"Boss, that domineering CEO way of talking really does... make a girl's heart go pitter-patter."
She neither refused nor agreed, just gave Cloud a "you know what I mean" look.
This bewitching woman had officially become another dangerous, alluring "trophy" under Cloud's command.
Following that, a cold figure silently approached Cloud from behind.
It was Leona.
She said nothing, simply standing there quietly like a loyal shadow. But her eyes were filled with unprecedented peace and dependence.
With Cloud's help, the "Orochi Blood" in her body had been completely suppressed and initially brought under control. That nightmare of losing herself to berserk rage had finally come to an end.
To her, Cloud was the only light in her life.
Looking at this scene before him—embracing women on both sides, with a row of "wives" standing behind him—Cloud suddenly felt immense pressure.
It seemed that after saving the world, managing his "harem" would be the next world-class challenge he faced.
"Cloud!"
Just as the atmosphere was getting rather "heated," a clear, lively voice broke the tension.
Yun Ying and Nakoruru walked over hand in hand.
Their bodies had already begun to turn semi-transparent.
"Hey, you big liar!" Yun Ying's eyes were red-rimmed, but her face still wore that carefree grin. "Our mission... is it finished?"
Cloud looked at her, a wave of reluctance rising in his heart.
These two teammates from other worlds—one a chatterbox, one adorably airheaded—had caused him no small amount of trouble, but also brought countless moments of joy.
"Yeah." He nodded. "It's finished. You two... have to go back?"
"Mm." This time it was Nakoruru who answered. Mamahaha in her arms affectionately nuzzled Cloud's arm, letting out reluctant cries.
"Cloud, thank you." Nakoruru's eyes also glistened with tears. "These experiences... Nakoruru will never forget them. If... if you ever have the chance to come to my world... I'll take you to see... the most beautiful forests."
"Definitely." Cloud promised solemnly.
"Hey!" Yun Ying suddenly reached out and thumped Cloud's chest hard. "Don't you dare forget me! Let me tell you, when I get back to Chang'an, I'm definitely going to train even harder! Next time... if we ever meet again, I'm definitely going to... beat you fair and square!"
As she spoke, her voice had taken on a tearful quality, but she stubbornly refused to let her tears fall.
"Sure," Cloud smiled, reaching out to ruffle her red hair just like when they first met. "I'll be waiting."
He knew the moment of parting had arrived.
[Ding! Temporary Teammate Summoning Card time limit reached. Returning teammates...]
[Return countdown: 3... 2... 1...]
The moment the countdown ended, Yun Ying and Nakoruru's bodies transformed into countless points of light, slowly dispersing into the sunset's afterglow.
"Goodbye, Cloud!"
"Take care, Cloud..."
The two girls' final voices drifted away on the evening breeze.
Cloud stood rooted to the spot, hand still extended, unable to lower it for a long time.
His heart felt somewhat empty.
Just then, a soft hand gently grasped his.
It was Chizuru.
"They'll be just fine," she said gently.
Cloud turned to look at her, then at the "wives' group" behind her—all showing him expressions of concern and encouragement—and that small ache of parting was instantly filled with warmth.
Yes, no feast lasts forever.
But he wasn't alone.
Night deepened.
KOF 97, this grand event full of twists, reversals, and battles between immortals, had finally drawn to a close.
The world had returned to peace.
Cloud had officially upgraded from "fighter" to "Harem King" (and debtor).
He stood on the balcony of his luxury villa in Tokyo, feeling the new power that had settled within him after the battle with Orochi.
[Divine Origin (Incomplete)]
This power gave him a completely new understanding of this world's "rules."
He could sense that although Orochi had been sealed...
The story was far from over.
He gazed toward the distant West.
He could faintly sense a power stirring—one completely different from the "idealistic" power of Orochi. Cold, rational, and mad "technological" power.
Countless clones in white uniforms, faces devoid of any expression...
A man seated on a throne, silver-haired, eyes filled with longing for "godhood"...
And... a defiant cyborg with crimson flames, codenamed "K"...
Image after image flashed through his mind.
"NESTS..."
Cloud quietly spoke a name.
He knew a brand new storm themed around "genetic technology" and "clones" was brewing.
The curtain falling on KOF 97 wasn't an ending.
It was the beginning of an entirely new chapter.
"Sigh, looks like I can't clock out from this savior gig that easily."
Cloud smiled helplessly, turned, and walked back into the brightly lit villa.
Inside, Chizuru was brewing tea, Mai was dancing, Athena was singing, Yuri was playing video games, Shermie was designing new clothes, and Leona was... polishing her combat knife.
Mm, though the road ahead was long, and he still owed a mountain of debt—
At least this "retirement" life...
Seemed... pretty nice?
...
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