Yukinoshita Yukino looked at her serious sister, momentarily speechless. She never imagined her sister would believe such absurd things. Was she crazy, or was her sister? Such ridiculous, unscientific nonsense…
Lady Yukinoshita calmly glanced at her younger daughter, who was doubting everything, then turned to Kael. "Renjou-kun, are you certain this man named Toguro isn't human, but a yokai?"
Kael replied: "I can't be completely sure, but I'm more than eighty percent confident."
The name Toguro came from Yu Yu Hakusho. He was the first powerful boss encountered by protagonist Urameshi Yusuke. In the original story, Toguro was actually two brothers. The man in the photo was the younger brother. He had an elder brother who also transformed into a yokai, usually perched on his younger brother's shoulder when not fighting.
The elder brother was vile, insane, and untrustworthy, known as the most deranged. His body could transform into weapons like swords and spears, their power depending on the user. He could also move vital organs at will and regenerate infinitely, often attacking by extending his fingers to pierce enemies.
As for the younger brother—the man in the photo wearing sunglasses—he had once been the lover of Genkai, Yusuke's master. Fifty years before the story began, their dojo was brutally massacred by a vicious yokai, forcing him to enter the Dark Tournament. Though he avenged the slaughter, guilt remained. To preserve youth and strength, and to win, he chose to become an immortal yokai.
Lady Yukinoshita's photo showed no sign of Toguro's elder brother. This suggested that when Yu Yu Hakusho merged into this crossover world, the plot had subtly changed. Still, Kael was eighty percent sure Toguro had become a yokai.
This crossover world truly was a chaotic mix. Even such an old series as Yu Yu Hakusho had been fused in. At this point, Kael wouldn't be surprised if someone dug up Adam in Antarctica and triggered the First Impact. Fusion, forced or not.
Meanwhile, Lady Yukinoshita, learning that his opponent was a yokai, couldn't hide her worry. "Such an opponent… are you sure it's not a problem, Renjou-kun?"
At first, she had full confidence in Kael. Their first meeting had shown his overwhelming power. She had believed victory was certain. But Shinomiya Un'yo had broken the rules, bringing a yokai into the Kengan Tournament. It was outrageous. Now she was uncertain.
"Of course it's fine." Kael saw her unease and smiled. "In fact, it's better that my opponent is a yokai."
His confident smile melted her anxiety like snow under sunlight. "Then I'll leave it to you, Renjou-kun."
"Trust me," Kael said, patting his chest.
At noon, the group dined at the resort. Yukino still couldn't accept the existence of yokai, eating absentmindedly.
Just then, a woman approached.
"Ah, isn't this Renjou-kun?"
Kael turned—it was Inui Hinako, owner of Kiri no Ya and graduate of Tōtsuki's Elite Ten.
"What brings you here?" Kael asked curiously.
"I came to watch the match," she replied.
"Match?"
"I heard tonight the resort will host an exciting fight, so I came as a spectator."
"Tonight's match? You mean the Kengan Tournament?"
Hinata was shocked. "You know? Then you're here to watch too."
"No, I'm here to compete," Kael said calmly.
"Compete?" Hinata was stunned, then suddenly cried out in surprise, drawing attention.
"What's wrong, Hinako?"
A burly man walked over, his gaze sweeping across Kael, Lady Yukinoshita, and the others, radiating pressure.
"Dōjima-senpai," Hinata quickly explained her outburst. "Sorry, I lost composure."
Indeed, this imposing man was Dōjima Gin, head chef and director of Tōtsuki Resort. The strongest graduate in Tōtsuki's history. In the original story, his presence alone was overwhelming. A chef with muscles more terrifying than a bodybuilder.
But now, Kael sensed his aura was even stronger than in the original. This suggested Dōjima Gin was more than just a chef. Perhaps he was a Kengan fighter himself.
Dōjima Gin looked at Kael and laughed. "I didn't expect tonight's star to be so young."
Kael smiled. Since joining the Yukinoshita family, Lady Yukinoshita had spread his information. He didn't believe Gin was ignorant. Those words were clumsy politeness. But since Gin was just a chef, Kael didn't expect much and responded politely.
Gin, satisfied Hinata wasn't being harassed, withdrew, taking her with him.
Hinako protested: "Dōjima-senpai, I…"
But Gin cut her off. "Hinako, don't get involved with that boy."
Hinata froze, staring at her stern senior. "Why, senpai?"
Gin said: "That boy's eyes are unusual. He has no respect for life. I suspect he's killed before—and not just once."
Hinata's face instantly changed.