Artifacts of Darkness (Story Arc)

## Story Arcs and Sagas

**Artifacts of Darkness** (闇の三大秘宝, *Yami no San Dai Hihō*?), is the second story arc of the Yu Yu Hakusho series and the Spirit Detective Saga.

Yusuke's first mission as Spirit Detective is to recover the Artifacts of Darkness that have been stolen by three criminals: Gouki, Kurama, and Hiei

## Summary

Three thieves break into King Enma's vault and steal the Artifacts of Darkness: three powerful relics forged from the that could devastate the living world. While this is happening, the newly commissioned Spirit Detective is dealing with issues at school. He's framed by Mr. Iwamoto for a crime he didn't commit and Koenma helps Yusuke punish his teacher by teaching him the Spirit Gun.

Afterward, Koenma gives Yusuke his first assignment. He must apprehend the three demons who stole the Artifacts of Darkness and reclaim each item within a week. Gouki of the group of thieves uses the Orb of Baast to steal the souls of children. Yusuke is able to track him into the forest where he interrupts an internal feud within the group. Kurama decides to leave Hiei and Gouki's alliance with the Forlorn Hope. Hiei chases after him while Gouki remains behind to deal with Yusuke. The human boy believes he has the edge in this fight until Gouki reveals his full Demon Form.

Gouki overpowers Yusuke and nearly kills him, as the young man can't use his Spirit Gun after using his only shot on Iwamoto earlier. Botan saves Yusuke at the last moment and manages to get Gouki to retreat. Gouki continues his reign of terror while Yusuke recovers. Botan arms Yusuke with the concentration ring and accompanies Yusuke to confront the demon. Gouki has taken the souls of several children and eaten them, Yusuke has no choice but to defeat Gouki before they're digested for good.

Once again, Gouki beats Yusuke, who's hesitant to use his Spirit Gun. Botan distracts the demon and Yusuke is able to land a clean shot that defeats Gouki and frees the souls he's captured. Despite his injuries, Yusuke continues to hunt down the other criminals. He happens upon Kurama, who asks for only three days and then swears to return the mirror. After three days, on the night of the full moon, Kurama meets Yusuke on the roof of the hospital. Kurama introduces Yusuke to his sickly human mother and explains his past as a demon who came into the living world by becoming this woman's son.

Kurama feels responsible for her sickness and is willing to give up his own life in order to make the wish that can save hers. Yusuke understands that saving someone just to leave them alone wouldn't be worth the cost. He intervenes in Kurama's wish and tells the mirror to take his life instead. The wish is granted and Kurama's mother is saved. However, thanks to Yusuke's noble deed, both of them get to keep their lives.

This only leaves Hiei and the Shadow Sword for Yusuke to capture. Foreseeing his inevitable confrontation with Yusuke, Hiei decides to target Yusuke's human connections. Hiei kidnaps Keiko and turns dozens of humans into mindless slaves using the Shadow Sword. He leads Yusuke into an abandoned warehouse using Keiko as bait. Yusuke and Botan arrive at the secluded building and turn over both the Orb of Baast and the Forlorn Hope

Hiei possesses the power of the Jagan Eye, an artificial third eye that grants him the ability to control human minds. It's ineffective against Yusuke, but thanks to the Shadow Sword, Keiko is slowly turning into a Jaganshi Demon. Hiei returns Keiko into this state and Botan uses her own lifeforce to slow Keiko's transformation, limiting the time on both their lives. Yusuke must act quickly and defeat Hiei if he's going to save the girls.

Yusuke and Hiei fight and the human surprises with his strength and speed. Yusuke manages to knock Hiei back but the latter transforms into his full demon state. In this form, Hiei is far more deadly and his Jagan Eye fully opens. Keiko reacts by transforming into a demon faster, symbolized by the Jagan Eye-opening on her forehead. Hiei overpowers Yusuke in close combat and nearly kills him with the Shadow Sword. At the last moment, Kurama appears and takes the blade for Yusuke.

Rejuvenated, Yusuke's Spirit Energy swells and he goes another round with Hiei. The Jaganshi Demon is still far too fast for Yusuke, so he uses the Forlorn Hope to reflect his Spirit Gun and defeats Hiei by blasting him in the back, taking advantage of his blind spot. With Hiei defeated, Yusuke uses the antidote inside the Shadow Sword to cure Keiko and closes this case for good.

## Episodes

North America: March 30, 2002
North America: April 6, 2002
North America: April 13, 2002

## Settings

**Spirit World**

* **Great Treasure Hall of the Spirit World**: A treasury inside King Enma's castle. It was broken into and robbed by Gouki, Hiei, and Kurama.

**Kaiden (Yusuke's Neighborhood)**: Gouki uses the Orb of Baast to steal the souls of children in the city. Yusuke tracks him down to a forested area past the slums of the city. Kurama meets Yusuke at the hospital in town to talk about the Forlorn Hope. Yusuke fights Hiei in an abandoned warehouse for the Shadow Sword.