KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

Southtown, USA.

Kyokugenryu Dojo.

Ryo Sakazaki and Kasumi Todo are engaged in a fierce duel. Meanwhile, Engetsu, Yuri Sakazaki, and Locke are watching from the sidelines.

Ryo Sakazaki shouted and launched an attack.

【Thunder God Gang】!

He transformed one hand into a fierce tiger, his fists and feet creating a whistling sound as he launched a rapid attack on Kasumi Todo.

"Here she comes!" Kasumi Todo remained calm and composed, standing firmly on her feet with her arms crossed in front of her chest, her eyes focused and composed.

[Killing Palm Kick]!

Kasumi caught Ryo Sakazaki's punch directly, grabbed his arm, and used Aikido techniques to kick Ryo Sakazaki at close range.

Ryoichi Sakazaki threw a powerful straight punch to block Kasumi's kick.

Kasumi Todo seemed to have been prepared. Seizing the opportunity, she slightly shifted her body to the side, easily dodging the fierce attack. At the same time, she grabbed Ryo Sakazaki's wrist with her right hand and used the force to throw him backward.

[Death without a chance to escape!]

Ryo Sakazaki was thrown away by a tremendous force. Before he could regain his footing, Kasumi immediately leaped up and delivered a powerful chop to Ryo in mid-air.

Ultimate Killer [Heavy Blow]!

Kasumi Todo channeled her inner energy into her hands, unleashing a slashing aura towards Ryo Sakazaki.

"bump!"

A muffled thud was heard, and before Ryo Sakazaki could react, he was knocked back several meters.

He landed on the ground in pain, staggered forward a step, but instantly adjusted his body, turned around and swept his leg across the air with another kick.

【Flying Swallow Gale Kick】!

Kasumi Todo quickly squatted down, placed her hands on the ground, and sprang up her legs like springs, striking Ryo Sakazaki in the abdomen.

【Hakusan Peach】!

"bump!"

"bump!"

The two fighters engaged in a fierce exchange of blows, producing loud thuds from time to time, which Yan Yue and the others watched intently.

Watching Kasumi Toudou's fighting skills, Yuri Sakazaki couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, that's amazing! Kasumi is incredible!"

Yan Yue nodded in agreement, replying, "Yes, she was able to exchange so many moves with Ryo, but..." Yan Yue noticed Kasumi's weakness.

"Now we have another expert among the female fighters." Yuri said excitedly, shouting directly to Kasumi Toudou, "Kasumi! Go for it, beat my brother down!"

"Holy crap? So that's what you were thinking."

Locke, who was standing nearby, also found it amusing. After taking notes in his notebook, he imitated Yuri's tone and shouted, "Go for it! Violent girl! Defeat him!"

Kasumi Todo, who was fighting in the distance, suddenly heard Locke cheering her on. Veins bulged on her forehead, and she roared, "You brat! You're dead!"

At the same time, he unleashed a series of palm strikes at Ryo Sakazaki.

Ultimate move: [Tornado Gun Strike]!

Ryo Sakazaki's attacks never stopped; he leaped backward to dodge, then pounced forward again.

Ultimate move: [Fierce Slash Fist]!

Ryo Sakazaki's series of punches instantly enveloped Kasumi Todo.

Kasumi Todo retreated continuously, quickly blocking with her arms, occasionally managing to find an opening to counterattack with a punch. However, as the battle continued, Ryo Sakazaki became increasingly ferocious, his attacks becoming more and more intense, and Kasumi Todo gradually had to defend with all her might, sweat gradually beading on her forehead.

"Just as I thought." Yan Yue had already seen through Toudou Kasumi's flaw.

Kasumi Todo's fighting style is mainly Aikido, which emphasizes defense and counterattack. Although she is a master of both offense and defense, her agility is greatly limited if her stamina is insufficient.

Ryo Sakazaki's Karate Kyokugenryu is the strongest and fastest attack style. His stamina has long surpassed human limits; he's no longer a normal person. Kasumi Todo simply can't stop him, and the longer it goes on, the more difficult it will become.

As Yan Yue had predicted, things unfolded exactly as she had envisioned. Sakazaki Ryo flashed forward, instantly closing in on Toudou Kasumi. He assumed a horse stance and unleashed a powerful straight punch.

Ultimate move [???]

Ryo Sakazaki's fist, carrying a sharp gust of wind, slammed into Kasumi Todo's defensive weakness.

With a muffled thud, Ryo Sakazaki's powerful punch landed squarely on Kasumi Todo's soft abdomen.

"Ugh..." With a painful yet delicate cry, Kasumi Todo flew backward like a kite with a broken string.

In the blink of an eye, Kasumi Todo had already flown out of the arena and crashed straight towards the direction where Engetsu was.

Yan Yue and Bai He reacted quickly, moving almost simultaneously. They rushed towards Toudou Kasumi, who was about to land, and then each reached out their hands to catch her steadily in their arms.

"Are you alright?" Yan Yue asked.

Kasumi Todo still seemed somewhat dazed, recalling the scene of being knocked away, muttering to herself, "...I lost..."

Then the two of them helped Kasumi Todo sit down to the side.

"Kasumi, actually, it's really normal to lose to your brother..." Sakazaki Yuri comforted her softly, gently patting Toudou Kasumi's shoulder, her eyes full of understanding and sympathy.

Just then, Locke came running over like a gust of wind. He nodded vigorously and said with great certainty, "That's right! Brother Yan Yue calls Liang 'Sigma Man'! That's the symbol of an invincible man!" In Locke's simple mind, the title "Sigma Man" represented absolute power and invincibility.

Upon hearing Locke's words, Yan Yue frowned and slapped her forehead.

"Oh dear, it seems that when I joke with them, I inadvertently lead Locke astray."

Kasumi Todo, on the other side, nodded slightly in agreement. She knew in her heart that she had truly accepted her defeat this time. After all, even her own father wasn't a match for Ryo Sakazaki, let alone herself.

"Sigh, I give up..." Kasumi Todo sighed softly, her tone full of resentment and helplessness.

Just then, Ryo Sakazaki walked over with steady steps. His gaze fell on Kasumi Todo, who looked slightly disappointed, and he said softly, "Kasumi... actually, your family's fighting style is very strong. If it weren't for the fact that your stamina seemed to be having trouble lasting until the end, the outcome of this match would probably be uncertain."

Kasumi Todo looked up and replied softly, "Is that so? I understand..."

Hearing this, Yuri, who was standing to the side, nodded in deep agreement. Recalling her conversation with her brother just now, she sighed helplessly, "Kasumi, we girls do have some shortcomings in terms of physical strength... Overcoming this problem is not an easy thing."

"..." Toudou Kasumi didn't speak, but looked at the people in front of her with a complicated expression.

Seeing this, Ryo Sakazaki bowed deeply to Kasumi Todo with a solemn expression and said sincerely, "We are deeply sorry for your father's disappearance. We also had our own difficulties at the time..."

"Back then, it was my brother and Engetsu who saved me..." As Yuri Sakazaki said this, a hint of pain involuntarily appeared in her eyes, which she found hard to bear.

"Yuri, it's alright." Kasumi Todo keenly noticed the change in Yuri Sakazaki's emotions and quickly comforted her.

Kasumi Todo gently patted Yuri Sakazaki's shoulder and said softly, "Let bygones be bygones, don't think about it anymore."

However, Yuri Sakazaki shook her head, seemingly wanting to continue. "Listen to me..."

Just then, Yan Yue hurriedly interjected, "That's right, Yuri. In duels between fighters, there will always be winners and losers. That's perfectly normal! We can't keep dwelling on the past."

Kasumi Todo nodded in agreement. She took a deep breath and said slowly, "Yes, Yuri. My father lost to your brother, but he lost fair and square."

Then, Kasumi Todo paused slightly before continuing, "Actually, my father's disappearance was entirely his own problem. Perhaps the defeat was too much of a blow to him, or perhaps it was for some other reason, but in any case, it has nothing to do with you."

"I was too impulsive just now, and what I said was a bit extreme... I came here to challenge the Kyokugenryu style simply to have a friendly exchange and see what it's like."

After saying these words, a relieved smile appeared on Kasumi Todo's face.

Upon hearing Kasumi Toudou's words, Yuri couldn't help but smile with delight. She replied with joy, "Kasumi... it's so wonderful that you think that way!"

Just then, without warning, Kasumi Todo reached out and removed the red and white headscarf from her head, handing it to Ryo Sakazaki without hesitation. The headscarf seemed to carry some special meaning, fluttering slightly in the air.

Seeing this, Yan Yue, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but widen her eyes and ask with a hint of curiosity, "There's actually such a tradition?"

Ryo Sakazaki, on the other hand, appeared very calm. He slowly reached out and steadily took the headscarf that Kasumi handed him.

Immediately afterward, Kasumi Todo looked firmly at Ryo Sakazaki and continued resolutely, "But please don't think this defeat means the end. I will definitely train even harder and continuously improve my strength! Afterward, I will come back to challenge you again and take back the token that belongs to me!"

Ryo Sakazaki looked at his opponent with unwavering determination and nodded without hesitation, replying, "Alright! I'll be right here waiting for your challenge! And I absolutely will not lose to you!"

However, at that moment, Locke, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly shouted as if he had gone mad: "I understand!"

Locke's eyes widened, his face filled with excitement, and he shouted, "This must be the legendary token of love!"

It turned out that Locke remembered hearing Yan Yue mention something similar before, which was why he was so agitated.

Kasumi Todo had been seriously challenging Ryo Sakazaki to a duel, but Locke's shout startled her.

When she realized what was happening, she was furious and could no longer tolerate the brat's nonsense.

"You brat! You're going to die!"

Without saying a word, Kasumi Todo raised her hand and slammed it down hard on Locke's head.

With a loud "Duang," accompanied by a powerful flash of light, Locke instantly felt a sharp pain coming from the top of his head.

"Ouch!" Locke screamed in pain, wincing as he rubbed a large, swollen bump on his head.

Ryoya Sakazaki shook his head speechlessly.

Yan Yue and Bai He were taken aback by the scene, then burst into laughter. The whole atmosphere became lively and joyful.