KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

At night, Yan Yue went alone to the top of a nearby lighthouse, overlooking the sea and the port city. The beautiful scenery made Yan Yue momentarily lose herself in thought.

……

Two weeks ago, after Mai Zhuo and Wei Si helped Yan Yue settle into her accommodations, they began secretly planning their next move. During this time, Yan Yue had nothing to do except stay within Mai Zhuo and Wei Si's surveillance range.

Therefore, Yan Yue could only move within their surveillance range and could not come into contact with Iori Yagami for a short period of time. She basically focused on recovering from her injuries and practicing her Nen techniques.

However, Vice and Mature would occasionally try to seduce him. Mature alone was fine; Yan Yue was used to it before, but now there was also Vice…

This made Yan Yue even more vigilant, keeping a close watch on the two of them every day, and often going to the top of the lighthouse to cultivate.

……

However, on this day, the two prepared to go out, seemingly making some kind of preparation.

"Little Yan Yue~ We're going out for a bit, I'll come find you tonight, don't wander off anywhere." Mai Zhuo winked at Yan Yue.

"Hehe... Little Yan Yue, see you later." Wei Si licked her lips and gave Yan Yue a mischievous smile.

With that, the meticulously dressed Mature and Vice got into the luxury car, and with the roar of the engine, the two quickly drove away.

After watching the two dangerous individuals leave, Yan Yue felt much more relaxed. "I should be able to wander around Hong Kong and look for Iori Yagami, right?"

Yan Yue knew that as long as she didn't leave this port city, she would be fine. So she calmed herself down, left the villa, and wandered around the port city by herself.

……

at the same time.

Iori Yagami's eagle-claw-like hand gripped a middle-aged man's collar tightly, as if he wanted to crush it. His eyes burned with rage as he glared at the man before him and roared, "Kuwabara, explain yourself! What exactly happened? Don't try to hide it from me!"

At this moment, the middle-aged man named Kuwabara had been beaten black and blue by Iori Yagami, and the pain on his face was clearly visible. However, he still gritted his teeth, and a hint of determination appeared in his eyes as he slowly replied:

"Yagami, I never expected my impulsive decision would make you so angry..."

Iori Yagami's anger did not subside upon hearing this.

"Hmph!" With a cold snort, Iori Yagami shoved Kuwabara forcefully to the ground, the thud heavy and powerful. He stared coldly at Kuwabara, his icy words like a sharp blade piercing him: "You know perfectly well that this matter is far from simple! Don't try to fob me off with words like that!"

Looking at Iori Yagami's murderous gaze, Kuwabara gave a bitter smile and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Is it because of Princess Hime...?"

Before Kuwabara could finish speaking, Iori Yagami was already furious and delivered another heavy kick to Kuwabara's abdomen.

"Ugh..." Then came Sang Yuan's scream.

The powerful force sent Kuwabara flying, crashing into a nearby cabinet. The cabinet shook violently, and items fell to the ground with a clattering sound.

Kuwahara struggled for a moment in pain, but quickly propped himself up and said with difficulty, "Actually, your performances lately have been outstanding. Many people have been pestering me to inquire about you, wanting to sign you..."

"But..." At this point, tears welled up in Kuwabara's eyes, and his voice choked slightly as he said, "Ever since Himegami arrived, we've faced obstacles and setbacks at every turn..."

Looking at Kuwabara before him, his pitiful appearance gradually calmed the anger in his heart.

Iori Yagami coldly replied, "I have said before that I have no interest in so-called formal performances."

"Yagami!" Kuwabara roared, his voice trembling with emotion, "It was Himegami who silenced you three years ago!"

Seeing that Iori Yagami remained silent, Kuwabara, enduring the pain, struggled to his feet and said earnestly, "Hime-no-miya's power is too great, Yagami, please forgive my incompetence..."

After saying that, Kuwabara bowed deeply to Iori Yagami.

Iori Yagami seemed to understand Kuwabara's intention. A trace of sadness appeared in his eyes as he said softly, "It's all because of Konoe and Kikuri..."

"Hehehe..." Suddenly, a mocking laugh came from outside the door.

Just then, an adult man walked into the room. He was wearing an expensive suit and looked at Iori Yagami and Uncle Sang Yuan with a smug expression.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Yagami."

"Tsk!" A murderous glint flashed in Iori Yagami's eyes as he glared at the man before him. "I'd love to forget your face, Himegami!"

"Oh dear." Himegami said with a mocking expression, "How dare you speak to the producer who wants to push you to the world stage like that."

"Get out!" Iori Yagami cursed directly. "I was just about to leave!"

"Huh? Yagami?" Kuwabara panicked when he heard that Iori Yagami was leaving. Himegami was also somewhat surprised.

Iori Yagami continued slowly, "It seems I have unknowingly stayed in this strange and story-filled country for so long. After tomorrow's performance, I will leave, and perhaps I will never return."

"Hehehe..." Ji Gong remained calm and composed, his smile unchanged. He chuckled softly, "Do you really think that as long as you choose to leave, you can easily rescue Sang Yuan and the others? Things in this world are never that simple and straightforward."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Iori Yagami's anger surged instantly, and a blinding red light flashed in his originally deep eyes.

"I really never expected that you would go against your usual ways and take the initiative to protect others. How terrifying..." Himeko narrowed her eyes slightly, a glint of unfathomable light in them, her words revealing a hint of surprise and amusement.

"..." Iori Yagami fell silent for a moment after Himegami had exposed his deepest secret thoughts. His mind was filled with a thousand thoughts, but he could not find the right words to refute her.

“Well then, Mr. Yagami.” Himegami slowly stood up, a meaningful smile curving her lips, a smile that seemed to contain some unspoken expectation. “I await your good news here, for the sake of Miss Konoe and Miss Kikusato…”

"You bastard……"

"Hahahaha..." After saying that, Himegami turned and left the room with steady steps.

At this moment, Iori Yagami and Kuwabara stood facing each other, both with deep distress on their faces, as if they were carrying heavy burdens in their hearts.

After pondering for a moment, Iori Yagami silently walked out of the room.

"Yagami! Where are you going?" Kuwabara asked worriedly.

Iori Yagami seemed somewhat disappointed, and coldly replied, "You go ahead and pack your things, I need to be alone..."

……

Unbeknownst to him, Iori Yagami lay on the floor, having spent the entire afternoon quietly pondering in his dimly lit room.

As the sunlight outside the window gradually slanted westward, the light inside the room also gradually dimmed, accompanying him through this profound time.

At this moment, Iori Yagami's gaze unconsciously fell on the exquisite watch on his wrist. The hands moved slowly and steadily, each tick seeming to strike a chord deep within his heart.

Looking at the time displayed on his watch, he paused for a moment, a hint of surprise and confusion flashing in his eyes.

"Is it already this late?"

"Although I said I would leave this place and never come back..." A cryptic light flickered in Iori Yagami's eyes, suggesting a struggle deep within him. "But don't I feel even a little bit sad?"

Iori Yagami sighed helplessly, muttering to himself, "Indeed, this is the real me..."

"Bang bang bang."

Suddenly, a rapid and forceful knocking broke the peaceful atmosphere.

"Yagami!" Konoe's anxious and somewhat urgent shouts echoed through the air.

"Please open the door, Yagami." Her words carried a hint of pleading, as if the key to solving all problems lay hidden behind that tightly closed door.

As Iori Yagami slowly opened the door, Konoe Tani's gaze, filled with complex emotions, was fixed on Iori Yagami before him.

Iori Yagami then handed the sheet music to Konoe Tanima.

"What is this?" Konoe Tanima asked, looking at the sheet music in his hand with a puzzled expression.

"Here's the newly composed music. Do whatever you like with it..."

After a long silence, Konoe Taniguchi finally asked, her voice trembling, "I heard you refused to sign the contract, is that true?"

Iori Yagami turned his head slightly, his face expressionless, as if he had expected this question. He replied in a calm tone, "Yes."

"What? What do we do then?" Gu Jian's expression froze for a moment, his once bright eyes now filled with disappointment and confusion.

A flicker of pity flashed in Iori Yagami's eyes; he knew the struggle and helplessness in Konoe Tani's heart. He said softly, "Didn't you say before that you were very unwilling to sign the contract because of me? If that's really what you think, why not just rely on yourself? With your abilities, you should be able to do it easily..."

"No way!" Konoe Tanima retorted, somewhat agitated. "I really want to... but I'm still terrible at it..."

At this moment, Konoe Tanimoto stared intently at Iori Yagami and questioned, "Everyone knows you have a grudge against that Princess Himegami. But... I'm not an outsider who has no connection with Kikuri!"

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and she choked up as she said, "Just now, the venue owner called... Apparently, Himegami tampered with the venue, and we won't have a place to perform anymore."

"What!" Iori Yagami's anger seemed to explode in an instant, and his murderous aura was revealed.

Konoe Tanima, oblivious to Iori Yagami's changing expression, muttered to himself, "Tomorrow night is the last performance. From now on... I'll have nowhere to sing anymore..."

"Why! Ugh!" With that, Konoe Tanaka collapsed to the ground, pounding his fists on the ground to vent his resentment, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.

Looking at the weeping Taniguchi Konoe before him, Iori Yagami felt a pang of pity and softly said, "Stop, don't ruin those beautiful hands..."

"Mind your own business! You're absolutely awful!"

"You just noticed?" Iori Yagami shook his head helplessly, turning his back to the guards.

"Anyone who tries to get close to me... will only fall into an abyss of misfortune."

Everything I've ever touched... is doomed to destruction...

"It was true before, and it will be true in the future..."

"elder sister……"

Before Iori Yagami could finish speaking, Kikuri Tani's voice suddenly echoed in their ears.

The two turned their heads and saw Kikuri Tanima walking slowly towards them. Kikuri Tanima was holding a bouquet of baby's breath that she was about to give to Iori Yagami. She was shocked to see her sister with tears streaming down her face and Iori Yagami with a sad expression.

"Kikuri!?" Konoe Tanima exclaimed in shock as he discovered that his younger sister was right next to him.

"!" Iori Yagami looked at Kikuri Tanima in shock.

Looking at the scene before her, Kikumi Tani was overcome with emotion and hurriedly explained in her soft voice, filled with fear:

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to eavesdrop! I just brought flowers... and the door was open... and then..."

But at that moment, Kikuri Taniguchi could not withstand the fluctuations in her heart rate, and her illness flared up, causing her to collapse to the ground.

"Kikuri!" Konoe Tanima exclaimed in alarm, rushing forward to hug his younger sister, his heart filled with worry and anxiety.

She shouted, "Quick! Ambulance! Ambulance..."