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.