Juri announces the first match of the finals for the Ankoku Bujutsukai: Karasu versus Kurama. The public cheers, and Koto comments that the Toguro Team has the support of the majority of the audience, being immediately booed by Keiko, Shizuru, Botan, George and Yukina, who cheer for the Urameshi Team.

When Kurama moves toward the battlefield, Kuwabara asks him if he's going to use the potion Suzuki gave him. "I already did," says Kurama, "I drank it two minutes ago." He also says he experimented the potion previously, and verified that in liquid form it takes longer to start the transformation, but it also takes longer for the effect to wear off: fifteen minutes. "I hope this is enough to finish this guy."

While Juri explains the rules for the combat, Keiko notices that Botan looks sad and asks her the reason. The ferrygirl laughs nervously, saying it's nothing. Keiko laments Genkai's absence; Shizuru suggests that the old woman was tired after the semifinals. Botan gives them a lame excuse and runs to one of the access corridors.

Shizuru goes after her: "Listen, your sadness will keep Baachan from resting in peace." Botan is surprised that the other knows about Genkai's death. "She came to say goodbye to me, wishing me good health," says Shizuru. "No one said a thing, but I think she knew it was going to happen." Botan starts to cry, and Shizuru comforts her by telling her that they must cheer for the boys: "If they lose, I'll enter the battlefield and finish those bastards." They go back to their places.

Juri calls the beginning of the fight and Karasu asks if Kurama will fight in that aspect. "I'll do anything to beat you," Kurama replies dryly.

Knowing that Karasu is faster and stronger, Kurama tries to gain time until the transformation into Youko takes place. Spreading hundreds of rose petals that swirl in the air, he creates a shield around him: the Fuuka Enbujin attack. "I can't let him touch me," he thinks.

Karasu steps into the petals field, one of them cuts his cheek. "Sharp as blades," Karasu realizes. "So beautiful. But too frail. Weak. Useless." Kurama sends the petals in Karasu's direction, but they explode at a simple gesture of the black-haired demon.

Kurama is confused: "It's impossible! He didn't touch the petals!" Karasu asks if Kurama thinks that he needs to touch to explode things. The difference between their power levels is so great that Kurama is unable to see Karasu's energy. Karasu asks again if Kurama will stay in that aspect just before attacking him, trying to touch the redhead. Kurama dodges and summons his Rosewhip, which is instantly ripped by another explosion.

Karasu: "How brave. I admire your persistence, even with such a huge difference of ki between us. I like people like you. But it's useless to give love to those we like, since they'll eventually age and die. I prefer to kill them right way. I feel immensely happy when someone I love dies by my hands."

Karasu keeps attacking, and Kurama wonders why the transformation is taking so long to start. At some point Karasu delves his long red fingernails on the ground; an explosion hits Kurama's left arm. "I didn't touch you," mocks Karasu.

Kuwabara fears the potion won't work. "What potion?" asks Yusuke.

Sakyo is bored by the fight, but Toguro Otouto says it will get better soon.

Another explosion, this time on Kurama's right leg. Karasu holds out a hand: "I'll give you a hint. While you have the power to summon and control the plants, I can summon and control what I have here in this hand, but you unfortunately can't see it." He applies more energy to the substance in his hand until Kurama can see it: a demonic bomb, which he throws on the redhead, who vanishes under a violent explosion.

The rest of the Urameshi Team stares in fright; Botan cries: "I'm not taking another of my friends to Reikai." Karasu notices a rose whose stem cut through his right hand and takes it out harshly.

The stadium is taken by a dark powerful energy. The smoke clears and the piercing bark of a fox announces the presence of Youko Kurama.

"What a close call," says the Youko. "Shuuichi Minamino's body was almost made into pieces." Kuwabara cheers. Yusuke, who never saw the Youko before, gapes: "Is that really Kurama?" Koenma confirms it: "That's him, Youko Kurama, cruel and ruthless thief of the Makai." Hiei smirks.

"It's a pleasure to fight against a quest-class youkai like you," Kurama tells Karasu. "But sadly I have to inform you, my friend: you're going to die and I'll be the one to kill you."

Karasu creates two new bombs, but now Kurama can see his powder-energy clearly and destroy them by hitting them with a rose each: "In Shuuichi Minamino's body I wouldn't be able to face a quest-class demon like you. Isn't it true, my dear Karasu?"

Karasu creates now dozens of flying bombs that chase after Kurama. While jumping and somersaulting to evade the bombs, the Youko speaks of a South-American plant called Mimosa, which reacts to touch or fire by closing its leaves.

Kurama's ki whirls powerfully around him, destroying the bombs and summoning the Makai Mimosa, a giant, thorny, demonic plant that attacks fire and moving objects. The Youko warns Juri not to move or she'll die; seeing the plant "sniffing" her, she literally freezes.

"Unfortunately the Mimosa recognized you as an enemy, Karasu," says Kurama. The plant attacks; Karasu runs. The Urameshi Team, especially Kuwabara, is confident about Kurama's victory now ¾ only Hiei thinks gloomily, "I hope you're right."

Karasu throws one of his demonic grenades on one of the carnivorous flowers. But the Mimosa still attacks.

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