KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

Chapter 159 Releasing Water

With the Dragon Tigers' victory, the teams advancing to the semifinals have been announced.

Immediately afterwards, the host walked to the center of the stage, smiled, and solemnly announced loudly:

"Dear viewers, this morning's matches were truly spectacular!"

Now, please be patient, as there will be a short break. The organizers need to hold a brief discussion to finalize the match arrangements for the afternoon's semi-finals.

He paused for a moment, then explained, "It's worth mentioning that this time the semi-finals won't be decided by computer-generated random matching like in the past."

Instead, it was a carefully considered and optimal matchmaking arrangement made by our experienced organizers based on the performance and strength of each team in the official competition. This ensures the fairness and entertainment value of the competition to the greatest extent possible.

Just as everyone was eagerly awaiting news, about ten minutes passed. Finally, the organizers sent word.

"After intense discussion, we finally decided to randomly select one team from the five participating teams to directly advance to the semi-finals."

As for the remaining four groups, they will compete fiercely in a head-to-head format.

As a burst of exciting music began to play, the giant screen started flashing, with images constantly changing.

Before long, the fight choreography for tomorrow was clearly presented to everyone. A collective gasp of amazement erupted throughout the arena, and everyone was filled with anticipation for the upcoming semi-finals.

Japan vs. Legends.

Team Yagami vs. Team Ryūko.

The superpowered team was randomly selected for the semifinals.

Many fighters watched the big screen with varying expressions and engaged in lively discussions.

The host then respectfully said, "Well then, dear viewers, let's look forward to the afternoon's matches... All fighters, please follow the staff to the rest area..."

Iori Yagami glanced at the big screen, then scoffed disdainfully, "No one can stop me from killing Kyo!" Afterward, Iori Yagami walked back to the lounge on his own.

Mature looked worriedly in the direction of Engetsu, then exchanged a glance with Vice, before following Iori Yagami's footsteps.

……

Kyo Kusanagi grinned mischievously, "We've actually run into Engetsu and the rascal!"

As they spoke, Kyo Kusanagi and the other two waved to Engetsu and his two companions in the distance.

The audience members also began to whisper among themselves.

"Huh?" Shenwu stared intently at the big screen. "Are we going to play against the Japanese team?"

Shingo scratched his head with a wry smile, "Oh dear, this is going to be really tough..."

Yan Yue said with some complicated feelings, "Let them fight then, it doesn't matter anymore..."

Currently, apart from Shenwu, Yanyue and Zhenwu have not suffered any major injuries.

However, because Shingo was too weak, Engetsu fought against Geese and Big in succession, and not only was he injured, but his Nen energy was also severely depleted.

Therefore, just to be on the safe side, Yan Yue plans to make some adjustments and focus all her efforts on dealing with the upcoming crisis.

……

At the same moment, all around was quiet. Kagura Chizuru, dressed in a pure white shrine maiden outfit, knelt gracefully in the center of a dimly lit room.

On the low table in front of her, there was an ancient bronze round mirror, which was one of the legendary Three Sacred Treasures - the Yata no Kagami.

At this moment, the image of Engetsu appears on the surface of the Yata Mirror, showing the scene of the King of Fighters tournament.

Kagura Chizuru narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze fixed on Engetsu.

A hint of curiosity flickered in Chizuru Kagura's eyes as she murmured to herself, "The golden flames originated from him... He was also the one who defeated Rugal..."

"Emperor Yan..."

"Flame Moon..."

"Perhaps it really is fate..."

Finally, Chizuru Kagura slowly raised her head, a hint of helplessness and weariness showing on her beautiful face. She sighed softly and returned the Yata Mirror to her body.

Then she slowly reached out and untied the sash of the shrine maiden's robe. As the sash loosened, the robe slid down gently like a flower petal.

Bathed in soft light, her snow-white skin shimmered with a captivating glow.

Immediately afterwards, Chizuru Kagura took out a brand new white outfit from the wardrobe.

Once everything was ready, Chizuru Kagura pushed open the door, preparing to head to the King of Fighters tournament.

……

in the afternoon.

The three members of Team Legends arrived at the waiting area and began to wait for their match against Team Japan.

Yan Yue sat cross-legged on the floor, her hands naturally resting on her knees, adjusting her internal energy.

At the same time, he solemnly reminded him: "Shingo, Ajin, the rest of the match is no longer important, you must be careful!"

As Yan Yue spoke, she gathered her spiritual energy in both hands and formed a very complex hand seal.

Shingo, rubbing his injured leg, couldn't help but ask, "Senior Engetsu, why is it dangerous next?"

"You'll see when the time comes..." Upon hearing Shingo's question, Kamui, who was sitting next to him and whose entire body was wrapped in bandages, couldn't help but chime in with a sarcastic remark:

"Which King of Fighters tournament doesn't have some trouble? Shingo, this is your first time participating, so you'd better prepare yourself mentally..."

Yan Yue also earnestly instructed Shingo, "I don't know exactly what will happen, but no matter what, you must be extra careful of the storm and make sure you are safe first!"

"Storm?..." Shingo was still confused, but he quickly nodded, "Understood, Senior Flame Moon!"

While the three chatted, the Japanese team arrived at their waiting area, and the afternoon's match began.

"The semifinals officially begin this afternoon! The first match is between the Japanese team and the Legends team!"

With the host's solemn announcement, Goro Daimon from the Japanese team stepped into the ring.

Shingo quickly got up, dusted himself off, and said to Shinmu and Yan Yue, "You two should rest. I was the least injured. I'll go and hold off Senior Daimon first!"

Yan Yue immediately warned, "Be careful, don't get thrown off the court..."

"Okay! I'll do my best!"

Before Yan Yue could finish speaking, Zhen Wu excitedly ran onto the arena.

Amidst applause and cheers from the audience, Goro Daimon and Shingo Yabuki began a new round of competition.

Shingo bowed politely to Goro Daimon, "Senior Daimon, I've heard you're a world judo champion, please enlighten me..."

The gatekeeper bowed politely to Shingo as well, saying, "I heard from Kyo that you are his apprentice. But I won't show any mercy!"

"Understood! Please do your best!" Shingo smiled freely, then seriously assumed the Kusanagi-style fighting stance.

……

Three minutes later, Shingo was spotted by Daimon, who used the "Heaven and Earth Reversal" technique to throw him into a daze, breaking his bones. He was then kicked away by a heavy kick and fell to the sidelines.

Seeing this, Shenwu and Yanyue weren't too surprised, after all, Zhenwu's strength was only so-so. Being able to hold out in front of the gate for three minutes was already quite impressive.

Therefore, Shinmu replaced Shingo in the battle and faced Nikaido Benimaru.

Benimaru looked at Jinmu in front of him and said with some regret, "Jinmu, although you suffered a lot of injuries in your fight against Krauser, this handsome guy will not let you win. The championship will definitely be our Japanese team's."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Shenwu ripped off his bandages and said with a wicked grin, "Are you sure you can beat me?"

"What?!" Benimaru looked surprised. "Weren't you seriously injured?"

"Yes, but you may not know this, but the more I get injured, the stronger I become!"

Upon hearing this, Benimaru's expression stiffened. He knew, of course, how strong Shenwu was, and he was quite wary of Shenwu's reckless fighting style, but for now, he had no choice but to face him head-on.

So, for the next ten minutes, Benimaru and Shinmu engaged in a fierce battle.

Benimaru's eyes were piercing, his hands clenched into fists, all his strength gathered in his palms, and currents of electricity coursed through his arms, flashing with dazzling light.

With a loud shout, he unleashed a powerful surge of electricity towards Shenwu, attempting to break through the opponent's defenses in one fell swoop.

However, Shenwu showed no fear whatsoever; on the contrary, he fought with increasing ferocity. Every punch and kick he threw carried a powerful momentum, as if he were completely immersed in the fervor of battle.

As the battle continued, the aura within Shenwu grew stronger and stronger.

Super Special Move: [Zetsu - Fierce Fist]!

This punch contained boundless power and fury, hurtling towards Benimaru with the force of a thunderbolt.

At the same time, Benimaru also unleashed his ultimate move without showing any weakness.

Super Special Move: Lightning Fist!

In an instant, two incredibly powerful fists collided violently in mid-air.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, lightning and golden energy intertwined, collided, and compressed, producing crackling sounds, and the entire arena began to sway precariously.

However, Shenwu ultimately heeded Yan Yue's earlier warning and did not go all out.

He deliberately held back some of his strength to deal with any unexpected situations. Thus, after a fierce battle, Shenwu lost the match.

As Shenwu slowly walked off the stage, his arrogant smile remained on his face. He turned to Benimaru and mocked, "Haha, Benimaru, consider this a handout from me! If it weren't for the BOSS team, you'd be dreaming if you wanted to defeat me!"

After saying that, he strode away, leaving Hongwan standing there, gritting her teeth in anger.

However, Benimaru quickly adjusted his mindset, comforting himself, "Why should an elegant and handsome gentleman like me argue with a scoundrel like him?"

Then, amidst applause from the audience, Benimaru walked off the stage in a very high-profile manner.

……

When Yan Yue and Kusanagi Kyo stood face to face on the ring, everyone's anticipation reached its peak. The fighters in the waiting area cheered them on.

Even Iori Yagami, for the first time ever, stared intently at the two on the stage.

However, at that moment, Yan Yue's handsome face remained unusually calm, and he slowly said, "Kyo, Goenitz has arrived..."

Kyo Kusanagi's eyes widened instantly, and his body trembled involuntarily. "Huh? Where?" he said, looking around frantically.

Seeing Kyo Kusanagi in such a panicked state, Engetsu couldn't help but feel a little helpless, and several black lines appeared on his forehead.

He quickly explained to Kyo Kusanagi, "Don't be so nervous! If I say we're almost there, then we're almost there! My intuition is usually very accurate!"

Hearing this, Kyo Kusanagi felt a little more at ease, but quickly retorted in an annoyed tone:

"Hmph, then why are you still fighting with me here? You might as well just admit defeat! Otherwise, I'll beat you to a pulp in a bit!"

Engetsu was already used to Kusanagi Kyo's trash talk and didn't refute it.

Instead, Yan Yue mocked in the same tone as Kusanagi Kyo, "Kyo, look at you, you seem particularly concerned about winning and losing... You lost to Goenitz before, are you afraid of losing to me now?"

"Damn it!" Yan Yue's words were like adding fuel to the fire, completely reopening Kusanagi Kyo's wounds.

In an instant, Kyo Kusanagi turned red with anger and unleashed a [Wild Bite] at Engetsu.

"Since we've run into each other, let's have a quick exchange of blows!"

"bring it on!"

Yan Yue immediately used [Water Flow Rock Shattering Fist] to meet the attack head-on.

"Bang bang bang bang!" A sudden burst of intense fighting sounds rang out.

Pale blue psychic energy and blazing crimson flames intertwined and collided in the air, emitting dazzling light and a huge explosion.

Time ticked by, and the tense and exciting duel continued.

However, just as the ten-minute time limit was about to expire, the referee decisively blew the whistle and loudly announced: "Kyo Kusanagi wins this match!"

Upon hearing this result, the audience below the stage erupted in uproar. Everyone believed that Yan Yue's strength had decreased due to the severe injuries she suffered after fighting Geese.

At this moment, Kyo Kusanagi asked with a puzzled look, "Engetsu, why didn't you use your full strength just now?"

Faced with Kyo Kusanagi's questioning, Engetsu was slightly taken aback at first, then quickly straightened his slightly disheveled clothes. He raised his head and answered with an unusually serious expression:

"Because Goenitz is really coming soon!"

"What?!" Kusanagi Kyo suddenly realized that Engetsu was not joking.

"Jing, the situation is extremely critical, and we must handle it with utmost care."

Goenitz not only wants to use the glamorous stage of the King of Fighters tournament to eliminate you, but I am also his target.

Therefore, I need to prepare some important things now, just in case anything unexpected happens.

After saying that, Yan Yue stopped talking, turned around and leaped lightly off the stage, hurrying towards the waiting area.

As Kusanagi Kyo listened to Engetsu's words, his expression grew increasingly serious. Then, amidst the applause of the audience, he stepped off the stage.

Soon, the battle between Team Yagami and Team Ryūkō began.

At the same time, Chizuru Kagura had arrived at the King of Fighters tournament organizers' location, her eyes fixed on the battle between Iori Yagami and Ryo Sakazaki.