Younger Toguro really had no talent for putting on a show; instead of dodging, he took Charles's punch head-on and then toppled straight over.
Elder Toguro was the same—he looked like Stella had burned a big hole in his chest, but with his vitality he could recover easily enough.
As for Tsurugane Genzō, he had money on the brain and still didn't know why Charles had come after him.
So when Charles and Stella smashed the window and stood before him, he was still thinking about buying them off.
Retrieving the coin he'd tossed earlier, Charles disdainfully flicked out a ball of flame.
Even if Tsurugane wanted to negotiate, he needed chips. He'd already lost all his assets to Sakyo—what money did he have left?
After dealing with Tsurugane, the two found Yukina, the snow woman he'd imprisoned.
Once they destroyed the barrier confining her, Yukina realized they weren't Tsurugane's people.
They left with her, and the entire base vanished in a series of explosions.
She might look delicate, but both Charles and Stella could feel Yukina's strength. Withstanding Tsurugane's various tortures for five years was proof enough.
Especially since Charles could sense that the emotions in this young girl's heart weren't exactly positive—it was a wonder she could still have such a love for life.
He also recalled that in the original story Yukina openly expressed her resentment toward the Glacier Country for abandoning her brother, Hiei. In the end, it was Hiei—the one who looked like he'd make extreme choices—who talked her around.
A heart full of resentment yet unwilling to hurt others—staying sane was a miracle for this girl.
Freed, Yukina chose, as in the original, to return to the Glacier Country first. Charles was quite interested in that special nation above the Demon World, but in the end he gave up on going to take a look with her.
Why… On one hand, he found it hard to feel goodwill toward the snow-woman clan; on the other, vacation was ending and Charles had to get back to work.
After escorting Yukina home, Charles and Stella returned to their daily lives.
Sakyo didn't break his word and soon sent over an invitation to the Black Club. That identity was useful—after that, many of the problems the Fire Dragon Crew ran into during its expansion vanished.
But that actually drained Stella's passion for the underworld business.
Charles understood—there's always a gap between the ideal and reality. As the syndicate grew, Stella had more and more to worry about.
It wasn't just dealing with outsiders; more and more nonsense cropped up among the Fire Dragon Crew's own people.
Impatient with playing nice, Stella had started slacking recently, griping to Charles that they should've swapped and let her be the teacher from the start.
On Charles's side, life was tranquil—aside from the undimmed enthusiasm of the schoolgirls, there wasn't much to fret about.
While Charles was away, Yusuke Urameshi smoothly wrapped up the Three Dark Treasures incident.
One difference: this time Hiei lost to Yusuke because his Jagan suddenly showed him his long-lost little sister; distracted, he took a Spirit Gun and went down.
Add in the Demon Orb from the start, and Yusuke actually only managed to complete the mission thanks to Charles.
He wondered if this world had something in common with a certain little detective's world—hardly any days of class had passed and Charles discovered there was another vacation, a long one this time.
As a P.E. teacher, Charles didn't have much to pack up, so before clocking out he started thinking about where to go with Stella over the break.
Just then, there was a knock, and Kuwabara slipped in furtively.
Charles's face darkened. "What did you do that can't see the light of day? What's with that look?"
Kuwabara leaned in. "Master Charles, I've got something to tell you—don't tell anyone."
Curious, Charles said, "Just say it. I'm a teacher; listening to students' troubles is part of the job."
Kuwabara let out a long breath. "I think I've always been able to sense things other people can't, and lately it's gotten stronger and stronger—it's getting to be a problem."
Charles couldn't help a sidelong glance. How many people would kill for that "problem"!
Sensing spiritual power derived from the soul is a rare talent—and Kuwabara's was exceptionally good.
Charles felt like ever since Yusuke became a Spirit Detective, the whole world had changed. Yokai were more active, and even humans like Kuwabara were getting stronger.
Still, Kuwabara's trouble was real—he'd never dealt with the extraordinary and didn't know what to do.
So he asked with a pained face, "Master Charles, what should I do?"
Charles was speechless. How could someone with such a strong sixth sense be so careless?
What did he think Charles had been teaching him? Why did he think Charles had taught him meditation on top of fighting—wasn't it to help him dig out his talent?
Yet the guy was so dense he still hadn't realized his spiritual power was steadily growing. Charles didn't know what to say.
He sighed. "You should ask a professional about this. I can't help you."
Kuwabara smacked his forehead. "Right! I'll go ask around right now!"
He barreled out, and Charles suddenly realized it seemed time for Genkai's disciple selection.
A master martial artist nearing the end of her life had decided to find a successor to carry on her Spirit Wave Fist.
Genkai didn't care about past or birth—only talent. News of the selection was all over the extraordinary circles.
Who knew how Kuwabara found Genkai's hidden retreat in the original—he stumbled in and joined the selection.
Of course, his role was to trigger Yusuke's power-ups.
Hmm… maybe it was the same at the Dark Tournament later, too!
Charles suddenly felt this nominal disciple of his was a bit embarrassing. Still, after receiving his guidance for so long, maybe it would be different this time.
He was thinking that when it was time to clock out.
As soon as he left Sarayashiki Junior High, he saw a petite old woman in training clothes standing on the street.
Her face was lined with wrinkles, but her hair was a rare pink. No one else in this world looked like that.
Speak of the devil—he'd just thought of Genkai, and there she was.
Genkai walked up to Charles, tipped her head back to look at him, and said, "Now I believe Toguro can lose to someone else. That presence is astonishing."
"It's nothing. You flatter me, Master Genkai," Charles said evenly.
A conflicted look crossed Genkai's face. She'd come because she'd heard the news of Younger Toguro's defeat. She figured there had to be something behind it—she didn't think anyone in the Human World could be stronger than Toguro.
But she was interested in the man who had supposedly beaten him. Maybe he had the aptitude to inherit her ultimate technique and settle her entanglement with Toguro.
Only after meeting him did she realize she was completely wrong.
Though Charles's mana and spiritual power were different systems, it didn't stop Genkai from sensing his strength.
Precisely because of that, she realized this was an opportunity—if it was Charles, he could give her a direct sense of how strong Toguro was now.
Exhaling, Genkai said, "Forgive my rudeness—please spar with me."
Charles was a little surprised, but said, "Of course. I'd love to see the famed Spirit Wave Fist."
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