[Ding! Detected significant increase in Bond Target Leona Heidern's affection toward Host!]
[Current Affection: 90 (Sole Reliance)!]
Looking at the girl in his arms—finally freed from her childhood nightmare, depending on him like a wounded kitten—
It seemed his "harem cultivation plan" had achieved another milestone victory.
...
Time rewinds to the day KOF 97 just concluded.
The setting sun's afterglow painted the ruins of Tokyo Dome a warm gold.
Surviving fighters were departing in twos and threes, every face marked with exhaustion and... relief.
In this "finale"-like peaceful atmosphere, Cloud found Kyo Kusanagi, who was holding Yuki and showering her with attention.
At this moment, though Kyo had exhausted all his strength in the battle against Orochi, his spirits were exceptionally high.
After all, his recovered girlfriend was right in his arms. What could be more worth celebrating?
"Yo, Kyo." Cloud walked up and patted his shoulder.
"Cloud!" Kyo turned. Seeing it was Cloud, his face broke into a heartfelt, grateful smile. "This time... thank you. If it weren't for you..."
He glanced at Yuki in his arms—still somewhat weak but otherwise fine—his gratitude overflowing.
"Don't mention it." Cloud waved dismissively. "It was nothing. But I came to warn you about something."
"Hm? What?"
Cloud's expression turned serious. "Kyo, listen carefully. Although Orochi has been sealed, this world isn't as safe as you think."
He paused, then spoke with extreme gravity: "Recently, be especially careful. A... mysterious organization may have their eyes on you. Their target is the... Kusanagi Blood in your body."
"Huh?" Kyo blinked in surprise, then broke into his signature confident, slightly lazy smile. "You mean someone wants to mess with me again? No problem, let them come. My hands are itching—I haven't had enough fighting yet."
Clearly, he wasn't taking Cloud's warning very seriously.
In his view, aside from freaks like Cloud, what in this world could possibly threaten him?
Nothing.
Cloud looked at his "flying high" attitude and sighed helplessly.
Sigh, that's just his personality.
Confident, even a bit arrogant. Unless he personally stumbles, he won't learn his lesson.
"Anyway, watch yourself." Cloud couldn't be bothered to say more. "Don't spend all your time dating and forget to train. Otherwise, next time you're in trouble, no one's going to whale to save you."
With that, Cloud turned and left, his merits hidden deep.
"Alarmist." Kyo watched Cloud's retreating figure, dismissively curling his lip.
He lowered his head, gazing at the beauty in his arms with her tear-stained, delicate face. All his vigilance melted into tender affection.
Mysterious organization? Kusanagi Blood?
Go to hell!
Right now, all I want is a sweet, undisturbed romance with Yuki!
...
And so, in the following months—
Kyo completely let himself go. He took Yuki on an impromptu "graduation world tour."
Under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, they kissed deeply.
On a gondola in Venice, they fell asleep in each other's arms.
On the beaches of Hawaii, they chased and played.
He completely cast Cloud's warning to the wind.
He was like a student who'd finished finals and was completely unleashed, wildly enjoying his "vacation," even forgetting all his "summer homework" (training).
What he didn't know was...
A cold, massive net woven from cutting-edge technology was quietly closing in on him.
...
Three months later. Japan, Kyoto, Arashiyama.
Maple leaves blazed like fire, forests painted in layers of red.
Kyo Kusanagi and Yuki were walking hand in hand along the picturesque Togetsu Bridge.
"Kyo, look, the maple leaves here are so beautiful." Yuki nestled in Kyo's arms, her face glowing with happiness.
"No matter how beautiful, they're not as beautiful as you." Kyo tapped her nose, delivering a line that was cliché but still very effective.
The two were enjoying this peaceful, romantic moment.
Suddenly!
"—BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"
A piercing alarm shattered the tranquility!
Immediately after, dozens of mysterious soldiers in white high-tech combat suits with full-coverage masks emerged like ghosts from all directions, surrounding them completely!
In their hands were strangely designed energy weapons crackling with blue electricity!
"Who are you?!" Kyo immediately shielded Yuki behind him, the lazy smile vanishing from his face, replaced by icy alertness.
No one answered him.
The "white soldiers" simply raised their weapons mechanically, aiming at them.
"Tch, idiots looking to die."
Kyo snorted coldly. Crimson flames rose in his palm.
Though he'd neglected training these past months, his foundation was still there.
"—Style 182!"
He unleashed a simplified version of "Orochinagi"!
However, what happened next shocked him!
A blue energy shield composed of hexagonal grids instantly deployed before the "white soldiers"!
The crimson flames struck the shield and were completely absorbed and neutralized!
"What?!" Kyo's pupils contracted sharply.
His Kusanagi Fire was... ineffective?!
"Target confirmed: Kyo Kusanagi."
"Kusanagi Fire energy frequency recorded."
"Initiating B-level capture protocol."
A cold, emotionless synthesized voice came from beneath the soldiers' masks.
...
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