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EPISODE TWENTY-THREE: THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE GUARDS OF TARUKANE

Rei kai tantei Yusuke Urameshi's next mission is to rescue Yukina, Hiei's younger sister, from the clutches of Tarukane. Botan and Kuwabara had decided to come along with him. On their way to Tarukane's hideout, they came across with his guards: extraordinary beings with special abilities. After defeating one of Tarukane's guards, Yusuke concluded that despite the grief given to them by the guards, it's the only road they can take that leads to Yukina. 

Inside Tarukane's mansion, Toguro Ototo announced that he has lost communication with the youkai he sent to take care of Yusuke and his gang. Hearing this, Tarukane deduced that the trespassers are no ordinary mortals. If worse comes to worst, it must be the Toguro Brothers who would need to finish them, and so, he decided to present the two a little challenge.

He led the brothers to a room full of caged creatures, each greater and more vicious than the next. They stopped in front of a large beast whose back resembles the back of an stegosaurus. It flashed its sharp teeth at the and lunged, hitting the protective glass wall. Tarukane says that the beast came from the Middle East and has cost him a lot to feed, with its appetite to live tigers and lions. He then sized up the two's reaction, and nodded to himself, satisfied to see them scared. To his surprise, Toguro Ototo removed his coat and calmly punched the code to unlock the door. He went inside, leaving Toguro Ani outside with Tarukane. Afraid of what will happen, Tarukane cried out to Toguro Ototo to come back. He watched as the animal attacked Toguro Ototo and saw that he had twisted the beast's arm and punched it in its midsection, slicing the entire beast in half and spraying the walls with its blood. 

Toguro Ototo calmy walked outside, saying that he had used 30% of his total strength. 20% would have been enough, but he doesn't want to take any chances. Tarukane then asked if he has more that 30% and when he said yes, he offered to pay a lot of cash to Toguro Ototo just so he would agree to be his bodyguard at all times. Toguro Ototo just said that he'll think about it.

Yukina, who is sitting alone in her tower, were again visited by her friends, the birds. Not wanting to bring them harm, as hard as it may be for her to do, she waved them away and wished for them not to come back. The last thing she needs is for more birds to die just to make her cry.

The gang continued their pace to Yukina's location. Botan has a compass that tells them if they were on the right track. When she pointed a road that the compass said they should take, Kuwabara said that he sensed something bad about it. Botan persisted and she suddenly found herself hanging in the air. She was trapped in an spider's web! A huge spider came crawling out and said he'd devour her after he eats the others. Kuwabara brought his rei kan out, then Yusuke took over, finishing the spider with one punch (with his rei ki in his fist). The spider staggered, sprawled on the floor, muttering before he died.

Koenma was getting worried. Kurama had said that Hiei still wasn't found and that he must have known what's inside the tape. Jorju asked why Koenma hadn't told Hiei about Yukina, and Koenma's answer was Hiei would surely do whatever he can to get Yukina, and this may involve killing innocent people. He can't risk that. Anyway, since Kurama assured him that the situation's under control, Koenma told him that if things go wrong, it would be his fault. Kurama decided not to say anything.

It was nighttime and Yusuke and the others will just have to spend the night outside. They gathered around the campfire and unknown to them, Hiei was just a few trees away, following them and also taking a break.

In a dream-like haze, the scene showed Hiei lying down on an operating table. On top of him was a cutting device that later sliced on his forehead. There, a man kept asking him if his decision is final. The next scene showed Hiei observing a younger Yukina as she played with some foxes and birds. Then Hiei awoke from his dream in a short yell, shocked and bolted upright on the thick stem he was lying on. Below, Yusuke and the others are getting ready to leave, and Kuwabara must have heard him, because he glanced at his direction. Because he's quick, Hiei got himself out of Kuwabar's sight.

Back at the mansion, Tarukane was hit with his money-making instinct. He ordered his butler to call a meeting of his organization, which is composed of several businessmen whose habits are gambling and spending their money making bets. Five of the members appeared on big screens and Tarukane explained to them his proposition. 12 of his guards are scattered throughout the forest. Who would emerge as winners: the 12 guards or the trespassers? 

To sweeten the game, Tarukane's willing to pay double to the winner. His plan was to force the members to bet on the wrong side. All but Sakyo placed huge amounts of money on the 12 guards, who betted 50 million for Yusuke's gang. Toguro Ototo, who's listening to the conversation, thought that it was Yusuke who defeated Randou and Suzaku, two powerful entities in Makai. Then, he told the others that six of the twelve are gone.

Yusuke wondered in surprise where their opponents are. Botan said that they are nearing Yukina. To their astonishment, they both saw Kuwabara take out a bandanna and declare his love for Yukina. Then, from out of nowhere, the rest of the guards appeared. After a series of assault from their side, they finally finished all of their enemies.

The people inside the mansion aren't missing any of the action. Sakyo declared himself winner of 100 million. Tarukane fought to hide his annoyance and created another bet: his three guards vs. Yusuke's gang. The three guards appeared at the snap of Toguro Ototo's fingers. Each introduced themselves as Miyuki, Enmaki and Gokumonki. Again, all but Sakyo placed their bets on the three. He placed 200 million for Yusuke's gang. Miyuki took this as his distrust in their abilities and set off to prove him wrong.

Finally, a mansion came into Yusuke and the others' view. Botan told Yusuke and Kuwabara to stay put so she could check if the coast was clear. Taking out her oar, Botan soared up high in the air when she heard explosions from behind. Tarukane, from inside, had said to his members that someone must have stepped on the bombs situated around his house and this probably triggered the explosion. A worried Botan checked if her friends were all right. From the inferno below, she saw Yusuke and Kuwabara emerge to the clearing (who apparently didn't listen to her when she told them to stay put). Together, they entered the mansion and came across Miyuki in the hallway. It's now unknown to them if they are able to surpass her and succeed in their mission.

 

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