Matches at the Dark Tournament came one after another; only the stronger teams could walk away from round after round of slaughter.
Every match saw casualties; a team being wiped out was common.
Though Charles only watched a few of Team Urameshi's bouts, he still saw plenty of interesting things.
Especially Uraotogi's Ura Urashima with that dark treasure, the Reversal Jewel Box that could turn back time, and Shishiwakamaru's Deathly Kimono that could shift people through space—both were fascinating.
Their teammate Suzuki also had a drug called the Fruit of Previous Life, which could restore one's former strength. In Charles's eyes, that was a marvel, too—enough to make him want to visit its origin, the Demon World, sooner.
This time, thanks to Charles's special training, Kuwabara helped Team Urameshi cut a smoother path forward. At the very least, those baffling losses Kuwabara suffered in the original story didn't happen.
Unexpectedly, in the semifinal against Uraotogi, Yusuke Urameshi, the team captain, didn't step in until the very end.
Charles could feel the dwindled aura in Genkai's body—less than one-tenth remained—as well as the explosive surge of power from Yusuke when he finally appeared.
It seemed that during this stretch, Yusuke had completed the Spirit Wave Orb trial and truly accepted Genkai's inheritance.
In short, despite twists and turns, Team Urameshi secured the top slot from the upper bracket and advanced to the finals.
Right after, Team Toguro finished the last match in the lower bracket, meeting Team Urameshi in the championship.
Before the match, Younger Toguro and Genkai fought privately.
But even at her peak she wouldn't be his match, let alone now, weakened to the extreme after giving up the Spirit Wave Orb.
By the time Yusuke arrived, he could only hear Genkai's last words.
Charles sensed Genkai's presence fade for good, but since Yusuke would wish her back in the end anyway, he had no particular feelings about it.
In this world, with the Spirit World administering life and death, resurrection—something Charles had studied across several worlds—turned out to be surprisingly easy, which struck him deeply.
Yusuke, of course, didn't know that. Genkai's goal was achieved; Yusuke's fighting spirit was fully ignited, and the others' aura shifted as well.
On Team Toguro's side, it was the same: both Sakyo's mad plan and Younger Toguro's path of pain would reach their conclusion in the final.
The finals began under a grim, killing air.
With both teams down to four members, their sponsors, Sakyo and Koenma, both stepped up as rostered fighters.
Both knew they likely wouldn't actually set foot in the ring.
Kurama took the first bout over Karasu, but lost the point on a ten-count after collapsing.
Then Hiei unveiled the true power of the Jaō Ensatsu-ken and took the second match from Bui.
When Hiei unwrapped the bandages from his arm, bells and talismans dangling, Charles instantly felt the thrill of witnessing a classic moment.
After that, Kuwabara pressed on to defeat Elder Toguro, and finally Younger Toguro and Yusuke Urameshi stood on the platform.
For reasons known only to them, they insisted on turning over their trump cards one by one.
Younger Toguro first used the eighty percent power with which he'd killed Genkai to toy with Yusuke. Then Yusuke broke the Spirit Seal Genkai had placed on him, unleashed massive strength, and reversed the tide.
At last, Younger Toguro released one hundred percent. The aura alone killed droves of yokai in the stands.
After knocking Yusuke down, Younger Toguro didn't continue the attack. He simply stood there, slowly raised his arm, and pointed.
Everyone looked over just in time to see the VIP box window shatter under his finger wind—and Charles sitting inside.
Now fully monstrous, Toguro's skin was a deep gray, bulging muscle taking on a weirdly mechanical look.
Veins tangled like roots around his arms, neck, and back, making him look like a demon god.
And his posture meant only one thing: he was challenging someone.
Charles sighed. He hadn't expected it to play out exactly like this. But since Toguro had blown out his window, it would be rude not to respond.
He rose from the sofa and leapt straight out through the broken frame.
Landing lightly on the already-ruined ring, Charles looked at Toguro. "You really do pick the most painful path for yourself every time.
"I hope you're not dumb enough to think you can win like this."
Younger Toguro exhaled a white breath and shook his head. "Even now, I still can't sense how strong you are. Maybe the gap between us is too vast.
"But that's exactly what I want. And as I am now, I can at least make you take me somewhat seriously, right?"
"Then let's find out."
Charles didn't answer—he simply crooked a finger at Toguro.
"Wait!"
Yusuke suddenly shouted from the side.
Clutching his broken arm, he forced himself to his feet. "This is my fight. I don't need anyone's help! Toguro, I haven't lost yet!"
Younger Toguro glanced at Yusuke once, then turned back to Charles. In his eyes, Yusuke had potential, but Charles was the opponent he truly wanted.
Charles looked at Yusuke. "Don't force it when you can't stand anymore. In your heart, you've already admitted defeat.
"I'm your teacher, after all—here's a lesson."
Flames erupted around Charles. The wave of heat alone blew Yusuke back several steps.
The killing aura flooding the arena shrank at once, driven back until it clung only around Toguro's body.
"Wanting to win and wanting to win aren't the same," Charles said. "Whether it's for face, for revenge, or to protect what matters—those choices affect the outcome.
'Win even if it kills me' isn't just something you say. Figure that out before you step back onto a battlefield."
His words pierced Yusuke's heart. The truth was that Yusuke did have the ability to beat Younger Toguro, but only after a comrade died would that power erupt.
In the end, Yusuke hadn't brought true resolve into the fight.
Charles turned to Toguro. "Not everyone is like you—ready to stake your life, yet not actually chasing victory."
Toguro gave no reply, only set himself to fight.
Without a trace of fear, he burst forward the instant Charles shifted into a fighting stance.
The concussive blasts from his acceleration alone sent Charles's scaled scarf rippling. At full speed, Toguro seemed to blink to Charles's face and throw a punch.
That same punch had only grazed Yusuke's arm and still broke it.
Charles met it with his own, this time a shade more serious.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Off in the distance, Kuwabara dug at his ear with his pinky—because the instant the fists collided, sound seemed to vanish.
Kurama and Hiei went pale. Before they could react, a terrifying storm bloomed from the center point between the two men.
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