He walked to the light-projected map, pointing at that hideous dimensional rift.
"We can't seal it. Now that she's caught the scent, she'll find a way to break down the door. What we can do isn't reinforce this already damaged door—it's prepare a Hongmen Banquet behind it!"
"We'll send invitations in the name of KOF XV to the entire world—even to all surviving parallel dimensions! We'll gather every combat-capable force! Kusanagi flames, Yagami flames, the Three Sacred Treasures, Kyokugenryu power, Fatal Fury spirit, NESTS technology, the remnant powers of Those From the Past... even those restless souls that just escaped from Verse!"
"We'll transform the entire KOF XV arena into an unprecedented ultimate battlefield! A massive dimensional furnace!"
"Otoma=Raga wants to descend? We'll give her the perfect opportunity! Let her concentrate all her power on this single point!"
"And then..." Cloud's voice rang with steely resolve. "...we'll stake everything on one battle. Right here, we'll send her packing back where she came from—or make her fertilizer for our world!"
The entire venue fell silent.
Everyone was stunned by Cloud's audacious and insane plan.
Actively invite a dimension-ending BOSS to descend, then gang up on her?
This wasn't just being bold—this was strapping your head to your belt and playing bumper cars on the cosmic highway!
But after the initial shock, a blazing fighting spirit reignited in these warriors' hearts.
Rather than sitting around waiting to die, trembling in fear while the world gets devoured—why not go out with a bang?
This was the soul of a fighter!
"I agree!"
The first to speak was Colonel Heidern.
He stood and saluted Cloud: "Rather than passive defense, better to take the initiative! My forces will fully support your plan!"
"The Three Sacred Treasures have no choice but to participate." Chizuru Kagura also rose, her gaze resolute.
"To protect those important to me... I'll do my part as well." Elisabeth spoke softly.
"Hmph, sounds more interesting than fighting that idiot." From outside the crowd came Iori Yagami's dismissive snort, though he hadn't left.
"Count me in!"
"Kyokugenryu, joining the fight!"
"For justice!"
In an instant, enthusiasm surged.
Cloud nodded with satisfaction. He had officially transformed from a participant into the director and spiritual leader of this world-saving war.
He dismissed the light-table and walked over to Antonov, who still sat slumped on the ground.
"Mr. Antonov."
"Huh? Me... you mean me?" Antonov startled, scrambling to his feet.
After witnessing Cloud's godlike abilities, he felt a twinge of shame about his "First Champion" title.
"I have a business proposition for you." Cloud smiled.
"Bu... business?"
"That's right." Cloud patted his shoulder. "I'd like to hire you as KOF XV's primary sponsor and CEO. You'll handle rebuilding the venue, promotions, and hype—turn the atmosphere up to eleven. I want the entire world—no, the entire universe—to know that history's strongest fighting tournament is about to begin!"
Antonov froze. He looked into Cloud's eyes—eyes that seemed to see through everything—then at the expectant gazes of the legendary fighters around him. An unprecedented surge of pride welled up from his heart.
He had always wanted to be number one in the world, to be a champion admired by millions.
But now, he had a chance to become the "Sponsor of the World's Saviors"!
That was ten thousand times cooler than being some KOF champion!
"No problem!" Antonov pounded his chest, his gold chains jangling. "Money's no object! Venues, promotions, prize money—leave it all to me! I, Antonov, will show this Miss Otoma=Raga what Earth people call—the power of cold hard cash!"
Looking at everyone's rekindled fighting spirit, Cloud's lips curved into a satisfied, confident smile.
He turned, gazing up at the dimensional rift slowly healing in the sky, as if sending a final invitation to that queen on The Other Shore.
"Well then, Miss Otoma=Raga..."
"Our stage is being built as we speak."
"I hope your performance won't disappoint us."
...
Ever since that extraordinary "salvation rally" at Antonov Ruins, the entire KOF world began operating with unprecedented efficiency.
Antonov truly was the embodiment of "money talks." At astonishing speed, he constructed over a dozen brand-new KOF arenas worldwide, each blending futuristic technology with classical aesthetics.
KOF XV promotional material blanketed the globe. The theme song "The Future is Now," performed by Athena Asamiya, topped charts worldwide. Even extraterrestrials received tournament invitations (though no one knew how Antonov managed that).
Fighters from around the world—whether heroes, villains, or neutral parties—were actively preparing for battle.
Dojos, training halls, and secret bases everywhere saw a frenzy of intense training rivaling "martial arts college entrance exams."
Yet Cloud, as the grand director of this "Hongmen Banquet," became a hands-off manager.
He delegated all external affairs to the "Salvation Council" formed by Heidern, Elisabeth, and Antonov, while he retreated to his mansion to begin more important, more "personal" work—strengthening the harem team.
In Cloud's words: "Before fighting external enemies, secure the home front. To present a united front, first ensure my girls can both look gorgeous and punch through the heavens when the final battle comes. Being eye candy is fine, but they must be the kind of vases that can smash a god to death."
Thus, a targeted, one-on-one "God-tier Private Tutoring Class" secretly commenced at Cloud's mansion.
...
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