"Dragon Nation Team VS Women Fighters Team! The match officially begins!"
With the announcer's throat-shredding roar, both teams walked onto the stage amid the crowd's frenzied cheering.
"Round one! Dragon Nation Team, Cloud, versus Women Fighters Team, Yuri Sakazaki!"
When the matchup appeared, the entire arena paused.
"What's going on? The mysterious captain Cloud is going first?"
"Didn't he usually go last? Is he worried his two monster teammates might accidentally destroy the beauties too badly?"
"Possible! This guy seems pretty 'chivalrous' after all!"
On stage, Mai Shiranui, Yuri Sakazaki, and King all wore serious expressions.
Cloud's decision to go first struck them as both arrogant and a form of... respect.
"Cloud, don't you dare underestimate us women!" Mai assumed her stance, eyes sharp.
"We're going all out!" Yuri's expression turned serious too.
King adjusted her necktie and said coldly: "You'll pay for your arrogance."
"Is that so?" Cloud smiled and beckoned them with a finger. "Then come at me. But fair warning—I'm pretty strong."
[Ding! Special Battle Quest Triggered: Knight in Shining Armor!]
[Objective: Defeat the Women Fighters Team in a 1v3 battle while ensuring they don't suffer any "wardrobe malfunctions."]
[Rewards: 30,000 Source Points, Skills "Shiranui-Style: Crimson Crane Dance (Mastery)""Kyokugenryu: Flying Swallow Kicks (Mastery)", King's contact information x1.]
[Failure Penalty: Face Ryo Sakazaki's "wrath" and be given the cold shoulder by Mai Shiranui and Yuri Sakazaki for one month.]
Looking at the system's "self-preservation instinct" quest, Cloud's lips curved into a confident smile.
In the spectator area, Ryo Sakazaki's expression softened slightly upon seeing this matchup.
At least it wasn't that murderous Imperial Guard commander or that terrifyingly unpredictable girl.
On stage, Yuri Sakazaki faced Cloud, her cute face filled with nervousness and confliction.
"Cloud... you better not hold back!" She psyched herself up, assuming her Kyokugenryu stance. "I've... I've improved a lot recently too!"
"Don't worry," Cloud looked at the vibrant young woman before him and smiled warmly, "I won't hold back. In fact... I'm going all out!"
DING!
The starting bell rang!
"Flying Swallow Hurricane Kick!"
Yuri shouted and launched her attack first!
Her petite figure shot forward like an arrow, charging at Cloud with unstoppable momentum!
Facing this fierce assault, Cloud merely smiled.
"Yuri, careful now!"
Before Cloud finished speaking, his figure vanished from the spot!
Absolute Domain 5%!
Yuri felt the air around her suddenly thicken, her movements slowing by half a beat!
The next instant, Cloud's figure appeared before her!
"So fast!" Yuri's heart lurched. She frantically executed her Flying Swallow Hurricane Kick!
But Cloud caught her leg with one hand, casually, like plucking a leaf.
"Yuri, your opening is too obvious." Cloud's voice was like a stern teacher's. "Power should originate from the waist, not the thigh!"
With a flick of his wrist, a subtle force threw off Yuri's balance. She yelped as she tumbled toward the ground.
The instant she was about to faceplant—and face "clothing destruction"—
Cloud appeared beneath her like a ghost, extending his arms to catch her in a perfect princess carry.
Warm masculine scent enveloped her completely.
Yuri lay in Cloud's arms, staring at his face just inches away—wearing that slightly teasing smile—and her brain went blank. Her pretty face flushed crimson.
With lightning speed, Cloud stripped off his black jacket and, like a magic trick, draped it over her the instant she fell, wrapping her petite body completely.
Riiip—
A soft tearing sound, muffled by the jacket, came from within.
The full, creamy—
Cloud held her with a sanctimonious expression while his eyes, from an angle only he could see, stole a quick peek.
"Round one, I win," Cloud whispered in her ear.
"I... I..." Yuri stammered, unable to form words.
"Yuri Sakazaki has lost the will to fight! Cloud wins!"
Yuri Sakazaki, KO.
Round two: Mai Shiranui took the stage.
Her eyes blazed with fighting spirit and... something more complicated.
"Cloud, you bastard... you've gotten stronger again."
"No, you've gotten weaker, Mai." Cloud shook his head with a smile. "Your heart is in chaos."
"Shut up! Take this! Butterfly Fan!"
Mai didn't hesitate, immediately launching a barrage of fan shadows!
But under Cloud's [Mind's Eye], everything was crystal clear, like lines on his palm.
He knew Mai too well.
Every habit, every opening—they'd all been thoroughly explored during their countless "deep exchanges."
Cloud's figure wove through the storm of fans like a leisurely stroll. Like an experienced dancer, he evaded every attack with optimal grace and minimal effort.
"Your Dragon Flame Dance—the fire isn't concentrated enough."
"Your Crimson Hornet—the dash trajectory is too straight."
"And your..."
Cloud dodged effortlessly while pointing out every flaw in Mai's technique like a strict instructor.
Mai grew more shocked, more frustrated with every exchange.
She felt like a girl stripped bare, all her secrets laid naked before Cloud!
Finally, the moment an opening appeared, Cloud closed in again.
This time, he didn't use a knife-hand strike. Instead... he extended his index finger and gently pressed it against Mai Shiranui's smooth, full forehead.
"You lose."
Mai's entire body froze, all her offensive momentum evaporating. She stared blankly at that handsome face inches away, that slightly wicked smile, and felt her heart skip a beat.
Then she watched as Cloud, once again with superhuman speed, pulled off his black T-shirt and wrapped it around her explosive figure.
...
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