After An'un's chuuni power fantasy and Mai's bewitching nine-tails showcase both concluded, the KOF 96 quarterfinals finally arrived at the true main event.
The pinnacle showdown.
[Japan Team VS Kyokugenryu Team]!
"The Flame Scion" Kyo Kusanagi versus "The Invincible Dragon" Ryo Sakazaki!
When these two titans—the twin peaks of Kusanagi-Style Ancient Arts and Kyokugenryu Karate—appeared on stage simultaneously, the Tokyo Dome exploded.
The roar of the crowd was deafening enough to bring down the ceiling.
"The real headliner is finally here!"
"KYO-SAMA! CRUSH THAT STONE-FACE! SHOW HIM WHO'S THE STRONGEST IN JAPAN!"
"RYO! YOU'RE NUMBER ONE! PUT THAT BLONDE PUNK IN HIS PLACE!"
The atmosphere was so electric it felt like the finals had come early.
And honestly? It made sense. The hype for this matchup was off the charts.
These two had clashed multiple times before—every fight ending in apocalyptic destruction, every outcome a draw.
They were the "Naruto and Sasuke," the "Goku and Vegeta" of the fighting world—eternal rivals, ultimate whetstones for each other's growth.
And today, on this world stage, they would once again battle for their styles' honor and their own warrior pride!
...
"Ryo. It's been a while."
Kyo's confident, sunny smile was firmly in place, but battle hunger burned in his eyes.
"You've gotten stronger again."
"So have you."
Ryo's expression remained impassive as ever, but for once, a ripple of excitement stirred in those usually tranquil tiger eyes.
Neither wasted words on pleasantries.
True martial artists didn't need speeches.
They communicated with their fists.
"MATCH—BEGIN!"
The referee's call had barely ended when—
BOOM!!!
BOOM!!!
Two equally devastating, equally tyrannical Domain auras collided head-on like continental plates crashing together!
On one side: Ryo Sakazaki's Domain—refined through seclusion, tempered to "great simplicity," the majesty of a descending tiger king radiating "invincibility" and "dominance"—
Absolute Domain 68%!!!
On the other: Kyo Kusanagi's Domain—the birthright of a Child of Destiny, blazing like the noon sun, radiating "protection" and "sovereignty"—
Absolute Domain 69%!!!
Two powers separated by a mere 1%—yet both already at the threshold of "Quasi-Boss" level—clashed at the center of the ring in the purest, most primal confrontation possible!
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"