Right as the young Spirit Detective is getting the hang of his job, a new monster suddenly appears and drags him into the unwanted hell of tournament fighting. The Younger Toguro appears before Yusuke, showing him exactly what he can at a mere sixty percent, terrifying him into submission.
The hero unwillingly accepts the challenge offered to him but is smart enough to learn that he would never be able to kill a villain of such power at his meager level. The whole team—Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama—train as hard as they can before the date of the Dark Tournament arrives, which occupies the second season of Yu Yu Hakusho. Of course, before entering the first stage, they have to win a melee fight on the ferry, transporting them to Hanging Neck Island. Here is every match in the Dark Tournament and who came out victorious.
22 Teams Rokuyukai & Urameshi — Kuwabara Vs. Rinku
Yusuke takes a long nap while Kuwabara arrogantly talks down to his opponent, a small kid called Rinku. The fight is not very long, but the older man is exposed to a massive world of hurt and humiliation.
The boy's Yoki-augmented Yo-Yos brings Team Urameshi's first battle to a conclusion with a resounding defeat for poor Kuwabara.
21 Teams Rokuyukai & Urameshi — Kurama Vs. Roto
Kurama and Roto face off in the second match of the tournament, with the latter attempting to simultaneously affect the former's physical and emotional state: by violently punishing him while mocking his human life.
Unfortunately for Roto, Kurama's skills are slightly more subtle, considering he secretly implants a seed inside his body (which sprouts and kills him.)
20 Teams Rokuyukai & Urameshi — Hiei Vs. Zeru
Zeru proves himself to be more than a match for Hiei, and for the most part, it looks like the Jagan-eyed demon will lose this one.
In the end, he brings out his favorite technique, the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, which instantly vaporizes Zeru. The only problem now is that Hiei's right arm becomes temporarily unusable.
19 Teams Rokuyukai & Urameshi — Yusuke Vs. Chu
The Chu doesn't fight straight, literally. His battle stances are haphazard, but that's only because he intends to confuse his opponent with seemingly random movements.
Yusuke gives back as much as he receives, pushing the fight to a point where the only option is a "knife-edge death match." Both characters wallop the other till the Chu collapses.
18 Teams Ichigaki & Urameshi — Battle Royale
The deplorable Dr. Ichigaki forces three innocent martial artists to fight on his behalf by controlling their thoughts and actions through one of his cardiac-based inventions.
Against them are Yusuke, Kuwabara, and the Masked Fighter (Genkai), who realizes that the only way to win without harming Ryo, Kai, and En in the process is through the Spirit Wave. Ichigaki is consequently one-shotted by Yusuke.
17 Teams Masho & Urameshi — Kurama Vs. Gama
Having proceeded to the quarter-finals, Kurama takes on Gama, whose magical makeup imbues him with an incredible yoki. Also, the paint manages to cease all motor functions in all four of Yoko's limbs.
Nevertheless, Kurama utilizes his hair as a last resort, swinging his iconic rose whip with such force that Gama is critically injured.
16 Teams Masho & Urameshi — Kurama Vs. Toya
Toya and Kurama commence their match, but Gama's mystical seal has still not lost all its effect, forcing the hero on the defensive for a short duration.
The enemy's ice-projectiles are surprisingly powerful, not to mention his equally majestic blade. Once again, Kurama falls back on his botanical knowledge to claim victory.
15 Teams Masho & Urameshi — Kurama Vs. Bakken
Sadly, Kurama fails to leave the ring after winning against Toya. The next opponent, Bakken, takes as an invitation for battle (even though his rival is technically unconscious and can't dissent.)
As per the rules, though, Bakken obtains a win for officially "defeating" Kurama, however vile and cold-hearted his battle integrity happens to be.
14 Teams Masho & Urameshi — Yusuke Vs. Bakken
Infuriated at Bakken's lack of sportsmanship (or basic decency), Yusuke calls for the next match, intending to teach the demon a lesson.
At first, the "sweat fog" technique disorients the spirit detective a little, but it's not something a small spirit gun explosion can't clear. After this, Yusuke is in absolute control of the situation.
13 Teams Masho & Urameshi — Yusuke Vs. Jin
Jin's air-powered abilities are almost too much for Yusuke to handle, considering all the tornadoes the little sprite demon can generate.
Thankfully, his recent inheritance of Genkai's core spiritual techniques save the day. Strangely, the outcome is a draw, as the judges claim that Yusuke spends too much time out of bounds (but the truth is that they have been bought off.)
12 Teams Masho & Urameshi — Kuwabara Vs. Risho
The audience screams on behalf of Risho, who tries to rise to the occasion by combating Yusuke, but the committee denies this for unscrupulous reasons.
Paired with Kuwabara, he triggers his earthen armor and attempts to finish the job in a single movie. Then, like a beacon of hope, comes Yukina's plaintive voice begging Kuwabara not to lose. Obviously, he doesn't.
11 Teams Uraotogi & Urameshi — Hiei Vs. Makintaro
Hiei proudly announces that he would be taking part in all the battles against Team Uraotogi, but Shishiwakamaru specifies that his opponent is Makintaro.
The hero quickly dismembers the villain's arm, but it is recreated in the form of a battleax. This sudden development slightly disgruntles Hiei, but he's way too fast to lose to Makintaro.
10 Teams Uraotogi & Urameshi — Hiei Vs. Momotaro
Momotaro now appears to take the place of his fallen comrade, revealing that his strength lies in creating resistance towards most kinds of attacks based on his prior experience.
Instead of overexerting himself, Hiei brings out the "Mortal Flame Fist," a diluted variant of his standard craft. This doesn't complete the task, but his shattered sword rewards him with a victory.
9 Teams Uraotogi & Urameshi — Kurama Vs. Urashima
Urashima's special ability reverses Kurama's age until he becomes a baby, and then just a bit further. He doesn't know the nature of Kurama's past life, which is his main failing.
Bringing the magnificent Yoko Kurama out of retirement turns out to be a horrible idea. Urashima perishes, but not before begging and pleading for his life like a complete coward.
8 Teams Uraotogi & Urameshi — Kuwabara Vs. Shishiwakamaru
Shishiwakamaru is quite a terrifying powerhouse, with a limitless number of tricks and talents hidden up his billowy sleeves. Not to mention half the audience screeching his name out in fanatic rapture.
When faced with Kuwabara, the handsome demon basically casts a teleportation spell with the so-called "cape of no return," ending the match without lifting as much as a finger.
7 Teams Uraotogi & Urameshi — Genkai Vs. Shishiwakamaru
On the other hand, Genkai is not such a soft target — she gathers the tortured spirits thrown at her and literally catches his demonic sword between her bare palms to vacuum out his Yoki and replenish her Reiki.
Nothing Shishiwakamaru does manage to put a single scratch on the old woman. In fact, she keeps calling him the "late" Shishiwakamaru, implying his fate if he continues to challenge her.
6 Teams Uraotogi & Urameshi — Kuwabara Vs. Suzuki
Suzuki, the leader of Team Uraotogi, camouflages himself as an old man named Onji (because it motivates him to appear as something he hates, apparently.)
He repeats Shishiwakamaru's teleportation trick, conclusively ending the fight with Kuwabara flying away from the arena in a dark bubble.
5 Teams Uraotogi & Urameshi — Genkai Vs. Suzuki
Genkai's final tournament battle is against Suzuki, who effortlessly shoves her through several layers of concrete (but does zero damage, much to his clownish astonishment.)
The teacher explains that she would rather win using unarmed combat, a suggestion which he happily agrees to. It really, really doesn't work out for him, though.
4 Teams Toguro & Urameshi — Kurama Vs. Karasu
The final starts with Kurama and Kurasu duking it out in the ring, Team Urameshi's toughest match in the Dark Tournament. The enemy flings bombs at the hero, which is responded to by a flower-blade.
In a nail-biting finish, Kurama succeeds in casting a Vampire Tree at the last minute to impale Karasu. The triumph, however, goes to the latter.
3 Teams Toguro & Urameshi — Hiei Vs. Bui
Bui's overwhelming blue energy is nearly enough to reflect the Dragon of the Darkness Flame at Hiei, but his glee is cut short almost instantly.
This is because Hiei imbibes the entire Dragon into his body, using its vast spirit power reserves to enhance his own agility and physical strength. Team Urameshi wins, but the victor spares the loser's life out of pity.