Chapter 197: Sakazaki Yuri – Kill Renij and Shiranui Mai, those shameless lovers!
"Yeah, give us some privileges!"
Renij looked toward Kagura Chizuru. Wasn't changing team names just a matter of the organizer's word?
No special treatment at all?
"Why not just rename yourselves the Privilege Team, and I'll promote you straight to the finals?"
Kagura Chizuru mocked coldly. You really need privileges for that too?
Do you not realize why you're not being given any?
"That wouldn't be appropriate, would it?"
Renij rubbed the back of his head. If Kagura Chizuru were alone, he might have agreed, but with so many people present, asking outright like this seemed a bit shameless.
"So you do know it's not appropriate?"
Kagura Chizuru had thought Renij would be as reckless as before and accept immediately. So, he still had a shred of pride after all?
"What privileges?"
Shiranui Mai asked curiously.
"The organizer this time is Chizuru. Didn't you know?"
King explained.
That's strange.
Aren't the two of you supposed to be best friends? And you didn't even know Kagura Chizuru was hosting this year's KOF tournament?
"Ah?!"
Shiranui Mai finally understood why Chizuru had hesitated when invited earlier.
So that was the reason.
But then, why did she agree later on? Could it be because she started looking at Mai's boyfriend differently?
Shiranui Mai quickly shook off that thought, realizing she was overthinking things again.
"That's right. At first, I thought it wouldn't be proper for me, as the organizer, to participate. But since you asked, I filled in the numbers. However, special treatment is absolutely out of the question!"
Kagura Chizuru admitted directly.
Still, Shiranui Mai's attitude stung a bit—so she really didn't know about any of this.
"Hehe, Chizuru, I understand now. I just didn't think you'd have any reason to host a KOF tournament!"
Shiranui Mai stuck out her tongue and explained awkwardly. She truly hadn't expected this.
After all, in her view, Kagura Chizuru had no reason to host a fighting tournament.
Did she even like fighting?
Hardly.
From their interactions, Shiranui Mai had long seen that Chizuru's training time was probably even less than her own.
So she couldn't possibly have a real reason to host KOF. And since Mai only cared about participating, she hadn't paid much attention to anything else.
Though the winning team would receive a large cash prize, Mai was never particularly interested in money.
"Forget it. It's not a big deal anyway."
Kagura Chizuru didn't say much more. It wasn't something important, and it made sense that Shiranui Mai didn't know.
She glanced around the arena. Almost all the invited fighters had arrived, including Yagami Iori and Kusanagi Kyo.
Following her gaze, Renij also began observing the teams one by one.
Kusanagi Team, Yagami Team, Fatal Fury Team, Art of Fighting Team, New Psycho Soldiers, Super Power Warriors, New Women Fighters, Kim Team, and Howard Team.
Including their own New Fighters Team, there were ten teams in total, thirty participants altogether.
As they observed others, everyone else was also sizing each other up.
Once the host finished explaining the rules, it became clear that this year's KOF tournament was very different from the previous ones.
The old rules were scrapped, and those three arenas that had puzzled everyone before were now revealed to be part of the new system.
Meanwhile, the stands had filled completely with spectators.
"Should we all go together or take one ring each?"
That was the question running through everyone's mind.
The first team to decide was Yagami's. Yagami Iori immediately declared he would fight alone—no teammates needed. This format suited him perfectly.
He stepped onto Arena One. His teammates Mature and Vice exchanged glances, sighing helplessly as they turned toward Arenas Two and Three.
"I want to fight that guy!"
Jotaro pointed straight at Yagami Iori on Arena One.
"Fine, I'll take Arena Two then."
Renij nodded and chose the second arena.
"You've already decided to split up?"
Shiranui Mai and the others were still discussing their placements, but Renij's team had already chosen.
"Then I'll go to Arena Two as well!"
Fighting in pairs didn't sound fun anyway.
And since she had already made up her mind to face Renij someday, she wasn't going to miss this chance.
"Hey, Kyo, that arena's already taken. Want to go to Arena One?"
Nikaido Benimaru pointed to Yagami Iori's platform—Kyo's longtime rival.
"No, I'll go to Arena Three."
Arenas One and Two already had people. He would take Arena Three and defend it against all challengers.
Besides, challenging Iori now would ruin the tension—they both needed to save that fight for the finals.
Gradually, everyone began taking their positions.
Jotaro went to Arena One, Kagura Chizuru took Arena Three.
On Arena Two stood Renij, Shiranui Mai, Nikaido Benimaru, Mature, Andy, Sakazaki Yuri, Leona, Athena Asamiya, Kim Jae Hoon, and Geese Howard.
Among them, Mature and Leona caught Renij's attention. One was among the Eight Hakkesshu, while the other shared Yagami's violent Orochi bloodline.
Naturally, his gaze didn't escape Shiranui Mai's notice.
When she saw his eyes linger on the two women, her feelings grew complicated. What did he mean by that?
"Mai, this time we're opponents!"
Sakazaki Yuri approached and greeted her. She had seen Mai earlier but hadn't wanted to interrupt her conversation. Now, before the match began, it was a good time to chat.
"Talk later—after I've beaten Renij up first!"
Shiranui Mai had no time for pleasantries. Today, she would show Renij her true strength!
"Did your boyfriend upset you?"
Sakazaki Yuri whispered teasingly into Mai's ear.
Weren't these two supposed to be a loving couple? At least, that was what Yuri had heard from Mai herself.
"Yuri, I'll tell you later!"
Clearly, Mai didn't want to discuss it now.
"Renij, I won't hold back this time!"
Andy declared firmly.
He had been training with Terry and Joe recently and believed his strength had greatly improved.
He had deliberately chosen Renij's arena to test the results of his hard work.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Although the match had begun, no one made the first move. They were uncertain how to start—a chaotic free-for-all made things unclear.
No one wanted to strike first and become everyone's target. On Arena One, Yagami Iori was already surrounded by multiple fighters.
But Iori didn't care—he only fought fiercer the more he was challenged.
"Come on, all of you! Let's see what my limits are!"
Renij glanced around the arena. Fighting one by one didn't suit his style—he wanted to take on all ten at once!
"Renij, are you out of your mind?"
Andy froze. Did he hear that right?
Renij actually said they could all come at him together?
Was he so arrogant that he thought he could defeat everyone here by himself?
"I'm serious."
"Tch! Then I'll be the one to knock you down first!"
Andy shouted, charging at Renij. Since Renij had issued the challenge, Andy would strike before anyone else could.
This punch carried the full force of his recent training—he wouldn't lose!
A fist filled with conviction could overcome any enemy!
Confidence surged within Andy, and his power swelled accordingly.
But the moment his fist touched Renij's, he felt an overwhelming, monstrous force slam into him. It was irresistible, sending him flying backward.
Even as he soared through the air, Andy couldn't help thinking—he had trained so long, poured all his belief into that punch… yet it was completely overpowered by Renij's effortless strike.
"Harsh as it sounds, Andy, you still have a long way to go."
The youngster was defeated so easily; he'd surely listen better from now on.
"Hey, isn't this guy unreasonably strong?"
One punch had sent Andi flying out of the ring. Fatal Fury's team wasn't some no-name group, yet Renij had sent Andi flying with a single blow, leaving many jaws hanging.
Even the spectators were stunned. It couldn't be rigged, could it? But that made no sense—barely anyone bet on Andi; most had wagered on Yagami Iori or Kusanagi Kyo.
To most, only those two could win in the end.
"Ahem, how about we join forces?" said Nikaidou Benimaru, clearing his throat. The situation wasn't looking good.
It might seem underhanded, but this guy was too strong.
"I won't team up with anyone!"
Shiranui Mai wanted to defeat Renij, but she would never cooperate with anyone to do it. Even after seeing Renij send Andi flying with one punch, she still wanted to try.
"Hey, why is everyone so quiet?"
Nikaidou Benimaru felt awkward. No one would speak up—were they joining forces or not? At least give him an answer.
But no one cared to respond.
"Don't zone out!"
Renij's voice came from behind him. Startled, Benimaru spun around, electricity flashing from his fist as he struck toward Renij.
Yet his proud Thunder Punch was caught easily.
"That's not how you use lightning."
Renij's body crackled with power, and a surge of current shocked Benimaru senseless.
Black smoke puffed from his mouth. Confusion filled his eyes—how could someone else lecture him on using lightning?
Renij casually tossed him off the arena, then struck down Kim Jae Hoon and Geese Howard with two effortless punches.
"This guy..." Geese widened his eyes in disbelief and fury.
Watching Renij's strength, Andi's eyes brightened. He decided that once the match was over, he would follow Renij and train properly.
Of course—serving tea earlier must have been part of the training!
After knocking out several opponents, only Mature, Shiranui Mai, Sakazaki Yuri, Leona, and Athena Asamiya remained.
Seeing the situation, Mature raised her hand and forfeited. She wasn't here for rankings but to monitor Yagami Iori. Knowing Renij's strength, she chose to conserve her power instead of fighting.
Still, Renij had caught her attention. He hadn't appeared in any past records, skipped the last two KOF tournaments, and now suddenly joined—what was his purpose?
"Mai, I think we should join forces," said Sakazaki Yuri.
She knew Mai would probably refuse, but alone they were no match for Renij.
"No."
Mai's answer was firm.
"Mai, go with them," Renij said.
"But—"
Mai hesitated. Did Renij really want her to team up with them?
"There are four left. I'll deal with you all together."
"Hmph! Don't complain later about being ganged up on!"
He was clearly looking down on her!
Mai pouted, unwilling to admit it, but recalling Renij's strength, she couldn't deny it. Back at the Shiranui Dojo, he hadn't been this overwhelming. At first, he wasn't even her equal.
"Don't worry, I won't," Renij said calmly.
The others stayed silent but seemed to agree wordlessly.
Mature sighed from the sidelines—she had stepped down too soon.
The four surrounded Renij from four directions. Leona attacked first, her military strikes aimed at fatal points.
But without her berserk state, she was lacking. Renij caught her punch, twisted, and knocked her flying.
Before he could breathe, Athena Asamiya launched a Psycho Ball.
A psychic, of course. The KOF world truly was bizarre—psychics, martial artists, ninjas, clones, all human yet all extraordinary.
"You tanked my Psycho Ball?!" Athena stared in disbelief.
"Don't get distracted!"
Sakazaki Yuri roared and threw a punch.
"Too slow!"
Renij countered with a blow of his own. Just before she was struck, Yuri's eyes flashed with triumph. "Got you!"
She was bait—the real attack came from behind.
"Renij, you were careless!"
Shiranui Mai's fan ignited with flame as she swung from behind—but Renij caught her arm midair.
Smiling, he leaned close and kissed her forehead. "Step down now, Mai."
"Ah?! Oh..."
Mai's face turned scarlet as her heart raced wildly. Why was he so good at this?
Everyone else was punched or kicked, but she had been kissed and gently dismissed.
Damn it! She was supposed to defeat him!
Forget it—winning didn't matter anymore.
Heart fluttering, Shiranui Mai stepped off the stage, smiling sweetly.
Watching her, Sakazaki Yuri's mind filled with one thought—kill those two shameless lovers.
What about the plan to team up? Fight together?
You got kissed and just left?!
The crowd fell silent, glaring at Renij in outrage.
Were they watching a fight or a love scene?
Before Yuri could react, Renij tossed her off the arena like a chick. As she flew, she regretted joining this tournament—first forced to watch a couple flirt, then thrown out herself.
"The winner of Arena Two has been decided!"
Only Renij stood on the stage.
Those he had defeated looked on with mixed feelings.
As time passed, the winners of Arena One and Arena Three emerged—Yagami Iori and Kusanagi Kyo. Both were injured, Iori worse off after his battle with Jotaro.
"Sorry, this guy fought like a madman, so I gave up," Jotaro said, shrugging at Renij. He still had energy left but didn't want to risk more.
He'd promised his mother he'd return to school soon, so he left Iori wounded but alive, giving Renij a better shot.
"Understandable," Renij nodded. To him, Jotaro and Iori were evenly matched, but Iori's bloodlust gave him the edge.
Iori thrived on battle. Against Jotaro, his fighting spirit had only grown stronger—but Jotaro wasn't here for that kind of fight.
"I'm not his match," said Kagura Chizuru calmly. Her goal wasn't victory, and she truly couldn't beat Kyo.
After seeing Renij's strength, she'd already given up her fight.
Thus, the three—Renij, Iori, and Kyo—stood on the final arena.
"A pity you're both injured," Renij said sincerely.
He had wanted a full-strength match, but it wasn't possible.
"No matter. We'll fight together," said Kyo, exchanging a glance with Iori. Both intended to defeat Renij first, then face each other in their destined duel.
Blue flame and crimson flame ignited—fists against claws—as they attacked with all they had.
Renij caught both blows bare-handed. The power in his grip left them unable to resist.
Impossible! Both were shaken to the core, as were the watching fighters.
"How?! Kyo even used Crimson Flame!" Benimaru gaped.
He recalled how Renij had flung Andi earlier—it looked exactly the same now.
"That guy's a monster," said Daimon Goro calmly. If Renij kept entering KOF, he'd become an unshakable mountain overshadowing all fighters.
"Mai, is your boyfriend a freak?" asked King, speechless.
"Hehe," Mai chuckled dreamily.
"What a terrifying fighter," thought everyone at once.
Renij's dominance on the stage shocked even the veterans.
The air shifted.
Renij sensed the strange wind, glancing toward the crowd. He knew he had to act now or lose his chance.
He grabbed both Kyo and Iori, hurling them from the stage with monstrous strength.
[Ding! Changed KOF96 outcome—became this tournament's champion. Reward: one lottery draw!]
It had arrived—
The Breath of the Gale, Goenitz!
(End of Chapter)
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