Chapter 459: I Am Indeed Your Wild Dad's... Interdimensional Counterpart
The Doll Unit, which had already taken up residence in the research institute, had some members assisting Utan in the Hammond Laboratory, while a small portion had already dispersed throughout Tokyo. They were utilizing their original skills as underground intelligence agents to monitor the surroundings and gather information.
Aside from December Di Capri, who decided to stay in the lab, the other December members, whose deep brainwashing had been lifted, were preparing to return to their normal lives. However, out of gratitude to Cheng Tian, they would also work for him for a period, using their unique skills.
Such as fighting NESTS and preventing the escaped Seth from making a comeback.
The Kagura Corporation was already a key focus for Cheng Tian. Furthermore, the Orochi Team had become completely arrogant, not bothering with any disguise or concealment. Thus, Cheng Tian actually received information even faster than the organizers.
Of course, this guy didn't know that his actions were contributing to the Orochi Team's fulfillment of the Orochi resurrection conditions. He only knew that the trio had clearly given up on the competition and fallen out with the Kagura family.
He could guess with his eyes closed that their purpose in going to the Kagura family was one and only one: the sacred treasure Yata Mirror.
If Kagura Chizuru were still conscious, Cheng Tian was certain that even if the trio tried, it would likely be in vain. But Kagura Chizuru had already been carried away.
By the very person in front of him.
Cheng Tian looked up, his gaze meeting the maid chief's rather complex expression once more.
Rewind time a little.
After completing the match and instantly defeating Kagura, the maid chief, for reasons unknown, had heard something from her young mistress. Immediately after the match, she walked straight up to Cheng Tian and asked a question that instantly made the entire Olylyly Team tense up.
"Young mistress said you might be my wild father's counterpart from another dimension."
"Pfft—"
Cheng Tian's mouth full of cola sprayed everywhere, almost following in the footsteps of Sie Kensou's bun-eating mishap.
"The young mistress does occasionally enjoy making some mischievous jokes. You can just take the 'wild father' comment as a jest... However, sometimes many truths are casually revealed through jokes. So, do you agree with this statement?"
Despite being a bizarre 'father-recognition' scenario, the maid chief appeared quite assertive, and at least outwardly, showed no overly emotional fluctuations... If Cheng Tian hadn't witnessed her shock during the time stop, he might have been fooled.
"Hmm~~~"
He grabbed Mina's little sprite, Chaburu, and, despite its extreme resistance, unceremoniously wiped his mouth on it. As Mina glared angrily, Cheng Tian fell into contemplation.
Because, from a certain perspective, he could indeed assume the identity of the maid chief's wild dad from another world.
The maid chief, Izayoi Sakuya, had her ability design inspired by Dio Brando, the main villain from "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure." More precisely, it was an expanded product of combining Dio Brando with his Stand, The World's, ability system.
Whether it was the deliberate JoJo poses, the fondness for throwing knives, or the classic time stop, all were homages and imitations of Dio Brando.
In MUGEN, which is a culmination of fan creations, many even directly set the two as father and daughter.
However, even if one discounts fan-created derivatives, from a creative standpoint, Dio could indeed be called "Sakuya's father." And Cheng Tian, having loaded Dio's template, inevitably developed a certain connection with the maid chief.
It was just that Cheng Tian himself had never thought of utilizing this peculiar key identity, yet it was directly exposed by that little squatting kid.
Interdimensional counterpart? This description, it must be said, was quite accurate. She truly lived up to her setting as a being capable of perceiving and even influencing destiny.
According to this theory, whenever he loaded a character's template, it was equivalent to becoming that character's interdimensional counterpart.
"According to the theory of interdimensional counterparts, your young mistress is correct, and can even be said to have given a precise definition.
But you don't need to worry too much. We are only similar in terms of power composition; fundamentally, we are still completely unrelated, independent individuals. On the battlefield, do what you have to do, no need for reservations. Let strength speak for itself."
"Is that so..."
The maid chief lowered her head slightly, lost in thought.
At this moment, Cheng Tian received his information. The Doll Unit's report about the attack on the Kagura Corporation came through the phone.
To say he had no interest in the Yata Mirror would be pure self-deception, but Cheng Tian's greater objective now was actually the Orochi Team itself.
The Holy Grail mission's related characters had a condition to defeat the Orochi Team, and this great opportunity could not be missed.
And so, seeing Cheng Tian still within range, he decisively sent his Stand, The World, to join the excitement.
According to the Holy Grail mission's description, he needed to defeat the "awakened" Orochi Team, which corresponds to the 'Orochi mode' in the game: the three individuals who have awakened their respective Orochi powers and gained elemental abilities.
Based on the live stream records so far, the three have not yet revealed any elemental abilities. It's unclear if they are deliberately hiding them or if they haven't fully awakened yet.
But Cheng Tian, who was slowly approaching in the sky, saw a fire whirlwind erupt from the direction of the arena, weaving through the varying heights of the buildings.
This flame, infused with the power of the sun, clearly belonged only to Kyo Kusanagi.
With Kagura Chizuru currently unconscious, the only one capable of helping the Kagura Corporation defend against the Orochi Team, and with enough rapport to do so, was Kyo Kusanagi.
And if Kyo Kusanagi moved, then one other person would inevitably move as well.
Sure enough, not long after the fire whirlwind roared past, purple azure flames followed closely behind.
Iori Yagami's eyes had only Kyo Kusanagi in them. Of course, whether there was any camaraderie with the Kagura family mixed in, only he himself knew.
These two, who were among the most highly anticipated participants in The King of Fighters, moving simultaneously naturally triggered various chain reactions.
For instance, Benimaru Nikaido, the flashy member of the Japan Team, left the arena one step ahead of Goro Daimon and chased after them.
From his understanding of Kyo Kusanagi, there would definitely be a big fight with the Orochi Team. Coincidentally, the Orochi Team was also their opponent in the competition, so they might as well settle it in a street fight.
As for Goro Daimon, a pure power-type fighter, his sturdy geta sandals also left a trail of imprints on the ground, like an oversized truck driving steadily but slightly speeding.
And then there was the NESTS organization, which had always coveted the bloodlines of the Three Sacred Treasures families... However, it must be said that this Instances worldview was a bit crazy from top to bottom. The Orochi Team did indeed attack the Kagura Corporation's headquarters, but upon seeing that the entire Japan Team had mobilized, the organizers immediately opted for a strategic adjustment.
"Based on the special circumstances occurring on site, and after consulting with the fighters, the organizers have decided to adjust the order of the matches."
"The originally scheduled fifth match will be brought forward! The Japan Team and the Orochi Team will have an indiscriminate qualifying match!"
The host paused, then added a sentence.
"Life! And! Death! Don't! Matter!"
After a brief silence, the arena erupted in cheers even more ferocious and bloodthirsty than when Athena had entered!