Chapter 199: A New Member Joins the Chat Group — Chizuru's Feelings
"This tournament ended way too soon!"
Joe Higashi grumbled. Many fighters hadn't even made it to the ring before everything ended. With Goenitz's sudden appearance, the post-match events had been completely scrapped.
"I'll host the next one — the KOF '97 tournament! Everyone's invited, and next time, the rules will be different!"
Renji said with a smile. He had wanted to organize a real King of Fighters tournament anyway, and '97 was among the most iconic of them all.
This year's tournament had been a bit of a shortcut on Chizuru Kagura's part.
It was meant to be a team-based event, but she'd turned it into a solo arena. Her real purpose hadn't been to hold a proper KOF — she just wanted to summon Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami to deal with Goenitz.
Next time, with Renji in charge, it would be a true team competition.
"You're hosting it?"
Mai Shiranui blinked in surprise before blurting out, "Do you even have money?"
"Uh…"
Such a painfully direct question.
Renji froze — she was right. He didn't actually have the funds. Hosting a KOF wasn't cheap. Without prize money, no one would bother joining.
"I can sponsor it."
Chizuru's calm voice cut through the silence.
Mai nearly twitched.
What was she doing?! Was her boyfriend about to be sponsored by another woman?!
"We can talk about funding later. I'll have money by then," Renji said, shaking his head to decline Chizuru's offer.
Sure, the Kagura family was wealthy, but he couldn't accept that kind of help. He was a fighter, a man with principles — how could he take another person's money to fund his own tournament?
"Don't worry, Chizuru! The Shiranui Dojo can handle it!"
Mai tried to sound confident, though her tone betrayed her nerves.
She knew full well that the dojo couldn't possibly afford it.
"Alright then."
Chizuru nodded, not insisting. She wasn't trying to push her offer, but if Renji couldn't manage it later, she'd quietly help. After all, she saw him as a friend — and friends should help each other, shouldn't they?
Renji sighed softly. None of them were at their peak yet — that would come in '97.
He was waiting for Iori's Riot of the Blood to awaken… and for Leona's as well.
"You're hosting the next KOF?"
Kyo Kusanagi looked at him, clearly still irritated by his loss. It had been too one-sided.
"Yeah. It'll be team-based this time, with proper rest between matches. I'll make sure everyone gets their fair share of fights. It'll be better than this rushed setup."
Renji couldn't promise perfect matchups, but he'd ensure it wasn't as chaotic as Chizuru's event.
Hearing that, Chizuru looked a little embarrassed — she hadn't wanted to organize this one in the first place.
"Alright. See you in a year."
Kyo accepted the idea. Next time, he would defeat Renji. He could feel untapped strength within him. This loss wasn't the end — it was the beginning of his next ascent.
"The next KOF, huh?"
Iori Yagami, hearing those words, stopped for a moment before walking faster, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The other fighters seemed equally interested in Renji's version of the tournament. The strange single-match format this year had thrown everything into chaos. Most of them came to face other fighters, not just one "final boss."
"My apologies," Chizuru said, lowering her voice. "I may have oversimplified the structure."
She'd only wanted to gather Kyo and Iori, not manage a large-scale event. If she'd known, she would've used a point-based system instead — whoever scored the most points would win.
"Let's go."
Renji glanced around. Most of the fighters were already leaving.
Even though KOF '96 had been somewhat of a failure, it had caught the public's attention. Sponsors wouldn't be hard to find next time.
Still… the next one would bring something far more dangerous — Orochi's arrival.
"Renji, do we really have enough money to host it?"
On the way back, Mai looked uneasy, flipping through her savings book. The balance wasn't even close to what they'd need.
Even with the prize money from first place, it wasn't much. It had to be split among the top five, and then between his three teammates. Add in venue costs, promotion, and logistics — it was a financial nightmare.
And that was supposed to be their future savings!
For a brief second, Mai thought maybe Renji should just charm Chizuru into helping. At least then someone would fund them. Of course, she would never say that aloud.
"Don't worry so much, Mai. Making money isn't that hard. Hosting a tournament like this will be fine," Renji said, gently patting her head.
She was overthinking again.
"Alright then… does that mean we can get married now?"
"…"
Of course — that question.
Marriage.
It wasn't just about the paper, but still, Renji felt it wasn't time yet. Was he… actually avoiding it?
"Mai, can we wait until after KOF '97?"
"Why?"
Mai puffed up her cheeks and glared at him. They had agreed to marry after KOF '96 — why delay it again?
"I just think it'll be better timing after that. Once this is all over, I promise we'll get married."
"Fine. You said it yourself!"
Though she wanted it sooner, Mai knew better than to pressure him. If he said after '97, then she'd wait.
"Oh, right. Didn't you promise Chizuru a spar? Why don't you go settle that tonight? Then we can head back to the Shiranui Dojo together."
Mai tugged at her sleeve, clearly eager to return home. She wasn't planning to leave the dojo again for a while.
"Tonight? You sound even more eager for this match than Chizuru."
Renji chuckled. He and Chizuru had sparred many times before — and every time, he had won.
Despite being a champion, Chizuru always fell just short of victory.
Mai grinned. "Mhm! Just ask her, okay?"
Mai Shiranui nodded eagerly.
"Alright."
Renji agreed just as Andy's voice came from a distance. "Renji-senpai, Mai-neesan, I'll be gone for a while. Please tell Master for me!"
Turning around, Renji saw Andy Bogard standing with Terry and Joe. Clearly, Andy was planning to leave with them.
"Hey, we didn't get to fight this time. Looking forward to facing you at KOF '97! Next time, we'll have you all figured out!"
Terry Bogard waved with a grin. He was already excited to challenge Renji in the next tournament.
"Let's grab a drink sometime!"
Joe Higashi brushed back his hair with a smirk and gave a thumbs-up. Since Renji was Andy's senior, they already treated him like a friend.
"Sure."
Renji waved casually, then turned to Chizuru Kagura in the distance. "Up for a rematch on the bikes?"
"Anytime."
Chizuru accepted without hesitation.
"We're heading out, Renji. Call if anything comes up."
Jotaro Kujo raised his hand and left the venue.
"I won't lose to you so easily next year!"
Athena Asamiya smiled brightly at Renji before turning away with renewed determination.
The Ikari Team members also took note of Renji, deciding to investigate him further once they returned.
"Mai, your boyfriend hit me so hard earlier. Make sure you give him a proper lesson tonight!"
Yuri Sakazaki teased playfully, winking at Mai before running off toward Ryo and Robert. The two men nodded toward Renji, then waved goodbye.
Mai flushed slightly, unsure whether to be annoyed or embarrassed. A "proper lesson"? She knew exactly what Yuri meant — but how could she even compete with him in that way?
"Training! Triple the routine once we're back!"
Kim Kaphwan shouted in frustration. He had lost — and lost badly. Zhang Bao and Choi Bounge exchanged miserable glances beside him, both silently despairing.
They hadn't even fought as poorly as he had, yet they'd still have to suffer the same punishment!
"Next time, my lightning won't be so easy to catch!"
Benimaru Nikaido gave a cool smirk, offered a short wave, and left as well.
As the fighters dispersed, the remaining staff cautiously emerged to clean up the ruined venue.
On the mountain road.
Mai wrapped her arms around Renji's waist from behind, feeling the warmth of his body and the rush of the wind. The speed, the vibration, the night air — it was intoxicating.
No wonder he loved riding so much. She looked up at him as he focused on the road ahead.
This feeling… was amazing.
"Honestly…"
Not far behind, Chizuru Kagura sighed quietly, watching them. Were they here to race, or to show off their relationship?
What annoyed her even more — Renji had someone with him, yet she was still the one falling behind.
By the time they reached the mountain's peak, she had lost again.
"No more races. At least not anytime soon."
Chizuru removed her helmet, sat down on a clean patch of ground, and looked at the two leaning together ahead of her. A trace of envy flickered in her eyes. So this was what love looked like.
But as one of the Three Sacred Treasures' heirs, she doubted she'd ever have that luxury. Her family's duty had long since become a chain binding her.
"Renji, the Orochi seal is weakening."
Chizuru turned her gaze away from them, her tone heavy. The seal was close to breaking.
After her sister had been killed by Goenitz — her blood used to weaken Orochi's seal — Chizuru had known this moment would come. The return of Orochi could no longer be stopped. It was only a matter of time.
Goenitz's purpose for appearing had been simple: to kill the heirs of the Three Sacred Treasures. If they died, Orochi's revival would go unchecked.
Though Goenitz was gone, Orochi's awakening was inevitable.
Her original plan had been to make Iori and Kyo reconcile. But looking at things now… that hope seemed painfully naïve.
"It's normal. You can't stop what's coming," Renji said quietly. "Even if you wiped out the Hakkesshu, they'd just rise again. Orochi's revival can't be prevented. It's fate."
He paused. "Orochi can't be killed — that's the problem."
"I just… wanted Iori and Kyo to end their feud," Chizuru murmured.
Mai tilted her head in confusion. "Wait—Orochi? Iori? Kyo? What are you even talking about?"
Hearing their conversation left her completely lost. So that was why Chizuru had organized KOF — not for sport, but to bring those two together.
"Iori can't suppress the Riot of the Blood inside him," Renji said calmly. "And that hatred between him and Kyo… it's their family curse. Every generation repeats the same cycle."
Iori's obsession and rage were bad enough now — but once Orochi's power reawakened, it would be far worse. That was fate — an endless conflict between the Kusanagi and Yagami clans.
"That's exactly what troubles me," Chizuru whispered, looking up at the stars. "Why must I bear this destiny?"
For a moment, her eyes dimmed, but she quickly steadied herself. It was her duty, her burden — to protect humanity from Orochi.
"Don't worry about it," Renji said. "When the time comes, they'll understand. They'll fight together against Orochi."
Chizuru glanced at him curiously. "You sound like you know them well."
"Well, they're my rivals in KOF. Of course I've studied them. Just like I've studied you."
Renji shrugged casually. He didn't notice the faint change in Chizuru's expression — that fleeting, unreadable look as she turned back to the night sky, saying nothing.
In her heart, she couldn't quite name what she was feeling.
KOF Chat – Renji:"What a shame. '96 was fun but not enough. I'll make sure '97 really burns!"
System:Ding! A new batch of members will be invited to the chat group in ten days!
Renji:"!?"
(End of Chapter)
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