Episode 26. Toguro Returns

Narrator: In his last case, Spirit Detective Yusuke Urameshi and his friend Kuwabara stormed the strong hold of Gonzou Tarukane, and battled a horde of demon mercenaries. The greatest were the strange Toguro Brothers, whom Kuwabara narrowly beat with a final boost from Yusuke’s Spirit Gun. They have rescued the Ice Apparition Yukina, Hiei’s sister. Now the adventure continues.  

 

Title: Toguro Returns

 

(Kuwabara runs after Yukina who is wandering away through a snowy landscape.)

 

Kuwabara: Yukina. Yukina wait!

 

(Yukina stops to hear what he had to say but doesn’t turn to look at him.)

 

Kuwabara: I just don’t get it. Do you have to?

 

Yukina: Yes, I must. Clearly Ice Apparitions are meant to live in the World of Ice. 

 

(Yukina turns to face Kuwabara.)

 

Yukina: Thank You for everything you’ve done. You’re so brave.

 

(Yukina turns and walks away. Kuwabara reaches out to try and stop her but thinks better of it as he sadly watched his love vanish in the swirling snow. Days later Kuwabara’s three friends are doing a small cash pool over what could be wrong with Kuwabara.)

 

Okubo: Something’s really come over him. I bet he’s changing his image!

 

Kumada: I bet he saw a movie and now he’s acting it out.

 

Mop Head Boy: No way. I say Kuwabara got rejected by a girl!

 

Yusuke: Bull’s-eye, Miyamoto!

 

Botan: Now wait! Kuwabara was not rejected!

 

Yusuke: Well what else do you call Yukina dumping out on him and running back to the Ice World?

Botan: It’s a long distance relationship! It’s romantic!

 

(Kuwabara sadly walks away from the group. His three friends run after him. Yusuke and Botan watch worriedly.)

 

Yusuke: He really is down.

 

Botan: Yes. Not every closed case comes with a happy ending.

 

Yusuke: Guess that goes for Hiei, too.

 

Botan: Yes, I know.  I hear he still refuses to tell Yukina that he is her brother.

 

Yusuke: That’s right.

 

(Yusuke and Hiei watch the earlier scene of Yukina vanishing into the distant snow field. Both of them are out of earshot of Kuwabara who is several feet ahead of them.)

 

Yusuke: There goes your last chance, Hiei. You really gonna let her just walk off like this with out her knowing the truth?

 

Hiei: It’s not important. She and I have different mothers. We’re only half-siblings. There’s really no point in telling her.

 

Yusuke: Yeah but weren’t you looking for her?

 

Hiei:  I’m a rogue and a convicted criminal. Even you have had to come and capture me. Do you think she’d be happy to know her long-lost

brother is a felon? It’s best to watch her from a distance.

 

(Hiei’s Jagon glows momentarily.)

 

Yusuke: So is that why you got that fake eye put in? To see her?

 

(Hiei turns and walks away.)

 

Hiei: Nonsense.

 

(Back to present day.)

 

Botan: Well, there’s plenty of good news, too! You boys did kill the Toguro Brothers and save Yukina! And Hiei was kept from killing Tarukane. I would have hated ordering you to arrest him.

 

Yusuke: Give me a brake! That would have sucked!

 

Botan: And that is precisely why there was so much ado in the Spirit World about letting Hiei find out. He’s considered a very valuable asset now. Now you see why we sent Hiei with the videotape! Just to keep him distracted!

 

Yusuke: Are all you people in charge of Spirit World just stupid? What if he looked at the tape? Ever think about that!

 

Botan: Maybe! But the fact of the matter is, he didn’t! So, ha! (Slaps Yusuke on the back and giggles as she starts to leave.) Enjoy your shopping!

 

Yusuke: What?

 

Kayko: Yusuke!

 

(Yusuke turns to see Kayko standing by a shop waiting for him.)

 

Kayko: Yeah, hey! You’re late!

 

(Botan returns to Spirit World to speak with Koenma.)

 

Botan: Here I am! With another successful case from my best project!

 

Koenma: Thank you, Botan. You’re priceless.

 

Botan: I must admit, I was about to give you a couple of black eyes. Seems your always putting Yusuke up against people he shouldn’t be able to beat, just to see what will happen!

 

Koenma: That’s just a result of your inexperience, Botan. You underestimate his true potential. Why, I’d never put him in a fight I didn’t know he could win!

 

Botan: That’s incredible sir! You knew all along?

 

Koenma: You betcha!

 

(The Blue Ogre appears holding a folded slip of paper and a pressed black suit.)

 

Blue Ogre: Uh Koenma sir.  What should we do with the black suit and eulogy I wrote for Yusuke’s funeral?

 

(Botan gives Koenma a look of the cat that had caught the canary. Realizing that he had been caught Koenma nervously tries to cover it up.)

 

Koenma: Well you know, a good leader’s always got to take a few precautions! 

 

Botan: (Grabs Koenma.) Big liar!

 

Koenma: (Chuckles nervously.) Hey come on now, everything turned out good in the end, didn’t it?!

 

(A fat red ogre comes bursting into the room with a video tape.) 

 

Red Ogre: Sir! About the Toguro Brothers! It’s unbelievable! 

 

Botan: What?

 

(The red ogre puts the tape in the VCR.)

 

Red Ogre: Sorry sir, we accidentally left the tape running after the battle. 

 

Koenma: So, what’s your point?

 

Red Ogre: Just watch!!

 

(On the screen in front of Koenma’s desk are the Toguro brothers just as they were left at Tarukane’s mansion. Toguro’s stomach muscles flex and ejects Kuwabara’s Spirit Sword. The sword flies into the air and dissipates. The smaller Toguro Brother reverts back to normal and stands up. Toguro sits up perfectly unharmed.)

 

Koenma: WHAT?! WHAT IS THIS?! THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!

 

Blue Ogre: Be quiet, sir.

 

(Toguro stands up as one of the screens that had once shown the members of the Black Black Club turns on. Revealing it to be none other then Sakyo. Apparently the Toguro’s had been working for him secretly while they were working for Tarukane.)

 

Sakyo: Excellent performance, Toguros. You almost had me fooled. 

 

Toguro: We have excellent hearing. Once we heard the boys plan it was simple to play along. Though I was afraid I was going to kill them both before I could fake a believable loss.

 

(Up in the control booth Tarukane is conscious and laughing like a mad man.)

 

Toguro:  I hope you don’t mind me letting the girl go. I didn’t see any good reason for making her die. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to profit off her tears some day.

 

Sakyo:  That’s fine, the girl is of no consequence to me now, not when I think of all the money our great plan will be affording me.

 

Toguro: We’re so glad that our client is pleased. Now my brother and I, we have a little favor to ask in return. Please give us an opportunity to fight with those boys again. This time seriously.  

 

Sakyo: But of course Toguro! They will be two of the most anticipated guests in the Dark Martial Arts Competition.   

 

Toguro: I should have known all along. Extorting Tarukane’s fortune was only half your plan. You wanted to see the competition.

 

Sakyo: You’re very keen! So tell me what you thought of their powers.

 

Toguro: That Yusuke Urameshi boy is very intriguing.  He lacks the fighting experience, but could be a dangerous weapon.  

 

Sakyo: The competition will be held in two months, so you’d better make sure you’re ready.  Oh and take care of the mess upstairs before you leave. (Signs off)

 

Tarukane: A street bum! I’m a street bum!

 

(Toguro jumps in the air and kicks the window of the control booth, both breaking the glass and sending Tarukane’s head flying from his body.)

 

Botan: What are we to do Koenma?! They’re after Yusuke!

 

Koenma: Yes, and no doubt they’ll entice him to fight in the competition.  

 

Botan: But you know how these fights will be!

 

(In the human world Yusuke and Kayko have stopped at a shop called “Teen’s Mate.” A clerk is keeping an eye on Yusuke who is standing in front of a changing booth.  Kayko is inside changing.)

 

Yusuke: Are you done yet? That clerk thinks I’m stealing stuff.

 

Kayko: One second! I’ve found the perfect outfit! Now we can grab a bite to eat somewhere and then go on to the park!

 

Yusuke: What?! Do we really have to go there, too?

 

Kayko: Uh-huh!

 

Yusuke: This is the part Yusuke makes his escape.

 

(Yusuke starts to sneak away, however at that moment Kayko throws open the curtain to the changing booth catching Yusuke in the act.) 

 

Kayko: You going somewhere?

 

Yusuke: Who? Me?

 

Kayko: Surely you wouldn’t have the nerve to run out on me two dates in a row, would you Yusuke?

 

Yusuke: No, of course not! Well, the park it is!

 

Clerk: Have a nice day, you two!

 

(The two of them leave the shop. Several feet away they notice a large crowd gathered about a building that looks like something had taken a chunk out of it.)

 

Police Officer: Look, this is your last warning! Please stand back!

 

(Another piece of the building falls to the ground.)

 

Kayko: That looked dangerous. 

 

Yusuke: Yeah, better check it out.

 

(Yusuke rushes towards the crowd.)

 

Kayko: Hey! Yusuke!

 

Police Officer: This area is closed! Disperse immediately!

 

(Yusuke gets a good look at the damage done to the building. It almost looked as if the holes were caused by some one of inhuman strength.)

 

Yusuke: That’s weird.

 

Kayko: What causes that?

 

(Someone approaches the crowd on his motorcycle. Yusuke slips out of crowd only to sense someone with non human energy behind him. He turns to the person on the motorcycle.)

 

Yusuke: Who are you?

 

Toguro: Already forgotten? Guess I don’t make much of an impression on people.

 

(The person on the motorcycle takes off his helmet. Yusuke is shocked to see its Toguro alive and well.)

 

Yusuke: No freakn’ way!

 

Toguro: Is something the matter, Yusuke? You have the strangest look of surprise on your face.

 

Yusuke: I’m sorry, when I kill people I’m used to them staying dead.

 

(Toguro punches his fist at Yusuke. Yusuke looks down and sees a rip across the front of his uniform.)

 

Toguro: I suggest you come with me for a talk. After all you wouldn’t want something bad to happen to your precious girl friend.

 

(Yusuke glares angrily at Toguro over the fact he’s using Kayko as a bargaining chip.  In the mean time Kuwabara is walking down the street when he sees the crowd.)

 

Kuwabara: What’s goin’ on? (Notices Kayko in the crowd.) Hey Kayko!

 

(At that moment Kuwabara see’s Yusuke and Toguro talking. Toguro walks down the street with Yusuke walking behind him. Kuwabara is surprised by this because he could have sworn that Toguro was dead.)

 

*Commercial Bumper.*

 

(Togoro takes Yusuke to what looks like it could be a car port for a private talk.)

 

Toguro: Surely you didn’t think you had actually beaten me. Money decided that fight long before you entered the ring. But don’t be angry. You might soon be able to fight me on fair terms and not get so easily crushed.  

 

Yusuke: Why don’t you get to the point, Muscles. I’ve got better things to do with my time then waste it with you.

 

(Yusuke is visibly trembling. Toguro notices this.)

 

Toguro: (Chuckles) You’re afraid of me.

 

Yusuke: What?  Amused is more like it!

 

Toguro: There’s no one here to impress Yusuke, and I can see your entire body shaking.

 

(Toguro takes off his coat.)

 

Toguro: That ability to fear your enemies is one of your strengths. It forces you to reach your potential. But you haven’t been scared enough. You need some motivation and that’s why I’ve come here, to show you my TRUE POWER! (Powers up.) I only used twenty percent of my strength when I fought with you and your friend.  So why don’t I know show you- (Destroys pillar next to him.) There. That’s sixty percent.

 

(Yusuke starts to panic. Toguro continues to smash more of the pillars in the area causing the structure to collapse. Some chucks up rubble start to fall on Yusuke but Toguro smashes them. The structure finally gives way and seems to crush them both. Night has fallen by the time Yusuke has managed to climb out of the rubble. In front of him is Toguro.)

 

Toguro: Understand this is the last time I will save your life. 

 

(Toguro moves with speed to match Hiei’s. When he reappears he he’s directly behind Yusuke. Yusuke is so frightened he’s frozen with fear.)

 

Toguro: Two months from now a martial arts competition will be taking place.

 

Yusuke: Oh, sounds like fun.

 

Toguro: It’s a dark tournament, organized by greedy human crime lords, and drawing on the most vile demon’s of the Spirit World. Each criminal gathers a team of five fighters, and the team’s battle to the death. Human’s enter for gambling and entertainment. Demon’s fight for blood, and the chance to win the prize. You and Kuwabara are special guests to this competition. If you refuse, I will immediately kill you and everyone you know. If you want to survive these fights, I suggest you get stronger.   

 

(Toguro leaves. Yusuke falls to his knees, despairing about how frightened he had been.)

 

Yusuke: (Mentally) Stupid, Yusuke! You got so scared around him you couldn’t even friggin’ move! You idiot! He’s going to kick your stupid ass!

 

(Kuwabara who standing on the roof of a building nearby is witness to the whole display. He also is shaking with fear.)

 

Kuwabara: What’s going on? We beat him!

 

(Toguro who had retrieved his coat walks past a building near the place where he had informed Yusuke of the tournament.  He stops and looks up. On top of the building stand Kurama and Hiei. Both of which look none too happy about this situation.)

 

Toguro: I assume from your dismal faces that you’ve been invited to the competition as well. On Urameshi’s team, no doubt. Demon’s who side with humans will get no sympathy.

 

Kurama: Sympathy has never been part of those fights.

 

Toguro: As you know the teams are made of five, so you’ll have to recruit another fighter. For your sake I hope you find someone useful.  

 

(Toguro slips on his coat and walks away into the night.)

 

Kurama: What is our chance?

 

Hiei: Don’t ask.

 

(Yusuke arrives at Genkai’s temple. Genkai appears to have been expecting him.)

 

Genkai: It’s about time you came back. Please tell me you’ve gotten a little better.  

 

(In a bamboo forest Hiei is training Kuwabara for the tournament. In place of his sword he uses a bamboo stick and hits Kuwabara a few times with it. Kuwabara falls on his back. Hiei is disappointed with Kuwabara’s progress.)

 

Hiei: At this rate you’ll never survive.

 

(Genkai and Yusuke train by jumping up a mountain. Yusuke has weights attached to his ankles. Yusuke steps on a foot hold but it crumbles causing him to lose his balance. He skids down the rock several feet but manages to grab onto a ledge still leaving a fatal drop below him. There is a brief flash back of Genkai when Yusuke had returned to her for training.)

 

Genkai: This time I won’t go easy.

 

(Present time, Genkai leaps down and starts to punch Yusuke in the stomach.  In the forest Kurama takes over Kuwabara’s training.)

 

Kurama: Do you realize the danger you’ll be in?

 

Kuwabara: Yeah.

 

Kurama: Hiei cannot prepare you for the viciousness of the fights. You weakness and his honor makes him go easy on you. I will not.  

 

Kuwabara: Okay, come on! Toughen me up!

 

Kurama: As you wish. Here goes!

 

(Kurama leaps into the air. Kuwabara prepares for the strike and screams as it hits. Genkai is still punching Yusuke then leaps back to the top of the mountain. She yells down to Yusuke. )

 

Yusuke: Dammit!

 

Genkai: Does it hurt, slacker? Did you come all the way here just to give me more of your crap?!

 

(Flashback of Yusuke promising to work hard at his training.)

 

Yusuke: It’s different this time. I promise I’ll push as hard as I can.

 

(Yusuke rights himself and then leaps up the mountain.)

 

Narrator: In this way, two months of training passed.

 

(A few score of demons meet in a clearing.  Each one more ugly and brutal then the last.  Everyone of them is excited that their going to fight in the tournament.)

 

Demon: It’s about time this tournament day arrived!

 

Demon 2: Now we can kill without getting those pursuers after us!

 

Demon 3: And imagine our power once we’ve gotten that prize!

 

Demon 4: We’re the ones who are going to get the power! Go home if you don’t want to die!

 

Demon 5: Obviously you haven’t seen us fight yet!

 

(A couple of them notice Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama.)

 

Demon 6: I think I smell a human over there.

 

Demon 7: (Laughs) Maybe he’s come to be our dinner.

 

(Kuwabara is more concerned as to where Yusuke is then the he is about the demons surrounding them.)

 

Kuwabara: Urameshi still hasn’t shown up yet! What could that dummy be doing now?

 

Kurama: Hopefully he’s finding us a fifth fighter.

 

Hiei: Why don’t you worry about yourself, Kuwabara. Have you gotten any better since our last fight?

 

Kuwabara: You’ll see for yourself, shrimp-boy! (Mentally) If we win this competition, I’m gonna get super famous. Yeah. That way Yukina and I can be together forever! 

 

(The ship to the island where the Dark Tournament has arrived. The Captain hobbles into the clearing.)

 

Captain: The ship is here, maties. Now let’s try to get on board without any violence.  

 

Kuwabara: Uh, hey wait a minute sir! Our team still has some stragglers!

 

Captain: Then we’ll have to put a mark on their heads and send out a hit man. Standard rule of the tournament!

 

Yusuke: Now, now! That’s not necessary!

 

(Everyone turns to see Yusuke standing at the edge of a clearing with someone wearing a mask. )

 

Yusuke: Sorry to keep you waiting guys.

 

Kuwabara: You nearly gave me a heart attack, Urameshi!

 

(All the demons whisper to one another when they hear the name of the new comer.)

 

Yusuke: These forest hikes really wipe me out!

 

Kuwabara: Yeah, you look awful! Oh wait, that’s just you!

 

(Hiei approaches Yusuke calmly.)

 

Hiei: Yusuke.

 

(Hiei pulls out his sword and slashes at Yusuke. Yusuke dodges. Their movements are so rapid its hard to make out who was who. The other demons are confused by how the two are acting.)

 

Demon 8: What is this?

 

Demon 9: I thought they were on the same team!

 

Kuwabara: Gosh they’re fast! I can barely keep up with my eyes!

 

(Yusuke finally manages to catch the blade of Hiei’s sword in his fingers stopping the mini sparing match.)

 

Yusuke: Damn Hiei, is this how you say hello to people now?

 

Hiei: I don’t know where you’ve been all this time, but it seem you’ve improved your skills a little bit.

 

Kuwabara: Improved a little bit! Oh man! I’d say he’s improved a lot of bits!

 

Kurama: Don’t be discouraged. The fact that you could follow their moves shows you have improved as well.

 

(Yusuke lets go of Hiei’s sword as Hiei stands up. Hiei inquires about the masked person that Yusuke had arrived with.)

 

Hiei: So, Yusuke. I assume the little one over there is going to be the fifth member of our team. 

 

Kuwabara: You mean this little guy here? He’s even smaller then Hiei! And, what’s wrong with his face? He looks like a mummy or somethin’?

 

Yusuke: Trust me. That one’s gonna be a lot of help to us.

 

Kuwabara: I don’t know-he barely comes to my waist!

 

Hiei: Forget him. Yusuke and I are all that we’ll require.

 

Captain: Enough of pesky distractions! Let’s all get on board!

 

Narrator:  And so, the next adventure begins for Spirit Detective Yusuke Urameshi and his friends. On a ship filled with bizarre demons, who all have a craving for blood. What is this strange new world where the dark tournament will begin, and can Yusuke even get there alive?

 

Preview of Next Episode

 

Yusuke: Hey guys, its me, and I’m about to get some much needed shut-eye while my team mates take care of a little problem on deck! Turns out that from the whole shipload of fighters, only one team is really eligible for the tournament! And that means an all out war between everyone on board! And in case you didn’t know, demons tend to fight pretty dirty, so it’s going to be intense. You don’t wanna miss the next whip-lashing,  fist-flying madness, next time on Yu Yu Hakusho!