His fighting style was completely different from Kyo Kusanagi's "Sovereign's Way"!
If Kyo was like a general on the battlefield—bold, sweeping, charging forward relentlessly—
Then Iori Yagami was an assassin in the darkness—every move lethal, vicious and merciless!
Facing this storm-like assault, Cloud actually found himself being pushed into a disadvantage!
"Damn it! This guy's combat instincts... he's practically a wild beast!"
Cloud's heart jolted! He discovered that even his [Mind's Eye] could barely keep up with those instinctive, completely illogical frenzied attacks!
"Die! Die! Die!"
The bloodlight in Iori's eyes intensified!
"Forbidden Style 1211: Ya Otome!"
He unleashed a bestial roar! His entire body transformed into a purple phantom, charging at Cloud with claws capable of rending everything!
In that instant, Cloud felt as if he'd been locked onto by a primordial beast from the ancient wilderness!
The shadow of death enveloped his entire body like never before!
"Madman!"
Cloud roared back, his own ferocity fully awakened!
"You really think... I'm afraid of you?!"
He held nothing back!
"Battle God Domain Final Ultimate..."
"—Divine Myriad Gods Orochinagi!!"
The golden slash suddenly carried traces of purple-gold light filled with both "divinity" and "destruction"!
This was the fusion of sun and moon!
This was the interweaving of Kusanagi and Yagami!
This was Cloud's strongest strike, betting everything!
BOOM—!!!!!!!!!
The purple Ya Otome phantom collided with the purple-gold Orochinagi slash beneath Tokyo's night sky!
In that instant, the light and heat that erupted made even the cold bright moon in the sky pale by comparison!
...
When the dust settled.
The entire commercial street had been completely leveled.
Cloud knelt on one knee, his body covered in blood, breathing heavily.
Deep claw marks visible to the bone scored his chest, purple flames still burning on them with a sizzle.
Across from him, Iori Yagami was in even worse condition.
One arm hung at an unnatural angle, his flashy black outfit burned to rags, exposing a body similarly covered in wounds.
Iori stared at Cloud, whose eyes remained frighteningly bright. For the first time, those blood-red eyes showed an expression of disbelief.
He, Iori Yagami... had actually lost?
Though only by half a move.
But losing was losing.
"You..."
Iori looked at Cloud, forcing out a single word with difficulty.
"Strong."
This was the first time Iori Yagami had sincerely acknowledged someone from the Kusanagi family.
With that, he stayed no longer.
This solitary, arrogant "Child of the Moon" dragged his severely wounded body, staggering as he turned and melted into the endless darkness.
Leaving behind only a single ice-cold phrase filled with the weight of destiny, echoing slowly in the night wind.
"On the KOF stage..."
"I will... personally, kill you."
Cloud watched his retreating figure, slowly straightening his body.
He knew he'd gained yet another... mortal enemy who wouldn't rest until one of them died.
...
Tokyo's outskirts, an ancient temple filled with tranquil Zen atmosphere.
This was the Psycho Soldiers team's temporary base, and also an old friend's residence of Chin Gentsai.
After that "earth-shattering" passionate clash with Iori Yagami, our protagonist Cloud had completely fallen into an anxiety over "insufficient power."
He clearly recognized just how terrifying a "ticking time bomb" that sealed [Orochi Power] within him truly was.
Before, he'd thought that as long as he leveled up step by step, fought monsters, and charmed girls, he'd eventually become this world's "Gary Stu."
But now, he knew.
In this KOF world filled with "immortals" and "cheaters," relying solely on "muscle" was far from enough.
You had to... have brains! Oh wait, no—you had to have... psychic power!
And so, after politely declining Kyo Kusanagi's enthusiastic invitation of "Bro, come to the back mountain of Kusanagi Castle, I'll take you to soak in lava hot springs, guaranteed to boost your power," Cloud very "cunningly" locked onto his next "training sanctuary"—Athena Asamiya herself.
Come on, with such a convenient "psychic power charger" available, why would he go bathe with a bunch of dudes?
He, Cloud, was not the kind of steel-hearted straight man who'd make the stupid mistake of "picking up sesame seeds while losing watermelons."
...
Behind the temple, in a verdant bamboo forest.
Cloud and Athena sat facing each other, cross-legged atop a smooth bluestone.
Their palms pressed together, eyes closed, entering a mysterious state of "mental connection."
"Calm your mind, Cloud."
Athena's gentle yet ethereal voice rang directly in his mind like a mountain spring.
"Empty your consciousness, imagine yourself becoming a feather, floating in the boundless universe..."
"Feel the flow of power within you... don't resist it, try to... understand it, guide it..."
It must be said, Athena was truly professional when it came to "psychic power instruction."
Under her guidance, Cloud began attempting to actively "contact" that [Orochi Power] within him that he'd always regarded as a "terrible danger."
However...
Ideals are full.
Reality is harsh.
The moment his consciousness barely touched that purple-gold seal set by the system...
An ice-cold, violent will filled with destruction and nihilistic energy instantly flooded backwards into his mind like a bursting dam!
"ROAAAR—!!"
Countless negative emotions—slaughter, jealousy, hatred, despair... like a tidal wave, madly assaulted his mental defenses!
A massive, ominous phantom composed of countless twisted serpents even appeared in his mind!
"Holy shit!"
Cloud jolted in terror, nearly experiencing "qi deviation" and mental collapse on the spot!
...
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