"Cloud."
Ryo Sakazaki looked at this man about to become his "brother-in-law," his gaze becoming incredibly sharp.
"Though I'm very grateful for everything you've done for South Town."
"But on this stage, I won't hold back in the slightest!"
"Kyokugenryu's honor will be defended by me personally!"
A similarly violent orange [Absolute Domain] like a descending tiger erupted around him!
That power also reached an astounding [Absolute Domain 48%]!
"Come!"
Cloud looked at the full-power Ryo Sakazaki, his face also showing a battle-intent-filled smile!
"Let me personally witness the Invincible Dragon's... complete power!"
BOOM—!!!!!!
The golden [Battle God Golden Flame] domain also opened at full power without reservation!
[Absolute Domain 50%]!!
Two equally "quasi-BOSS level" terrifying domains collided at stage center!
In that instant, the explosive energy shockwave made even the barrier emit an overloaded hum!
"Tenchi Haoh Ken!"
"Heavenscorch Scripture—Orochinagi!"
Orange tiger and golden divine dragon engaged in the most primitive, purest, head-on... mythological battle atop the stage!
Fist against fist—a contest of power!
Domain against domain—a competition of will!
Both performed their martial arts to the ultimate!
Fighting until the sky darkened and sun and moon lost their light!
Ultimately, Cloud's [Heavenscorch Scripture] fusing the strengths of many schools proved superior in technique!
He caught an infinitesimal opening in Ryo's defense, used an incredibly tricky Koto Moon Positive to close in, then one punch sent Ryo flying out of bounds!
"I concede, Ryo-aniki."
Cloud stood at stage center, breathing heavily but eyes still bright as stars.
Ryo slowly stood from outside the ring, wiping blood from his mouth, yet his face showed no disappointment.
Instead, he showed a relieved smile full of "acknowledgment."
He looked at that war god-like figure, then at his sister Yuri below watching him with concern.
He slowly nodded at Cloud.
Then silently mouthed three words—
"Take care of her."
Cloud also nodded solemnly.
...
The following matches lost suspense.
Though Robert and Takuma Sakazaki also unleashed amazing strength...
Against Cloud who'd "gotten into the groove" at full power, they still had no chance.
Ultimately Cloud won this semifinal victory in an equally arena-shocking "one-versus-three sweep"!
His strength, his power, his... kingly bearing!
Were once again acknowledged by everyone in this moment!
No one would ever again question the gold content of his "King of Fighters" title from last year!
As KOF 95's preliminaries "Battle of Gods" concluded, four teams with the most supreme strength finally fought through the "bloodbath" and advanced to the highly anticipated semifinals.
The semifinal brackets were even more filled with destined confrontation and explosive tension, pushing the Tokyo Dome atmosphere to unprecedented boiling point!
[Semifinal Match 1]
[Japan Team VS Psycho Soldiers Team]
[Semifinal Match 2]
[Beautiful Girl Squad VS Yagami Team]
"It's here, it's here! The main event is finally here!"
"Kyo Kusanagi VS Athena! Fire prince versus psychic idol! I'm shipping this CP first!"
"Wake up, upstairs! Don't you see the other side?! Cloud VS Iori Yagami! That's the real blockbuster matchup! Last year's King of Fighters versus this year's biggest dark horse! Just thinking about it is exciting!"
"I don't care! I'll always support Cloud-oniisan! He's the most handsome!"
Amid the "fandom war" fervent cheers, the first semifinal officially began.
...
"First match: Japan Team's Benimaru Nikaido versus Psycho Soldiers Team's Sie Kensou!"
Following the MC's loud announcement, two "uniquely styled" fighters slowly walked onto stage.
One side: Benimaru flipping his golden hair flirtatiously, madly winking at spectator seats, drawing countless female fans' screams.
The other: Kensou with his two ridiculous buns, face full of bitter resentment, as if the whole world owed him an Athena.
"Sigh..." Kensou looked at that man across from him radiating "damned hormone aura," feeling exhausted.
He knew he couldn't win.
Neither in strength nor... looks.
As expected, the match showed one-sided dominance from the start.
Benimaru didn't even use his [Absolute Domain], relying solely on gorgeous martial arts and elusive lightning abilities to toy with Kensou.
Finally, under an impossibly stylish Raikou Ken, Kensou—this pitiful "backup boyfriend"—very straightforwardly transformed into a human-shaped lightning bolt and flew out of bounds.
Second match: Chin Gentsai—this unfathomably deep old grandmaster—remained...
"I'm drunk. Forfeit."
He waved his wine gourd at the referee and directly walked off stage.
That carefree manner made KOF seem merely a "minor interlude" in his after-dinner stroll.
Thus, pressure instantly fell entirely on the Psycho Soldiers Team's final fighter—Athena Asamiya.
She would face the Japan Team captain, "Child of Destiny"—Kyo Kusanagi!
"Athena! Go for it!"
"Athena! You're the best!"
The venue instantly erupted with tsunami-like support for this psychic idol.
...
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