity and demonic powers, he must adapt to the supernatural world while following the original plot. Balancing his own emotions with Rando's unpredictable power, he faces challenges and an opportunity the Yokai never had before.

7. Chapter 8

Author's note:

Well, when I said about suggesting a few techniques of the world of animes, I got surprised by many of you giving suggestions, while some didn't actually read completely the rules I said about it, which made me just ignores it. I already decided to choose which techniques I would place on Rando skillset, which I want you guys to understand one thing... Rando is still between Hight C to low B rank yokai, he didn't master the techniques, and you all giving so many overpower techniques would be too much for him to show. And I wanted to go from down, like easy and weak jutsus which would be practical and yet cruel if used right, and you have to remember that bakudou and hadou in Aizen level shouldn't happen to any shinigami or hollow, so only the weak and versatile ones would be good. And I already have a list of techniques already done, which on my next announcement I will be showing if you guys are curious. Or not, just reply if you guys are curious.

Anyway, replying to the reviews before the announcements.

---

Guest99 . Well I don't plan to Botan being into a relationship with Yusuke, only Keiko, but in the future I may have plans for her as developing her character, helluva boss fanfics I'm out of ideas or what to do, so I'm not bothering to write them for a while. I hope you understand.

Mr. E Guest. With Rando on there, there will be a few changes... which the order of fights could be slightly different.

coldblue2015 . I'm glad that you liked that chapter and you had fun, and to answer your questions.

1 - Yes, of course, Rando is going to give his own personal type of training for Kuwabara, which will be interesting to see it. XD Hahahaha

2 - When the cat is on the bag, Shizuru would understand how things were serious, and that could potentially give a time for Rando explain to her about his origins, and like you said, it would need a dinner and a good talk for her to forgive him, since they have been good friends for a while.

3 - Probably it may happen to Kurama or Genkai if they actually find out the room full of treasures on his room, but in case if someone could identify his copies on the original art on the Louvre? Not a chance, the copies are perfect. XD

4. - Exactly between High C to Low B, he is still trying to figure out his powers and is doing mysteriously the proportions of his powers, so even him was trying to figure out how strong he is.

5 - Spoiler... I cannot tell you that, because there is something more epic ahead that I planned to do. XD

Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter. XD

Just a wee guest. Thanks for liking the chapter. I hope you have fun while reading this one.

Just Guest. Hehehe, that's actually a good way to say it, Rando would teach almost like that, but also have other plans to make the others interested into working for their objectives.

Spooky Guest. Hahahaha, well prepare yourself for this chapter, because there is a thing you will be interested to know. One of Rando's weapons will be shown for the first time, so get ready.

---

"Wow, Yusuke hasn't returned yet?" Keiko asked, her voice laced with concern. It had been two whole weeks since Yusuke had left for training in the mountains, and with the break now over, it was time for everyone to return to school. Keiko hadn't seen any sign of Yusuke, and after fretting over his absence for days, she decided to ask his mother if she knew anything.

The apartment looked unusually tidy, a reflection of Atsuko Urameshi's effort to keep things in order. Dressed comfortably in a vibrant orange blouse and a pair of well-worn blue jeans, Atsuko scratched the back of her head, her brow furrowed as she pondered how to respond to Keiko's question.

"Yeah, I know. It's been 15 days since he left for that trip to the mountains," Atsuko finally said, a slight smirk playing on her lips as she recalled her son's antics. "From what you told me, it sounds like that master, what was her name? Genkai? Might have had to drill some respect for elders into his thick skull. Knowing Yusuke, he's probably had more arguments with her than he has bruises."

She chuckled softly, her fingers absently twirling a lock of her dark brown hair. Despite her carefree demeanor, there was a hint of motherly concern in her eyes.

"But he's called me a few times to prove he's still alive," Atsuko continued, trying to reassure the worried girl. "From what he's told me, you were right, he's training with that master, and he has no idea when he'll be back."

Keiko sighed, the weight of her worry pressing down on her. "I'm just so worried about him. It's so like him to throw himself into something like this, but it's different when it's not just about fighting..."

Atsuko noticed the sadness in Keiko's expression and quickly decided to cheer her up. Placing a comforting hand on Keiko's shoulders, she beamed a big, reassuring smile.

"Aww, calm down, don't worry," She said with a lighthearted laugh. "Last time, he came back from the dead, didn't he? He's definitely coming back this time too!"

Keiko couldn't help but smile at Atsuko's optimism.

"Well, I think you're right. I remember Kuwabara and Rando—he's the one who set Yusuke up to train on the mountain—both told me that Yusuke was going to be really mad when he got back. They said he's going to take revenge on Rando and this girl who's his boss now... Botan, I think?" Keiko's tone was a mix of worry and exasperation as she thought about how Yusuke had managed to trap himself in this situation. Not only was he being treated like a slave at his new job, but now he was stuck training in martial arts under some strict master in the mountains.

"You worry too much, Keiko," Atsuko said, her carefree smile never faltering. "Honestly, I think this might be good for him. He's got a job now, and someone to teach him. Maybe he'll finally stay out of trouble with that stubborn attitude of his."

"That's a good point," Keiko conceded, though she still felt uneasy. As she left the Urameshi apartment to prepare for school, she couldn't shake the frustration that lingered in her mind. "At least he could've called me to say hi... He disappears without a word, and I have to hear about him from other people."

As she walked down the familiar streets, her thoughts were consumed by memories of the boy she'd known since childhood. She was annoyed, yes, but also deeply worried. Yusuke was always a handful, but this time felt different.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Keiko noticed a silhouette approaching from the other direction. The early morning light made it difficult to see clearly, but there was something unmistakably familiar about the way this person moved, the way they carried themselves with that same carefree swagger.

Keiko's heart skipped a beat as the figure came into focus. It was him. Yusuke Urameshi, grinning like a fool, covered in dirt with his hair a wild mess, his body bruised and his clothes worn out.

"Hey, Keiko, long time no see," Yusuke said, his voice as casual as ever despite his rough appearance.

Keiko's frustration melted away in an instant, replaced by pure relief and joy at seeing him again. She couldn't help but smile, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions as she looked at the boy she had missed so much.

.

.

.

It didn't take long for Yusuke to reunite with his mom. The moment he stepped through the door, Atsuko Urameshi pulled him into a tight hug, her usual tough demeanor cracking just enough to show how much she had missed him. But the tender moment didn't last long.

"Ugh, Yusuke! You smell like you rolled around in the dirt for days!" Atsuko complained, her nose wrinkling in disgust. She pushed him back, holding him at arm's length as if the stench alone was enough to keep her from getting too close. "Go take a shower, right now! And after that, get ready for school. You're not skipping today, no matter how much you whine."

"What?! I just got back, and you're already sending me off to school?" Yusuke groaned, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Can't I at least get one hour of peace?"

"Peace? You had two weeks of peace in the mountains. Now, go!" But Atsuko wasn't having any of it. She shoved him towards the bathroom with surprising strength, her no-nonsense attitude firmly in place.

Grumbling under his breath, Yusuke did as he was told. He knew better than to argue with his mom when she was in one of her moods.

After a much-needed shower and a change of clothes, Yusuke met up with Keiko and Kuwabara, feeling somewhat refreshed but still a bit grumpy about being forced back into his regular routine so quickly. At least, with his friends by his side, he could say with some relief that everything was back to normal.

Or so he thought.

As the trio settled into a booth at the local ice cream shop, Yusuke noticed a familiar figure sitting next to him, reading the newspaper and puffing on a cigarette. It was Rando, the same guy who had tricked Yusuke into taking on the grueling training to become Genkai's successor. And there he was, looking completely at ease as if nothing had happened.

"Three chocolate milkshakes, please," Keiko said to the server with a smile, oblivious to the tension brewing between Yusuke and Rando. Yusuke, leaning back with his arms crossed, glared at Rando from the corner of his eye. Kuwabara, meanwhile, was just happy to see his friend again and was doing his best to ignore the simmering conflict beside him.

Rando, on the other hand, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. He smirked as he felt Yusuke's glare, flipping through the newspaper with a casual air that only irritated Yusuke more.

"Can I ask why you're here, Rando?" Yusuke finally demanded, his voice low and dangerous. Kuwabara, sensing the brewing storm, couldn't help but chuckle to himself. This was exactly what his sister and friend had predicted, Yusuke was still fuming over being duped into that hellish training, and Rando's nonchalant attitude was only pouring salt in the wound.

"That's a good question," Rando said, not even looking up from his paper. He flipped another page, then glanced up at the sky with a mock-serious expression. "Why are we all here? What is our purpose? What is the meaning of life? Is it to chase after fleeting moments of happiness, or to find contentment in the mundane?"

His voice took on a sarcastic, pseudo-philosophical tone as he rambled on, clearly enjoying the act of getting under Yusuke's skin.

"YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT MY QUESTION!" Yusuke shouted, his patience snapping. Kuwabara rolled his eyes at the predictable outburst.

"Relax, Urameshi, He was just passing by when we were talking about the day," Kuwabara said, trying to defuse the situation. Rando snickered, clearly unfazed by Kuwabara's ranger of knowing something that he shouldn't. "Don't..."

"Shizuru asked me to take him to school," Rando interjected, cutting Kuwabara off. "Apparently, our dear friend here made the mistake of telling his sister she's put on a few pounds."

"That was an accident... AND HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?" Kuwabara's face turned a deep shade of red.

"She told me," Rando replied with a shrug, his tone almost bored. "That's why I'm playing babysitter for you two before I head to work. You two already created a lot of headaches for your relatives and I've got a business trip to Italy coming up, and I'm eager to try some real Italian pizza."

"A business trip? To Italy?" Yusuke narrowed his eyes at Rando, still seething but also somewhat curious.

"Yeah, thought I'd mix business with a bit of lecturing," Rando replied, his smirk widening. "Some people don't know when to take a hint about what they should and shouldn't do. Ever heard of common sense? You should give it a try someday." He folded up the newspaper and finally turned his full attention to Yusuke. "But don't worry, Yusuke. I'll bring you back something nice. Maybe a slice of pizza if you behave yourself."

Yusuke clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he fought back the urge to snap at Rando. Instead, he decided to let it go, at least for now and shifted his focus to Kuwabara, who seemed to be in better spirits than before.

"Hey, Kuwabara, how are you? Did you get better after the beatdown you got from Rando?" Yusuke asked, a hint of genuine concern in his voice. Meanwhile, Rando ignored Yusuke's glare, still riding the high of having set Yusuke up for the biggest trap of his life.

"Ah, after Master Genkai gave me that spiritual surgery, I'm feeling super cool," Kuwabara replied with a broad grin. "My spiritual energy tripled, and now that I know I'm a Transmuter type, it's way easier to develop new techniques. I've got one I'm dying to test on you." He raised his fist, the confidence practically radiating off him.

"Ha, I think that's gonna be tough, Kuwabara. After the training I went through, I'm stronger than ever." Yusuke smirked, slipping his hands into his pockets with a cocky air.

Kuwabara's curiosity was piqued. He had heard stories mostly from Rando about the grueling nature of Genkai's training, but now he wanted to hear it straight from the source.

"Oh yeah?" Kuwabara glanced over at Rando, who was once again pretending to read the newspaper but was clearly trying to suppress a laugh. "I heard her training is brutal. Can you tell me what it was like?"

"Ah... I get shivers just thinking about it… Did you know that?" Yusuke's smirk faltered, his expression turning serious as he gazed off into the distance. The memory of that hellish training was still fresh in his mind, and just thinking about it sent a shiver down his spine.

*Snicker*

Yusuke's head snapped toward Rando, who was failing miserably to hide his amusement behind the newspaper. The yokai's shoulders were shaking with barely contained laughter.

"It was like I trained in Hell!" Yusuke continued, his voice growing more animated as he recalled the torment he had endured. "Every day was a new nightmare and Genkai? She didn't give me a moment's rest. It was like she took every sadistic pleasure in pushing me to my absolute limit."

---

As Yusuke closed his eyes, the memory of his grueling training with Genkai flooded back vividly. He could still see the harsh interior of the dojo, where every session was a trial of his endurance and willpower.

In the first part of his training, Genkai balanced herself effortlessly on the sharp tip of a large metal needle, her body perfectly still despite the precarious position. Her spiritual energy, or Reikō Hadōken, was concentrated into a single, precise point at the tip of her finger, keeping her centered. The needle was barely wide enough for a finger, yet Genkai stood on it with the grace and ease of someone who had mastered her craft over decades.

"Gather all the energy of Reikō Hadōken into a single point," Genkai instructed, her voice calm yet commanding. She was upside down, balancing solely on her finger, demonstrating complete mastery of her spiritual energy.

Yusuke, standing beside her, tried to mimic the technique. He focused hard, gathering his spiritual energy and attempting to concentrate it at the tip of his finger. But his inexperience and lack of discipline betrayed him; the energy spread unevenly, covering the entire needle instead of focusing on a single point. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to maintain his balance on the sharp, thin metal, his muscles straining under the pressure. Both master and disciple had one hand behind their backs, the other hand concentrating the energy. The pain was intense, and every second felt like an eternity.

"Stay like this for 12 hours," Genkai ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"I know I can do this," Yusuke muttered through gritted teeth, his body trembling with effort. The sheer physical and mental exertion made him regret every decision that led him to this hellish place. But he knew there was no turning back now.

. . .

In the next phase of the training, Yusuke stood several paces away from Genkai, his hands pressed together in a defensive stance. Genkai raised her palm, her eyes narrowing as she prepared for the next exercise.

"The next exercise is to defend yourself from the Reikō Hadōken of your adversary. If you drop your guard, you die," Genkai stated matter-of-factly, her words slicing through Yusuke like a cold blade. His heart raced as fear gripped him, causing him to take a hesitant step back.

Genkai gave him only a brief moment to brace himself before she unleashed her attack. With a sharp shout, she released a powerful energy blast, a brilliant blue wave of spiritual force that tore through the air. Yusuke barely had time to react before the force of the blast struck him. The impact was so intense that it sent him flying several feet backward, slamming him into the ground with a sickening thud. His back hit the floor hard, and his eyes widened in shock and terror. He lay there, frozen, the sheer power of the attack leaving him paralyzed.

"Get up. We're continuing this until you do it right." But Genkai was far from satisfied. She stood over him, her expression stern and unyielding.

Yusuke remained on the ground, his body still in shock, his mind reeling from the traumatic experience. For a moment, he was completely silent, unable to process what had just happened.

Seeing his state, Genkai took a bucket of cold water and splashed it directly onto his face. The sudden chill snapped Yusuke out of his daze, and he gasped for breath, his eyes wide with realization.

It was indeed a hellish training.

---

"Man, I have to tell you, it wasn't easy," Yusuke muttered, still rubbing his shoulders as if trying to shake off the lingering pain from his training. He began counting on his fingers, listing off the grueling tasks that Genkai had put him through. "I had to kneel on fire, sleep on a bed of needles—"

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Kuwabara suddenly shrieked, throwing his arms into the air as he recoiled in horror. "Stop, stop, stop it! Stop talking! I'm already shivering just hearing about it!"

Yusuke rolled his eyes, but before he could respond, a burst of laughter echoed through the room. His eyes twitched with irritation as he turned toward the source of the obnoxious laughter. Rando was nearly doubled over, tears streaming down his face as he gasped for breath, clearly enjoying the recount of Yusuke's torment and Kuwabara's reaction.

"Stop, stop it," Rando managed between breaths, holding his sides as he struggled to contain himself. "I can't breathe, I can't breathe, this is too good!"

Kuwabara's horrified expression deepened as he glared at Rando, who was thoroughly enjoying the entire situation. Despite his apparent change in behavior since their last encounter, it was clear that Rando's sadistic side hadn't completely disappeared.

"Who knew Genkai would have gone easy on you," Rando teased, wiping a tear from his eye as he finally straightened up. The comment made both Kuwabara and Yusuke go pale. "Maybe she was just easing you into the basics of using your spiritual energy... But when the next part of the training comes, that's when the real fun starts."

The wicked grin on Rando's face sent a shiver down Yusuke's spine. He could practically see the old lady cackling as she devised new ways to push him to his limits. He suddenly realized that the worst might be yet to come.

"I'm not going back there," Yusuke declared with a firm shake of his head. His determination was clear, but Rando's renewed laughter only made his resolve waver. "Stop laughing!"

"Yusuke, poor, poor, stupid Yusuke," Rando said with mock sympathy, folding up his newspaper and pulling a cigar from his pocket. He reached over and gave Yusuke a patronizing pat on the head, making the young Spirit Detective grit his teeth in anger. "Brave and foolish Yusuke Urameshi... There's one thing you seem to have forgotten about your master. She's Genkai. When she wants something, it doesn't matter what you want, she's going to get it. So even if you shout, complain, or fight, she will tort—"

Rando abruptly stopped speaking, noticing Keiko approaching them with a milkshake in her hand. His expression shifted from smug to neutral in an instant.

"She will train you until you become the rightful successor of her techniques... And trust me, 15 days of training is nothing compared to what she could put you through." Rando finished as he could see the girl already getting the attention of everyone.

Yusuke swallowed hard, realizing that Rando might be right. As much as he wanted to avoid another round of Genkai's hellish training, deep down, he knew there was no escaping it if she had made up her mind.

"Sorry for making you wait," Keiko said as she approached the table, placing the milkshakes in front of Yusuke and Kuwabara. She handed a few notes to the white-haired man across from them and gave a polite bow. "Thank you for paying for the milkshakes, sir. You really didn't have to."

"It's nothing. I figured a little ice cream before you three head off to school would be a nice way to start the day." Rando waved it off with a casual smile. As he could see the group of students ready for a dak of school, he decided to enjoy the first cigar of the day.

Just as Rando was about to light his cigar, Yusuke snatched it out of his mouth, glaring at him.

"Since when did you start smoking?" Yusuke asked in disbelief as he was still looking at the person who made him suffer such a torture.

"You kids should focus on studying for tests or figuring out when your next school break is, instead of worrying about how I live my life, Yusuke." Rando rolled his eyes at Yusuke's annoyance. He reached up and swiftly reclaimed the cigar, deftly avoiding Yusuke's attempt to hold it out of reach. "Don't push your luck with my generosity."

"Generosity?" Yusuke scoffed, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. "It's your and Botan's fault that I had to suffer through that hell alone for all those weeks."

"Oh yeah, that reminds me. Kuwabara, how was the tournament at Tokyo Dome? Front-row seats, VIP access... Botan really went all out, huh?" Rando grinned, clearly enjoying Yusuke's frustration.

Yusuke's expression darkened, murderous intent flaring in his eyes as he slowly turned to glare at Kuwabara. The implication that Kuwabara had been enjoying VIP treatment while he was enduring Genkai's torturous training only fueled his anger.

Kuwabara, sensing the imminent danger, quickly raised his hands in a defensive gesture.

"Leave me out of this!" He knew better than to get caught in the crossfire between Yusuke and Rando. Picking a fight with either of them was one thing, but trying to handle both of them when they were riled up? No way. Kuwabara wasn't that reckless.

At the time Yusuke was about to argue, Keiko also noticed the way the trio talked, which presented a perfect opportunity for her to join the conversation.

"Yusuke..." Keiko spoke softly, her voice tinged with concern. She hesitated briefly before gathering the courage to ask the question that had been on her mind for some time. "About your job..."

Yusuke looked at her, his expression shifting from confusion to mild surprise.

"What job?" he asked, his tone a bit defensive as he wondered how much Keiko knew about his role as a Spirit Detective. Before he could say more, he felt a sudden sharp pain in his foot, Rando had discreetly stomped on it under the table. Yusuke shot him a glare, but Rando merely opened his newspaper, feigning nonchalance.

"The one you got as an intern for Botan," Rando interjected smoothly, lowering the newspaper slightly to make eye contact with Keiko. "While I was smoking outside, Botan had a little chat with Shizuru and me. I ended up telling her about the martial arts tournament where Yusuke here tried to become Genkai's disciple. Turns out, Koenma, the CEO, asked Botan to give Yusuke a shot at the job as part of some training regimen. He's got potential, after all."

Yusuke was about to blow up at Rando for revealing so much about the Spirit World, but something in Rando's tone made him pause. The yokai was cleverly downplaying the supernatural elements, making it sound like Yusuke was merely involved in an ordinary, albeit rigorous, internship. Yusuke glanced at Rando, who subtly nodded, signaling that he was trying to keep Keiko in the dark about the more dangerous aspects of their world.

"I just want to know if you're going to be okay. Balancing school and a job like this must be really hard. And... I'm worried you might get caught up in something dangerous or illegal. You didn't exactly choose this job, did you?"Keiko looked at Yusuke, her eyes filled with worry. She didn't want Yusuke to risk his life or even go to jail after everything they passed together.

A pang of guilt struck Yusuke. As much as he grumbled about his responsibilities as a Spirit Detective, he knew he owed Botan and Koenma for giving him a second chance at life. But he didn't want to burden Keiko with that knowledge.

"Don't worry about it, Keiko," Yusuke replied, trying to sound casual. "Botan and Koenma, they're good people. Sure, the job's got its crazy moments, but they've never asked me to do anything that's outright illegal. Besides, if things ever got too sketchy, I'd walk away. I promise."

"I know you're strong, Yusuke, but I still worry. You always end up in the middle of trouble, and this job seems like it's more of the same."Keiko replied as her frown deepened. She knew that he was bound to have some problems, and she didn't want him to suffer.

"Keiko, you don't have to worry so much," Rando chimed in, his tone light and reassuring. "While Botan can be a bit bossy, it's all in good fun. Honestly, it's pretty entertaining watching Yusuke try to handle her. And don't forget, it's just a regular internship. He's gaining experience, even if the pay isn't exactly generous."

Yusuke narrowed his eyes at Rando who both he and Kuwabara were chuckling from adding salt to his injury, sensing an opportunity for a bit of payback. A sly grin spread across his face as he turned back to Keiko.

"Yeah, and you know, it helps that Botan's his sister." At that moment Yusuke said that Kuwabara, who had been sipping on his milkshake, choked on his drink, coughing violently. Rando, who was in the middle of taking a drag from his cigarette, inhaled sharply in surprise, causing the cigarette to disintegrate into ashes in his mouth.

"Really? I never knew that!" Keiko blinked in surprise. She exclaimed, genuinely shocked.

He stared at Yusuke with wide eyes, but quickly composed himself, a sly smile curling on his lips. As he let it out the smoke from his lungs, Yusuke indeed gave a surprise comment, but against Rando? Someone who watched many comedy movies, series, and even the funniest jokes on anime? Yusuke was still an amateur compared to him.

"Yes," Rando said, exhaling the smoke slowly. "She's my younger sister. Didn't I ever mention that to you, Yusuke?" he added, his voice smooth and confident. Yusuke's jaw dropped in shock, not expecting Rando to go along with the lie so effortlessly. "Oh, it was my mistake, maybe Botan already told you about me, and that's why you were so focused on defeating me on the trials to be Genkai's disciple.

Kuwabara, still recovering from his choking fit, but Rando already gave his help by giving a strong slap on his back, after recovering from his death trap, he looked between Rando and Yusuke in utter confusion.

"Wait... Is this the same Botan we're talking about?" he asked, his voice strained.

"Yep, the same Botan," Rando confirmed with a nonchalant shrug. "And just so you know, Kuwabara, she's definitely not your type."

"What do you mean, not my type? You don't even know what my type is!" Kuwabara's face flushed bright red, his eyes narrowing in indignation.

"Oh, but I do," Rando said, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "Your type is the delicate, damsel-in-distress kind, the ones who need a strong, heroic knight to protect them. Fragile, kind, with a smile that melts your heart. Shizuru told me all about how you've always been that way, even when you were a kid."

"Shizuru told you that? Why?!" Kuwabara's face turned an even deeper shade of red, his embarrassment now mixing with irritation. He sputtered, clearly mortified.

"Older sibling honor code," Rando replied with a casual shrug. "Older brothers and sisters love to share embarrassing stories about their younger siblings. It's like a rite of passage, and it makes for great conversation over coffee or tea."

Keiko and Yusuke exchanged bewildered glances. The conversation had taken such an unexpected turn that they weren't sure what to make of it. Yusuke, however, couldn't help but admire how smoothly Rando had navigated the situation, turning the tables on him in the process.

"So, Rando... you and Botan are really siblings? I never would have guessed." Keiko finally broke the silence, her voice soft but laced with curiosity.

"I know right? People would always try to say that she was the oldest sibling, but come on, I always have been the oldest, and as much she was taller than me, she was kinda irresponsible, doing all the crazy stunts and getting herself into doing very dangerous assistants, and sometimes she doesn't have the common sense." Rando smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Even our hair color looked different. But let's just say that family ties run deep, and I always look out for my little sister. But anyway, it's almost time for school, let me take you all to school?"

"Oh, you don't have to do that..." Keiko commented as she felt they were abusing his generosity.

"Nah, I insist, I need to make sure that you are all fine, the school will start in the next hour, so I think it would be a good walk to school, let's go kids." Rando was smiling as he finished reading the newspaper, and got up. The kids were still drinking the milkshake.

Yusuke rolled his eyes, but he couldn't suppress a grin. Rando had managed to take his prank and turn it into something completely unexpected, leaving Yusuke with a newfound respect for the yokai's quick thinking. And as much as he didn't want to go to school, his mom would nag his ass if he doesn't get to school in time.

---

As the quartet walked towards the city, Keiko felt a burst of happiness she couldn't contain. She twirled and danced ahead of the group, her carefree movements reflecting her joy. Kuwabara and Rando exchanged amused smiles, while Yusuke lagged slightly behind, puzzled by Keiko's sudden display of exuberance.

"Yeah, you've got Keiko really worried about you," Kuwabara teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. He knew how much Yusuke meant to Keiko, and the feeling was mutual. "Look how happy she is now that you're back."

Yusuke, trying to hide the small smile forming on his lips, turned his head away. But Kuwabara wasn't about to let him off the hook that easily. In one swift motion, he put Yusuke in a playful necklock, nudging him as he did.

"Are you happy now?" Kuwabara pressed, giving Yusuke a light noogie. Rando, walking alongside them, smirked, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Me and Rando are gonna leave you two lovebirds alone to have some quality time. You jerk."

"Ah, leave me alone, Kuwabara! Stop it, stop it now," Yusuke protested, though there was a noticeable lack of his usual edge. He was secretly glad to be back with his friends, even if they were teasing him mercilessly.

Just as Yusuke was about to retaliate, he noticed Rando suddenly freeze, his expression shifting from amused to serious in an instant. Rando reached into his pocket and pulled out a flip phone, his demeanor now completely focused.

"Why did you guys stop?" Keiko asked, noticing the sudden change in the group's mood. Rando raised a finger, signaling for silence as he answered the call.

"Rando here..." he spoke into the phone, his voice calm but tinged with urgency. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Keiko exchanged confused glances, their attention now fully on Rando. "Seriously, Botan? This is my business phone, so you better have a good—"

Rando's eyes narrowed as he listened to the voice on the other end, his expression growing more intense with each passing second.

"Oh... yeah, I'm with him. I'm taking him to school... uh-huh, okay, yeah... alright, we'll be right there in 20 minutes," Rando said, his tone now serious. He snapped the phone shut and turned to the others, his face apologetic as he addressed Keiko. "Sorry, Keiko. I won't be able to take you to school after all. Something urgent came up. Botan said a group of vandals released hundreds of insects, and they need all hands on deck to clean up."

"Really?" The group asked in unison, their voices filled with disbelief.

Rando nodded, his gaze shifting to Yusuke.

"Yusuke, Botan specifically asked for you. She needs you at the meeting place right away." Before Yusuke could protest, Rando grabbed his wrist and began pulling him in the opposite direction. "Come on, we don't have time to waste!"

"Wait, let me help you guys!" Kuwabara called out, rushing to catch up with them. Keiko watched them go, her earlier joy now replaced with a tinge of sadness. The moment she'd been enjoying was over far too soon.

As the trio moved quickly down the street, Kuwabara couldn't help but ask...

"Hey, is there really a lot of insects? I think I've got some insect spray at home that could help." Kuwabara offered his help as the duo seemed to be walking away into a different path.

"There aren't any insects, Kuwabara. We're being followed." Rando glanced over at Kuwabara, his expression more serious than before.

"What do you mean we're being followed?" Kuwabara's eyes narrowed as he processed Rando's words.

"Check your spiritual senses," Rando instructed, his voice low and tense. "Especially if you hear a flute song…"

"My spiritual senses?" Kuwabara echoed, his confusion deepening. The mention of a flute song only added to the unease. "Flute song?"

The trio slowed their pace, becoming more cautious with each step. Kuwabara glanced over his shoulder and finally noticed the group of five delinquents trailing behind them. But these weren't ordinary thugs. Their skin had a sickly, pallid gray tone, and their eyes glowed with an eerie shade of red.

Yusuke and Kuwabara's expressions hardened as they realized the gravity of the situation. The playful atmosphere from earlier was gone, replaced by a tense silence. The trio knew they were in for a fight, and they had to be ready for whatever was coming next.

"Yeah, these guys are very strange," Yusuke remarked, his gaze fixed on the unusual group trailing behind them. He glanced at Rando, who seemed equally intrigued by their pursuers.

"What gave them away?" Rando replied with a smirk. He took from his pocket something that both Yusuke and Kuwabara realized to show how serious the yokai was in a fight... His iconic book, which Kuwabara was glad that it wasn't going to be used on him. "Their almost blue-gray skin, or the red eyes that make them look like demons?"

Kuwabara, catching on to the tone, grinned.

"Hey guys, what do you think about playing a bit with them?" He cracked his knuckles, clearly excited at the prospect of a good fight. It had been a while since he'd been in a proper brawl, and he was eager to test his strength alongside his friends.

As the trio turned into a narrow alley, each had their hands casually in their pockets, Rando carrying his book with one hand. The five ominous figures following them entered the alley as well, their expressions blank and their movements eerily synchronized. Kuwabara, bursting with confidence, couldn't resist taunting them.

"Hey guys, do you even know who I am?" Kuwabara boasted, puffing out his chest. "I'm the great Kuwabara, number one at Sarayashiki Junior High!"

Yusuke sweatdropped, trying not to ruin Kuwabara's moment of self-praise. He glanced sideways at Rando, who was more focused on his book than the impending fight.

"Yeah, yeah, big shot," Yusuke mumbled, turning his gaze back to the strange group. "But who are you guys?" He asked, half-expecting some kind of response.

Instead of words, the eerie delinquents silently pulled out pocket knives, their expressions darkening with clear intent to kill. Yusuke's casual demeanor shifted as he noticed the shift in their aggression.

"Wow, these guys are serious. They just pulled out knives without saying a word," Kuwabara muttered, starting to feel the gravity of the situation. He noticed Rando slowly shaking his head, still flipping through the pages of his book.

"Kuwabara, remember what I said, grayish skin, red eyes…" Rando reminded him, his tone calm but urgent.

Suddenly, the leader of the group began chanting in a low, menacing voice, "Kill, kill, kill." His chanting grew louder as he closed the distance between them, the bloodlust in his eyes intensifying. "KILL KILL KILL!"

The lead delinquent lunged at Rando with murderous intent, but Rando swiftly sidestepped, countering with a solid punch that sent the attacker crashing into a nearby wall. The other delinquents, incited by the attack, charged at the trio in a frenzy.

Kuwabara intercepted one, grabbing his arm and twisting it before slamming the delinquent to the ground. Yusuke, meanwhile, caught another one mid-air, locking him in a headlock and throwing him down with force. The remaining two rushed at Yusuke, but before they could reach him, Rando leaped into action, delivering a powerful kick that sent them both sprawling.

"Who the hell are these guys?" Kuwabara asked, bewildered as he kept his guard up.

"They look like zombies or people who've been manipulated somehow," Rando replied, flipping rapidly through the pages of his book while keeping an eye on the rising delinquents. "We need to knock them down, NOW!"

"I got this," Yusuke said confidently as the five delinquents staggered back to their feet, still chanting their deadly mantra. He lowered his fist, and with his other hand, grasped his wrist, channeling his spiritual energy. A brilliant blue light began to envelop his hand, illuminating the dark alley.

"Whoa, Urameshi's hand is glowing!" Kuwabara exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement as the blue light intensified, filling the alley with its radiant energy. The sheer power radiating from Yusuke was palpable.

Yusuke smirked, feeling the surge of energy course through him. As the delinquents prepared to rush them again, he focused all his power into his fist, ready to unleash his new technique. "SHOTTOGAN!"

In an instant, Yusuke's fist fired a rapid barrage of energy blasts, each one striking the delinquents with pinpoint accuracy. The sheer speed of the attack made it look like a machine gun firing off rounds, overwhelming the attackers in a matter of seconds. The alley echoed with the sound of Yusuke's barrage, and the delinquents were thrown back, collapsing in a heap.

"HOLY COW! IN JUST A FEW SECONDS, IT LOOKED LIKE HE HAD TAKEN THEM ALL DOWN! IT WAS LIKE A FREAKIN' MACHINE GUN!" Kuwabara yelled, both impressed and terrified by the sheer power Yusuke had just displayed.

Yusuke lowered his fist as the blue light faded, still feeling cocky from the quick victory. "That's one of the basic attacks of Reikō Hadōken," he said with a smirk, glancing at the unconscious delinquents. Their weapons were scattered around them, now completely harmless.

"Huh, cool," Kuwabara remarked, still processing what he had just witnessed. Rando nodded in agreement, recognizing the technique as one of Yusuke's foundational moves, something rarely seen in action after their earlier adventures, but still effective.

"How much spiritual energy did you use on that technique?" Rando asked, curious about Yusuke's current limits. Yusuke tilted his head, thinking back. "From what I remember, before you started training with Genkai, Botan told us you could only use Rei Gan once a day."

Yusuke grinned, clearly proud of his progress. "Oh, I can shoot three Rei Gans now, and two or three Shotguns per day. No big deal," he boasted, but his confidence wavered when he saw the serious look on Rando's face, who was already focused on something in the distance.

"Hey, I'm feeling a weird spiritual energy, and it's not human. It's kinda similar to Rando's," Kuwabara said, his gaze following Rando's. They spotted someone suspiciously dressed in an overcoat and hat, trying to conceal their face.

"HEY GUYS, OVER THERE," Kuwabara shouted, pointing at the mysterious figure.

The moment Kuwabara yelled, the person bolted, taking off down the alley. Without hesitation, Rando, Yusuke, and Kuwabara gave chase, sprinting after the figure through the maze of alleyways.

"HEY, WAIT UP!" Kuwabara shouted as they pursued the fleeing person. The figure took a sharp turn into a side alley, but just as the trio were about to follow, a loud thud echoed through the narrow passage. The person in the overcoat was suddenly launched against a wall, crashing into it with a force that left Yusuke and Kuwabara stunned. As the dust settled... A voice was heard.

"Why did you take so long to appear, Botan?" Rando's voice broke the silence, his tone flat and unsurprised.

Emerging from the shadows was Botan, now dressed in red pants, a red leather jacket, and holding a metal bat in her hands. She twirled the bat casually, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a more serious, almost rebellious air.

"Hey guys," Botan greeted, her rebellious style catching everyone's attention, especially with her ponytail swaying as she moved. Rando noticed Yusuke's wide-eyed surprise at seeing her again.

"Ah, Botan," Yusuke stammered, a hint of panic in his voice. Kuwabara was about to make a comment, but before he could, Rando stomped on his foot, silencing him with a stern look.

"No time to joke around, guys," Rando said firmly, his gaze locked on Botan. She noticed his serious demeanor and nodded in acknowledgment.

"This yokai, is it who I think it is? From Demon City, right?" Rando inquired, his tone low and focused.

"It seems the enemy got here early. The invasion of the world has already started," Botan confirmed, her expression grim. "He's from Demon City, and that's where the enemies of your next mission are, Yusuke."

Yusuke's eyes widened in disbelief. "What, what, what… I just got back from Genkai's training, and now there's already another mission. I'M NOT KOENMA'S SLAVE, YOU HEAR ME?" He was already fuming, pacing back and forth, waving his fist in frustration like an old man. "I have my rights! This is absurd, exploitation, that's what it is!"

Botan, however, was having none of it. "Oh, is that so? So it seems you don't care about your world, huh?" she retorted, her tone sharp and accusing.

Yusuke froze mid-rant, turning to stare at Botan with a mix of confusion and concern. Her words struck a chord, bringing him back to the reality of the situation.

"What are you talking about? What kind of story is this?" Yusuke asked, crossing his arms, still visibly frustrated. Botan sighed and decided it was time to give him the full explanation.

"Yesterday, Mr. Koenma received a challenge from the Shiseijū," she began to explain, but Rando groaned loudly, interrupting her.

"Of course, it had to be them," Rando muttered, clearly annoyed. "Out of all the centuries, decades, and all the places in the world, they decide to invade this town... I recognized that flute song, the Makai Whistle."

The trio Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Botan stared at Rando in surprise.

"You know about it?" Botan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Wait, hold up. Why doesn't Koenma just ignore them? And who the hell are these monsters anyway?" Yusuke jumped in with his own questions.

Rando, looking mildly irritated, pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it up, which only added to Botan's surprise. The yokai calmly took a drag before responding.

"Let me answer your first question with another one, Yusuke," Rando said, pointing behind him. "Imagine those guys we just beat up in the alley, but multiply them by hundreds of millions, all over the world. All because four arrogant bastards in Demon City decided they wanted to either destroy the world from their thrones, or force Koenma to free them so they could come to Earth, conquer it, and kill everyone they wanted. Which would you prefer?"

"What kind of messed-up question is that?" Yusuke glared at Rando like he'd just said something completely insane.

"Yeah, what the hell, man?" Even Kuwabara was taken aback, clearly offended.

"That's probably the question Koenma asked himself when he got their letter. Now, Botan, you can answer Yusuke's second question." Rando shrugged, showing a point that immediately made both delinquents calm down and realize the meaning of his question.

Rando took another drag from his cigarette and, without further comment, turned his attention back to his book, preparing himself mentally. He knew the Four Saint Beasts arc was about to kick off, and he needed to be ready for whatever was coming, especially if he wanted to survive the challenge ahead.

"Well, the Shiseijū are the Four Saint Beasts from Hell," Botan began, her tone serious as she led the group down the alley. "They were exiled there as refugees for criminals from other worlds. Over time, these four yokai established their base, gathering fugitives from the Spirit World until they created an outlaw city filled entirely with evildoers. That place became known as the Devil City."

As she explained, Rando made a quip, "Trust me, that place sucked—terrible food, no cable TV."

Botan turned her head, surprised by his comment, while Rando rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come on, it was a joke. Never heard about a place sucking so much that you can complain about the minimum details?" Rando commented as he could see Botan was too tense to even try to relax a bit, while the situation looked terrible, Botan could relax a bit more. Even if the world is at stake, they aren't alone on the mission.

"What a strange time to joke Rando..." Yusuke commented as the group continued walking back toward the knocked-out delinquents. Yusuke, still processing everything, asked, "Wait, does that mean we have to go there?"

"Now you're getting the idea," Rando replied, taking another drag from his cigarette. He seemed more focused now, the weight of the situation settling in.

Botan then pointed at the bodies in front of them. "Look closely at the people who attacked you, Yusuke."

Yusuke and Kuwabara leaned in, their expressions turning to horror as they saw something slowly emerging from the mouths of the unconscious delinquents. A green dragonfly-like insect crawled out and took flight, the sight both disgusting and unnerving.

"What the hell is that?" Yusuke muttered, his face twisted in disgust. Kuwabara, looking pale, was on the verge of vomiting.

"Makai insects," Rando explained grimly. "Probably the work of Suzaku, the leader of the Saint Beasts. He's using that stupid flute or whistle, or whatever it is, to control them."

Botan shuddered as she continued, "Makai insects, parasites from Hell, love to attack humans with evil in their hearts. The yokai have released millions of these insects. Those who get infected... I don't even want to imagine what happens. They become violent, destructive, and murderous. Just look at the horror already unfolding."

"Why can't we just warn people?" Yusuke asked, his frustration growing.

"It's too late," Rando answered. "The insects are already in the air. Trying to alert one country would take a day, a continent would take weeks, and the world? By then, it would already be destroyed. Besides, only those with spiritual sensitivity, like us, can even see these insects."

"Dammit," Yusuke clenched his fists, feeling the helplessness of the situation.

"Does he have to go alone?" Rando decided to ask the grim reaper, who immediately realized that it was lucky for Rando to be nearby Yusuke on that day.

"Ah... actually, Rando..." Botan hesitated, glancing at him, which caught the attention of both Yusuke and Kuwabara. "Mr. Koenma has decided to accept your request. If you help Yusuke defeat the Four Saint Beasts, you'll get a human identity as payment. It will allow you to blend in with the rest of the world."

"What?" Yusuke and Kuwabara exclaimed in shock, while a savage grin spread across Rando's face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Call me Rando Zorudikku," Rando declared, "19 years old, a prodigy from a renowned college in Japan, a businessman, and a teacher of common sense around the world."

The trio stared at him, unsure if he was joking. Rando then turned to Botan, who looked increasingly uneasy.

"Also, starting today, we were both orphans, and I had to take care of you as your older brother." This was now the time of overkill, since Yusuke decided to try to prank him, it was the time to show who was the true prankster around the trio...

"WHAT? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Botan yelled, completely bewildered and disbelieving. She stared at Rando, who then looked at Yusuke, realizing what had happened.

"You can thank Yusuke for that," Rando continued, his tone mocking. "As a way to convince a few humans around, you're now my youngest sister. So if you want to blend in with the humans near Yusuke, you are now Botan Zorudikku. Welcome to the family."

Botan slowly turned to Yusuke, her expression murderous. She was holding a metal bat, and the look in her eyes sent shivers down Yusuke's spine. Kuwabara, who would have found the situation hilarious, wisely kept quiet, realizing how serious the situation had become.

"So what do we have to do?" Yusuke asked nervously, eyeing the metal bat clenched tightly in Botan's hands. Rando, unfazed, continued to speak.

"Destroy the source, Yusuke. Destroy what controls the insects, and they will die," Rando said, glancing at Kuwabara, who seemed lost in thought.

"The only way is by destroying the whistle," Botan added, explaining further. "As Rando said, the insects need that flute to survive and wreak havoc across the world."

"Damn it... Hey, Botan, doesn't that mean we're risking our lives by being attacked at any second?" Yusuke asked, scratching his chin as he tried to devise a plan. It was a valid concern, but Botan dismissed his worries with a wave.

"Oh, about that, you don't need to worry. The Four Beasts are still trapped in their city," Botan explained, addressing the group's concerns. "There's a barrier that separates the Makai from the world of the living. They can't get out from there."

"So you're saying the letter was permission to destroy the barrier?" Yusuke asked, to which Rando nodded.

"In exchange, they promised to return the whistle, but it could also mean the end, Yusuke," Botan warned, her tone serious. "The town could be destroyed in less than a day."

Yusuke's mind raced as he imagined the entire city around him crumbling into destruction. The thought sent a chill down his spine, and the weight of the situation settled heavily on his shoulders. They weren't just fighting for their own survival; they were fighting to save everyone.

"Anyone with a very good spiritual sensitivity could hear a slight flute song which it could be recognized..." Rando commented as Yusuke stared at him. "Things got way too serious. Heh, what a cretin, Suzaku could have done that years ago, in anywhere around the whole world, but still he chose this town to start everything, and this week at best."

"So all we have to do is go there and destroy the whistle?" Yusuke asked, watching as Botan nodded in agreement. Rando finished his cigarette, stomping it out on the ground to prevent any embers from sparking.

"You have to find a way to infiltrate that hellish city and destroy the whistle, boys," Botan explained, her tone serious. Yusuke glanced at Rando, who shared the same grim determination.

"So it's just going to be the two of us? In a place filled with criminals? Are you sure we can pull this off?" Yusuke voiced his doubts, starting to feel the weight of the mission. It seemed almost unfair that Koenma was sending them into such danger, and even though he and Rando made a strong team, the odds of being overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies were daunting.

"Hey, what about me?" Kuwabara's voice suddenly cut through the tension. Yusuke and Botan both turned, realizing for the first time that Kuwabara had been there the entire time. His expression was resolute, showing he had no intention of sitting this one out.

Botan, clearly caught off guard, laughed nervously as she tried to recover. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You were listening to this whole time?" she stammered, stepping back a little as the reality of Kuwabara knowing everything sank in. "Kuwabara had his antenna tuned in, huh? Hahaha..."

"Kuwabara, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. The people you fought during Genkai's training were one thing, but Yokai with the intent to kill are on a whole different level. I know because I'm one of them. But it seems like you've already figured that out." Rando, unfazed, addressed Kuwabara directly. Yusuke and Botan exchanged looks as Rando continued, "Any help would be welcome, but you've got two choices before you say anything. One, you could stay here and protect the people you care about from these insects. There are plenty of people with evil in their hearts who will need someone to knock some sense into them or take them down... Or two, you could come with us. With more spiritual power on our side, we could increase our chances of survival and finish the mission faster. It's up to you."

"You think I'm gonna let you guys go off and have all the fun? I'm in. No way I'm letting you two handle this alone. Not if I also can give some help." Kuwabara took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing with determination.

Rando opened his book, but with a smirk on his face, Yusuke grinned as now the three finalists of the Genkai's trial were once again, ready for an interesting challenge, ahead. Now at least each of them having their backs it will be a very interesting way to make things work.

---

As they walked, Botan led the group into an abandoned building that seemed to have been forgotten for ages. Dust billowed up when she opened the door, and Yusuke and Kuwabara coughed as the particles filled the air. Botan and Rando, however, remained unaffected, their focus solely on the task at hand.

Inside, the basement was dark and musty, the air thick with the scent of decay. Botan crouched down, her hands moving over the floor as she tapped and felt around, searching for something specific. Meanwhile, Rando moved toward the wall, his actions deliberate and calm.

"Alright, smartass, what are we doing in this abandoned basement?" Yusuke asked with his usual sarcasm, watching Botan as she continued to search.

"That's strange, I thought it was around here..." Botan muttered, her brow furrowing as she continued to explore the floor. Suddenly, a section of the ground gave way, revealing a hidden opening. A grin spread across Botan's face. "Found it!"

With a bit of effort, Botan pried open the hidden entrance, and a strange green smoke began to waft out from the depths below. Yusuke and Kuwabara exchanged uneasy glances, the ominous feeling of the smoke unsettling them.

"So this is where the portal to the Makai world has been all this time?" Rando's voice echoed through the basement as he traced his fingers along the wall. Yusuke and Kuwabara turned to see him drawing a circle with his index and middle fingers, his spiritual energy glowing red at the tips. Runes appeared along the circle's edge, shimmering with a mysterious light. "Number 22, Set."

With a final touch to the center of the circle, the wall rippled, revealing a deep black void. Rando clenched his fist, and the portal immediately vanished, leaving only the wall behind.

"What was that?" Yusuke asked, his confusion evident as Rando approached them.

"Our fastest ticket out of here," Rando replied, a smirk on his face. "It's a quick escape route, or a way back if things go south."

Botan studied Rando carefully as he spoke. Then, turning to Kuwabara, Rando smirked. "Last chance, Kuwabara. You can back out now—no drama."

Kuwabara's response was immediate. "The hell it isn't! I'm coming with you!"

Without hesitation, Rando leaped into the portal, disappearing in an instant. Yusuke stared in surprise, his mouth agape. "He just jumped in..."

"That was the portal to Devil City," Botan explained calmly. "And like Rando said, if you're scared, you can back out now. This mission is for the Spirit Detective."

Yusuke's relief was evident as he sighed. "Oh, that's it? Great, I'm outta here. See ya!" He turned to leave, but Botan swiftly stuck out her foot, tripping him and sending him crashing to the floor.

"I wasn't talking to you," Botan said with a stern glare. "I was talking to Kuwabara." But as she looked around, she realized that Kuwabara was no longer there.

"I'M COMING AFTER YOU, RANDOOOOO!" Kuwabara's voice echoed from the depths of the portal.

Yusuke and Botan stared in surprise at the spot where Kuwabara had jumped. "Huh, he just disappeared," Yusuke muttered, still on the ground.

As Yusuke grumbled and got to his feet, a sudden surprised shout from Botan made him freeze in his tracks. He turned to see her rummaging through her inner pocket, pulling out two small devices with a triumphant grin.

"Ta daaaa!" Botan exclaimed, holding up the devices proudly. "These are transmitters to keep in contact with the Spirit World. They'll help you stay connected during the mission."

Yusuke's initial surprise quickly turned into frustration. He snatched the device from her hand, glaring at her. "Botan, can you stop playing around? I'm already anxious, and you're just messing around—dammit!"

Botan pouted, offering a small apology. "Sorry, Yusuke... But these are important. If anything goes wrong or if you run into trouble, just use the transmitter to contact me. I'll be here to take care of any issues from this side."

Yusuke sighed, feeling the weight of the mission settling on his shoulders. But knowing that Kuwabara and Rando were already ahead, he felt a bit more reassured. "Alright, fine. If the big guy upstairs is on my side, I'll get through this."

With that, Yusuke took a deep breath and steeled himself. He gave Botan a final nod before turning his attention to the ominous portal leading to Devil City. Without another word, he leaped into the hole, plunging into the unknown, ready to face whatever awaited him on the other side.

---

The Devil City was a dark and foreboding place, with a castle made of jagged rocks looming ominously in the distance. The area surrounding it was covered in dense forests, shrouded in perpetual darkness by the thick, black clouds overhead. The atmosphere was thick with a terrifying energy that seemed to suffocate the very air.

As a bolt of lightning split the sky, a small circle of light formed, and out of it tumbled Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Rando. They fell roughly a meter to the ground, Yusuke landing headfirst, Kuwabara on his back, and Rando, fortunately, on his butt.

The trio quickly got to their feet, and Yusuke found himself staring at the massive castle in awe. Rando, though accustomed to such sights from the anime, was struck by how much more terrifying it appeared in reality, with every detail amplified to nightmarish proportions.

"There it is, the palace of doom, a labyrinth castle," Yusuke muttered, recognizing the structure. Rando and Kuwabara exchanged surprised glances, impressed that Yusuke could identify the place so quickly. Despite being far from the city and its society, they thought they were safe at a comfortable distance until the ground beneath them began to tremble.

Suddenly, creatures began to emerge from the earth, cloaked figures with hands of varying colors green, gray, and blue. Their sharp nails gleamed like claws, and evil smiles stretched across their faces, their yellow eyes glowing ominously from the shadows of their hoods.

"Well, so it begins..." Rando murmured, flipping through the pages of his book as more and more yokai rose from the ground, surrounding them.

"That's the smell of human flesh," one of the yokai hissed, causing the others to chuckle darkly as they began to chant in unison, their voices full of malice. The trio found themselves completely surrounded, the circle of yokai closing in on them.

"Who are these guys?" Kuwabara asked, his voice tinged with both fear and curiosity. He felt something press against his chest and looked down to see Rando holding his book there.

"Yokai who are dead meat if they don't back off in 3...2...1...0," Rando said, his voice cold and unwavering. He clasped his hands together, intertwining his fingers, leaving only his index and middle fingers pointed straight up. Yusuke and Kuwabara watched in confusion as Rando took a deep breath, preparing for something they couldn't quite grasp.

Then, to their shock, Rando exhaled a thick, dark gray smoke from his mouth. The smoke spread quickly, causing some of the yokai to step back in confusion. Rando walked around Yusuke and Kuwabara, ensuring they were not caught in the smoke. When one of the yokai moved to attack, Rando simply uttered a single, chilling word:

"Die." Was the last thing the group of yokai heard... As Rando closed his teeth with such a force creating a friction to activate the technique.

In an instant, the smoke ignited into a fierce blaze, enveloping the yokai caught within it. Their screams of agony filled the air as they were consumed by fire, reduced to nothing but ash. The remaining yokai recoiled in fear, stepping back from the circle of flames that now surrounded Rando, Yusuke, and Kuwabara.

"Katon...Haisekishō (Burning Ash,)" Rando said calmly, taking a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it with the flames from his own technique. He took a drag and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Kuwabara, turn my book to page 30."

"Page 30?" Kuwabara echoed, his voice trembling as he fumbled to obey. When he found the page, he froze, realizing what technique Rando was preparing next. "Done..."

"Hatsu..." Rando intoned, his spiritual energy flaring as he glared at the remaining yokai emanating killing intent, who now cowered in fear. "I'm going to say it again... Yokai who are dead meat if they don't back off in 3...2..."

Before Rando finish to count, the entire group of yokai turned tail and fled, their fear overpowering any desire to fight. The stormy sky above crackled with electricity, and just as the yokai began to flee, a flash of lightning split the heavens, and from the rift, a void-like portal appeared. Two orbs of energy, one blazing red and the other an intense blue spiraled through the portal, clashing violently in midair. The collision sent sparks flying in all directions, illuminating the night with a brilliant, almost blinding light that caused the fleeing yokai to hasten their retreat, terror etched on their faces.

The energy from the clash surged through the air, sending shockwaves that rippled through the forest, making the leaves tremble and the earth shudder. The powerful display of energy caused a ring of fire and smoke to erupt around Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Rando, the flames dancing in the darkness as if alive. The light show ended as quickly as it began, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The trio stood still, their gazes fixed on the direction of the tree where the brilliant light had originated.

Yusuke, his senses heightened by the lingering energy in the air, squinted into the darkness.

"Kuwabara, Rando, what was that light?" His voice was tense, the seriousness of the situation weighing on him. Rando remained silent, his eyes narrowed as he studied the now-darkened sky, while Kuwabara, usually full of bravado, stood quietly, his attention also fixed on the tree. As Rando saw Kuwabara dropping his book, he immediately went on there to take it, since it was obvious there weren't hostile people. But still it as good to drop his guard a bit.

"The things will get harder from here," a familiar voice called out from the shadows of the tree, sending a chill down Yusuke's spine. He recognized the voice immediately, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as two figures emerged from the darkness, their silhouettes outlined by the still-smoldering flames. "Want some help?"

"If you couldn't defeat useless insects, you will have no chance here," another voice, colder and more cutting, followed the first, and in a flash of lightning, the identities of the newcomers were revealed: Kurama and Hiei. The two stood atop the tree, their expressions unreadable as they surveyed the ring of fire below.

Yusuke's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized his old comrades. It had been a long time since he last saw them, during one of his earliest assignments as a Spirit Detective. Kurama, with his graceful demeanor and kind smile, had once sought Yusuke's help to save his mother, while Hiei, with his cold, calculating gaze, had been an adversary Yusuke had to defeat to protect Keiko. The memories of their past encounters flashed through Yusuke's mind as he watched the two yokai jump down into the circle of fire, landing effortlessly beside them.

"Kurama and Hiei?" Yusuke asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and relief. It was unexpected, but seeing them again brought a sense of reassurance.

"Are you okay?" Kurama, always the gentle one, approached with a soft smile.

Yusuke nodded, still processing their sudden appearance.

"What are you guys doing here?" he asked, genuinely surprised.

"Koenma doesn't only trust you. He also sent us to help." Hiei, ever the stoic, spoke in his usual cold tone.

There was a hint of disdain in his voice as if the idea of needing to assist was beneath him.

Kurama, ever the diplomat, continued, "And if we collaborate with you, Yusuke, we will have a reduction in our penalties." His explanation was straightforward, yet there was an underlying sincerity that made Yusuke feel more at ease.

Yusuke grinned, finally relaxing a bit.

"Ah, really? So Koenma has some good sense. That's great. Kuwabara, Rando, let me present you to Kurama and Hiei, great guys," he said, introducing his old allies to his current companions.

"Pleasure to meet you." Kurama offered a polite nod, his eyes filled with warmth as he addressed them.

Rando, who had been quietly observing the exchange, raised two fingers in a casual peace greeting.

"Likewise," Rando responded, before returning to his book, though his eyes flicked back to Kurama for a moment, recognizing the yokai before him. Kurama, with his sharp senses, quickly discerned Rando's identity—this was no ordinary yokai. The name Rando carried weight; he was a notorious figure who had killed and stolen 99 doctrines, and always being anonymous who disappeared across the world, a dangerous presence now calmly standing among them.

"I don't know who you are, but if you two are here to help, you are welcome, my friends," Kuwabara said, his voice filled with newfound confidence. The presence of Kurama and Hiei brought a sense of strength to their group, and Kuwabara, ever the optimist, was ready to embrace their help. With the odds stacked against them, he figured the more allies they had, the better.

However, Hiei's expression remained as cold as ever. His crimson eyes narrowed as he looked at Kuwabara with mild disdain.

"Don't mix things up," he remarked, his voice sharp and detached, causing Kuwabara, Yusuke, and even the usually composed Rando to turn their attention fully to him. "I don't know about Kurama, but I'm only here to collaborate for one reason: to retrieve the artifacts from the Four Beasts of Hell. Nothing more."

Kurama couldn't help but smile softly at Hiei's bluntness, while Rando simply rolled his eyes, a look of mild amusement crossing his face. Kuwabara, on the other hand, felt his irritation rise at Hiei's dismissive attitude.

"Hey, what are you talking about, spiky hair?" Kuwabara snapped, his brows furrowed in annoyance. "Your whole brooding, 'I'm too cool for this' pose is really annoying, did you know that? What a cynic!"

The tension between them was palpable, and the others instinctively looked at Kuwabara, wondering if his usual hot-headedness was going to get the better of him.

"You idiot," Hiei retorted coldly, his voice dripping with condescension. "Do you want to die?"

The words were a harsh reminder of the deadly seriousness of their mission, and Kuwabara's irritation flared even further. But just as he was about to fire back, Rando interjected with a calm, almost casual tone.

"Better not do that," Rando said, drawing their attention. "I promised his sister I'd make sure he gets back to school in one piece, and I'd rather not explain to her why her brother was killed by a fast yokai." There was a hint of dry humor in his voice as he glanced at Kuwabara, who looked momentarily betrayed by his friend's words.

Seeing the look on Kuwabara's face, Rando raised a hand to placate him. "We're here on a mission, Kuwabara. Whatever personal reasons the others have, let them be. As long as we destroy that cursed Makai Whistle, the rest is fair game. You want to take the castle or whatever, be my guest, I don't care."

Kuwabara huffed but relented, knowing Rando was right. The mission was too important to get sidetracked by personal grudges. Yusuke watched the exchange, a small grin tugging at his lips. Despite the tension, he knew they were stronger together... even if Hiei's motives were his own.

"And as for you, Yusuke..." Hiei's voice cut through the air as he took a quick step forward, his eyes narrowing as he stared up at Yusuke with a cold intensity. The sudden movement startled Kuwabara, but Yusuke didn't flinch, meeting Hiei's gaze with calm resolve. "Did you think I forgot? Better prepare yourself, I'm still going to have my revenge on you."

Kurama sighed, shaking his head in mild exasperation. "Hiei, stop with the personal grudges. Settle this after the mission is over," he scolded, his voice calm but firm. Hiei gave a slight huff, retreating back to his position without protest, though the intensity in his eyes didn't diminish.

Yusuke grinned, completely unfazed.

"Hey, don't worry about it. We've got a mission to focus on. The more allies we've got, the better," he said confidently. With the group now five strong, Yusuke felt they had the numbers to take on whatever awaited them at the castle. "Let's head there right away."

And with that, the quintet set off across the dark and treacherous terrain, the eerie glow of the distant castle guiding their way. The oppressive atmosphere pressed down on them, but the group pressed forward with determination. After some time, Rando, who seemed surprisingly at ease, pulled out supplies—bottles of water and food—much to the delight of Kuwabara and Yusuke.

"Man, I'm always glad you're around with snacks, Rando," Kuwabara said, eagerly grabbing a handful of food. Yusuke, equally grateful, nodded in agreement. "Now that I think about it, you always manage to bring food. How do you do that?"

Rando smirked as he handed them the supplies.

"Remember the circle of spiritual energy we passed through when we jumped through the portal?" he asked. Both Yusuke and Kuwabara nodded, their curiosity piqued. Even Hiei and Kurama, who typically kept their distance from such mundane conversations, appeared intrigued. "That technique connects to my personal space, including my room. I store all my supplies there for situations like this."

Kuwabara's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Wait, really? But we just got here," he said, looking more confused than ever.

"Yeah, but remember when I said I was going to the bathroom earlier?" Rando shrugged nonchalantly. He could see the duo staring at him with their raised eyebrows, as he gave them a knowing smile. "I wasn't just taking a break, I literally went back to my room where I have a bathroom."

The realization hit Kuwabara like a ton of bricks, and his expression shifted from confusion to relief.

"So that means we can go back if we need to... uh, handle business?" Kuwabara asked, visibly more at ease now that he knew there was an alternative to using the wilderness.

"Exactly." Rando nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Kurama, who had been quietly observing the conversation, gave a nod of approval.

"That's quite a useful technique," he commented, though he declined when Rando offered him some potato chips. "No thanks, I'm not hungry."

"Suit yourself," Rando replied casually, tossing a chip into his mouth as he and the other humans continued to snack on the journey. The added comfort made the trek less grueling, with Yusuke and Kuwabara chatting lightly about their relief.

Meanwhile, Hiei rolled his eyes at the casual banter, his focus unwavering on the mission ahead. Kurama, ever thoughtful, continued to walk behind the group, his sharp gaze occasionally flickering to their backs, silently strategizing for the challenge that lay ahead at the castle.

---

"It's been a while since we had guests..." a sinister voice echoed from the shadows within the ancient, decaying walls of the castle. The voice belonged to a silhouette barely visible in the dim light, one of four figures huddled around a crystal ball. The glassy orb shimmered with an eerie glow, reflecting the movements of the five intruders making their way toward the castle.

"We don't need to worry about them," another voice chimed in, this one deeper and tinged with a cold, calculating tone. The speaker's form shifted slightly in the darkness, exuding an aura of malicious confidence.

"What do you think, Mr. Suzaku?" asked a third voice, respectful yet tinged with anticipation. This figure turned to the leader of the group, who remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the images within the crystal ball. His expression was one of disdain as if the approaching figures were nothing more than insects to be crushed.

"Byakko is right," Suzaku finally replied, his voice smooth and dripping with arrogance. "They've gathered a few elements to form a group, but they won't even make it inside the castle." His lips curled into a cruel smile as he continued, "They will die crushed by the gate of betrayal."

The atmosphere grew thick with malevolent energy as Suzaku's words hung in the air. The other three figures, emboldened by their leader's confidence, began to laugh—a cruel, echoing sound that reverberated through the castle's dark corridors. Their laughter was filled with the anticipation of fresh bloodshed, relishing the thought of their new victims being lured into a trap from which there would be no escape.

As the laughter subsided, the four figures continued to watch, their eyes gleaming with the certainty that the castle would soon claim more lives in its unending quest for power and dominance.

---

As the group stood at the entrance of what appeared to be a cave shaped like a grotesque, horrifying face, the quintet prepared themselves for their first challenge.

"This must be the entrance," Yusuke remarked, eyeing the long, dark tunnel that lay ahead. The opening seemed to swallow the light, leading into an ominous abyss.

"Wow, what a long tunnel," Kuwabara commented, his voice echoing slightly as they all looked down the foreboding passage.

Kurama frowned, his sharp instincts tingling with a sense of danger. "It will be lucky if we find the exit from here."

Kuwabara, ever the hothead, shrugged off the warning. "Ah, if we don't have an adventure, then it wouldn't be fun! Let's go. Let's get going, come on..." He was eager, practically bouncing on his feet, ready to dive headfirst into whatever awaited them.

Hiei, as blunt as always, interjected, "Wait, this boy is getting full of himself."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY, BRAT?" Kuwabara snapped, his irritation flaring up immediately. Rando and Yusuke, familiar with their bickering, just rolled their eyes.

"Let's get going, guys," Yusuke said, trying to keep the peace as the group proceeded into the tunnel.

As they ventured deeper, the air grew colder, and the oppressive darkness seemed to press in on them from all sides. Rando, walking with the group, had a vague sense of déjà vu. The castle and its challenges felt familiar, yet he couldn't place exactly why. He just knew that this place was full of traps, and it was better to be cautious.

For a while, everything seemed fine as they traversed the tunnel. They were nearing the other side, just about ten steps away from the exit, when suddenly, a grotesque creature—a horrifying combination of a cyclops and a bat—descended from the darkness, blocking their path.

"Welcome to the castle of doom," the creature rasped, its voice low and sinister, sending a chill down their spines.

"Oh, look at that, it even talks." Kuwabara, ever the curious one, couldn't help but comment. Which made Rando lower his book.

"That's racist, Kuwabara. Yokai are living beings, not animals." Rando shot him a side-eye.

"Oh... my bad," Kuwabara muttered, looking slightly abashed as the others focused on the creature.

"To enter the castle, you must pass the trial of the Gate of Betrayal." The cyclopean creature gave an eye smile, its single eye narrowing in what seemed to be amusement.

"What kind of trial is that?" Yusuke narrowed his eyes, immediately on guard.

Instead of answering, the yokai flew towards the far end of the tunnel, where a lever suddenly appeared on the wall. The sight of it sent alarm bells ringing in Rando's mind.

"Guys, RUN!" Rando shouted, his instincts screaming that this was a trap. Nothing good ever came from a lever in a place like this.

The creature, seeing them move, wasted no time in pulling the lever. As the lever clicked into place, the entire tunnel began to shake violently. Rando sprinted toward the exit with Yusuke and Kuwabara right on his heels. Just as they reached the outside, the tunnel's ceiling began to collapse, the heavy stone crashing down with earth-shaking force.

Rando leaped through the exit, followed closely by Yusuke and Kuwabara, who barely made it out before the ceiling caved in. Kurama and Hiei, ever quick and agile, dashed out just in time as the tunnel was completely crushed behind them, sealing off their path of retreat.

As the group stared at the eye yokai, the creature hesitated, clearly caught off guard. It seemed flustered as if it hadn't expected anyone to anticipate and avoid the trial so easily.

"Well, that's awkwa—"

BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire echoed through the tunnel. The group turned to see Rando holding a pistol, calmly firing bullets into the yokai. The creature screeched in pain, its single eye-widening in shock before it collapsed to the ground, unable to sustain itself any longer.

Kuwabara's eyes widened in horror as he stared at Rando, who was casually lowering the firearm. "What... what was that?" he stammered, still processing the fact that Rando had just used an actual gun.

Rando, seemingly unfazed, glanced at the pistol with mild amusement before tucking it back behind his back.

"The United States does really have good pistols," he mused, almost as if talking to himself. Then, addressing the group, he added, "Did you think I came here without a weapon? I'm not stupid. And since regular bullets wouldn't work on yokai, I made sure to use my own spiritual energy as bullets. It does the trick."

Yusuke raised an eyebrow, impressed but cautious. Almost like someone was ripping him off. "So you did your own version of Rey Gan?"

"Nah, this is just a pistol shooting spiritual bullets, your's is literally a technique that converted a spiritual ball of energy and launched it like a missile," Rando commented as finished to drag his cigar, and smiled at Yusuke. "Kiddo, there is so much that you don't know about me. You never know what kind of enemies you'll face. Better to be overprepared than underprepared."

"It's true. In a place like this, where we don't know what to expect, having an edge could make all the difference." Kurama nodded thoughtfully.

"Yeah, let's better get going. I don't know what that trial was about, and I didn't want to find out, we need to not waste our energy on things we could avoid easily," Rando lectured as Kuwabara and Yusuke nodded their heads, and Hiei gave a glance at the yokai, the black haired yokai walked ahead.

And with that, it shows that their journey only had started.