After being "enlightened" by Cloud last time, K was desperate to know what connection he had with Kyo Kusanagi.
And so—one searching for his "best friend," one searching for "himself"—two people who normally had nothing to do with each other surprisingly hit it off and decided to team up!
They believed that whoever was pulling the strings behind this tournament definitely knew Kyo Kusanagi's whereabouts!
"So you came to me hoping to get some answers from me?" Cloud looked at K and asked.
"You are Kyo Kusanagi's brother." K finally spoke, his voice hoarse and low. "Your fire... is stronger than his."
"I want to know... why."
This was his purpose for coming today.
He wanted to find answers from Cloud—this man who made him feel "powerless."
Cloud looked into those eyes—filled with confusion, unwillingness, and searching—and smiled.
"The answer—I can't just tell you directly."
"Because some paths... you have to walk yourself."
...
Just then, another call came in.
Caller ID—"One-Eyed Dragon Commander."
It was Heidern.
"Lord Cloud." Heidern's voice was as steady as always, but carried a hint of request. "Sorry to disturb you—I have a favor to ask."
"Oh? Let's hear it." Cloud was somewhat surprised. This iron-blooded commander rarely used the word "ask."
"It's about... a new recruit on my team." Heidern said. "Her name is Whip."
"Her individual combat ability is very strong—her whip technique in particular is masterful. But her fighting style always makes me feel... uneasy."
"I was hoping you could, as a mentor, help me give her some guidance."
"Whip?"
In Cloud's mind, an image immediately surfaced—that beautiful young woman with dashing short hair, always wearing a military cap, wielding a special long whip, radiating mysterious charm.
He was also very interested in this "big sister" who, in the original story, had countless connections to K.
"Sure." Cloud agreed readily. "I was planning to come see you anyway—let you see the results of Leona's training."
"Thank you so much!" Heidern's voice was full of gratitude.
Hanging up, Cloud smiled at Leona beside him.
"Get changed. We're going to your old home."
...
The Americas. Mexico. Somewhere deep in an uninhabited desert.
Above ground: rolling yellow sand and scorching sunlight. Cacti were the only "native residents" here.
But below the surface lay a massive military base, reeking of steel and gunpowder.
This was one of the secret headquarters of the Ikari Warriors, led by Heidern.
Today, the atmosphere at this base—normally maintained at Level One alert status—was somewhat unusual.
In the base's largest indoor training facility, Heidern—the one-eyed iron-blooded commander—stood with hands behind his back like a statue, completely still. His face wore its eternally serious expression.
Behind him stood three subordinates, also in military uniform.
Ralf—the man wearing only a green military vest and red headband, muscles coiled like a brown bear—for once wasn't chewing gum. His arms crossed over his chest, his eyes full of anticipation and a hint of nervousness.
Clark—the man who always wore a blue military cap and sunglasses that hid his true expression—for once wasn't leaning against the wall playing it "cool." Instead, he stood ramrod straight, as if awaiting inspection from the highest commander.
And standing between them was a dashing female figure that added a splash of color to this training ground reeking of masculinity and sweat.
She was the "secret weapon" Heidern had mentioned—Whip.
She had refreshingly short orange hair that gleamed with healthy luster under the training ground's bright lights.
A refined oval face with clean, sharp lines, not an ounce of excess flesh. Her skin was the wheat color that came from years of wind and sun—completely different from those sheltered young ladies.
What drew the most attention were her eyes.
A pair of eyes as sharp as a hawk's, yet as clear as a lake.
She wore a modified female officer's uniform that accentuated her figure. The top half was a tight-fitting green cropped jacket, the bottom half matching military trousers and boots. Her entire bearing was heroic and valiant, radiating that "anything men can do, women can do too" spirit unique to soldiers.
At her waist hung an ordinary-looking brown long whip.
At this moment, this "Queen of the Whip"—normally so calm and decisive—felt her heart racing like a deer.
Because today, she was about to meet... her idol.
The man who ended Orochi, saved the world, and reigned supreme over KOF for four consecutive years... the legend.
"He's here."
Heidern, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.
The words had barely left his mouth when—
"—Vmmm!"
Violent ripples appeared in the air above the training ground.
Then, a pillar of flame descended from the sky!
Before the utterly shocked eyes of Ralf, Clark, and Whip—
Two figures stepped out.
In the lead was a handsome young man in casual black clothes, a lazy smile on his face.
And half a step behind him was an ice queen beauty in a blue military vest, her bearing lithe and powerful. Her aura was cold and solitary, yet formed a perfect harmony with the man before her.
It was Cloud—and Leona!
This entrance—worthy of a Hollywood special effects blockbuster—instantly stunned the Ikari Warriors trio.
...
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