KOF '96 World Fighting Tournament, Elimination Round, Tokyo Dome, Japan.
A sea of humanity, roaring like thunder.
After an opening ceremony that could only be described as "epic"—filled with "gossip" and "hormones"—this tournament destined for the history books finally entered its most exciting "main event" phase!
And among the countless fervent spectators, there was one seat that could only be called "VVIP among VIPs"—colloquially known as the "Sugar Daddy's Husband" seat.
Best view, best service, no random people within a ten-meter radius.
Cloud, the "Final Boss" wielding his "direct pass to the finals" privilege, sat with legs crossed, wearing sunglasses, lounging comfortably on a soft sofa. In his left hand was a glass of '82 Lafite, and his right hand...
Was being firmly "detained" by Mai Shiranui and Yuri Sakazaki, those two "little vinegar jars."
"Hmph! Explain! What exactly is your relationship with that Kagura queen?!"
"That's right! The way she looked at you just now was just... way too suspicious!"
Facing these two "main wives" who had transformed into "Sherlock Holmes," Cloud could only enjoy the "painful yet pleasant" "pinching" service while secretly weeping inside.
I'm having such a hard time...
But though his body was suffering "sweet torture," his mind was highly focused.
His eyes, like the most precise "Eagle Eye" system, were locked firmly on the arena below.
And in his mind, System notifications were scrolling like a "bullet screen" chat.
[Ding! Detecting target Kyo Kusanagi's combat data... Style 182 analysis progress: 30%... 40%...]
[Ding! Detecting target Terry Bogard's combat data... Power Geyser charging method optimized...]
[Ding! Detecting... Oh crap! That Kim guy is using his face as a brake again! This image is too beautiful, this System is getting dizzy...]
That's right. Cloud was conducting an extremely "shameless" activity—
"Freeloading."
He was using his "Final Boss" privilege to maintain a god's-eye view, frantically analyzing the combat techniques and martial arts essence of every strong fighter on the field!
He was like the ultimate honors student on an exam, possessing a "see-through-the-whole-room" cheat, watching all the "test-takers" below fighting for their lives just to "pass"—a "kind" smile on his face.
"Keep it up, boys."
"The more exciting your fights, the happier I am... copying."
...
Before long, the tournament reached the Round of 16.
Fatal Fury Team versus the team from Korea—Kim Kaphwan's Educational... er, Representative Team.
This match was dramatic from the start.
Kim Kaphwan, that "embodiment of justice" and "Taekwondo Grandmaster," was as... "energetically annoying" as ever.
The moment he stepped up, he launched into a ten-minute "pre-battle lecture" filled with "preaching" aimed at Terry, Andy, and Joe Higashi.
The gist was the usual nonsense about how these no-good street thugs should abandon violence and join him in fighting for justice and peace.
It got to the point where even Terry, the usually easygoing "Legendary Wolf," nearly gave him a Power Geyser to "cool him down."
Match, begin!
Joe Higashi, the "Muay Thai King" from Thailand, was the first to fight.
His opponent was one of Kim's two "accessories"—the "Iron Ball Man," Chang Koehan.
Everyone expected this to be an intense "clash of titans."
But the result made everyone's jaws drop.
Joe took a deep breath and assumed a standard Muay Thai stance!
Then...
"Screw Upper!"
He roared, his entire body transforming into a cyan, destruction-filled tornado!
That tornado was three times bigger than last year's!
Chang Koehan, the "giant" weighing over 200 kilograms, was like a rag doll thrown into a washing machine against that unreasonable tornado.
Without even time to scream, he spun 720 degrees in mid-air, then splat—was flung out of the ring, foaming at the mouth and unconscious on the spot.
KO!
After a brief silence, the venue erupted in thunderous cheers!
"Holy crap?! Joe's Absolute Domain is a full 30%! This year's KOF is way too competitive!"
Watching this scene, Cloud raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Damn, I haven't seen them for a year, and it feels like... the whole world's been secretly studying overtime?"
The subsequent matches continued to confirm his "arms race" theory.
Andy Bogard, in his match against the "monkey" Choi Bounge, also erupted with 35% Absolute Domain power!
His signature Zan'ei Ken, enhanced by domain power, split into countless white phantoms—so fast that even the cameras couldn't capture them!
And Terry was even more outrageous!
After the bloody battles of South Town and being repeatedly "bullied" by Cloud the "cheater," his understanding of power had reached an entirely new level!
His Absolute Domain had steadily risen from last year's 45% to an astonishing... 57%!
Facing Kim Kaphwan's "justice"-filled Hishou Kyaku, he didn't even bother to dodge!
"Power... DUNK——!!!"
He roared, his entire body becoming a golden meteor, rocketing upward!
Then with an overwhelming, mountain-crushing force, he slammed the mighty "Taekwondo Grandmaster" Kim Kaphwan—along with his fancy "phoenix"—straight into the ground!
The scene looked exactly like a burly man using a flyswatter to smack a flashy fly.
...
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