"..." Cloud looked at this quest, his mouth twitching.
"System, I seriously suspect you've been taking classes on Bilibili lately. What's with this heavy 'clickbait channel' flavor?"
[System: To better serve the Host, this System has upgraded to Down-to-Earth Version 2.5, designed to provide an enhanced interactive experience for your transmigration journey.]
"Whatever." Cloud couldn't be bothered to argue. Rewards were what mattered.
He closed the System interface and gazed out the window. The day of battle was approaching.
Meanwhile, Mount Fuji—Japan's sacred peak—had become the focus of the entire world.
At the mountain's base, news media from over a hundred countries packed the area.
Long-range cameras, drones, satellite broadcast trucks—everything was jammed in so tight you'd think it was a G20 summit.
"Good morning, viewers! This is CNN's special coverage of the Battle at Mt. Fuji's Summit! I'm your host Tom, and we're currently positioned less than five kilometers from the battlefield! As you can see, the atmosphere here has reached peak tension!" A blonde, blue-eyed reporter was broadcasting with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Hey, BBC friends! Breaking news! Through insider channels, we've obtained both contestants' pre-battle physical reports! Data shows His Majesty's chakra levels have surged 100% in one week! Meanwhile, King of Fighters Cloud's swagger index remains steadily at the unfathomable SS-level!" Another British reporter in a bowler hat mysteriously dropped the scoop.
In Chinese livestream chats, the comments were flying:
"Here we go! Got my folding chair ready! Front-row selling sunflower seeds, peanuts, and mineral water!"
"Bros, just got back from the betting site. Put 20 yuan on the Cloud boss. Win and it's massage parlor models, lose and it's back to the fields!"
"Wake up, bro. That 20 yuan wins you a pig's trotter rice at best."
"Isn't what the Emperor's doing basically the Star-Absorbing Technique? Feels like a wuxia novel villain."
"King of Fighters Cloud YYDS! Destroy him! Show him what the iron fist of socialism looks like!"
This duel had transcended national borders, transcended martial arts, evolving into a global "eating melon" spectacle.
The day of battle, early morning.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds, gilding the snow-white peak of Mount Fuji with a sacred golden glow, two figures appeared almost simultaneously at the edge of the volcanic crater.
On one side stood the Japanese Emperor in black dragon-patterned hunting attire and crown beads, radiating the dominance of one who ruled all under heaven.
After a week of "power-ups," his aura was several times stronger than before.
His eyes gleamed with the mad light of extreme hunger for power.
He was no longer a "person"—but a monster completely consumed by power and ambition.
On the other side stood Cloud in casual sportswear and limited-edition sneakers, a lollipop dangling from his mouth.
He looked like a neighborhood guy who'd come to Mount Fuji for morning exercise, completely out of place with the solemn, heavy atmosphere.
He even had the leisure to throw a "V" sign at the reporters below capturing him with their super-telephoto lenses.
The stark contrast made this century's showdown dramatic from the very start.
"Cloud." The Emperor spoke slowly, his voice deep and commanding, carrying the tone of an unquestionable judge. "Do you know your crimes?"
Cloud removed the lollipop from his mouth, picked at his ear, looking thoroughly irreverent. "My crimes? Sure, I know. My only crime is being too handsome, too strong, so excellent that relics of the old era like you feel jealous and afraid."
"Insolence!" The Emperor's roar sent a terrifying wave of pressure exploding outward, blasting away the surrounding snow. "I am the mandate of heaven, lord of all people! You, a mere commoner, dare criticize your sovereign?!"
"Yeah, yeah, cut the nonsense." Cloud waved impatiently. "We're not here today for cosplay. You want to fight, then fight. Don't yap. I've still got a new anime to catch when I get back."
These words completely ignited the Emperor's fury.
"Good! Very good!" He laughed in rage. "Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"
The instant those words fell, the power he had devoured from dozens of reclusive masters—chaotic and violent—erupted without reservation!
All of Mount Fuji trembled!
A battle wagering the nation's future—the ultimate clash between old and new eras—under the eyes of the entire world, officially began!
Mount Fuji, this volcano dormant for centuries, was about to experience its most "lively" day in history.
And at a safe distance in a temporarily designated "VIP Spectator Zone," the gathering was nothing short of a KOF "All-Star Weekend."
The Kusanagi family's Kyo Kusanagi, Saisyu Kusanagi, Aoi Kusanagi, and others had all come to cheer Cloud on.
Kyokugenryu's Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia were there like two martial arts fanatics, eyes gleaming, ready to "take notes" on-site.
The Fatal Fury Team's Terry and Andy brothers maintained their unique style—one casually tossing his hat, the other adjusting his flowing ninja attire, as if they'd come for a picnic.
The Kagura sisters stood together, their beautiful eyes filled with worry, hands clasped, silently praying for Cloud.
Even the elusive Chin Gentsai had set down his beloved wine gourd, his gaze clearer than ever before.
This group represented the highest level of the current fighting world (excluding the two outliers, Cloud and the Emperor).
They had gathered here today with one purpose—to personally witness this battle destined for the history books, the strongest showdown within the bounds of "humanity"!
...
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