KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

The alloy door was glowing red-hot from the crimson flames, emitting a sizzling sound as it melted.

Just as the cracking sound of the door hinge breaking rang out, Kyo Kusanagi 2 slowly stepped inside.

A fierce smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and his eyes churned with a savagery and mockery unlike that of ordinary clones.

K's pupils suddenly contracted, and the crimson flame in his palm flickered uncontrollably.

"Have the pursuers arrived so quickly?"

The clone before me had flames around it that were almost tangible, and its aura was surging like a tide, giving off a faint sense of oppression.

What chilled him even more was the look in the other person's eyes, which was completely different from the emptiness in the mass-produced clone Jing.

This guy is a real monster.

K's back tensed, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes. He could sense that this Number 2 was no ordinary person.

Maxima, standing beside him, had already set up the heavy particle cannon on his chest.

As a second-generation mecha warrior, his particle cannon can blast through steel barriers and his iron fist can smash tank armor. However, when faced with the pure fire power emanating from Kyo Kusanagi 2, he felt a sense of powerlessness, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

The Kusanagi clan's crimson flames are a power passed down for thousands of years, etched into their genes. Clone 2 not only perfectly replicated this power but also twisted it into a more violent and destructive killing move.

"Tsk, just the two of you left?" Kyo Kusanagi 2 licked his lips, his gaze sweeping over the flames in K's palm, and let out a sneer. "You dare to show off your skills in front of me with flames like that?"

Before the mocking words had even finished, the crimson flames suddenly surged!

Kyo Kusanagi No. 2 was so fast that he left a blur as his right hand, wreathed in flames, slashed straight at K's face.

These are the basic techniques of the Kusanagi-ryu ancient martial arts.

【Wild Bite】!

K's pupils constricted sharply as he tried to dodge, only to find that the opponent's attack had already blocked all his escape routes. At the critical moment, Maxima's figure suddenly appeared in front of him, his mechanical right arm changing shape, and an invisible energy projectile was fired.

M4 Gun!

"clang--!"

In the instant of flame and energy, the ear-piercing metallic explosion was so loud it hurt your eardrums.

Maxima's mechanical body was so shaken by the attack that he staggered back three steps, leaving two long shadows on the ground beneath his feet.

"Cough—" A muffled groan of metal scraping escaped Maxima's throat as the bionic skin on the outside of his left arm shattered, revealing the gears and circuitry inside.

"Maxima!" K shouted, his palm blazing with crimson flames as he unleashed multiple [Trigger] attacks towards Kyo Kusanagi No. 2.

"Well done!" Instead of dodging, Kyo Kusanagi No. 2 charged towards the flames, his left hand suddenly reaching out and grabbing K's wrist with his bare hands!

The scorching heat spread along his wrist bone, and K felt a sharp pain. The flames in his palm were forcibly suppressed by the opponent's fire power and extinguished inch by inch.

"Your flames are too weak." Kyo Kusanagi's smile grew even more ferocious as he clenched his right fist and slammed it into K's abdomen, the flames still blazing.

【Crane Picking】!

"Ugh!" K grunted, but luckily he managed to block the opponent's attack with his left hand at the crucial moment.

K was knocked back by the heavy blow, smashing the wall to pieces.

"K!" Maxima roared, ignoring the injury to his arm. The reaction cone on his chest lit up, transforming into a heavy particle cannon. The muzzle was aimed at Kyo Kusanagi 2, and the barrel lit up with a blinding blue light.

Super Special Move: Particle Cannon - Maximum Power!

"It's no use!" Kyo Kusanagi No. 2 didn't even turn his head. Crimson flames erupted all over his body, and his whole body spun, forming a rotating barrier of flames.

Super Special Move: [Futsu-no-Mitama]!

The particle cannon beam struck the barrier, but was deflected and slammed into the wall beside it, creating a huge crater and sending debris flying.

"How is this possible..." A look of disbelief flashed in Maxima's metallic eyes. His maximum-powered particle cannon couldn't even break through the opponent's defenses?

Kyo Kusanagi 2 slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Maxima, with a mocking sneer: "This is the so-called second-generation mecha god weapon? It's nothing but a pile of scrap metal."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared again.

"Damn it!"

Maxima's mechanical eyes rapidly tracked the opponent's trajectory, his fists clenched, and layer upon layer of particle shields unfolded.

The next second, Maxima felt a sharp pain in his back.

Kyo Kusanagi 2 appeared behind him at some point, his right hand pressing on his back, and the power of crimson flames surged in like a tide!

Ultimate move: [Kotozuki]!

"what--!"

A piercing alarm sounded inside Maxima's body. His circuitry crackled from the intense heat, his particle shield collapsed instantly, and his mechanical joints shattered one after another.

He suddenly turned around and swung his iron fist with all his might, but it was easily dodged by Kyo Kusanagi No. 2.

"Maxima!" K struggled to his feet, the frost in his eyes vanishing, replaced by a raging inferno.

His abdomen was still burning with pain, but looking at his badly injured comrade, an unprecedented anger and resentment surged wildly in his chest.

NESTS stole his memories and altered his life. Now, will they destroy his only remaining companions?

“You’re the only one left, NESTS traitor…” Kyo Kusanagi No. 2 dusted off his hands and walked slowly toward K, his eyes full of undisguised mockery. “Speaking of which, you’re also a weapon created by NESTS, right? Just like me, you’re a counterfeit imitating others.”

"Shut up!" K roared, his crimson flames surging wildly, almost solidifying into a physical form. "I'm not a fake!"

"Oh?" Kyo Kusanagi No. 2 raised an eyebrow, his pace suddenly quickening. "Then let me see what this imposter flame is really capable of!"

The two instantly became entangled in combat, and crimson flames exploded in the confined space, shaking the entire safe house.

Kyo Kusanagi's understanding of the Kusanagi-ryu ancient martial arts has reached a level of perfection. He can accurately predict every move and every starting stance of K.

A [Demon Burn] grazed K's cheek, the scorching flames igniting a few strands of his white hair.

Just as K was about to turn and counterattack, Kyo Kusanagi's knee slammed into his ribs.

【Du Le Tu】!

A sharp pain shot through him, and K's movements faltered for a moment.

It’s this moment of flaw!

Kyo Kusanagi No. 2 leaped high into the air, his crimson flames gathering wildly around him, the crimson light almost illuminating the entire medical station.

The ferocity in his eyes transformed into an almost manic fervor.

Kyo Kusanagi #2's voice echoed throughout the space, "Let me show you the ultimate technique of the Kusanagi Flame—"

MAX Super Special Move: [Musou]!

A terrifying burst of fire erupted like a volcano, and a crimson pillar of light shot into the sky, carrying a world-destroying force as it pressed down fiercely on K!

K's pupils dilated suddenly. He could feel that the power of this attack was enough to crush him completely.

His body instinctively wanted to back away, but looking at the fallen Maxima and the mocking gaze of Kyo Kusanagi No. 2, a flame of defiance ignited in his heart.

He can't retreat!

K suddenly looked up, a resolute glint in his deep red eyes. He mobilized all the fire power in his body, and even the hidden power within him that he had never dared to use before.

The crimson flame in his palm faintly glowed with a hint of gold.

……

At the same moment, Yan Yue, who was in the NESTS command center, suddenly had a picture of K fighting fiercely flash through her mind.

This is?!

Yan Yue couldn't help but feel a sense of astonishment.

To his utter surprise, his flames resonated with K's in a strange way once again.

After calming down for a while, Yan Yue understood.

After all, the flames of Kusanagi originated from the Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor...

Could it be that K is currently fighting someone... and the battle looks exceptionally fierce?

Just as Yan Yue was lost in thought, Gulichali noticed and asked, "Noah, is something the matter?"

"Never mind...it's nothing..." Yan Yue tried to remain calm, then casually probed, "I'm just curious about Number 2's combat strength, and whether he's already in battle?"

Kurichatli skillfully manipulated the screen in front of him. With a flick of his fingers, detailed information and real-time data about Kyo Kusanagi 2 instantly appeared before his eyes.

All the indicators displayed on it were in a highly active state, especially the energy reaction, which was extremely strong.

Looking at these figures, Gulichard nodded in satisfaction, letting out a low, cold laugh: "Hmph... Everything is under control..."

However, Yan Yue felt a sense of relief at this moment. [Just as expected...]

If K chose to risk a direct confrontation with #2, then Whip must have already escaped safely, and she will most likely head towards the Ikari Warriors' location...