Team Leader Shimizu looked as if he'd been injected with adrenaline and immediately waved over the two testers to start another round.
This time, Kyo Kusanagi's opponent was replaced by a blond young man wearing a red baseball cap and a denim vest.
"We followed the plan you laid out when the project was first approved, exactly as specified!" Shimizu pointed at the two health bars at the bottom of the screen.
"Whether it's landing an attack, successfully blocking an opponent's move, or pulling off a clean combo, all of it builds energy."
On-screen, Kyo and his opponent traded blows, fists and kicks colliding as the energy gauge below steadily filled.
"Let's see how the super moves turned out," Takuya said, nodding.
"Got it." Shimizu immediately input a more complex command.
The moment he finished speaking, the Kyo player on screen seized an opening, violently worked the joystick, and slammed the buttons!
The screen darkened instantly. Flames erupted around Kyo as he thrust his arm forward, unleashing a massive fan-shaped wave of fire that surged across the screen like a tidal wave, instantly evaporating a huge chunk of the opponent's health bar.
It was the Kusanagi clan's secret technique—Orochinagi!
"Beautiful!"
"That's it!"
Cheers erupted from the surrounding developers.
This flashy, domineering strike was the crystallization of their recent hard work, and no matter how many times they saw it, it still set their blood boiling.
But Takuya's eyes caught another detail.
"Just now, the moment the opponent attacked, Kyo rolled forward and slipped straight behind him." He looked at Shimizu. "You've already implemented the evasive move system too?"
Shimizu froze for a moment, not expecting the executive director to notice such a fraction-of-a-second detail.
He quickly nodded, explaining excitedly. "Yes, Executive Director! This is exactly the dodge system you envisioned!"
"By rapidly inputting commands, the character can roll forward or backward a short distance and gain brief invincibility! This completely changes the rhythm of offense and defense in traditional fighting games. Whether it's dodging projectiles and uppercuts or closing in for pressure, everything becomes far more flexible!"
To prove it, he had the blond fighter in the cap fire a ground projectile from afar, while Kyo performed a clean forward roll, passing through unscathed and instantly closing the distance.
The members of Development Team Three all wore expressions of pride.
They knew they were creating a brand-new kind of fighting experience.
"Then what about the most crucial element?" Takuya crossed his arms, his tone calm but instantly sharpening everyone's focus. "The system that gives hope to the underdog, that lets players see a chance for a comeback even in desperate situations—where is it?"
Shimizu's eyes lit up instantly. He knew the executive director was asking about the soul of the entire system.
"Just about to show you!"
He shouted to the tester, "A-Ken, stop blocking! Let him hit you! Sell some health!"
"Got it!"
The tester controlling Kyo immediately abandoned defense and took a full combo head-on. His health bar plummeted, quickly entering the flashing red danger zone.
The atmosphere in the room instantly grew tense.
"Please look, Executive Director!" Shimizu's voice trembled slightly. "When health drops into the red—into critical state—even if the energy gauge isn't full, the player can consume all remaining energy to forcibly unleash a super move!"
"This is the last lifeline we designed for the disadvantaged side!"
Before he finished speaking, the nearly defeated Kyo found an opening and once again unleashed the devastating Orochinagi, successfully turning the tide!
"But that's not all!" Shimizu clenched his fist, eyes locked on the screen. "If—"
"If a player, while in critical health, relies on pure skill to fill the energy gauge one more time—then—!"
Everyone held their breath.
On screen, Kyo danced on a knife's edge. Every block, every counterattack pushed the energy gauge up another notch.
Finally, under the silent gaze of the entire room, the flashing gauge filled completely.
"Now!" Shimizu roared!
The tester's hands became a blur across the joystick and buttons!
Boom—!
A completely different spectacle exploded onto the screen. The entire color palette shifted. Kyo turned a blazing orange-red, erupting with flames several times more intense than before. He gathered all his power into a single punch and unleashed the MAX version of Ura 108 Shiki: Orochinagi!
The ferocious flames and overwhelming force looked as if they might burn straight through the screen.
The opponent's health bar vanished instantly.
"K.O.!"
After a moment of silence, the entire development team erupted into thunderous cheers and applause.
"Whoa! That was insane! That's the MAX super!"
"This presentation—unstoppable!"
Even after the roar of applause faded, Development Team Three remained immersed in overwhelming excitement, every face glowing with pride.
Once the noise subsided, Nakayama Takuya clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back.
"Very good. Extremely good." He began with generous praise. "The presentation of the super moves and the sheer impact of the MAX supers both meet my expectations. You've truly brought out the full power of the System 32 hardware. This system alone is enough to drive fighting game fans worldwide into a frenzy."
Then his tone shifted, his gaze sweeping over the young, exhilarated faces.
"So, what about the characters? Such a grand stage can't be short on performers. How have you planned the roster?"
Hearing this, Shimizu straightened up immediately, picked up a document from a nearby desk, and handed it over.
"Executive Director, we've basically built it according to the framework you initially provided. Teams are organized by country or region. We've already completed the Japan Team, the Korea Team, and the American teams from Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting's Kyokugenryu Karate."
He paused, then added cautiously, "As for the mercenary team you specifically mentioned before—because their character settings and background are somewhat special, we haven't started on them yet."
"Leaving them aside is the right call." Takuya waved his hand without even looking at the document. "I've prepared a little surprise for you. Or rather—a secret."
"A secret?" Shimizu and the surrounding developers were stunned.
"That's right." A playful glint flashed in Takuya's eyes. "I plan to borrow a team from Metal Slug and have them make a guest appearance."
"Metal Slug?!"
The room instantly erupted with excitement. Having the first blockbuster System 32 arcade hit cross over with their game would only add even more fun and appeal.
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