KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

The stadium was packed with people as Benimaru and Robert engaged in a fierce battle.

Benimaru Nikaido leaped into the air like a nimble cheetah, tracing a graceful arc before unleashing a powerful flying kick at Robert.

Robert reacted swiftly, dodging the attack with a quick movement. Immediately afterward, he launched a series of fierce kicks at Benimaru.

【Flying Swallow Whirlwind Kick】!

Seeing this, Benimaru nimbly jumped back, but only managed to dodge one attack before Robert's next move came in quick succession.

So, as soon as Benimaru landed, he immediately launched another swift counterattack.

[Lightning Triple Kick] Accompanied by a powerful electric current, it attempts to repel Robert.

【Dragon Strike Fist】!

But Robert had anticipated this. He used the Dragon Strike Fist energy wave to block the electric current, quickly grabbed Benimaru's ankle, and threw him far away with a forceful jerk.

In that instant, Robert unleashed another energy blast at Benimaru in mid-air with both hands: [Dragon Strike Fist]!

Red Maru nimbly adjusted his posture in mid-air, activated the power of the electric current, and punched the energy wave.

【Thunderbolt Fist】!

The electrical energy neutralized the ki blast, and the red pill landed steadily on the ground.

At that moment, a sly glint flashed in Benimaru's eyes. He braced himself on the ground with one hand and began to spin rapidly, using his hand as a fulcrum.

Ultimate move: Vacuum Hand!

As the body spun rapidly, a strong whirlwind arose, carrying with it a powerful electric current that spread outwards and swept across the area.

The audience below the stage was stunned, and gasps of surprise rang out continuously.

Faced with a wide-range electric attack, Robert had no choice but to take it head-on. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, attempting to withstand the impact of the current.

However, Benimaru's attack was incredibly powerful, far exceeding Robert's expectations. The powerful electric current instantly paralyzed Robert's body, rendering him unable to move. Immediately afterward, a lightning whirlwind violently blasted him away.

Just when everyone thought Benimaru would win, Robert gathered his inner strength and forcibly pushed his paralyzed body open, unleashing his strongest attack in mid-air.

Super Special Move: Haoh Shohoken!

The enormous energy wave, carrying the momentum of a tiger descending from the mountain, rushed towards Benimaru.

Benimaru had just finished his attack and didn't have time to dodge. Without hesitation, he raised his right fist, which burst forth with dazzling light, and struck with all his might.

Super Special Move: Lightning Fist!

"Sizzle sizzle..." The collision of energies caused a burst of light, which was dazzling for a moment.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, two powerful energies collided violently in mid-air, producing a thunderous sound. The immense impact whipped up a violent cloud of dust, engulfing the entire arena.

The audience gasped again, marveling at the spectacle of the intense battle while also feeling deep concern for their favorite fighter.

The fighters in the lounge all stood up, staring intently at the dust-filled arena, their faces displaying a variety of expressions.

After a while, the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, and Benimaru's figure slowly emerged from the smoke. He stood steadily in place, a smile playing on his lips. In front of him, the once smooth arena now had a deep crater, clearly a mark left by the fierce battle between the two.

However, Benimaru showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he smiled smugly and said, "Robert, I admit you're handsome too, but you're still a little inferior to me."

Upon hearing this, Robert couldn't help but laugh and replied, "Likewise, Benimaru. When it comes to charm, I won't easily give it to you." As he spoke, a hint of confidence and provocation flashed in his eyes.

The words had barely left their lips when the two figures simultaneously burst forth, charging towards each other like arrows released from a bow. Their speed was incredible; in the blink of an eye, they were upon each other, unleashing a barrage of attacks. Amidst applause and cheers, the wind howled through the air, and kicks rained down, the fierce battle erupting once more.

……

Inside the enormous ship, somewhere lavishly and exquisitely decorated, one spacious room in particular caught the eye—Rugal's Great Hall. The hall was incredibly large, seemingly intended as a training ground for duels, and was furnished with various precious sculptures and pieces of furniture, showcasing his status and wealth as the ruler of the dark world.

Mature sat on the comfortable sofa, intently watching the intense battles between the fighters on the screen. A slight, almost imperceptible smile played on her lips.

By this time, Mature had changed into a stylish black secretary's outfit, quite different from her usual image. She sat quietly on the sofa next to Rugal, appearing elegant and mysterious. Clearly, besides the short-haired beauty Weiss, she was also Rugal's secretary.

As Rugal watched the battle between Benimaru and Robert on the screen, he muttered to himself, "This is really exciting. Ryo Sakazaki is not bad, but these two are a little lacking." His eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he was full of anticipation for the battle.

Meanwhile, Mature smiled charmingly to the side, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze: "Boss?" She tilted her head slightly, as if asking Rugal's opinion.

“Never mind, it’s nothing, but…” Rugal suddenly stopped speaking, then, as if he had thought of something, a cold smile appeared on his lips, “Go check on Vice’s side, the experiment should have been successful, I’m getting more and more excited for the upcoming duel.”

Upon hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Mai Zhuo's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. She replied respectfully, "Yes," and then turned and left, leaving behind an elegant silhouette.

……

Soon after, Mature arrived at the cell in the secret chamber and saw Vice standing in front of Kusanagi Shizuru.

When Weiss saw Mature approaching, a smile appeared on her face.

"Mature, you're back."

At this moment, Kusanagi Shizuru sat quietly cross-legged in the cell, his body emanating an eerie aura, his eyes becoming empty and lifeless.

Mature slowly approached, her eyes fixed intently on every subtle change in Kusanagi Shizuru's body. She couldn't help but inwardly marvel at Rugal's insane experiments.

However, Mai Zhuo knew very well that behind this powerful force lay enormous risks.

“Rugal is so greedy for my lord’s power, he will probably only end up courting his own death…” Mature frowned and muttered to herself.

Viss, who was standing nearby, seemed to notice Mature's worry. She gently patted Mature's shoulder and comforted her, "That's right, but let's not worry too much for now. After all, Lord Goenitz only ordered us to monitor Rugal, and did not ask us to take any other actions."

Mai Zhuo nodded helplessly, but she knew in her heart that she had to remain vigilant at all times and could not relax her guard in the slightest. In particular, she had to keep a close eye on Kusanagi Shizuru's situation to prevent any unexpected situations from arising.

Just then, Mature suddenly remembered something. She secretly leaned close to Vice's ear and whispered, "Vice, when I was monitoring Iori Yagami in Japan, I saw a mysterious figure with golden eyes..."

Upon hearing this, Weiss's pupils constricted sharply, and a look of shock appeared on her face.

……

The atmosphere at the competition was tense and fierce, with the audience holding their breath as they watched the center of the stage. Robert and Benimaru had been fighting for a full five minutes, both suffering injuries of varying degrees, yet neither had emerged victorious. Their skills were evenly matched, each move brimming with power and technique, leaving the audience in awe.

Finally, the final bell rang. A hush fell over the stadium as everyone awaited the referee's decision. After a period of deliberation, the referees finally made their decision.

The host walked onto the stage, his voice resounding throughout the venue: "Ladies and gentlemen, after deliberation by the judging panel, the final verdict for this match is—Nikaido Benimaru, the winner!"

This result caused a stir among the audience. Some were happy for Benimaru, some felt sorry for Robert, and some admired the performance of both contestants, believing that Robert's defeat was still honorable.

Upon hearing his victory, Benimaru struck what he thought was a cool (but actually rather sassy) pose and said triumphantly, "Hahaha, Robert, I've won this time."

Robert was also somewhat unwilling, but he still said casually, "Well, since we lost, we'll take it back next time."

After saying that, Robert stepped off the ring, and Takuma Sakazaki took his place.

"Robert, well played."

When Benimaru saw Takuma Sakazaki come up, he wanted to continue fighting, but then he remembered that Kyo was going to fight him, so he stepped down from the stage. "Kyo, I won one round. Good luck to you."

"Okay, I understand." After saying that, Kyo Kusanagi leaped up and jumped onto the arena.

Shortly after, the host announced the third match: "The third match is between Kyo Kusanagi and Takuma Sakazaki! The successor of the Kusanagi style versus the master of the Kyokugenryu style..."

Before the host could finish speaking, the audience erupted in cheers again.

Takuma Sakazaki looked at his old friend's son and greeted him.

"Is this Chai Zhou's son? Hello, Jing."

"Hello, Uncle Sakazaki. My dad has mentioned you before," Kyo Kusanagi replied politely.

Takuma Sakazaki also said earnestly, "The answer to your father's disappearance can probably be found in this tournament."

"Yes, Yan Yue told me."

Takuma Sakazaki said seriously, "Then let's have a good fight. Let my Kyokugenryu style test whether you can truly become the successor of the Kusanagi style!"

Kyo Kusanagi replied earnestly, "Don't worry, Uncle Sakazaki, I'll do my best."

"Haha not bad."

The two then assumed their fighting stances, ready to face the upcoming battle.

Takuma Sakazaki struck first, rushing towards Kyo Kusanagi at lightning speed and throwing a punch. Kyo Kusanagi skillfully dodged to the side, then immediately countered with a kick.

【Exterior Style - Thunder Axe Sun】

However, Takuma Sakazaki reacted quickly, blocking Kyo Kusanagi's attack with his arm and counterattacking with the [Tiger Blaze Fist].

Kyo Kusanagi immediately used flames to block the energy wave, used the impact to retreat several meters, and then rolled in the air to create distance.

The moment Kyo Kusanagi opened up, he suddenly changed his attack, instantly gathering Kusanagi Flame in both hands and delivering a powerful punch at lightning speed towards Takuma Sakazaki.

【Wild Bite】

However, Takuma Sakazaki quickly countered Kyo Kusanagi's attack, using his ki to block the flames.

Kyo Kusanagi's lips curled up slightly, a hint of confidence flashing in his eyes. He quickly switched to another move and unleashed another fiery punch.

[Nine wounds] [Eight sharp edges] [Brickwork pierced]!

Three consecutive powerful punches, like a string of burning flames, rushed towards Takuma Sakazaki.

A flicker of surprise crossed Takuma Sakazaki's eyes, but he did not back down. He reacted swiftly, skillfully dodging the first two punches and then blocking the final one with a chop to the neck.

However, Kyo Kusanagi did not stop attacking. Taking advantage of the moment when Takuma Sakazaki was on the defensive, he flashed behind his opponent and then threw another fiery punch at his back.

Takuma Sakazaki staggered forward a few steps from the blow, but he quickly regained his balance and turned to face Kyo Kusanagi.

As time went on, Kyo Kusanagi gradually gained the upper hand. He used his agility and rapid attacks to corner Takuma Sakazaki. He skillfully used the finishing moves of each technique to launch the next attack, giving his opponent no chance to breathe.

Takuma Sakazaki began to find himself on the defensive, only able to defend and dodge Kyo Kusanagi's attacks. But he did not give up and continued to look for an opportunity to counterattack.

Kyo Kusanagi suddenly turned around and unleashed an even more powerful fiery punch.

[Venomous bite]!

However, at that moment, Takuma Sakazaki suddenly froze, assumed a horse stance, and tensed all his muscles. In an instant, his body seemed to unleash a powerful force that was not to be underestimated.

"It's now!"

Immediately afterwards, Takuma Sakazaki unleashed a powerful punch, charging towards Kyo Kusanagi with unparalleled momentum.

【The Tiger's Rogue Rock】!

This punch was like a ferocious tiger, carrying boundless power, seemingly about to tear everything apart.

When the poisonous bite collided with the heavy punch, Kyo Kusanagi's force was directly broken, and Takuma Sakazaki's right fist struck Kyo Kusanagi heavily, sending him flying.

"Ugh... such domineering power."

Kyo Kusanagi adjusted his posture in mid-air, and after landing, he staggered back several steps before barely managing to stand. He clutched his chest, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth.

"You actually managed to hurt me, old man, you're quite skilled." Kyo Kusanagi wiped away the blood, his eyes becoming even sharper.

Sakazaki Takuma, slightly out of breath, exclaimed with excitement, "Haha, that was great! Let's do it again!"

Takuma Sakazaki leaped forward and slashed at Kyo Kusanagi.

【Fierce Tiger Thunder God】!

Kyoya Kusanagi met the attack head-on, raising his hand and spinning into the air, sending flames soaring into the sky as well.

【Hyakushiki - Oni-yaki】!

"Boom!" Another loud noise rang out, and both of them were knocked back.

But the two charged at each other again, engaging in fierce combat once more. Their fists rained down like raindrops, each strike imbued with immense power. Sparks flew, and the surrounding air seemed to distort as they fought.

"The master of the Limitless Style is really strong, maybe even stronger than my dad..."

"Then... let's settle this with one move!"

Kyo Kusanagi was engulfed in crimson flames. He raised one hand, and the crimson flames instantly illuminated the entire arena. Everyone watching the raging fire was amazed.

Rugal watched as Kyo Kusanagi unleashed his strongest finishing move and couldn't help but laugh maniacally: "Hahaha... Kyo Kusanagi, you really are stronger than your father... Hahahaha!"

Super Special Move: [Ura 108 Style - Orochi Nagi]!

The dazzling flames instantly engulfed Takuma Sakazaki, but he was not afraid at all. He shouted and unleashed a huge energy wave with both hands in an instant. This energy wave was twice as big as those of Ryo Sakazaki and Robert.

Super Special Move: Haoh Shohoken!

"Boom..." The arena was instantly engulfed by a towering explosion of flames. The impact of the flames and energy waves spread out in an instant, like a dazzling firework blooming in the sky.

The other fighters stared at the television screen in astonishment, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief. The immense power was so astonishing that it even affected the viewers in the front rows, who quickly retreated, fearing they might be caught in the blast.

As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, a figure gradually came into view. It was Kyo Kusanagi, panting heavily, his chest heaving, sweat streaming down his forehead and soaking his clothes. However, despite his exhaustion, his eyes remained resolute, revealing an indomitable will.

At the same time, a trickle of blood oozed from the corner of Takuma Sakazaki's mouth, but a relieved smile appeared on his face. He looked at Kyo Kusanagi before him, his eyes gleaming with admiration: "Very good, Kyo, you certainly haven't disappointed me."

Kyo Kusanagi smiled slightly. "Uncle Sakazaki, you didn't use your full strength, did you?"

"Haha, I guess so, but I wasn't as strong as you when I was 16," Takuma Sakazaki said heartily.