The Sydney Opera House—this temple normally filled with artistic elegance—had been ignited today by a blazing, wild fighting spirit.
KOF 94 Semifinals, Match One!
[Dragon Nation Team VS Psycho Soldiers Team]
The instant the matchup appeared on the giant screen, the entire venue's atmosphere became incredibly charged.
"Here they come! Dragon Nation Team again!"
"My god, their opponent is Athena this time! Is the organizer a devil? Always arranging these beauty-and-the-beast matchups?"
"Hey now, that's not fair! Last time against the Women Fighters, that Cloud guy was quite the gentleman! I bet he'll go easy on them again!"
"I don't care! I just want to see the scar-faced uncle and panda girl fight! Their battles are more exciting than Hollywood blockbusters!"
The audience buzzed with discussion, while the competitor spectator area painted a different picture.
"That Cloud guy... going up against Athena again." Mai Shiranui's voice carried a sourness she herself hadn't noticed.
"Hmph, another hero-saves-the-beauty routine." Ryo Sakazaki snorted coldly nearby, clearly still bitter about his sister being "stolen" by Cloud.
Terry just laughed. "Looks like our little bro's got quite the romantic luck going."
On stage, both teams had finished preparations.
"Cloud!" Athena wore a fresh white kung fu outfit, looking valiant and spirited. Her beautiful violet eyes shone with delight as she gazed at Cloud.
"This match, I won't hold back. I'll answer your guidance with everything I have!"
During this time, she'd finished recording the song "First Time" that Cloud had given her, planning to use it as the finale for her upcoming tour.
And her feelings toward Cloud had quietly fermented from initial gratitude and curiosity into something more nebulous, more sweet.
So this battle wasn't just a competition for her—it was... proof of a maiden's heart.
"Bring it on." Cloud smiled, then glanced at Chin Gentsai and Sie Kensou behind Athena, his expression growing serious.
"But have you decided your fighting order?"
"Of course!" Before Athena could speak, the boy behind her—Sie Kensou, with his little pigtail and mouth still stuffed with a meat bun—jumped forward.
"First round, I, the genius fighting prodigy Sie Kensou, will take on your ancient blade-swinger!"
He was clearly very interested in Commander Zuo's supernatural abilities.
"Oh?" Cloud raised an eyebrow and looked at Commander Zuo.
Commander Zuo merely glanced at Kensou—a look reserved for an overconfident kitten showing its claws to a tiger.
"Second round!" Chin Gentsai stroked his long beard, smiling warmly. "This old man will have the honor of experiencing the skills of that... hmm... culinarily talented young Miss Feng Baobao."
His gaze fell on Baobao. Those seemingly cloudy old eyes flickered with a depth as profound as distant stars—something few could perceive.
"Then, the final match..." Athena took a deep breath, her burning gaze fixed on Cloud. "Let's settle things between us."
"No problem." Cloud nodded.
This arrangement suited him perfectly.
...
"Round one! Dragon Nation Team, Commander Zuo, versus Psycho Soldiers Team, Sie Kensou!"
The battle began!
"Hey! Ancient man!" Kensou assumed a standard Bajiquan stance, a pale blue "Dragon Spirit" rising from his body. "Let me show you the power of combining psychic abilities with Chinese martial arts!"
"Dragon Jaw Crusher!"
He roared, feet exploding with power as his entire body shot forward like a cannonball toward Commander Zuo!
A visible layer of blue energy wrapped around his fist!
Facing this punch capable of shattering rock, Commander Zuo maintained his expression of ancient stillness.
He didn't even... draw his blade.
The instant Kensou's fist was about to connect, he moved.
HUMMMM—!
An aura far more condensed, far more overwhelming than Kensou's "Dragon Spirit" erupted!
Absolute Domain 8%!
Yes—after Cloud's "education" and watching these recent battles, Commander Zuo, this martial arts prodigy, had self-awakened to the Absolute Domain!
And he'd started at 8% intensity right off the bat.
That pure, battle-born martial will made his domain overflow with unstoppable cutting force!
"Wh-what?!"
Kensou felt like he'd slammed into an invisible wall made of countless blades!
His prized "Dragon Spirit" was forcibly suppressed by that overwhelming dominance!
"Too slow. Too weak."
Commander Zuo's voice echoed like frost from the nine hells.
He extended his right hand, arriving second but striking first, ignoring all of Kensou's defenses to casually grab his wrist.
A subtle force transferred through!
Kensou's world spun as Commander Zuo executed a clean grappling technique, pinning him to the ground, immobilized.
Another... another instant kill?!
The entire venue fell into eerie silence.
Everyone stared slack-jawed.
That seemingly powerful psychic boy had been... subdued just like that? Without even launching a single proper attack?
"Let go! I haven't lost! I can still fight!" Kensou struggled defiantly.
Commander Zuo's brow furrowed slightly—too noisy.
He formed his fingers into a blade and lightly tapped Kensou's sleep pressure point.
"..."
Kensou's eyes rolled back, his head lolled, and he fell asleep on the spot. A glistening trail of drool even escaped his mouth.
Only then did Commander Zuo nod with satisfaction. He picked Kensou up like a chicken and tossed him back to the Psycho Soldiers' rest area.
The entire process was smooth and professional.
In the spectator area, Cloud covered his face.
Lord Zuo, I just asked you to defeat him, not use "physical sedation"!
...
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