KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

Yan Yue and her three companions were on a train bound for Hebei.

The morning light dappled Yan Yue's face through the cracks in the car window. He stared at the fleeting scenery outside the window, his brows furrowed and his face covered in dark lines.

Shunying leaned back in his chair, his face pale, and the occasional cough added to the oppressive atmosphere of the small space. Mingtianjun huddled to the side, a damp towel covering his forehead, his eyes revealing both weakness and determination. Yanyue gently rose, took out several bottles of warm mineral water and cold medicine from her backpack, and carefully handed them to her two junior brothers, saying apologetically, "You two should rest well. It's all my fault. When we get to Hebei, I'll definitely take you on a good trip."

"Senior brother, why were you fine after struggling in the water all night yesterday, but you caught a cold after we carried you back to take a bath?" Shunying asked, utterly dejected.

"I don't know, I've never been sick before..."

Tang Fulu was almost dying of laughter at the ridiculous scene; the car was filled with his disrespectful laughter.

Yan Yue was also very curious about her own body, as she had never actually been sick.

……

The train slowly pulled into the station, and with a long whistle, the doors opened with a roar, releasing the eager anticipation of travelers. Yan Yue and her three companions, weary from their journey, stepped onto the solid soil of Hebei.

A short, sprightly old man with white hair—Chin Gentsai—stood on the platform, flanked by two strikingly different young men. Athena Asamiya wore a light blue and white kimono, her long purple hair adorned with delicate butterfly hairpins; her smile was warm and healing, seemingly capable of dispelling all weariness. Kensou Shii, on the other hand, was a typical hot-blooded youth, clutching two steaming meat buns tightly in his hands, excitedly looking around as he ate.

“Master, look over there!” Athena called out to Zhen Yuanzhai.

"I see it, I see it!" Zhen Yuanzhai realized what was happening and called out to Yan Yue and the other three, "Over here, over here, Brother Fu Lu."

Yan Yue also sensed Zhen Yuanzhai and his group, and led everyone to join them.

Through the conversation between the two old men, it was learned that Zhen Yuanzhai and his group had arrived long ago and had been waiting for Tang Fulu and his party at the station.

"Hello, beautiful senior sister, and hello, Baozi senior brother." Shunying and Mingtianjun took the initiative to step forward and greet them.

"Hello, junior brothers~" Athena greeted them warmly.

"What do you mean, 'Senior Brother Baozi'? Have some manners, okay? My name is Kensou Shizuku." Baozi seemed a little dissatisfied.

"Hello, Kensou Shi~" Tomorrow-kun replied obediently.

"You naughty brat! You should call me senior brother!" Their banter made everyone laugh...

"Are you Yan Yue? I've heard my master mention you. I didn't expect you to look about our age, and you can move around so naturally even though you can't see! That's amazing!" Athena took the initiative to speak to Yan Yue. Her voice, full of curiosity and energy, was like the freshest breeze in spring. Her lively and lovely personality was as bright as sunshine, making people instantly fond of her.

"My name is Athena Asamiya, and I'm Japanese, but I've been training in China all along." Athena tilted her head slightly, revealing a sweet smile, like a blooming flower exuding a captivating fragrance.

"Hello, Athena, just call me Yan Yue." Yan Yue smiled and replied. Yan Yue could feel the powerful spiritual energy emanating from Athena.

"Okay, Yan Yue, but to be honest, you're really pretty, even prettier than most girls!" Athena winked and teased. Her eyes sparkled with innocence and straightforwardness, without the slightest affectation or hypocrisy.

Upon hearing this, Yan Yue couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Haha, I heard the old man say before that Grandpa Zhen has a beautiful young female apprentice, that must be you, right?" His laughter was like a clear spring, carrying a touch of warmth and friendliness. He was also curious about what he looked like.

Yan Yue and Athena chatted casually, their conversation light and pleasant.

Suddenly, Yan Yue sensed a hint of malice. She couldn't help but show a tense expression.

"What's wrong?" Athena asked with concern, noticing that Yan Yue was behaving strangely.

"It's nothing..." Yan Yue pretended to be fine and continued chatting with Athena for a while.

Who is it? Kensou? Does Kensou like Athena?

Engetsu noticed the complex gaze that Kensou was casting at her; his resentful eyes held a mixture of resentment, envy, and jealousy.

Yan Yue smiled bitterly to herself. It seemed to be true. It was all Athena's fault; she had been chatting with her the whole time and completely ignored Chui Quanzong. So, Yan Yue decided to find an opportunity to ease the tension.

After finishing his conversation with Athena, he took Shun'ei and Toki-kun with him, and then walked towards Kensou with a natural yet polite gait.

"Kensou, I almost forgot about you. My name is Engetsu." Engetsu greeted Kensou kindly, then grabbed his junior brother by the neck and pulled him forward. "Junior brother was rude just now."

"I was just joking, Senior Brother Baozi, it's not that serious," Shunying said disdainfully.

This left Kensou completely stunned.

Seeing this, Yan Yue understood a bit. A gentle smile appeared on her lips as she patted Shun Ying and Ming Tianjun on the shoulder, signaling them to step back. Then she turned to Chui Quanzong and said, "Chui Quanzong, we are all human. It is normal to have feelings. Liking someone is a beautiful emotion and there is no need to hide it."

Kensou was taken aback, then a look of embarrassment and relief flashed across his face. He lowered his head, his fists clenching and unclenching unconsciously, as if trying to calm the turmoil within him. "Engetsu, you're right, I was petty. Athena is so outstanding, she truly deserves to be loved. I will try my best." Kensou's voice was soft, yet exceptionally firm. He took a steamed bun from his pocket and handed it to Engetsu as a token of his gratitude.

"Go for it, I believe in you!" Yan Yue didn't say anything more, took the buns and shared them with Shun Ying and Ming Tian Jun.

Shunying then added, "Senior brother, Athena is so beautiful, don't you really want to consider her?"

"Mmm-hmm." Tomorrow-kun nodded in agreement.

Yan Yue was covered in sweat when he suddenly sensed that Shii Kensou's mental strength was rising sharply.

"You brat! You did this on purpose, didn't you!" Kensou started fooling around with Shun'ei and the others again.

There are plenty of beautiful girls in King of Fighters, but poor Yan Yue can't see them.

But it seems the problem has been solved.

……

After everyone settled in, Yan Yue, Athena, and Kensou prepared for tomorrow's martial arts tournament. As for Chin Gentsai and Tang Fulu… they went to the mahjong parlor and played all night…

……

夜晚

The territory of the Flying Thief Sect.

The Flying Thieves are scattered throughout Hebei Province. The sect resides in villages in Cangzhou, which are generally heavily guarded and have treacherous terrain. Each village is controlled by one of four leaders, known as the Four Heavenly Kings: the Eastern Heretic, the Western Poison, the Southern Emperor, and the Northern Beggar. The leader of the Western Poison is also the main leader of the entire Flying Thieves sect. Although the members of the Flying Thieves are strange in both appearance and ability, they are all from reputable and righteous sects with good reputations, belonging to the chivalrous world of martial arts.

At this moment, in a magnificent classical Chinese building, a white-haired girl of about 10 years old is combing the hair of a black-haired boy of 12 years old.

The boy had long hair and wore a black, classically Chinese-style robe with purple embellishments on the collar and dark gold dragon patterns printed on it. His face was handsome but pale, lacking color.

The girl was well-behaved and cute, dressed in green clothes similar in style to the boy, with green tips on her white hair. She was diligently styling the boy's long hair, making a good hairstyle, and braiding it.

"...Can you surpass your father?" the man suddenly broke the silence.

"..." The little girl suddenly didn't understand what it meant and couldn't speak.

The boy said to the girl in the mirror, "Can I surpass my father?" His voice remained indifferent.

"So... the Third Prince cares about this too?" the girl said hesitantly.

"Do you really think I can surpass him?" The boy's tone remained indifferent.

"I don't know..." The girl's voice trailed off.

"..."

Clearly, the boy known as "Third Prince" didn't like the answer and was sulking.

The observant girl noticed the Third Prince's displeasure. After putting on the last crystal headdress, she put the mirror and dressing tools back into the box and said softly, "Because the Third Prince himself doesn't know, does he? We don't know how far the Third Prince will grow in the future."

"It seems I've forced you to answer the question a bit." The Third Prince's tone remained indifferent, but he didn't continue the topic.

"I want to go to the Youth Martial Arts Tournament tomorrow to see if any of the young people of China can fight me."

"Aren't you going to tell the master? I'm worried..." The girl was a little scared.

"Father, as the sect leader, is said to be in seclusion cultivating even greater power." The Third Prince's eyes were firm. "I have already applied to the other Heavenly Kings."

"Then why did you tell me..." the girl said, perhaps realizing something, looking at the Third Prince before her: "Can I go out too?"

"You really aren't cut out to be a thief..." With that, the Third Prince slowly walked out of the room, leaving the girl heartbroken.

"Thank you...brother." The girl's voice was soft, but the Third Prince, who had already walked out the door, still heard her...