That flame's power wasn't as domineering as Kyo Kusanagi's, nor as manic as Iori Yagami's, but it was filled with... an eerie, cold quality capable of "stealing" others' power!
[System Warning! Unknown high-dimensional energy signature detected!]
[Target: Ash Crimson.]
[Ability source analysis: Suspected connection to core power of Those From the Past. His flames possess plundering properties—can steal and utilize others' powers. Danger level: SS!]
"Ash Crimson..." Cloud rolled the name around in his mind, a gleam flashing in his eyes. "Finally found you. The... protagonist of this incident."
As if sensing Cloud's gaze, the green-haired youth slowly turned his head, fixing those eyes full of cunning and amusement on Cloud in the VIP section.
Their eyes met.
The air between them seemed to crackle with invisible sparks.
Ash looked at Cloud, and that lazy smile on his face grew even deeper.
He made an extremely flippant gesture toward Cloud—something like blowing a kiss—then mouthed words in a "lip language" only they could understand:
"Found you, Mr. King of Fighters."
Cloud's eyebrow twitched slightly.
He knew he'd been marked.
...
After a match ended, during the intermission, Cloud and Ash "happened" to encounter each other in the contestant corridor.
"Well, well, if it isn't the famous world-saving King of Fighters, Mr. Cloud?" Ash leaned against the wall, hands still in his pockets, speaking in a passive-aggressive, almost mocking tone.
"What an honor to meet you here. Could I get an autograph? I'm such a huge fan of yours."
He actually pulled out a pen and a small notebook.
He looked just like a "fanboy" begging for his idol's signature, but his eyes were filled with undisguised provocation and hostility.
"I'll pass on the autograph." Cloud walked up to him, looking down at the youth who was half a head shorter than himself, a friendly smile on his face.
"But if you want a photo together, I might consider it. After all, getting a commemorative photo with a future loser sounds like quite an interesting thing."
The smile on Ash's face stiffened slightly.
He hadn't expected this legendary "King of Fighters" to not only possess unfathomable strength but also have a venomous tongue.
"Hehe, Mr. Cloud is quite the comedian." Ash put away his pen and notebook, a playful expression crossing his face. "But I've heard you're quite the expert on flames? I wonder, what do you think of my emerald green flames compared to the Kusanagi clan's crimson flames and the Yagami clan's azure flames?"
He extended a finger, and a cluster of emerald flames danced on his fingertip like a mischievous sprite.
The flames radiated vitality, but their core carried a chilling sense of "devouring."
"Your flames?" Cloud glanced at the green fire dismissively. "The color's certainly unique. All green and eco-friendly looking."
"However!" Cloud's tone shifted. "In my view, this thing isn't called 'flame.' It's more like a pathetic parasite that steals others' labor and disguises it as its own."
"Your power isn't your own. Am I right?"
These words from Cloud were like the sharpest blade, instantly piercing through Ash's carefree facade!
The smile vanished from Ash's face.
His eyes flashed with shock at being seen through and murderous rage at being exposed!
The flame on his fingertip suddenly surged, transforming into a vicious fire serpent that lunged at Cloud's face!
Yet Cloud simply blew lightly.
The menacing green fire serpent, still mid-flight, flickered twice like a candle in a gale—and went out.
"What's wrong? Hit too close to home, so now you want to silence me?" Cloud looked at him, his smile full of mockery. "Little boy, playing with fire is dangerous. Especially in front of someone who's a real expert at it."
Ash stared at Cloud, those emerald green eyes narrowing.
He knew he'd encountered the most unreadable, most dangerous opponent of his entire life.
"Cloud..." He dropped all frivolity, his voice becoming low and serious. "You... are very interesting. I'm starting to take an interest in you."
"You, the world you protect, and those three Sacred Treasures."
"I want them all."
With that, he turned away from Cloud, walking toward the other end of the corridor while casually whistling.
That demeanor suggested the tense, gunpowder-laden exchange just now had never happened.
Cloud watched his retreating figure, his gaze becoming incomparably deep.
He knew that between himself and this youth from "Those From the Past," a "rival" relationship full of mysteries and destiny had been officially established from this moment on.
And Cloud, this man who had played "savior" for far too long, watched Ash's "villain-like" retreating figure, and the corner of his mouth curved into a smile full of excitement and anticipation.
"Finally, a proper villain has arrived?"
"I hope you'll be more fun to play with than that chuuni Igniz."
...
KOF 2003 was extraordinarily lavish and high-profile.
All the fighters who passed the preliminary rounds were brought by elegantly embossed invitation letters aboard a massive airship hovering ten thousand meters in the sky—rivaling an aircraft carrier in size!
This vessel, entirely silver-white with a streamlined, futuristic design, was named—"Sky Noah."
...
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