He gazed out the window at the gradually clearing rain and the moon emerging from behind the clouds, his heart filled with tranquility.
The tribulation of inner demons?
Perhaps protecting those he loved was his best "weapon" against them.
...
In the two years following NESTS's destruction, the world enjoyed a rare period of calm.
No more maniacs trying to destroy the world at every turn, no more orbital cannons hanging overhead, no more endless clone armies—people everywhere returned to normal life.
And Cloud, the man who had single-handedly ended the "NESTS Saga," finally lived his dream of a "retired official" lifestyle.
During the day, he tinkered in his underground laboratory with the black tech he'd "zero-dollar purchased" from NESTS, giving "problem girls" Kula and Angel their "upgrades and modifications."
At night, he enjoyed the "all-around, no-blind-spot" tender service of Mai, the Kagura sisters, Kusanagi Aoi, and others at his estate—living more decadently than ancient emperors.
He even began to think these days could last until the end of time.
But he'd almost forgotten: the place he lived was called "The King of Fighters World."
In this world, "peace" was always just an "intermission" before the next "world war" began.
In 2003, when invitations to the new KOF tournament once again spread to fighters worldwide like spam mail, Cloud knew his "vacation" was over.
This year's KOF tournament was strange in every way.
First, the organizers' identity was unknown.
The invitation bore only a mysterious, ancient emblem resembling a rose.
Second, the rules had changed. No longer the traditional "3v3"—it was now a "relay battle" format, allowing mid-match substitutions.
This rule undoubtedly increased the tournament's unpredictability and entertainment value, but it also carried a whiff of "ulterior motives."
"This feels like playing Werewolf and suddenly being told you can whisper to people outside the game," Cloud complained, looking at the invitation in his hand. "Something tells me the organizers are up to no good."
What truly put him on alert was an urgent call from Chizuru Kagura.
"Cloud, this is bad!" On the other end, Chizuru's voice was more grave than ever. "Orochi's seal... something's wrong with it again!"
According to Chizuru, she and her sister Maki had recently been able to clearly sense that the "Three Spirit Formation" Cloud had reinforced was being systematically "eroded" from outside by an extremely unfamiliar force!
That force was cold, eerie, filled with contempt for "spacetime."
It wasn't as violent as Orochi's power, nor as cold as NESTS technology—rather, it was an ancient, arrogant "extra-dimensional" force that seemed to transcend everything.
"This force is trying to... steal Orochi's power!" Chizuru's voice carried a note of fear. "I suspect the organizers of this KOF tournament aim to unseal Orochi!"
"Again?" Cloud's brow furrowed tightly. "What is it with everyone and Orochi? Did that guy owe you all money? Why does everyone want to drag him out of his seal to flog his corpse?"
He knew things were getting complicated.
...
At the Kagura sisters' strong insistence, Cloud ultimately attended KOF 2003 as a "special consultant."
He didn't compete—just sat in the VIP section as an "observer," scrutinizing every participant in this year's tournament.
What he saw shocked him.
This year's roster was a total "freak show"!
Besides the familiar old faces—the Fatal Fury Team and Art of Fighting Team still in their eternal "love-hate rivalry," and the Psycho Soldiers Team whose strength had skyrocketed thanks to Cloud's "pills"—there were many bizarrely styled newcomers.
A strange team composed of a man with massive claws who moved like a beast, and another wrapped head-to-toe in bandages like a mummy.
A team of three dressed in ornate retro clothing, with the haughty air of medieval nobles—what Cloud mentally dubbed "Those From the Past Team."
There was even a Korea Team consisting of a muscular man carrying a huge iron ball, Kim Kaphwan, and his hapless disciples.
The eternal Psycho Soldiers Team had even reshuffled. Chin Gentsai seemed to want retirement, so this time Athena led the charge with Hinako Shijo and Malin forming a "High School Girls Team." (How many high schools had Athena attended anyway? She was an eternal high schooler just like Kyo.)
"Holy crap, this year's KOF looks way more chaotic than usual." Cloud surveyed these bizarre contestants, feeling his inner critic burning with passion.
He could clearly sense that these new faces all carried, to varying degrees, an ominous aura belonging to "Those From the Past."
It seemed this time's enemy had come prepared. They weren't just scheming in the shadows—they'd even sent their own "vanguard" to participate in this tournament they themselves were running.
Their purpose was self-evident.
And just as Cloud scanned the venue, trying to identify the "big BOSS" hiding behind the scenes, one figure caught his attention.
A seemingly harmless, even somewhat lackadaisical white-haired youth.
He wore a fashionable red jacket, hands stuffed in his pockets, a lazy yet frivolous smile on his face.
He stood in a corner of the arena with his two teammates—a tall, powerfully built Shanghai guy (Shen Woo) and a survivor from Flying Thief Village named Duo Lon—apparently discussing something.
Yet this seemingly "random NPC" of a youth made Cloud's gaze freeze instantly.
Because within him, Cloud sensed a strange flame power!
A flame that danced like will-o'-the-wisps—emerald green!
...
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