Yusuke was in a cave in the mountains, where he had received the final test from Genkai in order to assume her abilities. At the same time, at the stadium, Kurama had fallen into a trap laid by his opponent, Ura Urashima, and found himself in a hard predicament.

Ura Urameshi: I hate those of you who are taller and better looking than me! I'm going to return you to an age even before you were a baby!

The Legendary Thief!
Yoko Kurama

Koto says that the ring is covered in smoke, and she can't tell what's happening. Inside the ring, Urashima wonders what this incredible demon energy is, as it swirls around behind him and takes form. Someone says say he never thought the day would come when he would return to this form again.

Kurama has returned to his demon fox form, and Urashima realizes he is the legendary thief, Yoko Kurama. Kurama tells him it's time for his punishment, as his offense of angering him is a serious one.

Outside the ring, Kuwabara wonders who this demon energy belongs to. Hiei says it's Kurama's, and he had no idea it was as great at this. It's making him wish that he could have a fight with him. He explains to Kuwabara that Yoko Kurama was among the most feared thieves in the Demon Realm, but then got seriously injured. He escaped to the Human Realm, where he merged with the body of the human who would be born as the child Shuichi Minamino. The two would live their lives as one.

Sometime later, Hiei found Kurama, and introduced him to Gouki. Gouki laughed at him and called him pathetic for possessing a human. He told Kurama to show him his original form, otherwise he didn't believe he really was Kurama. Kurama told him he couldn't do that, and that he had merged with a human, rather than possessing him. Gouki told him that the job they had was to steal treasures from the Spirit Realm. He wondered if Hiei had made a poor choice by teaming up with Kurama. Hiei told Gouki to try testing him.

Gouki thought this was a good idea, but before he could do anything, Kurama said it's true that he didn't have the same degree of demon energy he had before. But he found someone to protect in place of it -his human mother -and said that if it's for those people, he can become even stronger than before. Gouki thought he was being ridiculous, but Kurama then used his rose whip to destroy most of the forest around them. Gouki suddenly changed his tune, and said he'll work with him.

Back in the present, Hiei says that Kurama is far stronger now than he was then. Meanwhile, in the VIP box, Jorge says it almost seems as though they're being enveloped in smoke in here, too. He then notices that Koenma seems to be on fire, and so throws a bucket of water over him.

It turns out Koenma was just cooking some fish, which have now been ruined. Back in the ring, Kurama wonders how he should serve his opponent up. Koto says she still can't see anything from where she is, and that all that is apparent is the demon energy vigorously swirling around inside the ring. She asks Juri to let everyone know what the situation is.

However Juri has also been affected by the smoke, and has become a child. She says she can't provide any commentary, as she can't even walk! Koto says that it appears that there is a small child mixed in with everyone else in the ring. Kurama takes out a seed, which explodes and becomes a monster.

SHI KEMONO SHOKUBUTSU

(Devourer Demon Plant)

Kurama says this plant has acidic saliva, and is likely to dissolve Urashima's bones in under a minute. It appears to be in a bitter mood because it's so hungry, and he asks Urashima if he should let it devour his body. Urashima begs to be spared, and says he'll do anything if he'll let him live. Kurama wants to know what the secret of this smoke is. Urashima says he doesn't know.

Kurama moves his plant in closer, but Urashima says he's telling the truth. He got the treasure box from Shishiwakamaru, so he's the one who should know more about it. Kurama tells him to say everything he knows, as if he gets the feeling he's lying, he'll have the plant devour him. Urashima says he's not even Urashima, he was just taken in by the rest of the team, who told him that if they won, he could have anything he wanted. He says that it was the same for Makintaro and Kuro Momotaro as well. Before he can say any more, a sword suddenly shatters the barrier.

It strikes Urashima and kills him, but as it does, he changes form. Kurama realizes Urashima was an illusion beast, but he's more interested in the fact that someone was able to break through the peripheral realm so easily.

As the smoke starts to clear, Kurama sees that it was Shishiwakamaru who threw the sword. The smoke continues to clear up, and Koto comments that she can now see a fearsome, yet beautiful silver-haired demon, and also a dead illusion beast. Neither fighter is in the same form they were in at the beginning of the match.

As the smoke completely clears, Kurama returns to his usual self. Juri also returns to normal, and declares Kurama the winner of the fight.

Koto comments on how powerful the Urameshi team is -they now have a 3 to 0 lead over the Reverse Bedtime Stories team. Shishiwakamaru then jumps onto the ring, and takes his sword back. He says not only was Urashima no use to them, he also betrayed them. But as he was faced with that much demon energy, he supposes there was nothing he could have done. He then says they can continue with the matches.

Elsewhere, Botan's group are still on the way to the stadium, when Keiko notices that Puu seems to be in even more pain. Keiko says that if Puu is meant to be an outgrowth of Yusuke's mind, does it mean that Yusuke is suffering right now? In the cave, Yusuke continues to scream. Puu suddenly tugs himself free from Keiko.

He flies off before anyone can stop him. Near the cave, Genkai is now waiting outside the entrance. She wonders if Yusuke will be able to overcome this trial or not, as the outcome should arrive soon. Back at the ring, Shishiwakamaru throws the dice. He himself will be fighting next, whilst the Urameshi team have a free choice.

Shishiwakamaru says it's finally his turn, and asks who his opponent is going to be. Shishiwakamaru has a lot of female demon fans in the audience, who wish him luck. Kuwabara tells them to shut up -what do they know about fighting, anyhow?

Shishiwakamaru calls out to the guy with the goofy face. Kuwabara realizes he's talking to him, and Shishiwakamaru tells him that's right. He thinks it's about time he came up to fight.

Hiei says he'll go, as Shishiwakamaru seems to be the strongest one. But Kurama says he'll go, as he thinks Hiei should concentrate on getting his demon energy back up to its best level for the finals. Hiei thinks Kurama really wants to fight this guy because he wants to know about the secret of the smoke that was used earlier. He thinks Shishiwakamaru could take advantage of this distraction. But Kuwabara says he'll go -after what Shishiwakamaru just said about his face, he can't sit here quietly. All three of them want to fight, so Kurama suggests they settle it peacefully with a game of rock, paper, scissors. Kuwabara is fine with that, but Hiei doesn't know what the game is.

Kurama explains it's a game from the Human Realm, and quickly goes through the rules. Kuwabara says new players are only allowed to use rock, but Kurama tells him not to tell any lies. The three throw down, and Kuwabara wins.

Kuwabara is about to go onto the ring, when Hiei tells him to wait. His throw was late, and whilst Kuwabara asks how a new player could tell that, Hiei tells him not to underestimate the power of his evil eye. The three have no choice but to play again, but there's no clear winner after multiple throw downs.

Koto comments on the fact that the Urameshi team appears to be choosing who will fight via playing rock, paper, scissors. She wonders if it's some kind of strategy. The Urameshi team are still at it, when Kuwabara really goes for it, and picks rock. Hiei and Kurama picks scissors.

Hiei looks at his fingers like they've betrayed him, whilst Kurama can only hang his head in shame. Koto comments that Kuwabara will be the one fighting for the Urameshi team next.

She also mentions that Shishiwakamaru appears to be ready to fight. Kuwabara says he always wins at rock, paper, scissors, and gets ready to fight. The Shishiwakamaru fans tell their idol to not hold back, and to hurry and let Kuwabara have it. Kuwabara tells them to keep on talking -as long as Yukina is watching over him somewhere in this arena, he'll win.

Yukina suddenly stops, and as Botan asks her what's wrong, she sneezes. Botan didn't realize even ice maidens can sneeze, but Shizuru tells everyone to hurry along, as they're almost at the stadium. Keiko is still worried about Yusuke, but Shizuru says he'll be alright. Yusuke is strong, so there's nothing to worry about, no matter what happens.

Yusuke screams out, sending energy into the cave's ceiling. After bashing his head on a wall a few times, he stumbles around whilst saying how hot it is... it feels like he's going to burn up. He falls down and wishes he had some water, but when he tries to move, it puts him in great pain. Just by moving one finger, it feels like his whole body is being torn apart. He doesn't think he can move any more, and believes if he falls asleep, he won't wake up again. He just wishes now, at the very end, he had one sip of water to drink. He then gets his wish, when a trickle of water hits his face.

He opens his eyes and sees that Puu brought him some water. Puu flies off, but can't fly straight and crashes into the ceiling a couple of times.

But he comes back, holding some more water with his wings. Yusuke thinks Puu is even more worn out than he is, and tells him to stop. Puu then trips and drops the water, but tries to fly off to get some more. Yusuke remembers what Koenma said -a spirit beast lives off the nourishment of your heart, and it's part of you. If you become mentally weakened, your spirit beast could die under the influence.

Yusuke sees that Puu can't fly any more, and it spurs him into getting up. But he can't, and he falls back down. He thinks he's weak-willed, but he then hears the sound of rocks crashing down. He looks up and sees that part of the cave's ceiling is falling apart, and a large rock is about to fall onto Puu. Yusuke forces himself to get up.

The rock is about to hit Puu, but Yusuke tells his pain that it's in the way -move it! He screams out, and as he does, his spirit energy surrounds him.

He runs forward and jumps kicks right through the rock, shattering it. A little time later, Yusuke heads out of the cave, holding Puu. He finds Genkai, and asks her to take care of Puu for him. She says it looks like he's made the spirit wave orb his own.

Genkai takes Puu, and Yusuke then collapses. She tells him to sleep well, as his real battle begins when he wakes up again.

Leaning on Puu's strength, Yusuke has climbed his way back up from the edge of death, and gained the spirit wave orb. However, once he opens his eyes again, an even greater trial awaits him. Hang in there, Yusuke!


NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW

(Yusuke is speaking)

At last, Shishiwakamaru has come forward! His agility and strength of demon energy are nothing to sneeze at. He is, without a doubt, the number one fighter on the Reverse Bedtime Stories team! Listen to me, Kuwabara! Don't let your guard down, and go after him hard! Next time: Item of Darkness: The Mantle of Death. Don't you lose before I get there!