KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

Near the Japanese islands, the sun shines brightly, and the vast blue sea stretches to the horizon, shimmering in the sunlight. A gentle sea breeze brings a touch of coolness.

The King of Fighters tournament opening ceremony was held on a massive ship, so large it rivaled an aircraft carrier. Like a behemoth at sea, the ship's top featured a vast open-air platform—the arena for the matches.

Major global conglomerates have pooled their funds to jointly build this luxurious competition arena. It is fully equipped and has spacious spectator areas.

As rousing music filled the air, the grand opening ceremony of the King of Fighters tournament officially began. The scene was incredibly lively, with spectators excitedly waving their flags and erupting in deafening cheers.

In the center of the stage, a giant screen flashed dazzling lights, showcasing exciting moments from various fighting competitions. The intense duels, dazzling skills, and the fighters' tenacious fighting spirit ignited the passion of everyone present.

At the same time, fireworks burst in the sky, illuminating the entire stadium with vibrant colors. They were like a group of graceful fairies, gently floating onto the sea, transforming the entire stadium into a dreamlike spectacle.

In this passionate and energetic moment, everyone was immersed in the excitement, eagerly anticipating the King of Fighters tournament.

The host, dressed in a suit and tuxedo, slowly walked onto the stage. His confident stride and upright posture immediately attracted the attention of the entire audience. He began by delivering a passionate and inspiring declaration, igniting the atmosphere. Then, in an even louder voice, he proclaimed, "Today, we witness a historic moment—the first World King of Fighters Tournament! Now, I am deeply honored to announce the official start of the competition!"

As the host finished speaking, the previously calm arena suddenly changed. The floor of the arena slowly split open in the middle, revealing a space underneath.

Fireworks continued to light up the sky, accompanied by enthusiastic shouts and applause. Soon, a brand-new platform slowly rose, and beneath each platform stood a group of dashing fighters. The appearance of the eight groups of fighters undoubtedly drew gasps of amazement from the crowd once again.

"This tournament will be held in teams of three. Each team will engage in one-on-one elimination matches, with each match limited to five minutes. If no winner is determined within the allotted time, the winner will be determined by the severity of injuries. The team with more winners will be declared the champion, and the team with fewer winners will be eliminated. The final winning team will become the champion of this King of Fighters tournament!" the host announced excitedly.

He went on to explain, "In addition, to increase the entertainment value and strategic depth of the competition, each player has one substitution opportunity. You can adjust your tactics flexibly according to the actual situation during the match. However, the number of substitutions is limited, so please use them carefully."

Finally, the host emphasized the fairness and impartiality of the competition: "We have invited the world's top referee team to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. Any violations will be severely punished! Now, let's witness this grand event for fighters!"

The host announced enthusiastically, "Next, let's take a look at the contestants!"

As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience. Everyone was eager to know who the next contestant would be.

The host then continued, "First of all, let's welcome the Japanese team, composed of the top three winners of the Japanese Fighting Championship!"

As the host finished speaking, the atmosphere in the audience instantly ignited. Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido, and Goro Daimon strode confidently towards the center of the stage.

The electronic screen also displayed the information of the three people.

Kyo Kusanagi walked at the front. Although he was only 16 years old, his muscles were well-defined, and his short black hair fluttered in the wind. Although he was only wearing a black school uniform, it could not hide his handsome and sunny face. The sun ring crest on his back was particularly eye-catching.

Benimaru Nikaido followed closely behind, waving enthusiastically to the audience. He had a perfect figure, with well-proportioned lines, and dressed in a fashionable and individualistic style. His long golden hair fell naturally over his shoulders, and his one-shoulder tank top was incredibly alluring and seductive. From a distance, he looked like a tall, blonde beauty, making him exceptionally eye-catching.

At the very back was Goro Daimon, a tall and robust man in a white judo uniform and wooden clogs. His resolute expression gave him a calm and reliable air.

As they walked to the center of the stage, the audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. People stood up to greet the three martial arts masters from their country with the utmost enthusiasm. Kyo Kusanagi and the others smiled and waved to the audience, demonstrating their friendliness and courtesy.

Then, the host began introducing the fighters from the other teams. "Next up are elite fighters who have participated in combat sports all over the world. Now, please welcome the three members of the Hungry Wolf Team to the stage!" The host's passionate voice rang out again.

Amidst thunderous cheers from the audience, three figures slowly walked onto the stage. Leading the way was Terry Bogard, with blond hair and a determined gaze. He was still wearing his signature red jacket and baseball cap, his well-defined muscles subtly visible, exuding a powerful aura with every step.

Terry was accompanied by Andy Bogard, a confident smile on his handsome face. Andy's style was more unrestrained, a white ninja martial arts uniform with a red belt, making him look like a burning flame.

Finally, Joe Higashi appeared, shirtless, revealing his well-defined muscles. His bronze skin gleamed with a healthy glow, and he wore loose trousers. His hands and feet were bound with combat bandages, and his steps were steady and powerful.

"The third group is the superpowered warrior team led by Master Chin Gentsai, the famous Drunken Fist master from China. And one of his disciples is also from China, Kensou."

"Of course, there is also the well-known Japanese idol star—Athena Asamiya!"

As the words fell, Chin Gentsai and Kensou stood to the side, while Athena Asamiya greeted the audience with a sweet voice, her appearance instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the entire venue. The music began, and Athena Asamiya commenced her spectacular performance, her dazzling movements and superb skills captivating the audience. On stage, she shone like a dazzling star, drawing everyone's attention.

Meanwhile, the contestants from the other teams were also observing Athena Asamiya. Kyo Kusanagi and his two companions watched as familiar faces chatted with Benimaru and Daimon in the distance, reminiscing about their time in China. The Garou team members, meanwhile, kept their eyes on Chin Gentsai and his two companions; they had heard Engetsu mention them before, and their curiosity and anticipation grew.

The atmosphere of the competition gradually intensified, with each team eager to showcase their skills in the upcoming matches. Athena Asamiya's outstanding performance fueled anticipation for the upcoming games, making this King of Fighters tournament a truly fierce battle.

Afterwards, the host introduced the American team, the South Korean team, and the Dragon Tigers team.

When the Dragon Tigers went on stage, they greeted the Hungry Wolf team, who were standing not far away. Next up was the seventh team.

"Now, here comes the Ikari Warriors! They are a powerful team of elite special forces soldiers. First, let's welcome Ralph Jones, a warrior with a strong physique and unwavering will, whose fists are virtually unbeatable. Next is Clark, a master of close combat, whose skill and strength are awe-inspiring. And lastly, Blade, not only an outstanding warrior but also possessing unique abilities. These three warriors will join forces to demonstrate their strength and teamwork!"

The host enthusiastically introduced the Ikari Warriors members, but since the Ikari Warriors were not well-known, the cheers were much quieter.

The Ikari Warriors stood tall and proud, their faces displaying the seriousness of soldiers, radiating an aura of unwavering determination and indomitable spirit. All three wore identical military uniforms: black bulletproof vests, blue military trousers, black tactical gloves, and special operations boots.

Ralph, wearing a red bandana, had a resolute and sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through any obstacle. Clark, still sporting his sunglasses and military cap, occasionally flashed a mysterious smile, making him enigmatic. Both men were tall, muscular, and exuded power. Standing on either side of Yan Yue, they formed a stark contrast, making Yan Yue appear like a small girl next to these two muscular giants.

At this moment, Yan Yue was wearing a black military cap and sunglasses, and his face had been disguised, making it impossible to discern his true appearance. Yan Yue's voice could be altered using his Nen, and it was now deep and magnetic. To avoid attracting attention, Heidern had given him a false identity: Blade. This name was simple and direct, yet carried a hint of mystery.

“Ralph, Clark, and Blade, can you hear me?” Just then, Heidern’s voice suddenly appeared in their ears.

Yan Yue scratched her ear with her finger, feeling a little uncomfortable. The sound was coming from a miniature communicator inside her ear. "Hmm... I can hear it."

“We heard you.” The three looked at each other, pretending to chat, with Ralph and Clark responding one after the other.

Then, Haderen continued in his calm and gentle voice, issuing another command: "Alright, in that case, please take this match seriously. Also, be ready to follow my next instructions at any time."

At the same time, the last group of contestants slowly walked onto the stage. Their steps were light, as if carrying a unique kind of confidence.

The host's voice was even more enthusiastic than before: "Next, please welcome our eighth group of contestants for today! This is a special team, composed of three beautiful and charming women—the Women's Fighters Team!"

Before the words were even finished, the entire audience erupted in cheers and whistles. This enthusiastic response seemed to indicate that this team would become a highlight of the competition.

Meanwhile, the members of the Fatal Fury and the Dragon Tiger Team showed expressions of surprise. Andy and Takuma Sakazaki, in particular, had extremely complex expressions that were difficult to describe.

However, Yan Yue didn't seem too surprised to hear the names King, Mai Shiranui, and Yuri Sakazaki. He already knew that such a team would appear, but he was full of curiosity about the reasons and process of their formation.

(Author's note: In the King of Fighters game, the characters' skills and moves are fixed, but they come alive in the novel. So you can use the moves from the novel as a reference for the game's skills, but please don't copy them exactly. Taking it too seriously will only lead to failure.)