Just as these two "Children of Destiny" were being driven mad by their mental fanfiction worthy of a "Qidian Annual Melodrama Award"...
Our protagonist Cloud finally spoke up on stage.
He calmly withdrew the flames from both hands, looking at those two "convenient big brothers"—one questioning his existence, the other questioning his bloodline—with a knowing, philosophically-laden smile.
"Surprised?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it reached every powerful fighter present with perfect clarity.
"Actually, there's nothing to be surprised about."
He slowly raised both hands.
"The Crimson Flame represents Yang and protection."
"The Azure Flame represents Yin and destruction."
"But traced back to their source, they were originally... one and the same."
"Eighteen hundred years ago, the Kusanagi and Yasakani clans were brothers, connected like branches of a single tree. Their flames had no color distinction—both were the purest power meant to protect the world."
"It was only later that the Yasakani, in their pursuit of greater power, allowed their hearts to be clouded by hatred and jealousy. Their flames transformed into the purple azure flames that symbolize destruction and calamity."
Cloud looked at the stunned Iori and spoke evenly: "So there's nothing wrong with the color of the flames."
"What went wrong... was the heart of the one wielding them."
"Within me flows Kusanagi blood, and through certain fortuitous circumstances, I also comprehended the azure flames."
"So what's so strange about being able to use both?"
His explanation—dripping with philosophical depth and swagger—struck like lightning, instantly waking both men from their soap opera fever dreams!
Of course!
The flames were originally one!
Only human hearts changed!
Kyo let out a long breath of relief.
Thank goodness. Not what I thought. Dad's sexual orientation is still normal.
Iori also exhaled deeply.
Thank goodness. Not what I thought. Mom's honor is intact.
In that moment, both men simultaneously felt... grateful toward Cloud!
Amid this atmosphere thick with philosophy and harmony, the award ceremony began.
When the host personally placed the championship trophy—symbol of KOF's highest glory—into Cloud's hands, the stadium erupted in thunderous applause once more!
But at this pinnacle of glory—
Everything changed!
"Hehehehe... what a wonderful performance."
A familiar voice, dripping with evil, madness, and infinite malice, echoed without warning throughout the entire Tokyo Dome!
Accompanying that voice, a massive dark-crimson spatial rift—reeking of calamity—tore open above the arena!
A figure in an elegant tailcoat emerged slowly from the rift, but half his body had been rebuilt into a metallic, grotesque mechanical form!
He radiated an evil aura ten times more terrifying than last year—a fusion of "Orochi Power" and high-tech enhancements!
"Ru... Rugal?!"
The moment they recognized the figure, every fighter present went pale with shock!
This man, who should have died in the aircraft carrier explosion—he was... alive?!
And more terrifying than before!
He was the one reborn through even more potent Orochi Blood and cutting-edge technology...
Omega Rugal!
"Surprised, my friends?"
Rugal spread his arms wide, savoring the horrified gazes with sick pleasure.
"I'm back."
"And this time, I've brought you... an old friend."
He snapped his fingers.
A figure wearing the Kusanagi clan head's robes emerged from behind him—eyes vacant and hollow, radiating an unmistakable aura of being controlled.
"Fa... Father?!"
The moment Kyo recognized the figure, he let out an incredulous roar!
The one Rugal had brainwashed into his most loyal puppet was none other than... the Kusanagi clan head—Saisyu Kusanagi!
KOF 95's true final boss battle had only now... officially begun!
On one side: Omega Rugal, descending like a demon god with destruction incarnate, alongside his brainwashed "human mecha" Saisyu Kusanagi.
On the other: a motley crew united by burning fighting spirit—protagonist Cloud, "convenient big brother" Kyo Kusanagi, and the walking mental asylum escapee known as "terminal chuuni patient" Iori Yagami.
"RUGAAAAAL!!!"
Iori's crimson eyes blazed with enough madness and violence to incinerate the world.
The moment he sensed Rugal's overwhelming dark power, he went off like a shark smelling blood—completely unhinged!
Without waiting for Kyo and Cloud to even exchange a "tactical glance," he had already transformed into a purple streak, shooting toward Rugal like an arrow loosed from its bow!
"DIE, TRASH!"
"Ya Otome!"
No probing, just the kill move straight away!
Iori's form left a trail of purple afterimages in the air, accompanied by a soul-rending shriek as he appeared instantly before Rugal! Those gleaming claws went straight for his heart!
"Oh? The mad dog of the Yagami?"
Facing this lethal strike capable of instantly killing ordinary Domain-level fighters, Rugal's face showed only contempt and amusement.
He didn't even... move his feet.
Just casually raised his right hand.
"Dark Barrier."
Hummm—!
A translucent energy shield composed of pure darkness materialized instantly before him!
Iori's savage Ya Otome slammed into the barrier!
BOOM!!!
Purple flames and black energy clashed violently, exploding! The powerful shockwaves tore up the reinforced floor!
But when the smoke cleared, Iori's crimson eyes showed disbelief.
His steel-shredding claws... couldn't advance an inch!
That seemingly fragile dark barrier was as solid as the mythical Wailing Wall!
"That's all you've got?"
Rugal's voice dripped with mockery.
"Seems like Yagami blood isn't all it's cracked up to be~"
"YOU'RE DEAD!!!"
Iori roared! Purple flames erupted skyward!
Meanwhile, Kyo had also moved.
His target wasn't Rugal, but his vacant-eyed father—Saisyu Kusanagi.
"Dad! WAKE UP!"
Anger and grief burned in Kyo's eyes.
He became a crimson streak charging toward Saisyu!
"Orochinagi!"
The red-gold flame whip, carrying enough heat to incinerate all creation, swept toward Saisyu!
But Saisyu showed no reaction.
He simply raised his hands mechanically.
"Orochinagi!"
BOOM!!!
The same Kusanagi-style ultimate, launched from his hands, carried only the aura of death and destruction!
Two attacks from the same source yet opposite in nature collided mid-air!
Father and son were locked in mortal combat!
...
The battlefield instantly split into two fronts.
Iori attacked Rugal's "absolute defense" like a madman, launching a relentless storm of violence.
Kyo fought through heartbreak to "awaken" his brainwashed father through what could only be called "family therapy via fists."
The situation had reached a stalemate.
And our protagonist Cloud? Arms crossed, standing aside, watching the show with great interest.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Iori's really putting his back into that massage service."
"Whoa, Kyo, hitting your own dad that hard? Watch out, your mom's gonna make you kneel on a washboard when you get home!"
While commenting, he was using Mind's Eye and the system to frantically record Rugal and Saisyu's combat data.
[Ding! Omega Rugal combat data detected... Analysis progress: 10%... 20%...]
[Ding! Saisyu Kusanagi (Brainwashed) combat data detected... Analysis progress: 5%... 15%...]
Cloud felt like a student frantically copying answers during an exam, absolutely thrilled.
However, his leisurely spectating didn't last long.
A voice—dripping with seduction, allure, and a hint of danger—whispered ghostlike into his ear.
"My, my... isn't this handsome gentleman a bit lonely watching all by himself?"
Cloud's heart lurched as he spun around!
A tall, voluptuous woman in a form-fitting purple business dress stood there, golden waves cascading down her shoulders. She had appeared behind him at some point unknown.
Her face wore an enchanting smile, but those emerald eyes shone like the finest jade while radiating the cold, lethal allure of a viper.
Her every movement exuded the ultimate charm of a mature woman—enough to captivate any man.
Mature!
Rugal's secretary, controller of the "Beast" power among the Eight Elite of the Hakkesshu!
[Ding! Warning! Ultra-high energy reaction detected! Target: Mature!]
[Power Rating: SS+ (???)]
[Danger Level: EXTREME! EXTREME! EXTREME!]
[System Recommendation: Host, please immediately, right now, without hesitation... TURN AND RUN! DON'T LOOK BACK!]
The system's alarm shrieked through Cloud's mind like an air raid siren.
Cloud's heart plummeted to the bottom of a frozen lake.
He could sense that this woman, for all her seductive beauty, contained a power even more savage, even more primal than Iori Yagami!
This woman... was definitely a prehistoric beast wearing human skin!
"Lovely lady, how may I help you?"
Cloud forced himself to stay calm, plastering on what he hoped was a charming smile.
"Hehehehe..." Mature covered her mouth and laughed—melodious as silver bells, yet raising every hair on Cloud's body.
"I just thought it looked boring for you standing here alone, so I wanted to invite you... to dance."
The instant her words ended, her figure moved!
No warning whatsoever!
She transformed into a purple afterimage, faster than even Iori at his peak!
"Death Claw!"
Five razor-sharp claw-marks, gleaming with purple light, slashed toward Cloud's throat like the Reaper's scythe!
Fast! Precise! Ruthless!
This strike was pure, primal killing instinct!
Cloud's pupils contracted sharply!
Absolute Domain 50%, fully activated!
The golden Battle God domain erupted!
CLANG!
A sound like metal striking metal!
Mature's claws were blocked by Cloud's force field!
But Cloud felt his domain shudder violently, as if about to be torn apart!
What terrifying penetrating power!
"Oh? Interesting."
Mature's eyes showed a flash of surprise.
"Didn't expect such a small body to hide such fascinating power."
She showed no discouragement, her assault becoming even more ferocious!
Her figure flickered like a ghost, circling Cloud at high speed, those deadly claws becoming a sky full of purple phantoms attacking his domain barrier from every direction!
Ding-ding-ding-ding—!
Dense impacts like rain on banana leaves rang out endlessly!
Cloud was forced into pure defense, his expression turning grave.
He felt like a hunter surrounded by dozens of wolves—one moment of carelessness and he'd be torn to shreds!
This woman's fighting style resembled Iori's, but... far purer, far more lethal!
If Iori was a mad dog, then Mature was a leopard lurking in shadows—elegant yet deadly!
...
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