KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

In the afternoon, inside the Dragon Tiger Hungry Wolf Barbecue Restaurant, Yan Yue sat quietly by the counter, holding a pen and carefully writing a letter.

Locke, meanwhile, was leaning on the table beside him, his eyes glued to Yan Yue as she wrote the letter. His eyes gleamed with curiosity, as if he were filled with anticipation for this mysterious letter.

Because Yan Yue's mobile phone uses a Chinese SIM card, it cannot be reached from Nanzhen, so Yan Yue can only report the situation to Tang Fulu by letter.

"Grandpa, Uncle Sakazaki has been found, and he's connected to Geese..." Yan Yue wrote on the letter. Yan Yue detailed his experiences over the past few months, including his encounters with Sakazaki Ryoutori and others, his battle with Geese, the reason for Sakazaki Takuma's disappearance, Locke's background, his partnership with Robert in opening a shop, and his concerns about the situation in South Town. However, he made no mention of his signing with a music company.

Yan Yue paused her writing, pondered for a moment, and then continued: "Now that Gis is dead, South Town will be embroiled in gang warfare, and there's a high possibility that even darker forces will emerge, most likely his brother—Klaus. Just in case, I'll stay in South Town a little longer. I won't be going back to the Eight Extremes Sect for the New Year this year..."

After writing the last sentence, Yan Yue sighed softly. She wondered how Xiao Long was doing, whether Lin had already left, whether Xiao Long was wandering alone, and where Duo Long had gone to cultivate. In any case, Yan Yue hadn't seen anyone from the Flying Thief Sect since.

Yan Yue folded the letter, put it in an envelope and sealed it. Then she handed the letter to Locke and gave him a bunch of pocket money.

Yan Yue instructed Locke, "Locke, deliver it to the international post office. The rest of the money is yours."

"Wow!" Locke's eyes lit up when he saw the huge pile of pocket money in Yan Yue's hand. He replied happily, "Okay! Thank you, Brother Yan Yue!" Locke took the letter from Yan Yue and ran off happily.

"Remember not to spend it recklessly, or I won't give it to you next time..."

"I understand..." Soon, Locke had disappeared from sight.

……

Inside the Strathheim family castle in Germany, a middle-aged man, draped in a red cloak, stood before a massive French window, his back to his men. Tall and imposing, he wore a suit of golden European knight's armor, exuding unparalleled power and nobility.

He had long, flowing purple hair and a cold, sharp gaze that seemed to see through everything, inspiring awe in all who beheld him.

Upon hearing his subordinate's report, the middle-aged man slowly turned around, a barely perceptible hint of seriousness appearing on his face. His handsome features were like a masterpiece of sculpture, exuding a unique charm. However, a grotesque cross-shaped scar marked his forehead.

Klaus Stromheim, Gies's half-brother, is the underground emperor of Europe who keeps a close eye on Gies's territory. But as he listens to his subordinates' report, his deep red eyes turn fierce.

"My foolish brother was actually defeated." Krauser knew Geese was powerful, perhaps even stronger than himself. It was precisely because Geese could keep Krauser in check that he had never dared to come to South Town to seize the underground market.

Krauser touched the scar on his forehead, his eyes hardening as a memory from the past began to surface in his mind. He remembered fighting Jeff Bogard, who charged at him with astonishing speed. He fought with all his might, but Jeff still managed to strike him, leaving a deep scar on his forehead. This experience filled him with awe and respect for Jeff.

Krauser stared at the documents his subordinate handed him, looking at the photos of the top floor of the bombed-to-be-ruined Geese Building, and muttered to himself, "Terry Bogard, Ryo Sakazaki, and Engetsu. One is Jeff's child, one is the child of a Kyokugenryu master, and the other is a disciple of a Chinese master..." His voice revealed a hint of doubt and confusion. The appearance of Engetsu and the other two had undoubtedly put immense pressure on Krauser, and now he no longer had the advantage to invade South Town.

"Uh..." Just then, Krauser suddenly let out a painful groan and clutched his chest with one hand.

"My lord!" His subordinates rushed forward to help him up.

"Never mind, it's alright..." Krauser stopped his men.

He felt a sharp pain surge through him, as if something was wreaking havoc inside him. He realized that this was the injury he had sustained during his previous fight with Rugal, which had not yet healed.

"That madman Rugal actually managed to hurt me..." Krauser gritted his teeth, a flash of anger in his eyes. He hadn't expected Rugal's strength to have inexplicably increased.

"And that move was clearly..." Thinking of this, the anger in his heart burned even more fiercely.

……

Days passed by like flowing water. That evening, as the sun set and the evening glow painted the sky red, Yan Yue was intently busy in the kitchen, her cleaver flashing as she chopped various ingredients with practiced precision.

After a period of development, the barbecue restaurant has grown larger than before, adding more seats and space. Several new chefs have also been added to the kitchen, including professional Japanese and Western cuisine chefs.

Furthermore, at the suggestion of Engetsu and Robert, Takuma Sakazaki also got involved in the barbecue restaurant business. Engetsu naturally knew that he wouldn't stay in South Town forever, and the Garou crew members weren't particularly good at business, so he had no choice but to leave it to Takuma Sakazaki to manage.

Takuma Sakazaki was well aware that with Ryo Sakazaki managing the dojo, the student had already surpassed him. Yuri would also be working between the yakiniku restaurant and the bar, so he wouldn't have to worry about anything other than teaching everyone training. Therefore, he readily agreed.

The barbecue restaurant's main hall was bustling with people. Dragon Tiger, Hungry Wolf, and the others were all busy attending to customers, serving food, and clearing tables—everything was proceeding smoothly and efficiently. The recently popular song "The Voice of Masks" played from the speakers, its beautiful melody instantly soothing and relaxing.

"Dragon Tiger Hungry Wolf Barbecue Restaurant" has become one of the most popular restaurants in Nanzhen. The restaurant not only offers a variety of delicious food, but also employs several Nanzhen fighters, attracting a large number of diners and fans to enjoy the delicious food every day.

As night gradually fell, the customers in the shop began to leave one after another. After cleaning up the kitchen, Yan Yue slowly walked out and entered the hall.

At that moment, everyone was busy cleaning the lobby, while at the cashier, Takuma Sakazaki was talking to another middle-aged man.

They noticed Yan Yue coming out of the kitchen, and Yan Yue sensed his presence, so the corners of her mouth began to turn up slightly.

"General Haderen, it's been a long time." Yan Yue naturally recognized Haderen and took the initiative to step forward to greet him.

"Hello, Yan Yue, it's been a long time." Heidern was still in disguise, seemingly with a new mission to carry out.

Takuma Sakazaki was well aware that Engetsu and Heidern knew each other. Heidern was also very happy and grateful to learn that Engetsu had rescued Takuma Sakazaki.

But after a few pleasantries, Haderen delivered some bad news to Engetsu. His expression turned serious, and he slowly said, "Kusanagi Shizuru has gone missing."

"What?" Yan Yue was stunned upon hearing the news. His eyes widened, his face filled with astonishment. How could another one go missing? Are they playing "Where Are We Going, Dad?" His heart was filled with doubt and worry.

Seeing Engetsu's excited yet confused expression, Takuma Sakazaki immediately pressed down on Engetsu's shoulder and said softly, "Don't rush, calm down first." Engetsu took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, but the unease in her heart still lingered.

Hadilen sighed helplessly and said softly, "I'll explain later." He glanced at the others in the shop, indicating that it wasn't convenient to explain in detail now. Yan Yue understood his meaning and nodded in acknowledgment.

Yan Yue knew now wasn't the time to press for answers; he needed to wait for the right moment. So he quickly composed himself and turned to help clean the restaurant. He picked up a rag and silently wiped the tables, his mind preoccupied with Kusanagi Shizuru's whereabouts.

"Could Kusanagi Shizuru's disappearance be related to the King of Fighters storyline? Is it from the '94 story? It's been so long, I can't quite remember..."

"Could it have been Rugal? Or the Eight Orochi? How can we find Rugal? Even Heidern can't find him..."

Filled with confusion, Yan Yue slowly finished cleaning the floor. After everyone had left work, Yan Yue closed the shop door and left with Hadidren.

Soon, Yan Yue and Heidern arrived at a forest on the outskirts of town. Suddenly, Heidern stopped and called out through his communicator, "Assemble!"

A hissing sound came from the communicator, seemingly in response to Hadilan's call. Then, a deep voice replied, "Roger that, we're on our way."

Shortly after he finished speaking, a group of disguised soldiers came running from another part of the jungle. They were wearing camouflage uniforms, their faces painted with camouflage paint, and carrying various weapons, their steps steady and powerful. They lined up neatly behind Hadilen, clearly a well-trained army.

Haderen carefully counted the team members, and after confirming that the number was correct, he nodded in satisfaction. Then, he questioned each member to make sure everyone was ready for the upcoming task.

After receiving affirmative responses from all members, Haderen gave his final order: "We're about to leave. Make sure everything is settled. Remember, stay alert and don't leave any trace."

After speaking, Haderen turned around and led Yan Yue aside. He lowered his voice and said seriously, "Not long ago, Chai Zhou had a battle with his son, Kusanagi Kyo. As a result, Chai Zhou lost to Kusanagi Kyo. Kyo has thus become the new head of the Kusanagi clan."

Yan Yue frowned and asked in confusion, "What does this mean? Why is Uncle Kusanagi fighting with Kyo?"

Haderen sighed and explained, "Shizuru has always hoped to pass on the Kusanagi family's legacy to someone more capable. As Shizuru's son, Kyo Kusanagi possesses exceptional talent and potential. Therefore, Shizuru decided to use this battle to test whether Kyo Kusanagi is qualified to become the new head of the Kusanagi family."

Listening to Heidern's account, Yan Yue couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Kyo can already defeat a grandmaster of the Kusanagi Ancient Martial Arts style? Just how strong must he be...?"

Heidern nodded and continued, "In fact, Kyo Kusanagi displayed astonishing strength and skill in this battle. He not only mastered the traditional fighting style of the Kusanagi family, but also created his own unique moves. In the end, Shizuru acknowledged Kyo Kusanagi's strength and passed on the Kusanagi family's legacy to him."

Yan Yue remained silent for a moment. He knew that Kusanagi Shizuru was a very strict person, and he placed great importance on the continuation of the Kusanagi family. Perhaps only Kusanagi Kyo's true strength could make him willingly admit defeat.

Then Yan Yue asked in confusion, "What is the basis for this connection to Uncle Kusanagi's disappearance?"

Haderen then replied, "In fact, it was Chai Zhou who took the initiative to challenge his own son in the fight."

"Huh? Why?" Yan Yue was even more confused.

"Last month, Shizuru noticed something unusual about the Kusanagi sword and suspected that the Orochi clan had awakened. So Shizuru passed the Kusanagi sword to Kyo and then planned to go out and search for traces of the Orochi clan around the world."

He contacted me and told me all this on his own initiative, reminding me to pay attention to the Orochi clan, but since last month, none of us have had any contact with Shibazu.”

"So that's how it is, the Orochi clan..." Yan Yue muttered to himself with a look of sudden realization. He knew that the Orochi Eight Generals were about to awaken, and the World King of Fighters Tournament was about to begin. This meant that a fierce battle was about to unfold, and as an observer, he couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions.

Seeing Yan Yue's thoughtful expression, as if she had already sorted out her thoughts, Hadilen solemnly said, "Yan Yue, I hope you can assist us." His gaze was firm and sincere, as if he placed all his hopes on Yan Yue.

Upon hearing Hadilen's request, Yan Yue smiled helplessly and replied, "Besides my strong perception, I can't really be of much help. After all, I'm not a real soldier."

Yan Yue knew his abilities were limited, but he still felt some pressure from Hadilen's trust and expectations.

Seeing Yan Yue's slightly troubled expression, Heidern wasn't anxious or disappointed. Instead, he patiently explained, "I know, don't worry, we've got some leads now. According to our intelligence, a mysterious person is secretly arranging for conglomerates around the world to hold a new King of Fighters tournament in three months. This news has caught our attention because we suspect this mysterious person has close ties with the Orochi clan."

"Is it the World King of Fighters Tournament?" Yan Yue suddenly realized something and asked seriously.

“Yes, perhaps Chai Zhou is there too.” As he said this, a hint of murderous intent flashed in Hadiron’s eyes.

Rugal? The story of '94. Yan Yue was becoming increasingly clear about it. He naturally knew that Heidern and Rugal had a blood feud, so he took the initiative to ask:

"What does the general want me to do?"

Heidern felt a surge of joy when he saw that Yan Yue had agreed, but he maintained a serious expression and said, "I hope you can participate in the King of Fighters tournament and use your sensory abilities to find Chai Zhou."

Yan Yue nodded.

"Yes, I also want to go and save Uncle Kusanagi."

Kusanagi Shizuru has done Engetsu a favor, so of course he'll go.

Seeing that Yan Yue nodded, he continued, "Yan Yue, this King of Fighters tournament is likely hiding a lot of conspiracies, and it's connected to the Orochi clan and NESTS. I came to South Town to ask Brother Zhuomo and you for help."

Yan Yue felt helpless: "What? NESTS is involved too? It seems the timeline has completely changed."

After clarifying her thoughts, Yan Yue asked, "General, I need to learn more about the Orochi clan."

After a moment of silence, Heidern replied, "I'm sorry, my knowledge of the Orochi clan is limited. However, as far as I know, only the families of the Three Sacred Treasures might have more detailed information about the Orochi clan. If you want to learn more about them, you might need to find members of those families."

Yan Yue nodded, indicating that he understood. It seemed that he needed to personally travel to Japan to find the families of the Three Sacred Treasures and obtain more information about the Orochi clan.

Haderen glanced at his watch and said, "Time is of the essence; I must begin preparations for evacuation. The NESTS organization has become increasingly cautious in its recent operations; we cannot delay any longer."

After saying that, he handed Yan Yue a special communication phone and explained, "This is a specially made communication phone that allows you to contact me anytime, anywhere. It also has the numbers of my subordinates, Ralph and Clark, on it. You can ask them for help at any time."

“Okay, oh right…” Yan Yue suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, “Last time you saved Xiao Long, she asked me to thank you for her.”

Upon hearing Yan Yue's words, Hadiron recalled the little girl he had saved, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He smiled and replied, "Yes, I understand."

Finally, Heidern gave Yan Yue a set of clothing and identification similar to those of the Ikari Warriors, along with 10 coins as a reward for the mission. Yan Yue gratefully accepted the items, but before he could say goodbye to Heidern, he and his team had already quickly disappeared into the dark night.