KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

At that moment, Engetsu and Heidern rushed from the corridor into the laboratory where Kusanagi Shizuru was being held. Engetsu's eyes were resolute, and he gathered powerful Nen energy in his hand, slamming his palm down onto the ground.

Instantly, a blue wave of spiritual energy spread rapidly from the ground like ocean waves. This powerful surge of spiritual energy caused the five soldiers in front to lose their footing, their legs trembling, as if they were in a vast ocean.

Just then, Haderen displayed astonishing skill, transforming into a black shadow and swiftly running along the wall. Then, he leaped into the air, spinning, and in the blink of an eye, he was above the five enemy soldiers. His hands transformed into invisible blades, like sharp wind blades, slashing towards the enemies' necks.

[Deprivation of the head] [Neck rotation]!

The move was accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, and blood spurted out. In the blink of an eye, the necks of the five soldiers were cut open, blood splattered everywhere, and they lost their life force, collapsing limply to the ground.

This was Yan Yue's first time killing someone. Although he had prepared himself mentally, he still felt uneasy seeing a living person being killed. However, Yan Yue had lived two lives after all, and without hesitation, he followed Hadiron. He naturally knew that saving lives was the priority, so the two of them charged forward like a whirlwind, directly to the laboratory door.

As Yan Yue sensed that Kusanagi Shizuru's figure was becoming clearer, she hurriedly called out, "Uncle Kusanagi is inside!"

Heidern calmly replied, "But he was affected by the power of Orochi, wasn't he?"

Yan Yue and Heidern kicked open the door and sensed that Kusanagi Shizuru was being controlled by Orochi's power. Yan Yue couldn't help but shout, "Uncle Kusanagi, what's wrong with you? Wake up!"

However, Kusanagi Shizuru showed no reaction, his eyes empty and lifeless, glowing with an eerie red light. He looked at Engetsu and Heidern, and attacked directly.

"This is really troublesome!" The two hurriedly dodged, and Yan Yue pondered a countermeasure while avoiding Kusanagi Shizuru's attacks. His eyes were filled with anxiety; if this continued, everyone would be plunged into an even greater crisis.

Haderen frowned and analyzed with a serious expression, "He has been corrupted by the power of the serpent and lost his self-awareness. We are in great danger now as well."

Yan Yue gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and a determined light flashed in her eyes. She said, "Sir, let's defeat him first!" Yan Yue decided not to hesitate any longer. After she finished speaking, the two of them launched an attack at the same time and engaged in a fierce battle with the controlled Kusanagi Shizuru.

[Nen Wave] [Cross Blade]!

Kusanagi Shizuru's body was engulfed in flames as he repelled the two's attacks. Instead, he unleashed a series of skills with his own flames at an even faster pace, with blazing flames sweeping towards Engetsu and Haderen.

[Dark Breeze] [Flaming Intent]...

【Hyakushiki - Oni-yaki】!

Each move contains immense power, making it impossible to ignore.

Haderen exclaimed, "Oh no, Chai Zhou's strength has increased!"

However, Yan Yue did not back down. He used his [Nen Barrier] to shield Heidern and himself from all of Kusanagi Shizuru's attacks.

"Boom!"

Kusanagi Shizuru's relentless fire attacks triggered a violent explosion inside the laboratory, setting everything ablaze. Thick smoke filled the room, and the door was blocked by collapsed debris.

Yan Yue immediately realized, "We have to get out of here first!"

Yan Yue gathered powerful Nen energy in her hands and then unleashed it with all her might.

Super Special Move: Gale and Rain!

A barrage of Nen blasts hurtled toward the lab door, attempting to repel Kusanagi Shizuru and clear a path for themselves.

However, Kusanagi Shizuru did not dodge. He stood in front of Engetsu and suddenly sprang up to attack Engetsu in an instant.

Super Special Move: [127 Styles - Tomugashi]!

Kusanagi Shizuru's body was engulfed in flames, leaving a trail of fiery red in the air as he charged forward.

Yan Yue tried his best to dodge, but Kusanagi Shizuru's ferocious attack left him with no way to avoid it.

Finally, Kusanagi Shizuru's fist, imbued with boundless power, broke through the Nen wave cluster and struck Engetsu hard. Flames erupted instantly, forming a massive ring of fire that engulfed Engetsu.

Yan Yue was sent flying and crashed into the wall, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, a look of astonishment flashing across her face.

"Thank goodness my Nen protected my body... Damn it..."

At the same time, Yan Yue sensed the flames filling the room and became even more worried: "If we don't get out soon, we'll all be burned to death..."

"Yan Yue!" Hadilen's urgent voice suddenly interrupted Yan Yue's thoughts.

Yan Yue came to her senses and said, "I'm fine, just minor injuries."

"That's good……"

Heidern was dealing with Kusanagi Shizuru, but immediately ordered, "I'm worried that Kusanagi Kyo and the others won't be able to hold out for long. Go and help them!"

Yan Yue suddenly realized that there were only three Japanese players facing Luca, and that Daimon and Benimaru were basically out of fighting strength. It would be dangerous for Kyo Kusanagi to fight Luca alone.

Seeing that Yan Yue remained silent, Heidern hurriedly continued shouting, "Leave the boat to me, I have a plan! Rugal might have used the power of Orochi, hurry..."

Yan Yue was startled and replied, "Alright, then General, please be careful..." She then prepared to help Kusanagi Kyo and the others. Yan Yue had no doubt about Heidern's efficiency, and since they said they had a solution, she didn't dwell on it further.

"Flame Moon, you're the one who should be careful..." Haderen said before focusing all his efforts on dealing with Kusanagi Shizuru.

The collapsed entrance to the laboratory was blasted open again by the [Gale and Rain], leaving a large hole. Yan Yue adjusted her Nen and immediately teleported outside, sensing the direction of Rugal's Hall.

Heidern's face suddenly turned fierce and ferocious as he watched his friend being turned into this state by Rugal.

“Rugal…” Haderen’s voice began to tremble.

He recalled the tragic deaths of his wife, daughter, and so many loyal subordinates, and how Rugal had easily defeated him and gouged out his right eye... The vengeful rage in Haderen's heart grew stronger, and the inner force in his hands surged violently, turning his entire body crimson.

"...I'll settle all your scores, both old and new!"

With a roar, Haderen transformed into a shadow and charged toward Kusanagi Shizuru.

Super Special Move: Finishing Absorption!

Heidern rushed towards Kusanagi Shizuru, who immediately threw a backhand uppercut at him in an attempt to knock him back.

【Hyakushiki - Oni-yaki】!

However, Heidern quickly reacted, changing his move with his other hand.

Ultimate Killer: Murder Prediction!

Heidern broke through Kusanagi Shizuru's attack in an instant, gripping his shoulders tightly with both hands. Kusanagi Shizuru sensed something was wrong and tried to break free, but Heidern's strength was too great, rendering him unable to move.

Haderen's eyes gleamed with a mixture of anger and determination, a light that seemed capable of piercing through any obstacle. In that instant, an incredibly powerful suction force erupted from between Haderen's palms.

Kusanagi Shizuru suddenly felt his internal energy surging outwards like a raging tide, and this energy was being frantically absorbed by Heidern with unstoppable force. At the same time, the raging flames on his body rapidly dissipated, as if extinguished by an invisible hand.

Kusanagi Shizuru's face grew increasingly pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He struggled desperately to break free from the terrifying suction, but all his efforts were in vain. Finally, his body could no longer support him, and he collapsed limply to the ground, while Haderen successfully absorbed all of his inner energy, his entire body radiating a dazzling crimson light.

Just then, Heidern unleashed another incredibly powerful attack.

Super Special Move: Moonlight Wheel Saw!

Haderen gathered all his inner strength into his palm, forming an enormous circular saw wheel. With a sudden swing of his hand, the giant wheel began to spin rapidly, accompanied by a sharp, whistling sound.

In the blink of an eye, the burning experimental equipment was mercilessly cut and pulverized, even the flames were not spared, being sliced ​​in half and causing a deafening roar. Within seconds, the fire subsided considerably.

……

Lugard Hall.

Goro Daimon and Benimaru Nikaido were lying on the ground, covered in blood and unconscious.

Kyo Kusanagi struggled to withstand Rugal's attacks.

The figure in the darkness moved swiftly through every corner like a ghost, making it impossible to defend against. Just then, Kyo Kusanagi's hands burst into flames, and he hurtled towards Rugal like a burning meteor.

However, Rugal seemed to have anticipated this, slightly shifting his body to the side and easily dodging Kyo Kusanagi's attack. Immediately afterward, he swiftly moved and grabbed Kyo Kusanagi by the neck.

Super Special Move: Giant Crushing Strike!

With a deafening roar, Rugal's Orochi power instantly transformed into a crimson pillar of light, slamming into Kyo Kusanagi with unparalleled force. This blow was like a mountain crushing an egg, leaving Kyo completely defenseless. He was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into a pillar in the hall.

"Boom!" The enormous impact shook the entire hall. Kyo Kusanagi's body crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His body was covered with hideous and terrifying wounds, clearly indicating that he was seriously injured.

"Ugh..." Kyo Kusanagi struggled to sit up, enduring the excruciating pain throughout his body, and quickly rolled backward, trying to create distance between himself and Rugal. However, Rugal didn't give him a chance to catch his breath, but instead slowly walked towards Kyo Kusanagi with a faint smile on his face, as if everything was under his control.

Just then, a dull thud was heard, and the tightly closed door was suddenly kicked open. The person who came in was Yan Yue.

"How could this happen?" Yan Yue murmured to herself, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.

"Kyo Kusanagi, hang in there!"

He could sense that Kyo Kusanagi's aura was extremely unstable, clearly indicating that he had just suffered a severe injury. At that moment, Rugal was leisurely walking towards Kyo Kusanagi, looking as if victory was assured.

Although Kyo Kusanagi was in great pain, he was very resilient and had not lost his ability to fight.

However, when Yan Yue carefully sensed Rugal, he was dumbfounded. Rugal was wearing a strange long robe, the back and shoulders of which were covered with various connectors and wires. He was still wearing his familiar red trousers, and his height had reached nearly two meters, radiating a strong killing intent and an aura of evil.

"Huh? Huh?" Yan Yue's expression became extremely flustered, her heart filled with doubt and despair.

"Huh? Why is Rugal in this form right now?" Yan Yue muttered to herself, a hint of fear in her voice.

Yan Yue recognized Rugal at a glance; this was Rugal empowered by the power of NESTS. He knew all too well how terrifying Rugal would become after the fusion of Orochi's power and NESTS technology. Compared to Rugal in this state (similar to 2002), Geese and Krauser seemed insignificant.

Yan Yue sighed helplessly and couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, it's a cross-version game! I'm doomed this time!"