Sensui's Boys: Game Master (2/2)
Make sure you have read this post before you proceed.
Kurama is the one to realize everything about the real purpose of the game and Sensui's plan: to keep them trapped inside Game Master's territory until he and his partner have destroyed the barrier.
(This reminds me of what happened to Gon and co during Lippo's Tower stage of the Hunter exam, when they were forced by the rules to spend veeeery long hours inside a room, sleeping or playing videogames, until the remaining time was so short they had to think and act very fast to break the last wall and get out in time - that would be Gate Keeper Itsuki's scene in Yu Yu).
As they get ready to play a Puzzle Battle, Kurama tells his suspicions to Amanuma and asks him what he knows of Sensui's plan. He just knows that a lot of demons will invade the human world and make it more fun. Amanuma believes that when that happens he'll be safe inside his territory, because no matter how terrible the demons are, they won't be able to harm him unless they defeat him at games, his forte.
Through their conversation, Kurama learns that, until now, Sensui has let Amanuma try his powers in harmless games but forbidden him to try games where the mention of "death" was present. Amanuma says he could have chosen any other game for this battle, but Sensui himself instructed him to use this one: a game in which the goal is to kill the Demon King. Kurama then breaks it to Amanuma that Sensui means to sacrifice him for his greater goal. That's when the screen announces...
GAME START
On the side, Genkai confirms Kurama's theory. And she knows that he won't lose to the kid no matter what: it is either defeating him or letting Sensui win. Kuwabara's life is also at stake. Taboo had already commented that Kurama is an expert in mind games and causing turmoil in his enemy's resolve. And Genkai says that Kurama has told the truth to the kid on purpose, not just out of pity (which he has also somehow felt as he described the situation), but out of a firm determination to win by any means at hand, no matter how cowardly or cruel.
Amanuma reflects on Kurama's words, remembers how Sensui recruited him from the game center (see previous post) and starts putting the pieces together in his mind, while on the screen the pieces keep piling up, up, up. He's already badly shaken.
He asks Kurama whether there is a way to change things. Kurama asks if he can't just annulate his territory. But he says that no, he can't. He is now like any other character in the game, so he too must keep playing until he is defeated -or loses on purpose. And in his case only, as soon as he is defeated he will be dead. And he is already grasping the fact that that death in the game means DEATH in real life too. (Much like in Greed Island, later in HxH)
"I have no intention of losing."
Kurama's resolve is icy.
"You knew of Sensui's plan and went along with it."
"You are not exactly blameless."
Kurama seems to be telling that to himself as well, for reassurance.
Amanuma breaks down:
"I never thought this could happen. I... I don't want to die yet!"
But the game goes on... PIP PIP PIP...
BOOOO!!
"GAME OVER!! The Demon King loses! The Demon King loses!!"
Yusuke: Kurama...
Kurama: Let's hurry to Sensui.
For a while afterwards, as they make progress through the cave, Yusuke keeps a worried eye on Kurama. This battle seems to have had a strong impact on his friend, but as long as he keeps his wits about him and doesn't lose it hardcore...
He seems icy calm on the surface, but inside, now, that's another story. And Gourmet is going to have a taste of such boiling rage and frustration.
BONUS SCAN: If you like Kurama's dark face as much as I do, here is a wallpaper size edition. ;D
*All pages are from the manga Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi.