Countless otaku shed tears of envious jealousy in front of their screens.
Countless young women cursed "playboy" while simultaneously setting "Team Cloud's" poster as their phone wallpaper.
After all, who could resist a team composed of one devastatingly handsome "Final Boss" and three goddesses/witches, each beautiful in her own way?
This was simply... the ceiling of looks AND power!
...
As the eye of this media storm, Cloud himself was currently lounging in the top-floor suite of South Town's "Big Shot" bar, browsing through intel on the other participating teams—jointly compiled and delivered by Mr. Big and Ryuji Yamazaki.
"Hmm... this year's roster is pretty interesting."
He stroked his chin, looking at the data on his tablet with considerable interest.
...
[Art of Fighting Team]
Members: Ryo Sakazaki, Robert Garcia, Yuri Sakazaki
Striker: Takuma Sakazaki
"Oh ho?" Cloud couldn't help but laugh when he saw this roster. "The old man is personally taking the field? Looks like last year's battles really lit a fire under the founder of Kyokugenryu."
He could imagine that Takuma Sakazaki—the dojo master who usually liked wearing a Tengu mask and acting mysterious—probably couldn't sit still anymore. He was going to use the "Striker" position to give his son and future son-in-law a proper "lesson."
And incidentally, demonstrate to the world that "your old man will always be your old man."
...
[Women Fighters Team]
Members: Mai Shiranui, Li Xiangfei, Blue Mary
Striker: Kasumi Todoh
"Hmm? Kasumi joined the Women's Team as Striker?" Cloud smiled slightly.
Kasumi Todoh's strength was decent, but her mental fortitude wasn't mature enough yet. Directly joining the main roster would be too much pressure.
Letting her be a Striker meant she could experience the tournament atmosphere while learning from experienced seniors like Mai Shiranui and Blue Mary.
And...
Cloud glanced at the team roster again.
Mai Shiranui was a member of his "harem." Blue Mary, because of Terry, was practically one of their people too. Li Xiangfei was a lively, adorable Chinese girl.
Placing Kasumi here was like sending a little lamb into a spider's web.
No—into a team of "his people." Safe, and convenient for "relationship cultivation."
I really am a clever little devil. Cloud mentally gave himself a thumbs up.
As for Chizuru Kagura, after completing her thousand-year mission of sealing Orochi, she had freed herself from her identity as "Guardian Shrine Maiden."
Now she was supporting Cloud from behind the scenes as "Kagura Corporation Chairman" and "Cloud's Girlfriend."
In her own words: "The fighting and killing stuff is your job. The making money and supporting the family stuff is mine."
This was probably what divine love looked like.
...
[Psycho Soldiers Team]
Members: Athena Asamiya, Sie Kensou, Bao
Striker: Chin Gentsai
"Bao?" Cloud was somewhat curious when he saw this new name.
According to the intel, this was a Chinese boy who looked only seven or eight years old, with a sky-high ponytail and an innocent, carefree demeanor—Chin Gentsai's newly-accepted final disciple. Supposedly, his body contained an enormous but uncontrollable psychic power.
"The old man is... training disciples again." Cloud commented.
He could fully imagine that this hidden master would probably be lounging in the Striker seat, snoring away, dreaming about fine wine. As for actually fighting—that was the young people's business.
...
Just as Cloud was reviewing the intel on these "old friends," a special team roster caught his attention.
[Revenge Team]
Members: K, Maxima, Benimaru Nikaido
Striker: Shingo Yabuki
"This... what kind of bizarre combination is this?!"
Cloud rubbed his eyes when he saw this roster, thinking he'd misread it.
K—NESTS defector, a tsundere covered head-to-toe in "keep away from me" vibes.
Maxima—the rational cyborg, K's "dedicated babysitter."
Benimaru Nikaido—the narcissistic mixed-race noble, Kyo Kusanagi's "iron bro."
Shingo Yabuki—Kyo Kusanagi's disciple.
Mr. Big's respectful voice came from outside the door: "Mr. Cloud, you have two visitors asking for you by name. One is called K. The other is called Benimaru Nikaido."
Speak of the devil.
...
In the living room of the presidential suite.
The atmosphere was... somewhat peculiar.
K maintained his signature "everyone owes me eight million" deadpan expression, hands in pockets, leaning in a corner, vigilantly scanning his surroundings from the corner of his eye.
Benimaru Nikaido, on the other hand, appeared far more "at ease."
He was holding a small mirror, elegantly adjusting his signature "broom head" hairstyle, as if this wasn't someone else's room but his own backyard.
Behind them, Maxima and Shingo Yabuki stood like two dutiful "attendants"—one analyzing the room's security systems with the scanner in his eyes, the other frantically scribbling something in a little notebook.
"Mr. Cloud!" The moment he saw Cloud enter, Shingo rushed over like a fan meeting his idol, bowing ninety degrees. "Hello! I... could I please get a photo with you?!"
"Shingo! Don't be rude!" Benimaru scolded, then put away his mirror and gave Cloud an elegant smile. "Long time no see, Cloud. It seems your life is still... quite colorful."
His gaze meaningfully swept over the adorable, feminine-style throw pillows in the room.
"It's alright." Cloud shrugged, then turned his attention to K in the corner. "But this combination of yours... has really opened my eyes."
K gave a cold snort and looked away, saying nothing.
Benimaru once again served as "spokesperson."
"We couldn't help it—we all have... a common goal." He sighed and put away his playful expression. "We're all looking for Kyo."
"And he's searching for... answers about his own flames."
Benimaru explained that after the tournament roster was announced, he had sought out K. Because in K's data, he'd seen those "crimson flames" identical to Kyo Kusanagi's.
...
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