Botan explained that Genkai is a master of the Spirit Wave, a great spiritual energy that could inflict great damage and she wants to pass on her powers to the next generation. Koenma had warned Botan that many demons would try to learn Genkai’s secrets to use them against humankind. So Yusuke’s task is to apply for the contest and keep the demons from winning.
Botan secretly remembered that Koenma also said, "It’ll be good practice for Yusuke, at least he’ll get to learn something." Of course, the ferrygirl wasn’t supposed to tell that to Yusuke.
But she told him about Rando, a demon that already stole ninety-nine psychic's powers, always adapting them to his style and testing the new powers on humans. "If Rando achieves Genkai’s abilities, there’ll be countless victims," says Botan.
Yusuke was more worried about wasting his weekend working, so Botan offered him a bonus if he completed the mission: a ticket for the wrestling tournament at Tokyo Dome. He agreed, but now, climbing those endless stairs, he mutters that he was conned and wonders how Botan knew he loves wrestling.
Panting and sweating heavily, Yusuke gets to the end of the staircase just to find a sign saying that the temple where the competition will take place is up in the end of another staircase, just as long as the one he just climbed. He senses a strong energy field surrounding the place. He goes up, hoping not to be chosen, so he can go back and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
A huge crowd is waiting before the temple. Yusuke hears some applicants commenting that Genkai must be very powerful to attract the interest of so many people, but the tests will be certainly very hard. But Yusuke's attention is disturbed when he hears someone calling his name: Kuwabara is there too. He came to Genkai to help him with his increasing spiritual perception abilities, which are starting to bring him uncomfortable images and sensations, and found all those people waiting there.
Yusuke is surprised to learn that Genkai also works to help people like Kuwabara. Rubbing his index finger on Yusuke's nose, Kuwabara tells him that Genkai is very powerful and uses energy waves to help people. Yusuke pretends he knew all about it, which only serves to enrage his old rival.
Genkai's appearance interrupts their bickering. Yusuke is shocked: the great master is a very short old woman.She announces the first test: a draw. Each competitor must take a tiny envelope from a jar. Those who find a red paper inside can stay; those who find a white paper must leave. Yusuke picks an envelope, hoping he'll be sent home, without having to give any satisfaction to the Spirit World. Kuwabara didn't come for the competition,but picks an envelope anyway. Both boys find red papers inside.
In fact, that test isn't just a matter of luck. Genkai used special papers that change color when touched by beings with strong spirit. Two bulky men complain about the fairness of the draw. "If you failed this test is because you're not worthy and don't have real power." Insulted, the men get ready to attack her. Her eyes shine and she lets out a scream. The men are thrown back, crashing against a wooden door several meters behind Yusuke and Kuwabara,leaving them dumbfounded.
"I'm getting old," Genkai says. "I used to knock punks like these with just a look. It's impossible to win the fight against time." She asks the chosen ones to follow her inside the temple.
As the competitors enter, Yusuke uses his Demon Compass to try to spot Rando among them. The compass spins and beeps madly before breaking in a tiny explosion. Only in the presence of a very powerful demon would do that, which gives Yusuke no doubt that Rando is among the group.
Inside the temple they find several game machines. A competitor called Shorin respectfully asks for an explanation. Genkai says the machines will measure their spiritual power. The janken machines measures perception; the boxing game measures the ability to merge physical and spiritual strength; the karaoke machine measures the energy waves. Only those who succeed in at least two machines can go to the next phase.
Kuwabara makes 129 points in the boxing machine and challenges Yusuke to do better. He achieves 155. Genkai notices Urameshi: "Not bad. With practice that boy could become a good fighter."
Glaring at Yusuke, Kuwabara promises to win in the next machine. And he does. His phenomenal ability with the janken game attracts Genkai's attention as well: "He's able to wield spiritual weapons and the energy waves with ease."
But a man called Kibano makes 175 points in the boxing game, and another called Kazemaru wins at the karaoke machine. Genkai is pleased with the good quality of the competitors.
Twenty are selected to the next test: crossing the Dark Forest, full of beasts and natural traps, in less than two hours. "An ordinary person won't survive in the forest," Genkai warns. Scared by the evil energy emanated by the place, two competitors give up and run away.
Kibano and Kazemaru comment that no cowards will succeed, and Yusuke decides to try saying that he wants to see more of grandma's skills. "Call me master, you imbecile!" yells Genkai."If you go, I'll go too," Kuwabara snarls.
The race starts and Genkai, running a lot faster than any of them, warns them to use their sense abilities to avoid the worst dangers and to take the best path; she then runs towards the finish point. Yusuke decides to run in a straight line though, in order to gain time.
The competitors are attacked by snakes, vines and wolves. Only a few make through those threats. Yusuke, after dealing with snakes and leeches, gets lost and steps into a bat nest. A bat-demon, several inches taller than Yusuke, says he's hungry and flies in the boy's direction.
Fifteen minutes to the end of the race and Genkai smirks, thinking she'll have to help those who won't make it out. Kuwabara arrives and is happy to know he's the first to cross the forest. Kibano and Kazemaru get there a minute after.
In the forest, the bat-demon flies fast around Yusuke, who stands immobile, just protecting his face. The bat's wings cause small slashes in the boy's jacket. But when the bat attacks again, Yusuke manages to punch him. Thinking it was just a fluke, the bat attacks once more, but Yusuke jumps and lands on the creature's back, knocking him on the ground. "Can't you do anything but fly around me? I was waiting for your trick, but I saw nothing at all, you idiot!" Yusuke punches the bat mercilessly.
Genkai calls the end of the race, with only seven winners. Kuwabara asks for a little more time; she refuses. Yusuke arrives at last and tells Kuwabara that he shouldn't of came in a straight line. "Straight line?" Genkai exclaims. "But the bat on that route is very dangerous!" Yusuke only chuckles, saying that the bat was nothing compared to Hiei and his speed.
Genkai changes her mind and allows Yusuke to go on with the other competitors. He and Kuwabara hug happily, until they remember they're supposed to be rivals and disengage from the embrace, snarling at each other.
At Spirit World, Koenma watches the scene through the videoscreen in his office. "Yusuke, don't forget your mission. Be careful. Rando is still lurking."
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