With the conclusion of Group B's match, the final winners of Groups A and B had both been decided.
They were:
Aaron from Group A.
And the Mystery Contestant from Group B.
The clash between Infernape and the Muscle Mosquito was about to begin.
…
A thunderous rumble echoed through the massive battlefield inside the Fighting Arena.
A tall protective fence rose around the field, made entirely of sturdy alloy. Its durability was impressive.
All the lights in the Fighting Arena came on, illuminating the entire battlefield in brilliant light.
Countless spectators in the stands held their breath nervously, their eyes fixed on the field.
Because the next battle would be the most exciting match of the entire Fighting Tournament.
The championship match.
The final battle that would decide the true King of Fighters.
Who would be crowned this year's King of Fighters?
Everything would come down to this final match.
…
"Ladies and gentlemen… good evening, everyone!"
"I'm your beloved host, Kenny!"
At the host's podium, Kenny held the microphone and shouted to the crowd.
"After countless battles, our Fighting Tournament has finally reached its grand final!"
"The ultimate showdown of the tournament!"
"Who will claim the champion title this year?"
"It all comes down to this match!"
"Now, let's welcome our two finalists with the loudest applause you can give!"
Kenny was completely fired up, his voice surging with excitement.
"First up… our young genius, the calm and composed contestant Aaron, trainer of the mighty and handsome Infernape!"
"Let's give him a round of applause and welcome Contestant Aaron to the battlefield!"
The moment Kenny finished speaking, deafening applause erupted throughout the Fighting Arena like a roaring storm.
It went on for a long time, as if everyone in the stands was ready to clap until their hands went numb.
"Aaron, Mommy loves you!"
"Aaron, let's go! You're the best!"
"Aaron is invincible! Go, Infernape! Unstoppable Iron Fist, charge!"
"Aaron, keep it up! You have to win the championship!"
"Go, go, go! Aaron! Aaron!"
…
Amid the fans' passionate cheers, the spotlights suddenly flared to life, shining down on Exit A of the battlefield.
Crisp footsteps slowly rang out.
A young, handsome boy in a black trench coat walked out from the darkness.
Countless spotlights fell upon him.
At that moment, he became the focus of the entire venue.
The coolest guy in the arena.
That's right.
This show-off… cough, this stunningly handsome young man was none other than Aaron.
With a faint smile on his face, Aaron walked onto the battlefield and waved to his enthusiastic fans.
Some of the female fans were so excited they could barely breathe. Their faces flushed red as they shouted at him.
"Aaaah! Aaron waved at me!"
"I'm so happy… I think I'm going to die!"
"Pfft. Aaron was clearly waving at me. See? He really does like me!"
"All of you, back off! Aaron is mine!"
"Hmph. A bunch of brainless women. There's something wrong with your IQs. Aaron belongs to us men! Aaron, let's go! We love you!"
…
Aaron looked at the fanatical crowd in the stands, and a bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead.
The female fans were one thing, but did the male fans have to be that intense too?
That was really unnecessary, right?
I'm straight, okay? I don't know what you guys are expecting from me.
"Next… let us welcome our other finalist!"
"He commands a powerful unknown Pokémon, fights with a pair of unstoppable iron fists, and hides his face behind a mystery no one has been able to solve…"
"The Mystery Contestant!"
"Let's welcome him once again with your loudest applause and cheers!"
At the host's podium, Kenny quickly announced the name of the other finalist.
The spotlights suddenly lit up again, shining down on Exit B.
Heavy footsteps slowly sounded.
A figure dressed in a black hooded outfit emerged from the darkness.
A tall, straight posture.
An aloof presence.
A hidden identity.
A powerful unknown Pokémon.
Those were the labels everyone had given him.
More than that, most people already saw him as the favorite to win this year's Fighting Tournament.
The Mystery Contestant.
As the hooded trainer stepped onto the battlefield, another intense wave of excitement surged through the stands.
This time, the cheers were even louder than when Aaron had appeared.
"Mystery Contestant, I love you! After you win the championship, can you take off your hood and show us your real face?"
"Hooded hottie, let's go! You're invincible! The championship has to be yours!"
"Muscle Mosquito is an absolute legend! Smash that brat across from you who hasn't even finished growing yet!"
"Invincible hooded hottie, beat Aaron down right here! Hahaha!"
"Now this is going to be good… I've had enough of that annoyingly handsome face. How dare he be better-looking than me? He should be arrested for that."
"Holy crap… Bro, that's ruthless. You're so ugly that if every man better-looking than you got arrested, the whole planet would be in prison."
"What kind of logic is that? Where's my lawyer?"
"Stop arguing… You're ruining my view of the hooded hottie."
…
The Mystery Contestant's overwhelming strength had indeed won him plenty of fans.
After all, this was the Fighting Tournament, a stage where strength was worshipped.
Whoever was strongest stood at the top.
And only the one at the top would receive the crowd's admiration.