After Cloud secured victory against the Women Fighters Team in what could only be described as "rogue tactics," the entire atmosphere of KOF 94 reached a bizarre climax.
On one hand, countless "wolves" lamented not getting to see the "fan service" they'd hoped for, flooding forums with petitions demanding Cloud be banned.
On the other hand, Cloud's "knight in shining armor" antics earned him a massive wave of female fans. Someone even gave him the embarrassing nickname "South Town's Most Devoted Man."
But all this noise was instantly drowned out when the next matchup was announced.
[Quarterfinals, Group D]
[Japan Team VS Art of Fighting Team]
The instant this appeared on the giant screen, the entire Colosseum seemed to hit the mute button.
After a brief silence came an eruption—volcanic, a hundred times more fervent than any previous match!
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! Am I dreaming?!"
"Japan Team versus Art of Fighting! Kyo Kusanagi versus Ryo Sakazaki! Who the hell believes this isn't the finals?!"
"Organizer R, you really know how to mess with people's hearts! You're gonna give us heart attacks!"
"Kyo! You must win! Master Ryo! Fight on! AAAHHH! Who do I support?! Both are equally precious!"
In the competitor spectator area, the atmosphere turned deadly serious.
Every fighter, friend or foe, held their breath, eyes locked on the two teams about to take the stage.
Because they knew what was coming would be the most elite, most pure, most representative of this era's highest level of martial arts—a clash of titans!
"It's finally... starting?" Terry's usual carefree attitude was gone, replaced by unprecedented gravity and fighting spirit.
Mai Shiranui and Andy also wore serious expressions.
As people deeply connected to both teams, they understood better than anyone what this battle meant.
Cloud slowly exhaled, his gaze becoming intensely focused.
He knew the pride that had been quietly swelling from his rapid power growth was about to... receive a profound baptism.
"Round one! Japan Team, Goro Daimon, versus Art of Fighting Team, Takuma Sakazaki!"
Two master-class figures representing "power" and "mastery" took the stage first.
One, the silent god of judo, steady as a mountain.
One, the founder of Kyokugenryu karate, the former "Mr. Karate."
No words were exchanged between them.
The instant the match began, Takuma's seemingly aged body erupted with a terrifying aura like a tiger descending from the mountains!
"Kyokugenryu Ultimate: Ryuko Ranbu!"
He became an orange blur, unleashing a flowing, devastatingly powerful combination attack at Goro Daimon!
"Tenchi Gaeshi!" Goro Daimon's figure lunged like a "giant bear" at Takuma.
"Hyakuretsu Ken!" Takuma remained calm, his expression steady, as his palms fired out hundreds of knife-hand strikes like a machine gun, forming an impenetrable defensive net!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Every collision made the stage tremble.
Goro Daimon's raw power against Takuma Sakazaki's technique—this battle of strength versus skill was displayed to perfection.
"Osoto Gari!"
"Kuuzankyu!"
It was like a performance between two hardened warriors—no flashiness, just the purest contest of power and speed.
The audience watched in stunned silence.
"This... this is what real men look like!"
"That power... it's terrifying!"
"Look at the details! Takuma's muscles seem to have swelled even more!"
BOOM—!
In the end, Takuma Sakazaki, founder of Kyokugenryu, claimed victory.
Goro Daimon's face showed a bitter yet accepting smile.
...
"Round two! Japan Team, Benimaru Nikaido, versus Art of Fighting Team, Robert Garcia!"
This battle was showoff versus showoff!
Lightning versus the Flying Swallow!
"Oh, my pretty boy~" Benimaru flamboyantly flicked his golden locks. "Nice suit. Too bad my lightning's about to turn it into pretty little rags."
"Hmph, smooth talker." Robert adjusted his necktie, wearing a confident smile. "My kicks will introduce that pretty face of yours to the floor."
Their mouths fired off trash talk, but their eyes were deadly serious.
The match began!
Two figures transformed into golden and blue lightning bolts, colliding on the stage in an instant!
Fast! Too fast!
Over 90% of the audience could only see two blurry shadows frantically crossing and clashing on stage!
"Raijin Ken!"
"Ryuga!"
"Shinkuu Katategoma!"
"Hien Shippu Kyaku!"
Golden lightning and blue energy flames continuously exploded and annihilated each other in midair!
The two fought from ground to air and back again, pushing speed and technique to their absolute limits!
"Kyokugenryu Ultimate: Muei Shippu Jinrai Kyaku!"
"Ultimate: Raikou Ken!"
When the smoke cleared, Benimaru stood battered but proud in the center of the ring!
Japan Team evened the score!
One to one!
All the pressure, all the attention, converged on the final two fighters about to take the stage!
...
"Round three! Japan Team, Kyo Kusanagi, versus Art of Fighting Team, Ryo Sakazaki!"
King versus king!
Champion versus champion!
...
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