YuYu Hakusho Manga: 028 The 4th Match: Urameshi vs. Kibano!

It's always a little awkward to have two colons in my post titles, but my brain is especially fuzzy right now and it's troublesome. I'm dealing with ANOTHER aggressive virus, and on top of having not gotten a lot of sleep last night, it feels like my brain is leaking out my nose and my throat is on fire. I don't know what it is with 2025, but I'm proving to be ultra fragile when it comes to my health - it's not even the half-way mark on this year yet and I'm sick to death of... being sick. I don't know WHAT my husband's coworkers are getting into, but he'd better stop bringing that shit home with him every other week, because I don't think I can survive another one of these diseases!

Just the LOOK these guys are giving each other is exhausting for my overtaxed constitution. 

The next two-page spread gives us a short bio for every one of the candidates for Genkai's apprenticeship that are left, pretty much the same ones we got in their introductions, so no need to reiterate that here. I'm super DUPER not being lazy, just economical. 

As Yusuke and Kibano take their first steps toward the darkness, Yusuke calls for a pause in the proceedings. Kibano scoffs, asking if Yusuke's changed his mind, but Yusuke doesn't answer at first, just digging in his pocket for a moment. 

For super heavy moments, no doubt.

Yusuke expresses an intention to take a quick drag off the tobacco before battle, to which Botan responds by whacking him in the back of the head with a bit of fan paper. He rounds on her, claiming that hurt, like he's not facing far worse pain in the dark in the next few seconds. Botan says she MEANT it to hurt, and tells him that just because Keiko isn't around doesn't mean he can go wild. She demands he give her the cigarettes, Yusuke whining that it's his last pack and demanding she let go of it. 

Kibano flatly states that he'd like to get started with their match, and Botan looks back at him with a nervous laugh, happy to oblige, but Yusuke is still reaching for that pack of cigarettes they're fighting over. I guess Yusuke capitulates, because the next thing we see is Kibano asking Yusuke if he's ready and suggesting they go, Yusuke agreeing that he's right there with him. 

Once they're fully immersed in the dark, Yusuke remarks on how pitch black it is in there, and how they can't even see each other. Kibano's voice floats out of the dark, saying he doesn't find that problematic, considering he knows Yusuke's position precisely. Yusuke thinks he's bluffing, because his sixth sense didn't measure up to Kuwabara's, and shuffles to the right. Kibano accurately reports this out of the dark, which has Yusuke in alarmed disbelief. 

He... looks like a little baby chicken! Awwwwww!

It's clearly not supposed to be cute, but I'm a little loopy with illness right now. Kibano says he's been trained to fight without the need for sight, and in lieu of sight, he can sense his opponent in other, more accurate ways. He does NOT explain just where he's been keeping this sensory deprivation mask on him this whole time, given it doesn't seem like something all that easy to stash under his minimal gi aesthetic. Hand outstretched, Kibano says he can sense that Yusuke has been through a lot (quite the understatement), and Yusuke's glaring experiences allow Kibano to zero in on him. Yusuke stands out against the darkness for Kibano, surrounded in the spectral fire of a fighting spirit that swirls and emanates from Yusuke's body so he's fairly ablaze with it.   

With a triumphant yell, Kibano whacks Yusuke right on the chin with his fist, knocking him back in the dark. Kuwabara remarks on this in alarm, Botan gaping behind him. Yusuke lifts himself into a crouch with an exclamation of pain, swiping the back of his hand across the smarting spot he was hit. Suddenly, Kibano whispers in his ear from immediately behind him that it was a nice recovery. Then...

Yusuke is just barely able to avoid a spring and pounce of Kibano, whose fist actually shatters the FLOOR when he punches the spot Yusuke was a moment before. I can't be certain, because it's not clearly drawn, but I THINK Yusuke has picked up a jagged splinter from the broken floorboards and this is what he swipes at the retreating Kibano, daring him to sense THAT. He does indeed, and disappears once again into the darkness, leaving Yusuke questioning where he got to. 

A creak rises out of the black behind him, and Yusuke turns to lunge in its direction, declaring that Kibano was clumsy and he's got the sneaky bastard. Kibano does emerge from the black in front of Yusuke, and he taps Kibano back, but it seems to glance off Kibano rather than be a lick on par with what he's been giving. 

Ooof, I felt that one in my stomach. Or maybe it's the nausea. 

Yusuke is left trembling in pain, groaning as he holds his gut and side where Kibano kicked him. Once again, from the darkness surrounding Yusuke, Kibano teases that sounds may hint at his location, but they won't tell Yusuke precisely where to aim. Kuwabara is convinced that Urameshi is screwed, because the mask Kibano is wearing is also a helmet, which must be why Yusuke's knuckles glanced off his head so easily. Of course, this makes me question even HARDER where Kibano has been keeping that thing this whole time. 

Botan worries quietly over how much of a rank beginner Yusuke is in comparison with his competition's special training. She thinks he'll have to OUTWIT his opponents, but she's not SUPER confident he can do that. And coming from the ray of sunshine that she is, that's pretty dire. 

Kibano declares that it's time to wrap this up. He holds up a fist, and with Kuwabara and Botan reacting with horror while he grunts in his effort, his whole arm swells in volume, the veins standing out. Apparently, this is a result of him bringing the aura OUTSIDE his body INSIDE, which doubles his defensive power, according to his own explanation. Meanwhile, it looks like his arm has been stung by a REALLY BIG wasp. 

His fist is bigger than YUSUKE'S HEAD. Can aura grow BONES?

Once more, Yusuke is left on hands and knees, hacking over his injuries in the dark. Kibano compliments him on his reflexes and resilience, because he'd MEANT that "supercharged explosive thrust" to be a nat 20. Yusuke stands on shaky legs, agreeing, I suppose, on his hardiness. Kibano adds that Yusuke's sustained some hefty damage, though, and his fighting spirit is dimming. But from Genkai's point of view, Yusuke's aura is drawing in, even if she doesn't specify if it's in a similar way to Kibano's. She DOES say that it's probably not wise to corner Yusuke.

Yusuke is thinking about how even Kibano's glancing blows are murderous, and he can't dodge what he can't see. He's convinced that there MUST be a way to pinpoint Kibano's position, and after a moment of considering it, he realizes there IS. Kibano is insisting to Yusuke through the dark that he's too badly hurt, and this is the last chance for him to get away from this with his life, if he STAYS DOWN, that last part added as Kibano leaps for Yusuke with another punch to Yusuke out of the dark. Yusuke let's the punch glance off his jaw as he latches onto Kibano's passing arm, declaring he's got him. 

Break for this issue's filler panel: a feather-haired blonde with a "DEATH" headband that is named Lena. She's labeled a friend of Botan, who loves nothing more than telling cute guys that they're about to DIE. Unhinged as that is, it's rounded off with her flirtatious suggestion that the viewer is going to buy it next month. Like... the FARM? 

Back in the fight, Yusuke promises to repay Kibano's blow with interest, asking if Kibano wants a broken arm. Kibano snaps back with the statement that Yusuke is just FULL of surprises, but it won't amount to much. 

At this point, I'm starting to think that Kibano is just exaggerating his skills, rather than Yusuke is resilient. So many "killing" "ending" blows that just DON'T work as advertised...

Kuwabara is still despairing, however, over how Yusuke seems to be at Kibano's mercy - unable to sidestep attacks and getting tossed when he tries to grapple. But while Kuwabara tries to encourage that "slouch" Urameshi (sort of), Botan isn't convinced that Yusuke is quite so hamstrung. She acknowledges that he still has the Reigun, and though he has just one shot, he just has to know where to aim. 

Kibano pops one of the ear-mufflers off his mask, asking if Yusuke is more amenable to giving up yet, again giving Yusuke credit for his ability, but also for the multitude of limitations holding him FAR from a chance at victory. He even thinks that he'll be amazed if Yusuke has the strength to STAND at this point, and indeed Yusuke gets to his feet with some difficulty. He also haltingly states that not only is he NOT willing to give up, but he's going to win this thing. Yusuke declares a guarantee that Kibano's next attack will be his last. 

Kibano calls him a macho idiot, telling him it SHOULD be enough for him to have fought a good fight. Clearly, he doesn't want to continue hurting this CHILD, so at least it's fairly obvious by this point that he's not the evil demon Yusuke is here to stop. Not that Yusuke still doesn't want this apprenticeship real bad. Yusuke asks if Kibano is scared and wants HIM to make the first move, at which jibe Kibano grinds his teeth, calling Yusuke a punk. Mega uber punk. Again, he inflates his arm with aura, and agrees to oblige Yusuke's supposed death wish. He flits around Yusuke in the dark.

Kibano leaps at Yusuke, throwing his oversized fist down toward the boy with a shout of farewell, Kuwabara and Botan both calling out in alarm at Yusuke. Yusuke himself calmly points his glowing right pointer finger under is other arm right for where Kibano is, telling Kibano to wish HIMSELF so long. 

That thing just SHATTERED.

Even as blood is spattering from Kibano's forehead, he asks in amazed bewilderment how Yusuke knew where to aim. Yusuke tells him to check his belt before he passes out, and Kibano is blown away to find a LIT CIGARETTE tucked into his belt, demanding to know how such a thing got there. I'm just wondering how the damn thing didn't catch him on FIRE. Yusuke explains that he planted the cigarette while they were grappling, the thick gi and mask covering eyes, nose, and ears keeping him from even noticing. Kibano collapses with a dumb final exclamation, and the fight is done. 

Just wait until you can't run a few yards for shortness of breath. 

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? By no means was it a perfect setup and payoff. After all, that mask came out of nowhere, literally, and it was rigid enough that I can't imagine it being hidden about Kibano's person without having noticed it before this point. Also, Yusuke's little stunt came with a fair amount of risk of not just setting Kibano on fire, but the whole place, depending on how flammable those floorboards are.

But, all that aside, I did think this is one of the BETTER setups and payoffs that YT has put in place. If it DID set Kibano alight, it's not like that wouldn't have gotten Yusuke the win anyway, which is one way that Genkai's anything goes attitude would have worked in HIS favor for a change. It also manages to reframe one of Yusuke's delinquent behaviors as a positive, further underlining how our flawed hero can use ALL of himself to push past obstacles. It helps a reader to further envision how ANYONE, even someone society tends to look at as "bad" with a lot of bad aspects, can make their way through a problem. It's part of what I've always liked about this series - the core message that one doesn't have to be a perfect boyscout type to make a positive difference in the world. 

It's quite a bummer that there has to be some degree of the GLORIFICATION of a habit with deleterious health effects, though. I agree with Botan - the lighting-up habit isn't exactly something to be proud of, even if it DID get Yusuke through this particular ordeal, and I'm really hoping that any kids reading this didn't come away with the urge to start smoking because Yusuke made it look briefly cool and useful. 

Remember young'uns! Smoking is bad!

Inuyasha Manga: 327 Zushi Nezumi

"Wardrobe Rat"? What a title. I'm not sure what I thought about that back when I first read this chapter, but to be fair I wasn't really paying too much attention to the titles back then. My curiosity about the Japanese language in particular came later, so I imagine I just glanced over the foreign title and rushed right into the content instead of considering what it meant. Like many anime and manga fans, I had the assumption that it was something cool and culturally significant that I wouldn't understand the references to anyway.

It was a period in my life when I assumed a lot of hidden meaning behind the stories I consumed, before I realized that most of the time... it's not that deep.  

Middle manager energy. 

A hazy gibbous moon is shown high over some wooded hills and swaying bamboo, followed by a couple of skeletons still mostly clothed lying around a firepit in a house. Sitting nearby contemplating the human bone he's munching is a giant rat with a box strapped on his back like a backpack. This great rat turns to reveal a massive third eye in the middle of its forehead at the sound of a voice behind him, accusing him of letting his underlings eat the flesh of his prey while he devours the bones. It's Hakudoushi, who has walked into the room, and identifies the massive rodent as Zushi Nezumi. Nah, son, that thing would only BARELY fit in a wardrobe. 

Zushi Nezumi hums in confusion, calling Hakudoushi a brat and assuming that he's a survivor of the village he's apparently started picking clean. 

Well, there goes our chapter's namesake. I guess he's not nearly as important as having a chapter named after him would suggest.

As Kohaku catches his chained sickle again, Hakudoushi comments on how used to this sort of thing Kohaku is in a mocking sort of way. He instructs Kohaku to retrieve the box from Zushi Nezumi's back and bring it with them. Kohaku obediently does what he's told, with a acquiescent statement, and while he's unstrapping the box from the rat, Hakudoushi warns him not to accidentally open it here or else he'll die. The skeletons are probably a pretty big indication of that.

Narrow sky transition panel! Inuyasha steps alone up to a big tree with a tangle of twisted roots, this time in the daylight. 

Being melted from the inside by miasma is probably not an easy thing to recover from, to be fair. 

The bulk of his group is waiting for him on a nearby track or road, sitting around on its margins. Sango comments on how Inuyasha is late, and Shippou asks Kagome if it wouldn't have been better for them to go as well. Kagome, her chin resting in her hands and looking a little despondent, says that Inuyasha wanted to talk to Kikyou alone. Shippou waves the sucker he's snacking on at her and asks why she's so "open minded", as if her being less accepting of Inuyasha going off to see Kikyou was going to stop the phenomenon. He complains about Inuyasha being a really troublesome guy, forever wagging his tail and sticking to his previous woman, repeating the saying "feed a dog for 3 days and it's forever grateful" as a somewhat ridiculous parallel to this very complex and emotionally fraught situation for Inuyasha. 

Inuyasha himself responds to this by punting the little runt some distance while asking who got "raised", which I assume is an alternate translation of the saying above, possibly replacing and recontextualizing the "feed"? In any case, Kagome immediately asks Inuyasha what he and Kikyou talked about, and Inuyasha says haltingly that Kikyou wasn't there. Kagome takes this as a lie, and tells him that he doesn't have to do that, to which statement Inuyasha responds with some confusion. He even asks her why he would have to lie about it at all, calling her a moron. 

She predictably retorts with a placid sit command. 

What, it wasn't ABUNDANTLY clear before? 

Sango and Shippou sympathize with Kagome, the latter opining about how one suffers when one is open-minded. Inuyasha understandably gets a little pissed at them - sure he's been ground into the dirt by a painful spell, but sure, lets shed a big fat tear for the girl continually using it against him because she can't regulate her own jealousy response. 

Cue another narrow sky transition panel, which takes us to a village that appears abandoned at first panel, then overrun with a multitude of rats swarming over the bones of livestock and humans once we get a view of the ground. Another panel shows us the inside of a house, which, much like earlier in the chapter, contains a couple of human skeletons lying on the floor. Inuyasha's party has apparently started moving after their little EPISODE earlier, walking along, when Miroku placidly states that something's coming toward them. Despite his sense of smell that should have alerted him to this long before Miroku, Inuyasha utters a distracted hum in question. 

A lone horse is galloping in their direction, on its back an old man and young boy, the former crying out for help from the strangers. Close on the horse's heels is a great moving mass. Inuyasha draws Tessaiga without further prompt, Kagome instead voicing the question about them being chased. It soon becomes apparent just what that mass following the horse is composed of. 

NORMAL rats are bad enough!

Sango suddenly yells at Inuyasha not to cut these rats, Kagome calling her name in question at this odd advice. But Inuyasha's Tessaiga is already on its way down onto the tide of rats, even as he looks over his shoulder and utters a noise of confusion at Sango. The sword slices through a multitude of the little creatures and...

Manual mitosis. 

Sango says she knew it, uttering the name Zushi Nezumi, at last informing the group that the rats only INCREASE by being cut. Miroku asks how you're supposed to exterminate these pests then, and she answers that they can succumb to a poisonous smoke, but a particular kind of herb is needed, implying that she doesn't have access to that at the moment. Miroku rips the beads from his right hand, declaring that this is the only way, and uses the Kazaana to vacuum up the rodents. 

Once the cleanup is all over, they speak to the two survivors who were on the horse, who confirm that their village was attacked by the horde of rats as they huddle together in their grief and horror. The old man says that he and his grandson were lucky and had been on the other side of the mountain at the time of the infestation, but all the rest of the villagers weren't so lucky as them, trailing in stating their fate. No doubt it's "luck" too that they resemble so closely the old man and boy whose village was attacked by that moth youkai back in the 180's, though I consider that a distinctly bad kind. 

Kagome turns to Sango, asking her about the term she used for the rats - Zushi Nezumi. 

But she adds that this big rat should only attack enough for what it needs, and has never heard of a whole village being swarmed before. I guess the one at the beginning actually only attacked that one house. 

Ominously, Inuyasha tells them that there are many more rats, that he can smell them from far away, and it seems to him that they're RAPIDLY increasing. Cut to a bare rocky incline, at the peak of which is set the box Kohaku collected at the beginning of the chapter, its little doors wide open and rats spilling from it in diverting streams down the hill. On an adjacent peak, Hakudoushi crouches and looks down on his handiwork from a safe distance, Kohaku standing behind him. Hakudoushi giggles evilly that they're all pouring out endlessly, to which Kohaku reacts with a pained and repulsed look. 

As scene from one of these villages is shown us, where farmers turn at the noise of the skittering rats' approach, and stutter in disbelief at the horde of rodents they behold. A farmer swipes at the rats with his hoe, but as we've seen before, the result is just a knot of extra rats on the implement, which the farmer drops when he falls backward on the ground, rendered dumb by the counterintuitive explosion of creatures. 

Hakudoushi expounds further about how the rats increase rapidly at every place they go, one scene showing skulls immersed in a whole river of them. Resting his head on the heel of his hand in a somewhat whimsical manner, Hakudoushi muses on how this whole country will soon be eaten by rats. Kohaku asks hesitantly, with a look of concern, if Hakudoushi thinks Kikyou will come out, and Hakudoushi appears to JUST remember that's what this whole exercise was about in the first place. Watching an ocean of rats devastate the countryside is just plain FUN for him. He asserts that Kikyou will HAVE to notice pretty soon whether she likes it or not, and he questions why she WOULDN'T come out in response. Kohaku hangs his head, thinking about what Hakudoushi is doing just to lure out Kikyou. 

And for the lulz. Don't forget about the lulz, Kohaku!

Dramatic irony ahoy!

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? While I am still sympathetic to Kagome's jealousy to some extent - fifteen-year-olds are not known for being in control of their emotions or the responses to the same - more than ever I feel really bad for Inuyasha. It IS somewhat suspicious that he would have taken so long that Sango commented on him being late, especially since the chapter gave no explanation for the time he took. Still, for everyone to assume that he's lying, side with Kagome to the point of condoning her physical abuse of Inuyasha, and all without considering WHY he would lie about something like that, is really frustrating. They all knew where he was going and why he was going there, so there would be no need for him to claim that Kikyou wasn't even there when he arrived. For anyone who has been in a situation like this, where even friends weren't giving them the benefit of the doubt, it's kind of maddening for this situation to be played off like a joke. Not gonna lie, I kind of hate it.

The other thing I'm not all that thrilled about is the level of devastation that is being escalated here. I understand the need for something very big to draw out the reluctant Kikyou, because nothing less than a massive emergency would make her act in her condition considering the risk involved. I also understand that Hakudoushi is very much enjoying the idea of this level destruction he gets to watch unfold. But all that under consideration, the population of the day and the logistics just would not sustain this much of a blow. After the chaos following the fall of Mt. Hakurei, villages being decimated and wiped out by youkai escaping it, I can't help but think about how there has to already be a massive dip in population. Something like an endless swarm of flesh-eating rats wouldn't be something human or animal populations could just bounce back from, and no matter the lack of records, it would be a matter of historical significance for centuries to come. Just a TAD difficult to suspend my disbelief on this note.

No surprise that Kohaku's already having to consciously participate in mass murder, either. Obviously we can't allow his decision to go unchallenged for a single second, lol.

YuYu Hakusho Manga: 027 Mortal Maneuvers in the Dark!!

I must be doing some of those while I'm asleep in bed, because my neck always seems to be stiff and sore when I get up in the morning. None of my pillows seem to be giving me proper support, despite my having bought some of them special for the magic support powers they are supposed to have. Of course, the money I spent was always carefully balanced with my means, so it's always possible that the higher-end products are the ones that will really be effective. But there's also the possibility that they are no better at all, or even harmful in the long run, because it is simply NOT TRUE that you get what you pay for. 

Either way, I'll end up spending a small fortune trying things until I find something that only kinda works. Genkai is right: getting old sucks. 

Maybe Yusuke shouldn't have wasted all that energy catching the Bat Master. Hopefully he's not fighting right away...

Genkai has led them back to her compound, telling them that the particular building they're heading toward is going to be the battle arena and they'll face off two-by-two until only one of them is left. Classic tournament style, big shocker there. 

How much you want to bet that the place doesn't have lights because it's a new installment and Genkai hadn't gotten around to putting in the wiring yet? XD

Genkai says that this round will test what they can FEEL, not see. She invites them to use any techniques or weapons they like, and the only rule is that they have to defeat their opponent and return to their gathering spot. Yusuke teases a nervous Kuwabara, asking if cat's got his tongue and if he's freaking out about fighting one-on-one. Kuwabara responds that it's a bad feeling he's had ever since they left the forest, something that's wrong. When he says it's as if there's a monster or savage beast lurking nearby, Yusuke's attitude suddenly gets serious, and he curses the fact that he keeps forgetting that Rando is somewhere, after the master's techniques. 

Yusuke asks if this feeling is coming from one of the other guys, and after a moment of consideration, Kuwabara confirms that's probably the case. He can't tell which one, though, because there's nothing obvious about any of them that would indicate danger. But Kuwabara insists he can SMELL it, struggling to identify a suitable analogy to what this is like. Yusuke suggests the simile of a fart in a crowded elevator, and Kuwabara agrees that it's close enough. Well, he DID invoke his sense of smell. 

Genkai scratches her cheek thoughtfully, humming over how they'll determine the match-ups. She realizes as she's pondering that she doesn't even know any of their NAMES. No doubt before this point it would have been a little difficult to remember them all, or maybe that's just my issue with recalling names talking. In any case, Genkai tells them to each introduce themselves.

We've got a guy with an eyepatch, who calls himself Musashi, who's labeled a spiritualist, 4th Dan in Kendo, and master of the quick sword draw. Then the little guy with a wide eyes introduces himself as Shaolin, traveling the country and training along the way in spiritualism, labeled 1st Dan in Kung-Fu. Then the guy with long hair and scars on his face calls himself Kibano, says he's challenging his own limits, and is labeled a martial artist who is expert in "various" disciplines - no specifics. The plump man with a thin curling line of a mustache says he's Chinpo, labeled a "Mystery Man of China", whatever that means. The one with the Swastika tattoo on his forehead is Kaze-maru, and says he's one of the last ninjas, and is labeled a VIP bodyguard as well as an expert in modern Ninjutsu. The man with glasses and a heavy brow introduces himself as Kuroda, doesn't say ANYTHING else, and is labeled a skilled assassin with a knife. At last, we have our boys; Kuwabara, self-proclaimed punk, labeled number 2 fighter at Sarayashiki Jr. High School and a delinquent with a sixth sense. Urameshi, self-proclaimed ULTRA punk, labeled number 1 fighter at Sarayashiki and highly proficient in street brawls. 

With all those details out of the way, we can move on to the fighting.

Can't get this show on the road YET, though, because Kuroda has a couple of pertinent questions. As a little precursor to such, he says that his profession requires he kills his opponent, and notes, rather threateningly, that his opponent in this match is a professional rival. Kaze-maru glares at him silently, his buddy Kisano in the background looking a little annoyed in the background. 

Anticipating where he's going with this, Genkai says that all of them are allowed to fight in any way they see fit, and asks if the third phase DIDN'T eliminate anyone who were willing to kill or be killed. And here I was under the impression that SHE wasn't really interested in anyone dying in these little qualifying games of hers. My mistake? Anyway, Kuroda seems to have gotten the answer he wanted if his smirk is anything to go by, and asks her if she'd object to mentoring an assassin. Genkai says without any hesitation that she'll teach the victor, no matter what his profession or ambitions. 

Like, girl... WTF?

Anyway, she asks if this is good enough for him, he says it's good, and Yusuke glowers in the background, thinking that this hag is insane, and reiterating to himself that he can't let Rando win. Especially not now. Thus, Kuroda whips off his glasses and glares at Kaze-maru, and their match is announced as the first. 

The only thing that's going to kill either of them is cutting an artery on all their fucking EDGE. 

When they've both disappeared into the dark and all that can be sensed from them is the thuds, clacks, scuffs, and whacks, Yusuke complains that he hates not being able to watch, looking a little anxious with his clenched jaw and sweatdrop. Kisano is also sweatdropping, and voices the rhetorical question of which one has the advantage. 

At least, it was supposed to be rhetorical. Kuwabara blurts that the assassin has the upper hand. Yusuke is in disbelief that he can apparently see the combatants, but before Kuwabara can elaborate, his eyes widen at something going on in the dark. There's a fully visible flash in the inky black. 

Oh, that looks familiar. In fact, Yusuke gapes horrified at the darkness settled after the blast, recognizing it as a flash from a Reigun, a technique he HAS but acknowledges is not nearly so powerful as THAT. Sucks to suck, kid.

Kaze-maru stumbles out of the dark arena into the limited light, stooped and clutching his abdomen, the sleeve on his left arm shredded and the mesh undershirt exposed beneath. He's declared the winner, but he grumbles that he didn't think he'd have to play his ace right off the bat like that. But it did save him from getting offed by the biggest weirdo here, so it could be worse. 

Musashi asks what that WAS that Kaze-maru did, and Kisano guesses that it was an aura weapon of some kind. Yusuke agrees that it's what it looked like, mumbling that it WAS a Reigun after all. Botan appears LITERALLY OUT OF NOWHERE to tell him that's pretty much it. Both Kuwabara and Yusuke look over, the latter demanding to know what Botan is doing, and she suggests that she COULDN'T sit this out, but doesn't elaborate. What she DOES elaborate on is how Kaze-maru probably probably emits his aura through the palm of his hand, and says that Yusuke's Reigun to THAT is like a water pistol to a Howitzer. Damn, make him feel MORE inadequate, why don't you? She adds that Kaze-maru has plenty more energy in reserve even after that shot. 

While Yusuke reconciles himself to the fact that he won't be able to match Kaze-maru Reigun to Reigun then, Genkai side-eyes Botan. Apparently, it's news to HER that Koenma is betting on the cocky tough Yusuke, but she's sticking to her selection process no matter what the Afterworld prefers. Is this just how old women rebel? 

As Genkai examines Botan, Botan is sticking out her tongue and claiming to be hip? I... don't get it? 

Sure Botan. Whatever you say.

Anyway, Shaolin has already won his match with Chinpo off panel, lightly scuffed and claiming that it was awfully close. Botan strokes her chin thoughtfully, saying it's not a surprising result, given he outscored his opponent in the first tests. It's unclear whether she's talking about Shaolin or Kaze-maru still, but since Yusuke moodily tells her to watch that right hand that might go off, maybe the latter? This whole conversation is difficult to follow. 

Yusuke gives Kuwabara a mocking thumbs-down and warns him cockily not to trip over his own feet. Kuwabara just scoffs and tells Yusuke to go screw himself. As Kuwabara and Musashi stroll into the darkness, Musashi glares at him and tells his CHILD opponent that it's his last chance to back out, because he's not holding back, intending this fight to be to the DEATH. Big strong man, threatening a kid like this.

Said kid asserts that he doesn't scare easy, but I recall how long it took him to get to that delinquent base to rescue Keiko. But he's not exaggerating about being in his share of fights, and his sixth sense being SUPER sharp. He's just talking about how he can clearly see Musashi despite the dark enveloping them when he sees that Musashi has disappeared. 

Then he gets clocked right in the face, taking a hit that takes him right off his feet. He's used to that, though, and is quick to look around for his assailant. He observes Musashi just over his shoulder and declares as much, but Musashi again fades rapidly into the void. Sweating, Kuwabara is in nervous disbelief and is looking around in a panic to try and see his opponent as Musashi's voice floats out at him to tell him that he's well aware of the youngster's acute sixth sense, but Musashi has trained himself to suppress his aura. 

Do you think you're helping, Yusuke? 

Kuwabara demands to know what Yusuke cares, and tells him to mind his own battles, claiming to be doing JUST FINE, thank you. Musashi questions the assertion that he's doing fine from his cloak of darkness, insisting he's already beat Kuwabara, stating that the boy can barely stand. Kuwabara spits some blood, while declaring he's spitting on Musashi's wimpy punches too. He tells Musashi that he doesn't KNOW brutal until he's gone a round with Urameshi. The bromance is SO STRONG here. 

Musashi growls in frustration, then he flares back into visibility, a wooden sword now drawn and pointed at Kuwabara, grousing that his opponent leaves him no choice. Kuwabara is in a little confused disbelief over the wooden sword, so Musashi explains that it's no ordinary wooden sword, carved from a tree over 1000 years old and polished with holy water. Sounds like it's just... soggy. Regardless, Musashi says this sword is a proven demon slayer, and is pretty good at downing other kinds of enemies as well. 

It's not long before Kuwabara is looking around again, alarmed at how Musashi has disappeared AGAIN. An ominous sound is accompanied by a look of shock and horror from Kuwabara. 

I was wrong, the sword couldn't crack like that if it were soggy.

The tip that broke off the sword clatters to the floor along with Kuwabara. Musashi complains about the break, and calls Kuwabara sturdy, which isn't a half-bad assessment. Kuwabara shakily gets onto his hands and knees with a groan, then pushes himself to his feet, haltingly agreeing with Musashi about his own sturdiness, which causes Musashi even MORE surprise. This is perhaps why he decides it's better to fade back into the dark again, as he asserts that his next blow will finish Kuwabara anyhow, and the fragment Kuwabara has brought back to his feet with him will be no defense against this inevitability. 

Bloody and gurgling, Kuwabara acknowledges that while he clutched at the piece of wood next to him without thinking, Musashi is absolutely correct that it won't do him any good. Musashi doesn't even give him time to dwell in fear on this apparent fact before he reappears behind Kuwabara and swings down the sword at him with a roar that it's time to die. Kuwabara swings around, yelling as well. There's a flash. 

Good question.

As Kuwabara holds off Musashi's wooden sword with one that is made almost entirely of projected energy, Musashi insists that it CAN'T be. He declares, despite his disbelief, that Kuwabara has created an aura sword, and Genkai agrees through a gape, adding that the boy is GIFTED. You sure you don't wanna throw away the tournament right now and just take on Kuwabara for your pupil? Because this is the first time you've been in obvious and undeniable AWE. 

With a little extra effort and a clenched jaw, Kuwabara's aura sword cuts through the splintering wooden one and sends a screaming Musashi reeling into the darkness. Kuwabara stares at the energy weapon he created, questioning just HOW he did it. Genkai doesn't say so out loud, but SHE at least has it figured out - Kuwabara was able to bring out the true power of a highly charmed object once he'd grasped it. With a little smile, Genkai thinks that Kuwabara will only get more powerful with time. 

When Kuwabara walks back into the circle of light, declared the winner, Botan enthusiastically says he's turned into a serious contender, though she is sweatdropping a little. Yusuke is also nervously sweatdropping, chuckling that he supposes that's true. Kuwabara walks past him, telling him to win his match, and he'll be waiting. Yusuke snaps at Kuwabara to do so, asserting he'll be right back.

Ooooh, what a cliffhanger!

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? I definitely feel Yusuke's concerns around seeing how much stronger Kaze-maru's Reigun is than his own. Up until now, the stakes have been fairly low, and even after Yusuke got explicitly competitive because he wants to win the apprenticeship, it was difficult to SEE the skills of those with which he was competing. Sure, the games measured visibly the POTENTIAL of the candidates, but there was no real demonstration of that raw power until the hopefuls started using it against each other. It's suddenly become obvious how inexperienced Yusuke is, and how that training that his imminent opponent was talking about just before their forest ordeal.

Even Kuwabara is showing a TON more promise - he managed to manifest a sword out of fucking NOWHERE! Not sure if Kuwabara killed Musashi (I HOPE NOT!), but if so, his Aura Sword is able to do much more than the Reigun can at this point. Kuwabara is always surprising and delighting me with how he stumbles upon serious chops when he puts some effort in. I'm happy for him, but I'm conflicted by my concern for Yusuke as well, so this chapter has been something of a mixed emotional bag. It's complicated, though in a very good way. 

Meanwhile, I'm NOT too impressed with Genkai's about-face here. She showed some concern for people who might get stuck in the forest, but now she doesn't seem to care at all that her potential students are aiming to use deadly force. I understand that it raises the stakes a bit, and makes it even more necessary for Rando to be eliminated, but it's a little weird that Genkai's attitude turned on a dime like that. Could she think of NO OTHER WAY to further test her candidates? And furthermore, won't these deaths be INVESTIGATED? Does she want to draw that kind of attention on her and her compound???

And the ultimate question - what is Botan ON? She's a bit more loopy than normal, and that's saying something.

Inuyasha Manga: 326 The Return

The return I'm noticing a lot lately is that of spring. My yard just kind of exploded into life, and I was NOT prepared for it. The grass and weeds have popped up in their aggressive manner, forcing me to recognize that while my yard is small-ish, it's not as small as it would need to be in order for me to easily start converting the lawn to moss. It's going to be a massive undertaking, and given how expensive everything is at the moment, it's going to take a lot of money too. I'm already exhausted, to the point where I'm kind of looking forward to winter again. 

Yeah, you're not that lucky, girl. Of course, this is something she acknowledges as she approaches that precarious mountainside shack where Hakudoushi hangs out all the time. When she flies in the doorway, she's surprised to see Hakudoushi suspended in the center of a visible barrier, his eyes closed and looking like he's taking a real nice nap. Kagura turns to Kohaku, who is sitting on the floor by the door silently, asking him what Hakudoushi is up to now. Kohaku remains tight-lipped, and Kagura turns away again, mumbling the supposition that it's useless asking him anyway. 

She DOES get a response from Hakudoushi, however, who has noticed her just getting in and is casting her a suspicious glare, demanding to know where she's been. Kagura remarks upon how Hakudoushi is awake after all, but he will not be diverted; he firmly tells her to provide an answer. After a pregnant pause, Kagura says she was taking a break, given how exhausting it is being with him every moment of the day. 

He just has time to scoff at her maximally offensive answer. 

Well, that looks ominous.

From the swirl of light in the barrier, there swells another bubble from the inside wall, expanding toward a very unconcerned Hakudoushi. But when a sparkle of light emerges again, and something from that sparkle shoots straight toward his chest, his expression turns shocked. Kagura and Kohaku watch from the sidelines, gaping.

Just as ominous as I thought. 

Both Kagura and Kohaku look rather disturbed by this sudden explosion of Naraku's gore in the barrier, the former stuttering Naraku's name is horror. Hakudoushi looks as if he's losing consciousness due to the sparking arrow that's embedded itself in his chest, and drops to the floor of the hut, the barrier dissipating around him and Naraku. Naraku's pieces, knitting together, continue to hover in the air, and when his head is at least whole again, he considers how KAGOME was the one who fired the arrow that was imbued with KIKYOU'S power. His thoughts turn to how the barrier of the now half-conscious Hakudoushi lying on the floor is what connected him to this world, and if Kagome had fired the arrow just a moment earlier, he would not have been able to return. Not sure I get how that's supposed to work, but it's magic, so meh. Naraku smirks about the luck still on his side, when he should REALLY be smirking about how the publishers/editors of this story are making too much money to let his crusty ass die. 

Narrow sky transition panel! Back at the grave site of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru's father, Inuyasha kneels next to Housenki's giant diamond skull, holding up his hand and telling the old fossil that he'll be taking the Shikon shard glittering in his palm. Housenki tells him he can do what he likes, regretfully talking about how he couldn't protect the fragment, how he didn't think evil would come all the way here to get it. He reiterates that he wasn't able to stop the conflict swirling around the Shikon no Tama, with the implication that maybe SOMEONE ELSE can. 

But Inuyasha bluntly states that the conflict WON'T stop, Miroku and Sango looking somberly on as he adds that it won't as long as the jewel is still around anyway. 

That just sounds EXHAUSTING, bro. 

He's fifteen, though, and so full of energy that he vows without hesitation to keep fighting until he finishes off Naraku and those seeking the jewel stop. He's just projected his flagging ambitions to use the Shikon no Tama himself into more productive channels, good for him. Housenki scoffs about Inuyasha refusing to run or "protect the fragments" like he himself wanted, acknowledging his desire to stand and fight. No sure how this goal is incompatible with protecting the Shikon shards, but okay. Housenki suggests that they should all get on back to their own world, because if they dawdle any longer, the gate will close. 

Myouga has appeared on a mildly surprised Kagome's shoulder again to yip at Inuyasha and company to hurry and follow Sesshoumaru, who has already collected Jaken and is flying off. 

I think the young folk nowadays call it "cringe".

Over on Kirara, Miroku asks Sango what's wrong, because she's looking pretty depressed. Sango responds that it's what Inuyasha said about how the fighting won't stop as long as the Shikon no Tama exists, but she trails in her assessment of what it would mean if the jewel disappeared. Miroku completes her statement on her concern about her brother Kohaku's situation. She doesn't respond, but her thoughts dwell on how Kohaku's life is dependent on the Shikon shard in his body, and his life goes when the that Shikon fragment, and the jewel as a whole, goes away. There are always casualties. 

Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru is lost in his own thoughts - he's convinced that Naraku is still alive, though his barrier was broken and his body smashed all to pieces. The only question Sesshoumaru has is where the bastard's heart is. 

Sure, blame it on the arrow, lol.

For real, though, Hakudoushi recalls another arrow just like it before that could break his barrier too. The most recent one is lying on the floor, and while Naraku regards it, he asserts that the only one who can put that much intensity in an arrow, Kikyou, is alive. That's because no one is allowed to just DIE in this story, no matter how much they're fucked up. Hakudoushi asks Naraku point blank why the old man hasn't gone to kill her yet, and it's unclear if Naraku answers aloud or in his head. Either way, he can't locate her, and wonders if this is because Kikyou is hiding herself deeply or something. What, like in the Earth's core? Naraku doesn't elaborate, but he is no convinced that Kikyou isn't fully recovered yet, and his next step should be to flush her out and finish her off right away. 

Would be nice if someone had the same idea about you, dude.

Kagura and Kohaku are outside, both brooding under the moon. Kagura is thinking there can be no doubt that Naraku's and Hakudoushi's heart have to be with Hakudoushi's other half, the baby. Kohaku is thinking more specifically on how neither Naraku or Hakudoushi died, and questions if it's just because they're youkai, what he has to do in order to destroy Naraku. 

I thought it was useless talking to him?

Kohaku hesitantly tells Kagura he doesn't know, silently thinking back on that baby, and how he had been trying to carry it out of the castle before he was compelled to kill everyone in the vicinity. He DOES speak up to ask what Kagura would do if she knew where this infant was. Kagura reminds him that she's always saying that eventually the Shikon shard in his body will be removed and he'll drop dead. Wow, what a joy YOU must be to be around, girl... She tells Kohaku that the only way he can be saved is to kill Naraku. 

Sweatdropping, Kohaku is in cautious disbelief about the ability to kill Naraku, and the implication that it can be done if the baby is found. He also gives Kagura a strange look, acknowledging that she's trying to betray Naraku. While he's clearly STARTING to see her as a potential ally, he says again that he doesn't know anything. He's still dedicated to not letting anyone find out his secret that he's remembered everything and that he's after Naraku's life. Kohaku is convinced that if he continues to follow orders and be an obedient puppet, he'll eventually meet that infant again. Until that point, he's determined to take any directive Naraku gives him.

Better hope you aren't asked to do anything else horrible, because you don't have the plausible deniability of brainwashing anymore, pal. 

 Inside the precarious shack, Naraku is sitting with a finally fully healed Hakudoushi, who has gotten some trousers on again, at least. He tells Hakudoushi to draw out Kikyou, and to do it however he likes. There's a moment when Naraku considers who Hakudoushi can take with him, but it's not a long one to settle on one name.

Does he KNOW??? 

So, what do I think of this chapter overall? Naraku's smug attitude is becoming increasingly frustrating for me, the satisfaction of seeing him get his ass beat overtaken by his resumed scheming at the end. Not that I expected him to be chastened at all by his near defeat, but his conclusion that he's got luck on his side is especially infuriating knowing that we're only still dealing with him because of capitalism. But, it's nothing if not realistic for the WORST people to believe that their actions are condoned by Providence just because no one has been able to stop them yet. 

Kohaku's making a very DANGEROUS calculation here. As I said above, he's already been asked to do a ton of fucked-up shit, but so far he's remained relatively innocent of doing the actions himself because he was under Naraku's control. Now he's fully consenting to follow orders, with complete consciousness and free will, no matter what those are. I don't doubt he knows that he's going to be killing more people - the question is whether he thinks the lives he's going to willingly take are worth Naraku's extinction, and how many are too many before he has to give it up. 

It's doubtful that this was ever meant to last long, but then again, this comic has a very strong tendency to drag out situations for the purposes of maintaining an income. XD