Hey, everyone. I'm so glad I was able to post this month. Thank you so much Mrs. HatakePrime for review. Your compliment motivates me to become a better writer, especially for the readers. Thank you Lina9990, sweetieskye92, and MidnightxStarlight for favoriting me. I truly appreciate the love. And woo hoo! (dances around) Thank you to the 104 followers and 64 favorites to my story! I appreciate you guys patience with me. This story will get updated! Until then, enjoy this chapter! :)

Sincerely,

UniversalGoddess

Tension filled the stadium while Yusuke and Toguro stared at each other. Everyone watched with eagerness and anticipation.

"It's grudge match time! Team captain facing off a team captain!" Koto announced. "There's lots of bad blood between these two and gallons of it are likely to spill right here on this stadium floor! So stay tuned cuz it's sure to get messy!"

"Yusuke." Tsuki clasped her hands. "Please be careful. Toguro is a monster."

"Yes," Kurama agreed. "And who knows what he has under his sleeve."

"Oooo weee! You can cut the tension around here with a seven-foot samurai sword as the crowd waits!" Koto pronounced excitedly. "Some scramble to place last-minute bets before the windows close! Surprisingly the odds have shifted! Thanks at least in part to his team's momentum, Yusuke Urameshi is now considered the odds-on favorite to win this match!"

Team Toguro's triangle door suddenly opened. The crowd murmured in disbelief when Sakyo stepped out.

"What's Sakyo doing out there?!"

"Are they putting him up?!"

Tsuki narrowed her eyes. "Something isn't right. I've never seen him down here before."

"Yeah," Kuwabara agreed. "He's usually with his rich cronies."

Sakyo strolled confidently into the ring. He extended his hand to Juri. "The mic please."

"Uh, okay." Juri gave it to him with a confused expression on her face.

"Attention!" Sakyo turned his attention to Team Urameshi. "I like to place one last bet before the fifth match begins!"

Hiei immediately became suspicious. "What's he planning?"

"I bet it's something bad," Kuwabara answered.

"Of course, being the team owner, I'm going to wager Toguro to win! As for the particular stakes, I offer up my life!"

The audience gasped, muttering to themselves on Sakyo's wager.

"His life?" Koenma stated. "He's taking this way too seriously. I could tell he had done this before."

Tsuki scowled. "Damn him. There's always something in this stupid tournament."

"Sakyo is attempting to effectively make this the decisive battle," Hiei explained. "Very clever."

"What I am proposing here is that whichever team happens to win this match, will win the whole round! I'm doing this as a man of the people! And in that vein, I must always strive to give the people the competition they desire!" Sakyo announced. "Of course, this would only work if their team's owner and honorable committee can agree to my terms!"

"His head gone haywire. Who just goes and bet their own life like that?" Kuwabara stated.

"A crazy guy," Tsuki answered.

"Yeah! I'll do it!" Koenma's expression turned hard while gazing at Sakyo. "I'll accept your challenge. I'm placing my life on Yusuke to win."

The crowd erupted with excitement while Sakyo smirked.

Yusuke turned to Koenma, stunned by his response. "Koenma?"

"You can't be serious about trusting him," Tsuki stated.

"Now, I know how you feel about me but please don't let that get in your way. At least look like you're trying to win."

"But what if I don't win?"

"If you don't win, I'll already be in a heat of trouble, Yusuke." Koenma glanced down, his eyes tender. "I helped you get stuck in this whole predicament. As leader of the Spirit World, I can't just fly off a jet pack while Sakyo does whatever he wants to with that money."

"Attention, everyone!" The woman from the large speaker pronounced. "The tournament committee will take ten minutes to consider this! And that means all parties have an additional ten minutes to place any final bets accordingly at any one of our many fine betting windows in the main concourse of the stadium!"

"Yusuke," Kurama stated. "I know you have doubts, but Sakyo wouldn't have placed that bet if he knew for certain Toguro could win."

Tsuki nodded in agreement. "If we can beat our crazy opponents, you can too."

"It's still a gamble," Hiei said. "There's still a fifty percent chance you'll lose, detective."

After ten minutes, the voice from the speaker spoke again. "I've been informed the committee has no objections to Sakyo's proposal! So this next fight between Toguro and Urameshi will determine the winner of this year's Dark Tournament! Gentlemen, please take your places!"

"Here goes nothing." Yusuke jumped in the ring. "Toguro, you're going down."

"Hey, are you guys ready for the climactic battle to begin?!" Juri announced while Toguro and Yusuke met in the middle. "On your marks, get-," she was interrupted by a hysterical-menacing laughter.

"HEHEHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Juri frantically looked around. "What was that?!"

"No." Kuwabara shivered, unable to help the trickle of fear.

Kurama gasped. "It can't be."

"It is." A sense of dread sickened Tsuki. "I know that evil laughter from anywhere."

"Do you all hear that?! Or is it just me?!" Koto asked as the laughter grew louder.

"HEHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The ring tiles cracked, revealing an Elder Toguro. His smile widened, looking like a madman. "I'm back!"

"Ah!" Juri shrieked.

"Hehahahahahah!" Elder Toguro jumped out, clutching his arm. Wounded but very much alive. "I'm willing to bet that you weren't expecting to see me. At least not in this lifetime."

Kuwabara's mouth fell open. "I killed you! I know I killed you! Why won't you die?!"

"Perception of death is different from reality. The simplest mind will always believe anything it wants to."

"The Elder Toguro is back!" Koto declared. "Since Kuwabara splattered him, I narrowed down the possibility of him being a ghost or zombie man!"

"Before my wounds were fatal," Elder Toguro explained. "I liquefied and seeped between the tiles. And then I waited to hear that the betting was close just so I could emerge triumphantly. Hahahaha, we're going to be rich!"

"Tch." Hiei frowned. "Despicable."

"Where's his honor?" Kuwabara stated.

"It died with him," Koenma replied.

Yusuke's lips became tight with a fierce scowl. "Cheater."

"You and your pals should know by now that you can't defeat my brother and me unless we want you to. Fortunately, my brother wanted to meet Genkai. Of course, you know how that turned out. It is a shame you could have cradled her body in your arms when she was younger. She was a real wild cat back in those days. And not just in the heat of battle if you know what I mean. The things she did with my brother. Hmmm, I wouldn't had mind having a pass of her for myself. Back then anyway."

"Disgusting pervert." Rage ripped through Tsuki's chest. "How dare he speak to our mentor like that?"

"Brother." Younger Toguro growled. "Enough."

"Now, now, brother. Don't be so sensitive." Elder Toguro gave Yusuke a death glare. "You might get a shot yourself once we reunite you with your whore mentor."

"That bastard." Kuwabara clenched his fists. "Let's go."

Kurama shook his head. "It's not your fight, Kuwabara," he said in a calm voice.

"Oh, the heck it ain't."

"The call is not left for the interloper."

"Huh?"

"Only these two could determine how this match will be fought."

"Huh?

"You'll see."

"Just pay attention, fool," Hiei stated.

As much as Tsuki wanted to rebuttal and jump in the ring, Kurama was right. She watched attentively to see what was going to happen.

Yusuke and Younger Toguro smirked at each other, signaling a mutual agreement.

"What will it be, brother?" Elder Toguro raised his arm. "Any weapon you want. A dagger, a sword, a semi-automatic machine gun. As long as we work together, this competition is in our grasp. Hahahahaha!"

Younger Toguro stood to the side of his brother. "No."

"Brother," Elder Toguro said, surprised. "We can win."

"This does not involve you." Younger Toguro kicked his brother.

Tsuki cringed at the impact. "Didn't expect that."

Koenma smiled. "He deserves it."

"Ahhhh!" Elder Toguro flew high in the air. He stopped midway, gliding back to his brother. His appearance turned murderously angry. "How could you?! I'm your older brother and you just kicked me, you son-of-a-bitch! Your own brother!"

"You're dead to me." Younger Toguro punched him, flying him out of the stadium's damaged ceiling.

"Ahhh!" Elder Toguro's bones and organs splattered away while the audience watched in horror.

Hiei had a satisfied smile on his face. "Nice."

Kuwabara's eyebrows lifted. "So that's what you meant, Kurama."

Toguro glanced at Yusuke. "I'm sorry, but blood can only run so thick. This will be a fair fight down to the ladder. This time we fight for real."

"You bet," Yusuke answered with a grin.

"Well, that was interesting! A little family issue that's been quickly resolved!" Koto announced. "Anyways, greetings everybody from the heart of the Dark Tournament where the moment you all been waiting for has finally arrived! Toguro versus Urameshi! Will the reigning champion steal another victory?! Or will this year's now favorite guest team pull the offset of the century and walk away with the prize?! There's one champion on the line at the winner-takes-all final round!"

Toguro silently unbuttoned his collar shirt, tossing it to the side.

"Put your shirt back on!" Shizuru yelled.

"Urameshi!" Kuwabara shouted. "Don't be intimidated by that stupid steroid half-naked freak!"

"Beat him," Tsuki stated. "For Genkai."

"You must concentrate, detective," Hiei said.

"I have faith in you," Kurama stated.

"Don't blow this one, Yusuke," Koenma pleaded.

"This time for real!" Juri declared. "Are you ready?!"

Dead silence as Yusuke and Toguro stared at each other in the middle. They never broke eye contact.

"Okay then!" Juri gave the signal. "Begin!"

The crowd roared its applause, waiting for the bloody action.

"Well done, Yusuke," Toguro stated. "At last the two of us fight again. Only this time things are going to be different for you. I'm not throwing this fight for anyone."

"Good." Yusuke's face turned serious. "Cuz now for me, it's personal."

"You don't think this is personal for me too?!" Toguro balled his fists, charging his demonic energy. A shudder rippled through him, along his shoulders, and down his spine. "I'll start with eighty percent."

Yusuke took a step back, shocked by his energy.

"Wow." A shiver of panic trembled in Tsuki's stomach. "And that's only eighty."

"Hopefully Yusuke can stop him from reaching one hundred," Koenma replied.

"Grrrahhh, grahhh!" Toguro's body grew bigger and bulkier. The tiles from the ring burst apart by his energy. It spread through the stadium, instantly disintegrating the weaker demons.

"Ahhhh!"

"Help me! I'm melting!"

"Amazing," Hiei stated. "Toguro's demon energy is so strong that it's literally melting the flesh off the weaker apparitions."

Kurama clutched his chest, breathing heavily. "They're not the only ones. I can't take much more at my present state."

"Me too." Tsuki touched her forehead. She felt her soul tearing from her flesh. "My head feels like it's about to explode."

"Ergh." Kuwabara took a step back. "Not a problem. I can handle it."

"Well actually no you can't, Kuwabara." Koenma stood in front of them, creating a barrier. "Now all of you, stand behind me."

Tsuki's lightheadedness was gone. "Thanks, Koenma." She glanced up and smiled, grateful that her grandpa's barrier was keeping the girls and animals safe.

Toguro got into his fighting stance. "Let's see what you got. Do not disappoint."

Yusuke sprinted. "Ahhh!" He threw a punch, making contact with Toguro's stomach.

"That tickles." Toguro jabbed Yusuke's chin.

Yusuke was pushed back but recovered. He used his hand to glide back to Toguro. He sprinted and jumped, throwing another punch.

Toguro vanished, reappearing behind Yusuke. He threw an uppercut.

Yusuke dodged and flipped, kicking Toguro in the face.

"Can't believe the extent to which Yusuke's technique has improved," Kurama stated.

"Yes," Hiei agreed. "But it's not enough to damage him."

"He needs to use his spirit gun," Tsuki stated. "Punches aren't going to be enough."

Yusuke stumbled back, watching Toguro's movements.

"Ahhhhh!" Toguro flung his arm, sending a wave of energy towards Yusuke.

The energy caused the stadium's tiles to crumble. It flew past the wall, causing instant death to some of the audience.

Yusuke's face was cut. He jumped and punched another tile flying towards him.

Toguro charged at Yusuke who stood still and raised his hands.

"What?!" Kuwabara screeched. "Are you crazy, Urameshi?! There's no way in heck you can block his straight-on punch!"

"He's protecting Keiko and the others," Tsuki explained. "You saw how Toguro's energy caused a lot of damage."

"Very thoughtful, Yusuke," Koenma stated.

Toguro threw his punch but stopped midway. "I see the way you look at me in judgment. But you have no idea what it's like do you? To lose your beloved."

"No," Yusuke replied. He glowered at Toguro with a resentful expression. "And I never will because I won't let that happen. I actually look forward to growing old with her."

Toguro gazed at Keiko. "You say that now, bu-"

"Stop it." Yusuke cut him off and blocked Toguro's view. "This is between you and me."

"Whoa!" Koto announced. "Now Toguro stopped mid-punch to chat with Urameshi! Hopefully, they'll be less talking and more brawling! I want to see some blood!"

"Those fools," Hiei said with a slight sneer. "Why don't they stop dancing around each other and fight? One must never let emotions enter the ring. That was a mistake. I should have known better than to hand this match over to Yusuke."

"He has the right to feel how he feels," Tsuki retorted. She glared at Toguro, not bothering to hide the anger and loathing behind her gaze. "Toguro is a low-life scum that needs to be punished for what he did to Genkai."

"Hmph, it's time you have something to prove, Urameshi." Toguro's fighting stance produced a powerful image. He grinned menacingly. "Show me that your master did not sacrifice her strength for you in vain."

"Right." Yusuke pointed his index finger. "I'll show you."

Juri gazed at both of them while they had an intense stare-off. "Are you guys alright?"

"Following an action pack beginning, what we got in our hands here is a good old-fashioned standoff!" Koto declared to the anxious crowd. "But now it seems that Yusuke is focusing his energy into that trustee's right index finger."

"Use it!" Jorge yelled. "Blast him with your spirit gun!"

Younger Toguro remained nonchalant. "So, she didn't teach you any new tricks? I want to see everything that Genkai gave you."

"Hold on, Urameshi got something from Genkai before she died? Like a gift?" Kuwabara asked.

"Yes, but not exactly the sort of gift with wrapping in a bow, Kuwabara," Koenma explained. "More like her gift. You know, what made Genkai special. She gave him the energy she had stored for decades."

"How much power did she give him?"

"I don't know, but I'm guessing all of it."

"Genkai's powers were phenomenal. If Yusuke truly received all of them, he might just stand a chance against Toguro," Kurama stated.

"I hope so," Tsuki said. "Genkai was too old to fight Toguro. Yusuke has the strength and stamina to use Genkai's full power."

"Interesting." Hiei displayed a tad more interest. "This should be fun."

Yusuke's spiritual energy glowed. "I hope you're watching this, grandma."

"Fire!" Kuwabara demanded.

Toguro balled his fists. "You'll never hit me with that distance."

Yusuke stopped and sprinted at Toguro. "I have a few shots left. I can't miss even one."

"Why didn't he shoot?" Koenma questioned.

"He's waiting for the perfect opportunity," Kurama explained.

Toguro smiled. "You use your head in battle. I like that." He sprinted after Yusuke.

"Ahhh!" Yusuke punched Toguro multiple times in his stomach.

Toguro took all of his punches. "Come on. Is that all you got?" He threw a punch at Yusuke.

Yusuke leaped away. While the ring crumbled, Toguro threw a cross, but again, Yusuke dodged with moments to spare. The energy blast collided with the wall.

"Insane," Tsuki stated.

"Entertaining," Hiei said.

Toguro kicked, but Yusuke grabbed his leg and flipped over. "Ahhh!" He kicked Toguro in the face.

Toguro stood strong, tightening his hands. Rocks flew at Yusuke, causing him to flip backward.

"Let's kick this up a notch. Shall we?" Toguro grinned. He threw a punch. "Grrr."

Yusuke dodged it, causing Toguro to hit the ring. The ring tiles broke into pieces. Yusuke and Juri flew by the force.

"Yikes." Kuwabara's eyes flashed in horror. "It makes me glad that I fought the elder one."

"Younger Toguro is definitely stronger than the two," Koenma replied.

"Both are sick. You can't compare that," Tsuki stated.

"Come out. Come out, Yusuke." Toguro turned around, surprised that Yusuke was behind him.

Yusuke was upside down, pointing his index finger at Toguro. "Spirit gun!" He fired.

"Ahhh!" Toguro was hit point blank.

"Yes!" Tsuki cheered.

"Bullseye!" Kuwabara grinned.

"That's a direct hit," Koenma stated.

Toguro flew. He broke through the stadium wall, flying miles in the forest.

The audience turned silent while Koto talked. "The usually rather vibrant crowd watched on in stunned silence! I don't think anybody saw that one coming! Especially not Toguro who's been blown out of the stadium!"

"Uhhhh, where am I?" Juri rose from the crumble. "And who am I?" She jumped in surprise but the rock from her head knocked her out again.

"Hey, lady!" Kuwabara yelled. He pointed at the damaged wall. "Get up and snap out of it! You got a job to do! There's a fighter out of the ring and you better start counting like you're always doing for me!"

"Fool, take a moment to look at where Yusuke is standing," Hiei responded.

Kuwabara gawked with a mix of terror and awe. "Hey, how the heck do you get back in the ring?"

"There's no ring, Kuwabara," Tsuki answered.

"In this final battle, there'll be no boundaries," Kurama stated.

"The only rule is kill or be killed," Hiei explained.

Yusuke stood by the damaged wall, watching with great suspense.

"Yusuke is much stronger now than I ever imagined a human could be," Hiei stated, sounding both shocked and impressed.

"Yet, Toguro didn't even bother to block its attack," Kurama stated.

Dread settled in Tsuki's bones. "I have a bad feeling."

"If Toguro can escape a blast that powerful unscathed, there's no telling what else he might be capable of," Hiei stated.

"Look, would you stop being such a glass that's half-empty kind of guy for two seconds," Kuwabara argued. "Accept it. There's absolutely no way in heck that guy is coming back with anything other than an ashtray."

"Hiei has a point," Koenma stated. "It was too easy. We just have to wait and see."

After agonizing minutes, Toguro casually walked back into the stadium with his glasses off.

"No way." Tsuki's eyes widened. "No damage. Not even a scratch."

Toguro stood in front of Yusuke, disappointed. "Is that all you got for me? I expected more from Genkai."

Yusuke's face fell. "Damn."

"Gahhh." Kuwabara dropped to the ground. "He's invisible. That's the only explanation for it."

"This isn't good," Koenma replied.

"Whoa! Look at it, people! Toguro has miraculously risen from the dead! Runs in the family I guess!" Koto declared. "There's not much of a scratch on this giant brute! The only difference is his shades is gone! And what piercing eyes he has!"

Toguro's eyes were black and cold. His energy rose and spread towards Yusuke.

Yusuke blocked it with his spiritual energy, but the demonic energy cut his cheeks. "Damn it."

"I was foolish to depend on you rising to this occasion. I wanted to test you to see if you were really strong enough to compete with me. Obviously, me standing here means that you failed. So there's no need for me to go full power. I'll finish this as I am," Toguro said, his smile predatory. He charged his energy.

Yusuke remained strong and used his energy to cover himself. Another scratch appeared on his cheek.

"Hmph, and I thought you might actually be the one, Urameshi. If you had passed my test, I was ready to go full power for you. But there's absolutely no need for you to worry about that now. My total power would be wasted on you."

"Yeah!" The audience roared. "Team Toguro will win!"

"Kill him! Make sure there's nothing left of him!"

Kuwabara looked dumbfounded. "Uh, he's not even in his full power. I wasn't aware that anyone can get fuller than that."

"Do you think that there's any hope left for him?" Kurama questioned.

"Not really," Hiei replied.

"Yusuke." Unease filled Tsuki, despite her calm exterior. She didn't want to be pessimistic, but this fight wasn't looking too good. "There has to be a way."

"Right about now, Urameshi got to be thinking to himself, I don't stand the tiniest little chance! I mean face it! If his enhanced spirit gun can't take Toguro down, what else does he got?!" Koto announced.

"Hmph." Yusuke shrugged. "Guess play period is over. Oh well, it was fun."

"What?" Toguro stated.

Yusuke raised his arm. "Check this out." He took off his wristband, revealing an energy cuff.

"Well, for some inexplicable reason, Yusuke has ripped off his left wristband to reveal, uh, uh it's a glowing gold bracelet!" Koto declared. "And might I say it takes a pretty tough man to wear jewelry in public, especially at a martial arts tournament!"

Yusuke took off the other band, revealing another cuff.

"I should have expected. Spirit cuffs from Genkai," Toguro stated

Kuwabara seemed a bit embarrassed. "I got to say that's a pretty sissy fashion statement. Even for Urameshi, man."

"Why would he fight Toguro using such a handicap?" Kurama's eyebrows furrowed, appearing truly confused. "I hardly understand."

"Easy," Hiei explained. "It's because he's a cocky fool."

"Yes," Koenma agreed. "He must inherit it from Genkai. The spirit cuff that is."

"Uh, will someone please tell me what the heck is going on?" Kuwabara asked.

"Spiritual cuffs are used to hold a person's power. They're basically weights to build spiritual stamina," Tsuki explained. "Genkai told me after Yusuke's training."

"Now it's a pretty good time, grandma. Aviticus!" The cuffs broke. Yusuke released a strong amount of spiritual energy, glowing high in the air.

"Gruahhhh!" A blue spiritual phoenix flew around the stadium.

"Amazing," Kurama complimented.

"Yes, Yusuke!" Tsuki beamed from the enormous power. She wished she would've asked Genkai to put spiritual cuffs on her.

The bird flew back to Yusuke, returning to his body. He reminded Tsuki of the sun, glowing brightly with his profound energy.

"Just feel that. His energy is out of control." Kuwabara grinned. "There's no way Urameshi can lose this now!"

"Hmph." Hiei folded his arms. "We'll see."

"Oh my goodness!" Koto's excitement grew. "Urameshi's strength is making me feel faint! Who knew he had a surprise like this planned in the back of his head!"

"Are you really arrogant Urameshi that you thought you could actually beat me while wearing spirit cuffs?" Toguro questioned.

"Well." Yusuke brushed his nose. "Yeah, sort of. In hindsight, I may have been a bit cocky."

"You wasted enough of my time by underestimating me. Grrr, fortunately, this will be the last time you'll ever make that mistake." Toguro raised his arm, getting into his fighting stance.

"Here goes nothing." Yusuke sprinted towards Toguro. When he came close, he leaped but vanished in thin air.

Kurama's eyes widened. "Now I see."

"Where did he go?" Kuwabara frantically gazed around.

Yusuke reappeared in front of Toguro. "Ahhhh!" He delivered hard blows to his upper body. His last punch was an uppercut to the chin.

The audience gasped while Toguro fell to the ground.

"Right on, Yusuke!" Tsuki cheered, feeling a great leap of excitement. "Amazing."

Koenma's eyes widened. "Toguro's knocked down."

"He's gotta be feeling that one, hahaha!" Kuwabara grinned

Yusuke sprinted. "Ahhhh!" He jumped and punched Toguro in the chest.

"Gah!" Toguro coughed out blood. The impact created a dent in the ground.

Shock crossed Hiei's features. "Such power."

"Ahhhh!" Yusuke kept delivering more blows to Toguro's face and body.

"This is a very different fight. I've never seen Yusuke fight so intensely before," Kurama stated.

Kuwabara's face lit up. "Yeah, you said it. He's like a machine!"

"All thanks to Genkai," Tsuki replied.

Yusuke kept punching until he suddenly stopped. He jumped away from the dent with a troubled face.

Kuwabara gasped. "What?!"

"But why?" Kurama asked.

"Don't stop now!" Hiei yelled. "Destroy him!"

"Something must have happened," Koenma explained.

"Just as we were starting to get into some hardcore punching, Yusuke got spooked and backed off like he was afraid of Toguro's unresponsive body!" Koto announced.

Yusuke scowled. "It's that damn look in his eyes. Like he was still the one in control."

Toguro rose from the dent. His muscles were deflated and his body was back to normal size. "Well done, Yusuke. You passed the test."

Fear consumed Tsuki. "I don't like this one bit. After all that, he's too calm."

"I'm afraid that a ferocious wolf is laying in wait underneath that plastic sheep's facade," Kurama stated.

"I know," Hiei agreed. "It's written all over his face."

"At last, Yusuke. You've done as I asked." Multiple veins formed around Toguro's body while he raised his arms. "I've waited a long time for this moment. Now destiny has rewarded me with my patience."

A powerful earthquake struck the stadium. It grew more intense while Toguro charged his energy.

Kuwabara's voice grew more panicked. "Gah, what's happening?"

"Toguro is unleashing his full power," Koenma explained. "Seeing it up close is nerve-racking."

"Wow! The earth is quaking! Now this is shaping out to be the kind of legends are made and others are faithfully broken!" Koto declared while randomly wearing sunglasses. "Toguro's power is like a solar eclipse! You shouldn't stare directly at it, no matter how beautiful it is!"

"Raaahhhh!" Toguro's purple aura shot out and spread across the stadium. It easily destroyed the weaker demons like they got doused in acid.

"Ahhhh! It burns!"

"Somebody help!"

"It's hard to tell if Toguro lost control of his power," Kurama stated. "Or if he's attacking the crowd on purpose."

"I believe on purpose," Tsuki replied.

"Luckily my barrier is enough to protect us," Koenma said.

"Ergh!" Toguro's body turned gray. "Ergh!" A black aura spread through the stadium.

"Huh?!" Koenma stated while the stadium turned pitch black.

"Hey, what the?!" Kuwabara grew confused. "Who the heck is turning off the lights?! I can't even see myself think!"

"Be careful, Yusuke," Kurama warned.

"This is it," Hiei stated.

"I'm not looking forward to this," Koenma groaned.

Tsuki took a deep breath, worry filled her eyes. "Me either. Toguro isn't going to go easy on him."

"Ergh!" Toguro grew taller with his muscles thickened and enlarged. His shoulders formed a pair of tube-like appendages. The darkness faded away as he finally stopped, huffing.

Yusuke stood in place, bewildered by Toguro's new transformation.

"Gah!" Kuwabara jolted. "What a freak!"

"The structure of those muscles, genius," Kurama stated with fascination.

"I can't believe that body was merely once human," Hiei said.

Tsuki struggled to keep her panic at bay. "He's a cold-blooded brute."

"Urameshi! This is your chance! Finish him off!" Kuwabara urged. "Do it while you can before he reaches full power!"

"I can't." Yusuke stiffened. "It's not fear that's holding me back though, it's curiosity. I just need to know what he's got."

"Damn," Kuwabara scowled, irritated. "Are you certain he doesn't get stronger?"

"I'm not sure," Koenma replied. "Toguro is unpredictable."

"Well after much anticipation and build-up, Toguro has finally revealed his full power!" Koto declared. "And may I just be the first to say that I'm not the least bit disappointed in the grand unveiling! You've got to see this muscle-bound man to believe him!"

"You know, I was kicking myself pretty hard for not being able to feel this guy's power. But now I realize if I actually had felt it, my head would have exploded all over the darn place," Kuwabara explained.

Tsuki shivered, feeling a new wave of disappointment. "I'm scared for Yusuke. Toguro's powers are insane."

"Well, you win some and you lose some. I guess that's what makes it gambling. It's too bad really. If Yusuke did have enough time with Genkai before she gave him his powers. Just a few more years," Koenma stated.

Toguro stepped forward. He flickered something at Yusuke.

"Ah!" Yusuke fell backward. He reeled hard to the ground, smashing his body into a rock.

Toguro smirked, overconfident. "Bullseye."

Yusuke rose with a fresh cut on his forehead. "What the hell?"

"Did you like that one? Unlike your spirit gun, I have an infinite supply." With blinding speed, Toguro fired more shots.

Yusuke scowled, using his glowing fists to dodge it. "Man, this is rough."

"Fascinating. With a flick of his thumb, Toguro is creating a tiny blast of air with the force of a bullet," Kurama explained.

After a few more shots, Toguro stopped. "I hope that didn't tire you out, Urameshi."

"It looks to me like Toguro is done with target practice! And Urameshi is just plain done!" Koto announced.

"Eeaaah! Take this!" Yusuke leaped and threw a punch.

Toguro easily blocked it with his thumb. He punched Yusuke's arm.

Tsuki flinched when she heard a cracking sound. "Oh no."

"This is not good," Koenma stated.

"Ahhh!" Yusuke landed on the ground. He clutched his arm, hollering in pain.

"Urameshi!" Kuwabara yelled.

Toguro's eyes narrowed in a gleam of triumph. "I have more power in my thumb than you have in your entire body."

"Will see." Yusuke's index finger glowed. "I've got a strong finger myself."

Toguro gave Yusuke a withering look. "Now hit me with everything that you have. You have no idea which shot will be your last."

"Spirit gun!" Yusuke fired.

Toguro puffed out his chest, easily destroying the blast. He shot Yusuke a nasty grin. "Hahahahaha!"

Koenma was utterly mystified. "Oh no."

"Not even a scratch on him." Tsuki chilled with panic. "He became unstoppable."

Yusuke was speechless, looking so helpless while Toguro enjoyed his disbelief.

"I consider myself a good judge of humankind having been one myself. I can see that there's something missing in your eyes." With a blink of an eye, Toguro grabbed Yusuke by his shirt, lifting him in the air. "And that something is fear. It used to be one of your strengths. Without fear, you'll never grow stronger as a fighter. I know I told you that before." He hit him in the stomach, a big hard fist.

Everyone gasped as Yusuke flew to the upper section, crashing to the back of the seats.

"Yusuke!" Keiko screamed.

"Toguro blew away Urameshi's giant spirit gun with nothing but the aura surrounding him! Now he's batted Yusuke all the way to the third level!" Koto declared.

"You're not doing your job, Yusuke Urameshi," Toguro explained. "This is the first time I fought a hundred percent. Clearly, there must be a reason. The way you're fighting now, I can finish you easily with one punch of my power arm. But that's not what I waited all this time for. You have a power that you still have not realized. And this body will bring it out. The technique that Genkai mastered all her years combined with the unnatural talent you were born with; That's everything needed for the ultimate power. For years I've waited for those ingredients to show themselves and now they have. So I must put my strength against yours and know the answer it will give."

"I can't stand this guy," Kuwabara said in disgust. "He's trying to beat more power out of Urameshi just so he can have a good time."

"It's the nature of the demon body that gave him. His instincts tell him to fight," Koenma explained.

Toguro shot a sharp look at Koenma. "Don't sell me short. It's more than that. I may have the instincts to act aggressively, but it's my own choices to follow them through that define what I am. Without my conscious decisions, my body only has impulses that will quickly fade away." Toguro's shoulder tubes released air. His tone turned deadly. "Let me show you what I mean.

A sense of panic and dread washed over Tsuki. "Toguro stop! Don't do it!" She felt the souls of the dead crying for help while they floated in the air.

The souls went inside Toguro's body. "Remaining at top strength is demanding and my body gets an impulse to devour souls, but it's until I decide to kill that the beating begins. I've chosen evil. And in twenty minutes, everyone will be gone. Aren't you gonna do something to stop me, Urameshi?! Or will your friends have to watch people die?! Hahahaha!"

"Toguro is using his body like a vacuum to bring souls to him," Kurama explained.

Despair consumed Tsuki, but she forced herself to concentrate. "There's no way to get their souls back. He's gone completely insane."

Toguro blew more demonic air, spreading across the stadium. Some demons evaporated into souls. The audience freaked out, immediately dispersing.

"They're not even fighting! I don't want to die this way!"

"This is a joke, son! Let's get out of here!"

"Afraid of being sucked into Toguro's body, the weaker fans who can't defend themselves are stampeding out of the stadium! Their faces are being corroded by panic!" Koto announced while the crowd screamed and ran in different directions.

"Not so fast." Sakyo smirked, holding a remote device. "The party is just getting started." He pressed the red button.

The stadium shook. Enormous metal walls emerged from the ground, surrounding the building.

A demon banged on the wall. "Are you out of your mind?!"

"Let us out of here!"

"Oh, you can't want to leave us. Your lives are worth less than the tickets." Sakyo lit up a cigarette. "Now no one but the winner gets out of here alive."

Hiei's eyes darkened. "I should snatch that remote from his hand."

"Now no one is safe under all this madness," Kurama stated.

A demon sneered, nostrils flaring. "I'm not going down without a fight! I'm charging that bastard!"

Another demon bared his teeth. "Get Toguro!" He and a mad mob jumped in, dashing after the muscle demon.

Toguro fired his bullets, destroying the demons. He flung his arm, his aura disintegrated their bodies into ashes. "All you weaklings best remain in your seats," he stated as more souls entered his body. "Yusuke and I have disagreeable tempers."

"Shut up, Toguro!" Yusuke leaped, ready to throw a punch. "Don't you ever put me in the same category as you!" He made contact with Toguro's forehead.

Toguro remained unbothered. "Now we're starting to get somewhere. So it's your refusal to admit how you and I are similar that makes you lash out at me."

Yusuke threw more punches while the audience cheered. "Ahhh!"

"That's right, Urameshi! Kill Toguro!"

"We're with you all the way brother!"

Kuwabara's eyebrows twitched. "Why they?!"

"The opinion poll has changed," Hiei stated.

Tsuki surveyed the scene, wishing she could be anywhere but in this crowded, despair-filled area. "It's because their lives are at stake."

Toguro stood tall as Yusuke delivered more punches. His next blow caught Yusuke in the face.

Yusuke flew but recovered. "Ahhhh!" He threw another punch.

Toguro caught it with his hand. "You know that's not good enough." He squeezed hard.

"Ahhhh!" Yusuke screamed in agony.

Toguro punched his stomach. He continued to pulverize Yusuke with nonstop blows.

"Yusuke!" Keiko screamed. "Stop it! You're hurting him!"

Toguro slammed Yusuke to the ground, stomping on his stomach. "I won't let you avoid your problems forever. The only problem with waiting is that it will cause more people to die." He released his power. More bodies perished from the crowd.

"Damn him!" Anger burned through Tsuki, hitting her like a wave of heat. "I can't do anything to stop him. This is torture."

"I agree," Kurama replied. "But this isn't our fight."

"There's relatively…few of us…left in the audience…now!" Koto sounded faint. "Toguro is…too much! His draining power… is taking its toll…on the strongest! I don't know...if you'll hear…this broadcast much…longer!"

Yusuke held Toguro's foot for dear life. His face was pounded to a pulp. "Ergh."

"You see, I've become something of a different person. When I take my full demon form, I'll do anything to get what I desire." Toguro eyed Grandpa Saito and the girls' section.

The color in Tsuki's face drained away. "No!"

"Yukina!" Kuwabara shouted. "Shizuru!"

"Ergh ahhh!' Toguro launched his demonic wave towards the upper section. The blast missed grandpa and the others by a few inches.

Yusuke's eyes burned with fury. "You bastard." His spiritual energy rose. He hit a glancing blow in Toguro's face. "Ahhhh!"

"Yeah!" Kuwabara whooped in admiration and relief. "Get him Urameshi!"

Yusuke tried to throw another, but Toguro backhanded him. He flew and slammed into the stadium wall.

"Still not good enough," Kurama stated.

"Come on, detective," Hiei urged. "Don't you dare allow him to win."

"You're an incredible disappointment." Toguro's face turned dark with annoyance. "I went through so much in the assumption you'll be the one person who could fight me. If I'm proven wrong, you'll pay for it dearly."

"I'll get you," Yusuke declared. His shirt was shredded. And he was streaked with sweat and blood. "If I ever get the chance."

"No, don't give up now, Urameshi," Kuwabara pleaded.

Koenma sighed deeply. "There's no choice. I'm sending her in."

"Who?" Tsuki asked.

"You'll see."

Howls of horror pierced Tsuki's ear. The audience's faces appeared frightened to death.

"Oh no! It's over!"

"Not even Yusuke can slow down Toguro! Every one of us is going to get it!"

Juri cried, cowering in the rocks. "So stupid! Why did I run away to be an announcer?! I should have stayed and raised some apples!"

Puu suddenly flew past Toguro and stopped mid-air in front of Yusuke. "You'll never let this old woman have some peace and quiet. Will you, Yusuke?"

Yusuke blinked. "Genkai?"

Kuwabara gasped. "Genkai comes back to life and she looks exactly like Puu!"

"No, she's using Puu as a vessel," Tsuki explained. "Though it's great to hear her voice."

"Toguro, you want to see Yusuke's real power come to the surface? I'll tell you," Genkai informed. "He's very predictable. The only thing you have to do is kill one of his friends and make sure he's watching."

"That was unexpected." Koenma sucked on his pacifier.

Tsuki's heart sank. "No kidding."

Yusuke stared at Puu, slack-jawed. "Genkai, what the hell is the matter with you?"

"Yusuke has a six feet wall of crap between him and his actual emotions. And that's where his powers reside. To break through that wall you have to do something drastic like killing someone he really cares for."

"Dying must have ruined your heart, Genkai."

Puu hovered close to Yusuke's face. "Open your childish eyes, dimwit. If you don't stop Toguro, everyone in the stadium dies. And damn it, if the life of one friend is what it takes for you to save the rest of them, that sacrifice is worth it."

"I'm not dying because the detective can't control his emotions," Hiei stated.

"Precisely," Kurama agreed.

Tsuki shook her head. "I love you, Genkai. But there's got to be a better way."

"Noooooo!" Yusuke stood up. His gaze was that of a crazy man. "You're nothing but a stupid little hypocrite! You told me to commit to something all the way and I chose my friends! Now you're saying killing one is motivation is okay?!"

"Idiot." Puu's ear smacked Yusuke in the face.

Yusuke recovered from his shock and scowled.

"Sorry, Yusuke. But this is the world you stuck yourself into and it's not pretty. When you're not strong enough to lead, you lose the privilege of getting what you want."

"Enough." Toguro fired two air bullets, hitting Puu and Yusuke.

Yusuke fell while Puu flew away.

"I had that idea a while back, and I didn't like the way it felt. But if there's nothing else that can bring out your true abilities, well you heard before, I'll do anything." Toguro gazed at Team Urameshi's side with a dangerous glint in his dark eyes. "All I have to do is choose which one."

Yusuke's body shuddered. "Don't do this."

"Hmmm," Toguro glanced at each of them. When he stared at Tsuki, Hiei stood in front of her. He ignored them and pointed. "How about you, Kuwabara?"

Kuwabara shivered in fear. "Wait, what?"

"Urameshi does appear to be the most protective of you." Toguro smiled, moving forward. "Let's see you bring out his hidden emotions. I'll make this quick."

"No." Tsuki went cold, skin crawling. "Stay back."

"Genkai, thanks a lot," Koenma stated sarcastically.

Yusuke lunged. "Stop this, Toguro!" He punched the back of Toguro's head. When that didn't work, he jumped in front and landed punches to Toguro's stomach.

"Piteful." Toguro uppercut him.

"Ahhh!" Yusuke reeled facedown to the ground. He got back up and glowered. "Bastard." He sprinted but he was struck across the face.

Yusuke staggered to his feet, breathing hard and fighting the pain. "Ugh."

Kuwabara's voice had an edge of worry. "Urameshi."

"At this rate, Yusuke won't hold up much longer," Tsuki explained. "And Toguro is getting closer."

Kurama frowned, thinking hard. "If he makes it over here, the four of us must fight him together."

"With what secret weapon?" Hiei side-eyed him. "You're barely been able to stand up since flirting with death."

"Yes, your darkness flame technique hasn't left much of you either." Kurama smiled. "We could run if you want."

"Don't be simple. I'll take on Toguro alone if I must."

"Did you really have to do that, Genkai?" Koenma glanced at Puu who was near Koto's table. "Let's just hope to all that it works."

"Nooo!" Yusuke was hit by another uppercut. He grabbed his throat, gasping and panting.

"You do know this is your fault, right?" Toguro stated. "For living in a constant state of depression. Now Kuwabara will have to pay for your mistakes."

"No!" Yusuke yelled in panic. He pointed at Toguro.

Toguro vanished and appeared behind him. "Relax, Yusuke. I'll free you up." He grabbed Yusuke's head and smashed it to the ground. He rose and continued to walk toward Team Urameshi's side.

"Hmph." Hiei stood tall, ready to strike.

"Here he comes," Kurama stated.

Tsuki took a deep breath. Her energy was far too low. She couldn't even summon her divine bells.

Kuwabara stepped forward. "Stay back, guys. I'm the one he wants."

"Just stop and think, Kuwabara," Kurama stated.

"This isn't the time for your showmanship," Hiei explained. "Face Toguro now and you'll die before this minute is through."

"Hmph." Kuwabara smirked. "I know."

Kuwabara's words filled Tsuki with dread. "Kuwabara, no!"

"Hey, Koenma. You risk your life in Urameshi's fight and now I'm going to do the same. So make a place for me and make sure my wake is as good as his."

"Kuwabara, I uh," Koenma became speechless.

"There's no stopping him. And I'm going to go now." Kuwabara released his spirit sword. "A mulberry is a tree, Kuwabara is a man and I'll prove it. We all have to die when our time comes but if we do our duty, we don't got regrets. So taste a piece of my sword, Toguro."

Yusuke clutched his stomach, sadness etched in his every feature. "Kuwabara, no!"

"Ahhhh!" Kuwabara sprinted.

"Hahahaha!" Toguro smiled evilly. He vanished and reappeared in front of Kuwabara, piercing his chest.

"Gah!" Kuwabara panted.

"Kuwabara!" Tsuki screamed.

"Nooooo!" Yusuke yelled, this time a cry filled with sorrow.

"Okay, Urameshi," Kuwabara smiled, touching his bloody chest. "It's all you. I did what I could. Now end it for all of us. Make my death count, okay?" He reached for his friend. "Gyaahhh."

"Kazuma!" Yukina cried out.

"Brother!" Shizuru yelled. "You killed my brother, you bastard!"

Tsuki and the guys ran when Kuwabara collapsed.

Kurama's arms wrapped around Kuwabara's body. "Hold on there, Kuwabara. Just stay with us... Kuwabara…just stay with us..." His head hung low until realization dawned in his eyes. "Hold on, your pulse is still strong."

"That's right, don't worry," Kuwabara whispered. "Toguro missed my vitals but keep looking at me like you're sad. Urameshi could use some good shock treatment."

"I'm absolutely thrilled that you're alive, Kuwabara," Tsuki said. "But you know Yusuke is going to be pissed."

"I know, but it'll be worth it after I see his stupid face."

"If he wins," Hiei stated.

Yusuke's body shook while he was on his knees. Pain and despair glistened in his eyes.

Toguro's lips curved into a predatory smile. "That's anti-climatic. You knew him for so long and now he's dead. Do you think that was efficient for you? Or do I need to take another of your friends' life for you to get the point?"

"Just stop it." Yusuke slowly stood up, energy rising. "You've done enough damage."

Tsuki's eyes widened. "His spiritual energy is different."

"Yes, the fool is finally handling his emotions," Hiei replied.

Yusuke disappeared and reappeared behind Toguro.

"What?" Toguro spun around, shocked. "So I guess that was enough."

Yusuke's eyes held such a deep sadness. "You took my teacher, and now I let you take my friend. What the hell do you want from me?" He said miserably. His energy continued to rise.

Koenma stared at Yusuke in amazement. "His spirit energy is undeniably different than before."

"Alright, Toguro. You got what you wish for," Kurama stated.

Tsuki glowered at Toguro with a resentful expression. "You sick bastard. I hope Yusuke destroys you."

"Don't you think I wanted to use my power to win this thing and go home?" Tsuki felt the sincerity in Yusuke's words, the rawness of his pain. "Of course, but I just didn't know how to reach it and now I have to live with that."

Toguro smirked. "Maybe not for long, Yusuke."

"I've been pathetic. But I won't let you take away any more of my friends." Yusuke's spiritual aura swirled around the stadium.

"For all those still listening to this broadcast, Yusuke is emitting a strange energy unlike anything we've seen from him before!" Koto announced.

"It's his feelings," Tsuki stated.

"Yes, the energy from Yusuke's body is changing dramatically," Kurama informed.

"The loss of his friends is too great of a shock. The walls are coming down," Koenma explained.

Yusuke's head hung low, walking. He stood in front of Toguro with his aura whirling like a tornado. "I've already said that I'll never forgive you. Now I'll never be able to forgive myself. So let's just do this."

"I need to thank you, Yusuke. For finally realizing your true power. You see I couldn't finish this story with satisfaction until you would become like me." Toguro lunged. "Now your power has reached a level as mine! Ergahhhh!"

"I know that's a load of crap, Toguro," Yusuke stated.

"Is that so?" Toguro hooked Yusuke in the face.

Yusuke flew and reeled, slamming into the wall.

"Yusuke," Kurama stated.

Tsuki watched anxiously. "Why didn't he defend himself?"

"Probably still shocked by Kuwabara's death," Koenma explained.

"Toguro makes a solid right hook and Yusuke does nothing to defend himself! He plummeted all the way to the wall!" Koto declared.

The audience gasped out in astonishment.

"What's going on?!"

"I'm so confused! What's his deal?!"

"You see." Toguro crossed his arms. "I can tell that didn't actually hurt you. Earlier that punch would have left you unconscious. Now you can take it without even blocking it and still get up to fight. If that's not a sign of equal power, what is?"

Yusuke rose, his face expressionless. "You were right about one thing, Toguro. That punch didn't hurt me."

"Yusuke truly done it," Hiei stated. "He's learned how to battle on a level playing field with Toguro."

"Level, yes. But at the same time, he's completely different," Kurama explained.

Yusuke's energy swirled from blue to red. The audience watched in surprise.

"Both of their powers are mixing together," Tsuki stated, observing the scene. "It doesn't feel harmful. I actually feel a whole lot better. Like I'm protected."

"Are you hurting, Yusuke? Feeling guilty?" Toguro taunted. "Hahahaha, don't worry. It's like the chickenpox. Once you get over it the first time, it never comes back. Think Yusuke. What do you owe these people? Why do you let their weakness drag you down? Throw off the bags of guilt and you can become as powerful as me. Give yourself control! Believe in nothing but your own strength and it can never let you down! Hahahaha!"

"Shut up, Toguro. I'm not like you," Yusuke replied. "I won't just throw people away."

"Can't let go?"

"I never would have gotten this far without those guys' help. And whenever I was getting my head rearranged, it was always because I cared about them that I could win."

"And that's precisely the reason you've been limited up until now!" Toguro pointed at him. "You're too soft. You don't need anyone but yourself. Don't you understand that?!"

Yusuke shook his head. "No, Toguro. I don't."

"No, Toguro. It's you that don't understand," Tsuki stated. "You're the one who gave up on humanity."

"Hehehe," Toguro chuckled darkly. "Guess I need to kill another one of your friends." His eyes blazed murderously at Team Urameshi.

"Damn." Hiei sneered. "This time we're fighting him."

"Of course," Kurama replied.

Koenma's face twisted in fright. "Oh, no."

Before Toguro could take another step, Yusuke grabbed his wrist. The muscle demon glared at him. "Let go of me."

"I- somewhere inside, I respected you. You know that? Let's just say I didn't have many older guys to look up to. And what you seem to have going, it didn't look so bad." Another earthquake shook the stadium. Fresh cracks appeared on the ground. "Genkai told me over and over again how stupid I was. But I saw your strength, and how no one can boss you around no matter what. And I wanted that."

"Hmph, then you should take my advice."

"Idiot! I'm not done. That's what I did want. Until Genkai told me the rest. Since I started this whole tournament, I learned the value of what you gave away. And I won't let it go. Even if I have to give up my life!" Yusuke tightened his grip. White energy swirled around them as rocks rose.

"Pinch me." Koenma sounded delighted. "I must be dreaming."

"So he understands now," Kurama stated.

"Finally," Hiei said.

"Yes." Tsuki smiled, eyes twinkling. "I'm proud of you, Yusuke."

Toguro's piercing eyes stared deeply at Yusuke. "I can see you're a disciple of Genkai in every kind of way. A slave to your softer emotions."

"You shouldn't be allowed to even say her name. Today you die, Toguro," Yusuke declared.

"Huh." Toguro smirked. "You go ahead and tr-" his sentence was cut short when Yusuke punched him in the jaw.

Everyone caught their breath as Toguro flipped over and over. He crashed into rocks and dirt until finally stopping with a pile of dirt on him. While lifting himself, his neck was placed in an awkward position.

Yusuke didn't waste any time. "Spirit gun!" The large blast flew at Toguro, hitting him and the stadium's wall.

"Nice one!" Tsuki cheered.

"He's super Yusuke," Koenma stated, amazed.

"Even his strategy has improved," Kurama complimented.

"Good for us," Hiei stated.

"Wow! Unreal!" Koto announced. "Yusuke delivers a ruthless one-two punch, knocking Toguro down with a hard right cross! Then launching a spirit gun blast before the fallen beast can react! It's the first time I've ever seen Toguro on the ground!"

"Get on your feet!" Yusuke ordered, speaking with deep seriousness. "I'm firing one last shot with all I got and it's going to end this fight one way or another. So no more stupid surprises or fakes. You show me everything you got right now. If I win this time, I never want to see you back up."

"Hehehehe." Toguro smirked, rising to his feet. He pushed his neck back in place.

"Oh my! Toguro is back up, realigning his head with sturdiness like an action figure!" Koto pronounced.

"The eyes of determination. I've encountered them many times on glory-seeking fools and I always give their owners what they ask for. Nearly always it's a fight with me when I see they truly want me to oblige to kill, but you actually ask me to give it all that I have. So be it." Toguro charged his energy.

Tsuki's shoulders slumped. "No."

"Oh not again," Koenma whined.

"I thought we covered this but Toguro seems to be making another increase!" Koto declared.

"Ahhhhh!" Toguro's shoes and pants ripped apart. His body expanded even more. "I admit. I haven't been truthful when I said I was hundred. It was more eighty-five. Heheheh, to fully become a master of a trade, you must commit your all to do it and throw everything else away. If you don't have the guts to do that, you'll never be more than a groundling."

"Tch, damn you're stupid," Yusuke remarked. "You didn't throw it away. You just ran away from it like a frightened little child. I won't run and I won't let go. I'm doing just what you said, Genkai. I'm caring about you jerks all the way." Yusuke pointed, charging his spiritual energy. An enormous spirit blast glowed brightly in the stadium.

"Ahhhh!" Green substance oozed off Toguro. His huge frame shook and trembled.

"They'll put their full powers against each other," Kurama informed.

"That will decide the winner," Hiei replied.

"I guess all we can do now is pray and let the man upstairs decide," Koenma stated.

Tsuki crossed her fingers. "I believe in you, Yusuke."

Juri shivered, unable to move from her spot. "Um, can I go home yet?!"

"No, not yet Juri!" Koto answered. "It's getting to the good part! Whichever way this turns out, it's definitely the end!"

"Ahhhhh!" Toguro and Yusuke yelled in unison.

"Spirit gun!" Yusuke released his power.

"Rahhhh!" Toguro sprinted and blocked the blast with all his strength.

"Toguro is barely holding it back," Koenma stated.

"Yes, it is unusual seeing him on the defense," Kurama replied.

"Yeah, Yusuke! I know you can do it!" A demon cheered.

"Don't allow Toguro to take all our lives!"

Yusuke suddenly stopped firing. It was a sign that his powers were weakening. He kneeled to the ground, heaving.

"The blast is fading," Kurama stated.

"He's getting tired," Tsuki replied.

Hiei focused his attention on Toguro. "And Toguro has not released himself from the spirit gun yet."

"But if this blast isn't enough to make him fall, Yusuke will have no more power left to fight him. Toguro with triumph," Kurama stated.

"Come on, Yusuke," Koenma urged. "Make the thing work."

"Ahhhhh!" Blood squirted out of Toguro's body. He crushed the spirit ball, silently standing in place. His body sizzled, steam releasing from his body.

Yusuke collapsed facedown, barely moving.

"It's over!" Koto declared to the horror-struck audience. "Urameshi is down!"

"Urameshi couldn't do it, we're screwed!"

"That means Toguro is going to eat all of us, man!"

Toguro hovered over Yusuke. "I killed Genkai, but one remained. And now the surviving beast can at last be put to rest." His body cracked, slowly breaking apart. "Thank you again, Yusuke Urameshi. This is the first time I could use my absolute strength, and you answered. It was the only way it could end."

Tsuki gasped while Toguro fell facedown, his body turning white. "The spirit blast did it."

"The giant has fallen," Hiei stated.

Koenma's face looked distraught. "They're both out?!"

"Well, that's hard to call!" Koto declared.

Juri stepped forward. "Ugh!" She jolted when she saw Toguro's stoned body.

"Juri, behind you!" Koto ordered while Yusuke rose. "Urameshi is up!"

"He did it!" Koenma stated.

Excitement lit Tsuki's face. "Yay! We can go home!"

"We're free." Kurama sighed in relief.

"Hmph," Hiei stated with a smile. "Well done, detective."

Koto jumped from her table and stood next to Juri. "Winner of the tournament, Team Urameshi!" They both declared in unison.

The remaining crowd applauded with a standing ovation, happy they survived the bloody massacre.

"You did it, Urameshi!"

"We're saved!"

Tears of happiness spilled down Tsuki's cheek. After all they had been through, the dread nightmare was finally over.