As the tournament progressed, the elimination rounds entered a white-hot phase.
Those internet-famous competitors who'd been coasting on imitation and gimmicks were quickly weeded out, while the true powerhouses began to reveal their astonishing growth.
In system terms: "Version update complete. Welcome, players, to KOF 97—the Era of Absolute Domain Hyperinflation!"
Last year at KOF 96, if a fighter could combine their aura with their will to reach 40% Absolute Domain, they were already considered first-rate—enough to dominate the elimination rounds.
But this year? 40%? Sorry, that's "preliminary round participation trophy" level. You might not even make it past the first round.
Hong Kong Kowloon Arena.
Sie Kensou of the "Dragon-Tiger Team" faced off against a Korean competitor.
Last year, Sie Kensou was still a young hothead who relied on psychic powers, barely scraping past 40% Absolute Domain development.
But this year, after finishing a meat bun and letting out a satisfied burp, a massive aura surged skyward!
"Hehe, let me show you my new technique!"
He rubbed his hands together, and a gigantic "Meat Bun Domain" composed of mental energy instantly expanded! Within its boundaries, the air was saturated with... a tantalizing aroma of braised pork.
His opponent's fighting will plummeted under the influence of that fragrance, his mind filled with nothing but thoughts like "what filling is in this bun" and "where should I go for late-night snacks after this."
In the end, Sie Kensou's single "Choukyuu Dan" blasted his opponent out of the arena.
The data showed Sie Kensou's Absolute Domain development had reached—78%!
"My god!" the commentator exclaimed. "A meat bun actually brought such an enormous boost! Is this a miracle of martial arts or a victory of cuisine? We strongly suggest Mr. Norton consider a commercial partnership with Tianjin Goubuli Buns!"
Meanwhile, at the Brazil Arena.
Joe Higashi of the Fatal Fury Team was facing a local capoeira master.
Last year, Joe was just a Muay Thai meathead who only knew how to shout "Hey hey hey!"
But this year, the moment he took his stance, his entire presence had transformed.
He didn't rush to attack. Instead, he slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Instantly, a "Death Tornado" composed of countless small whirlwinds swept across the arena!
The domain was so powerful that hats and wigs from the audience were blown into the sky!
"Check this out! Explosive Hurricane Tiger Kick!"
With one kick, the sky darkened! His opponent didn't even have time to react before being swept into the tornado, tumbling like clothes in a washing machine for seventy or eighty rotations. When he landed, his health bar was nearly empty, his eyes had lost all spark.
The data showed Joe Higashi's Absolute Domain development—82%!
"Terrifying!" The commentator's voice trembled. "Competitor Joe Higashi is no longer satisfied with creating small hurricanes—he's trying to turn himself into the eye of a typhoon! The Meteorological Agency has issued a warning advising nearby residents to close their windows!"
Similar scenes played out around the world.
Andy, beneath the clock tower in England, had developed his "Zan'ei Ken" domain to 86%.
Countless high-speed afterimages formed a killing field that left opponents dazzled and unable to distinguish the real body—full of classical elegance and lethal intent.
Robert, at the American venue, used his "Haoh Shoukou Domain," which fused Kyokugenryu with his kicking techniques, to reach 89% development.
That golden Flying Dragon aura had nearly solidified into physical form, and his "Ryuko Ranbu" delivered effects worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster.
Goro Daimon, in a traditional Japanese garden, stomped his foot and blanketed the entire arena with his indestructible "Tenchi Gaeshi." His Absolute Domain development reached a staggering 90%!
His domain emphasized one word: "stability." Any flashy attack within his domain was like a bull disappearing into the sea—ultimately he'd catch them and let them... enjoy the view of "sitting atop his head."
...
After a month, the brutal elimination rounds finally concluded, and the Round of 16 roster was fresh off the press.
Unsurprisingly, all the legendary teams that audiences knew by heart—Japan Team, Fatal Fury Team, Art of Fighting Team, Women Fighters Team, Korea Team, Ikari Warriors, Psycho Soldiers, '97 Special Team, and the Hell Band—all made the cut.
And of course, there was that mysterious team that hadn't fought a single match yet had become famous throughout the tournament for the "Backstage Lounge Incident"—the Three Clouds.
During this month of universal hustle culture, as the only competitor who could "slack off," Cloud's days were... complicated, to say the least.
He felt less like a tournament participant and more like a tour guide slash babysitter.
"Cloud! Cloud!" Yun Ying was like a little sparrow, chattering at him every day as she dragged him along to analyze the battles.
"I noticed that guy called Kyo Kusanagi—his flames can level up! Look, when he fought that one guy, his flames were orange, but when he fought someone else, they turned crimson-gold! Is this some kind of VIP member skin?!"
Cloud: "...That's called power mastery, not a skin."
"And that Korean uncle named Kim Kaphwan! He's so strict! Look at his two disciples—after every match, win or lose, they have to go back and write self-criticism reports on their knees! That's exactly like what my master does to me! So scary! I've decided—he's the opponent I least want to face in the Round of 16!"
Cloud: "...Didn't you claim you wanted to fight ten people?"
"Fighting ten people doesn't include fighting the homeroom teacher!"
Compared to Yun Ying's "tactical analysis," Nakoruru's focus was always full of humanitarian concern.
"Mr. Cloud," she said, cradling Mamahaha and pointing at the screen showing the Ikari Warriors in combat, worry evident in her voice, "that man called Clark—why does he always wear sunglasses and a hat? Is his... eyes afraid of sunlight? Or is he... protecting a secret he doesn't want anyone to know?"
Cloud: "...I'm guessing it's probably just to look cool."
"And that one called Ralf—he really likes using his head to ram people! Doesn't his head... hurt? Nature created fists and feet to protect our fragile heads. What he does... is disrespectful to nature."
Cloud: "...Don't worry. His head is probably harder than you can imagine."
...
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