Spectators no longer had to worry about stray "super moves" flying into the crowd, or getting crushed by a flipped arena corner.
This was basically the organizers buying everyone "comprehensive accident insurance!"
VWOOOOM—!
Before the matches began, a pillar of pure white light—visible to the naked eye, radiating holiness and purification—descended from above, completely enveloping the arena!
When the light faded, a massive new barrier appeared—semi-transparent, its surface covered in countless ancient runes!
"Holy shit! What is this?! A sci-fi movie?!"
"Mom's asking why I'm watching on my knees! Is... is this the Kagura clan's heritage?! This is insane!"
The audience was once again utterly stupefied by the Kagura Financial Group's blend of "mysticism" and "tech flex."
Only Cloud, watching Chizuru stand on the elevated platform with her casual "no big deal" expression, felt his heart bleeding again.
"Wasteful! So wasteful!"
"How much divine power is this consuming?! Chizuru, honey, pace yourself! This is our family heirloom!"
...
Before the semifinals officially began, the organizing committee had arranged a special halftime performance to warm up the atmosphere.
They'd invited the hottest rock band currently sweeping Europe—C.Y.S—to take the stage.
When Shermie—that purple-haired goddess radiating "sexy" and "seductive" energy—appeared on stage in an outfit even more "fabric-efficient" than last time and blew a kiss to the crowd...
The entire Tokyo Dome exploded.
Countless male spectators felt their souls being stolen by this bewitching temptress!
Only Cloud, watching that purple-haired goddess flaunting her "damned charm" on stage, wore the satisfied smile of a proud father.
Because through his radar-like Divine Combat Instinct, he'd clearly "witnessed" a historic moment unfolding backstage in the dressing room.
...
"H-hello, I'm Shermie. I'm... the guest performer this time."
Shermie looked at the purple-dressed beauty who'd suddenly appeared in her dressing room—someone whose presence felt inexplicably familiar and reassuring—and greeted her somewhat nervously.
"I know who you are, Miss Shermie."
Mature offered her a warm, sisterly smile.
"I really... love your songs."
Thanks to Cloud's butterfly effect, these two had met ahead of schedule.
They hit it off instantly.
They chatted animatedly.
They even exchanged contact information, planning to go shopping together and get spa treatments.
They became best friends.
Cloud watched this unfold, filled with the satisfaction of a master strategist.
"Excellent. Phase one of the defection plan is complete!"
"Next, I just need the right opportunity to brainwash this innocent little lamb."
...
After a "rock and hormones" filled performance, the KOF 96 semifinals officially began!
When the bracket appeared on the massive holographic screen, the crowd erupted in a mix of relief and regret!
[Japan Team VS Women Fighters Team]!
[Yagami Team VS Iron Fist Team]!
"Phew... thank god! The goddess squad didn't draw either of those monster teams!"
"Yeah! If Mai had to face Iori and that Crown Prince... I can't even imagine!"
"But Japan Team won't be easy either! Goro Daimon and Benimaru aren't exactly chivalrous toward women!"
Countless "protective" fans breathed sighs of relief while simultaneously worrying about the Women Fighters' fate.
They knew that despite the team's sky-high popularity and bit of luck in making the top four, the overall power gap between them and the other three "monster" squads remained an insurmountable chasm.
Their semifinal run was probably ending here.
...
Semifinal Match One.
[Japan Team VS Women Fighters Team]!
When Kyo Kusanagi led his two "accessories"—Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon—onto the stage, his expression was one of profound awkwardness and resignation.
Especially when his gaze fell on Mai Shiranui across the ring, dressed in her "fox spirit" outfit, shamelessly making eyes at a certain man in the VIP section.
Kyo felt his temple throbbing.
"Sister... in-law?"
He silently mouthed that phrase that made him want to curl up and die.
He knew that if he so much as laid a finger on this woman today...
After the match, that "discount little brother" who'd appeared out of nowhere would absolutely...
...burn him and Kusanagi Castle to the ground.
So he made a decision brimming with survival instinct.
"You two handle this one."
"I've got... stomach cramps. Bathroom break."
Ignoring Benimaru and Daimon's contemptuous stares, he actually turned and walked off the stage without looking back.
...
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