IW: Chapter 197 - Yuri Sakazaki: Kill those two dogs, Bai Ye and Mai Shiranui!
"Yeah, give us some special privileges!"
Bai Ye looked at Kagura Chizuru. Wasn't changing the name just a word from the organizer?
Not even a little privilege?
"Why don't we just change the name to the Privilege Team and promote you directly to the finals?"
Kagura Chizuru complained, needing privileges for this too.
Don't you know why I'm not giving you privileges?
"That wouldn't be very good, would it?"
Bai Ye scratched the back of his head. If only Kagura Chizuru was there, he would have agreed, but there were many other people here. If he asked for it directly and openly, he felt he still needed to save face.
"You know it's not good?"
Kagura Chizuru thought Bai Ye would be like last time and just agree. So he still had some shame?
"What privileges?"
Mai Shiranui asked curiously.
"Didn't you know that Chizuru is the organizer this time?"
Qiong explained.
That's not right.
Aren't you two good friends?
You don't even know that Kagura Chizuru is hosting this KOF?
"Ah?!"
Mai Shiranui finally understood why Kagura Chizuru had hesitated when invited earlier.
It turned out it was because she was the organizer this time.
But why did she agree later?
Could it be that she really had a new appreciation for her boyfriend?
Mai Shiranui shook her head, pushing that thought down. She felt like she was overthinking things right now.
"It's like this: I thought it would be inconvenient for me to participate as the organizer, but since you mentioned it, I still made up the numbers. However, special privileges are definitely not allowed!"
Kagura Chizuru directly admitted to the matter.
But Mai Shiranui's attitude still hurt her a little. It turned out Mai Shiranui didn't know about this at all.
"Hehe, Chizuru, I know! I just thought you didn't need to host the KOF, so I didn't think of it!"
Mai Shiranui stuck out her tongue, explaining apologetically. She hadn't thought of that point.
Because in her opinion, Kagura Chizuru had no need to host it.
Does she like fighting?
Not necessarily.
At least Mai Shiranui, when interacting with Kagura Chizuru, noticed that compared to her other two hobbies, Kagura Chizuru's training time might even be less than her own.
So she wouldn't have any reason to host the KOF, and Mai Shiranui was only responsible for participating. As for other matters, she wasn't very concerned.
The winning team of the KOF could receive a generous prize, but she wasn't very interested in money either.
"Forget it, it's not important anyway."
Kagura Chizuru didn't say much more. It wasn't an important matter, and it was normal for Mai Shiranui not to know.
Looking at the arena, basically all the invited fighters this time had arrived. She also saw Iori Yagami and Kyo Kusanagi.
Following Kagura Chizuru's gaze, Bai Ye also observed the teams present one by one.
Kyo Kusanagi's team, Iori Yagami's team, Fatal Fury team, Art of Fighting team, New Ikari Warriors team, Psycho Soldier team, New Women Fighters team, Kim's team, and Howard's team.
Adding their New Fighters team, there were exactly ten participating fighter teams this time, totaling thirty people.
While they were observing other fighters, everyone else present was also observing each other.
As the host finished introducing the rules of this KOF, everyone understood that this KOF was different from previous ones.
The rules of the previous two tournaments were overturned in this one, and everyone had been speculating about what the three arenas in front of them were for. Now it seemed they were for the upcoming rules.
And around them, as spectators continuously entered, the entire arena was already filled with the audience.
"Should we stick together or split up, one person per arena?"
This was a thought that arose in all teams currently.
The first team to decide was Iori Yagami's team. Iori Yagami directly suggested that he wanted to be on the ring alone. He didn't need teammates, and this competition was very friendly to him!
He stood on Arena No. 1. Mature and Vice, his teammates, exchanged glances, feeling a bit helpless, and then started looking at Arena No. 2 and No. 3.
"I want to fight that guy!"
Jotaro directly chose his opponent, who was Iori Yagami in Arena No. 1.
"Okay, then I'll go to Arena No. 2."
Bai Ye nodded, then chose Arena No. 2.
"Are you deciding to have one person per arena?"
Mai Shiranui and the others were still thinking about how to allocate, but Bai Ye and his team had already made their decision?
"Then I'll go to No. 2 too!"
Thinking about it, if one or two people grouped together, it didn't seem to have much meaning.
Besides, she had already thought about it before: if she could meet Bai Ye, she would definitely have a match with him. Now that she could choose the arena, of course she would choose to be with Bai Ye.
"Hey, Kyo, someone's already on it! Do you want to go to No. 1?"
Benimaru Nikaido pointed to Iori Yagami in Arena No. 1. This was Kyo Kusanagi's old rival.
"No, I'm going to No. 3."
Since No. 1 and No. 2 were already occupied, he would go to No. 3, accepting challenges from everyone as a defender.
Moreover, choosing Iori Yagami at this moment was clearly not ideal. The opponent went up so decisively, indicating confidence in reaching the end. Kyo Kusanagi also had confidence, so he wanted to fight Iori Yagami in the final battle!
People continuously began to choose their respective arenas.
Jotaro went to No. 1, and No. 3 was Kagura Chizuru.
On Arena No. 2 were Bai Ye, Mai Shiranui, Benimaru Nikaido, Mature, Andy, Yuri Sakazaki, Leona, Athena Asamiya, Kim Kaphwan, and Geese Howard.
In the arena, Mature and Leona made Bai Ye look at them a couple more times. One was a member of the Hakkesshu, and the other, like Iori Yagami, would go berserk after sensing the Orochi's aura.
And his gaze naturally didn't escape Mai Shiranui, who had been observing him.
When she saw Bai Ye's eyes lingering on the other two women, Mai Shiranui's heart was incredibly conflicted!?
What did he mean by this?
"Mai, we're opponents this time!"
Yuri Sakazaki walked up and greeted Mai Shiranui. She had seen Mai Shiranui from afar earlier, but she also noticed Mai Shiranui seemed to be chatting with others, so she didn't go over to disturb her.
Now that there was a good opportunity on stage, she came over to chat with Mai Shiranui before it started.
"Let me give Bai Ye a good beating first!"
Mai Shiranui was in no mood to deal with Yuri Sakazaki. She was determined to let Bai Ye know her strength today!
"Did your boyfriend upset you?"
Yuri Sakazaki leaned in and whispered gossipy into Mai Shiranui's ear.
Hadn't their relationship always been good?
Although everything Yuri Sakazaki knew was from Mai Shiranui's own words.
"Yuri, I'll tell you about this later!"
Clearly, Mai Shiranui didn't want to continue this topic here.
"Bai Ye, I won't hold back later!"
Andy naturally decided to make Bai Ye his first target.
He had been training with Terry and Joe for some time and felt that his strength had improved a lot.
He deliberately chose the spot where Bai Ye was, just to verify his recent training.
"Then I'm really looking forward to it!"
Although the match had already started, no one was in a hurry to make a move. The main reason was they didn't know how to move. This kind of group brawl, if you say you pick people one by one, it's a bit abstract.
This kind of group competition seemed to leave them at a loss.
No one wanted to be the first. If they made a move directly, they would definitely become the target of all. Just like Iori Yagami in Arena No. 1, he was already being ganged up on by several fighters.
But clearly, Iori Yagami didn't care about this at all; instead, he fought even more fiercely.
"Hey, why don't you all come at once? Let me see where my limit is!"
Bai Ye looked at everyone present. He felt that going one by one didn't fit his style. He wanted to fight ten!
"Bai Ye, what the hell are you doing?"
Andy froze. He hadn't misheard, had he?
Bai Ye actually said to let them all come at once?
This guy couldn't be so arrogant that he thought he was invincible and could deal with everyone here, could he?
"I'm serious."
"Tch, then let me knock you down first!"
Saying that, Andy directly charged at Bai Ye. Since Bai Ye had already provoked him, he would defeat Bai Ye before he was knocked off the stage by others.
This was the punch that contained his recent training!
He would not fail again!
A punch full of conviction could defeat any enemy!
Andy was full of confidence in himself, unconsciously adding a bit more strength to his fist.
But the moment his fist touched Bai Ye, he felt that the force hitting his fist was like a monstrous strength, an irresistible power that directly sent Andy flying out.
Even as he flew through the air, he was still pondering a question: he had clearly trained for so long, and he had also thought that this was a punch imbued with his conviction, but this punch was not as good as the one Bai Ye threw so casually.
"Although it's a bit cruel, Andy, you still need to train hard!"
If his little brother was defeated so easily, he would listen to him even more in the future.
"Hey, this guy is unreasonably strong, isn't he?"
He sent Andy flying with one punch?
The Fatal Fury team was not an unknown team. The fact that Bai Ye could send him flying with one punch truly surprised many people.
Even the spectators in the stands were stunned.
It's not a fixed match, is it?
But thinking about it, no, how many people bet on Andy winning? Many people bet on Iori Yagami and Kyo Kusanagi.
From the spectators' perspective, only these two would win the final victory!
"Cough cough, everyone, how about we team up?"
Benimaru Nikaido coughed lightly. The current situation was not good.
Although it was a bit despicable, this guy seemed really strong.
"I won't team up with anyone!"
Although Mai Shiranui wanted to defeat Bai Ye, she would not join forces with anyone to deal with him!
She wanted to face Bai Ye alone, though her heart sank after seeing Bai Ye knock Andy flying with a single punch.
But surely, something like this was worth a try?
"Hey, hey, hey, why aren't any of you talking?"
Benimaru Nikaido also felt a bit awkward. With no one speaking, whether they were forming an alliance or not, they should at least give him a clear answer, right?
But in this situation, he was truly embarrassed.
No one was willing to bother with him.
"Don't get distracted!"
Bai Ye had already appeared behind Benimaru Nikaido. When he heard Bai Ye's voice, alarm bells rang in his mind. He immediately turned around, lightning flashing in his hands, and struck towards Bai Ye.
But his proud Lightning Fist was easily grasped by Bai Ye.
"This isn't how you play with lightning."
Bai Ye said, then a powerful electric current burst from his body, directly electrocuting Benimaru Nikaido.
A puff of black smoke came from his mouth, and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes; this wasn't what he expected.
Why, after playing with lightning for so many years, was he being lectured by someone else?
Casually throwing Benimaru Nikaido off the stage, Bai Ye knocked down Kim Kaphwan and Geese Howard, who were closest to him, one punch at a time.
"This guy..."
Geese Howard's eyes widened, and he felt an immense hatred for Bai Ye; he had actually defeated him so easily.
Watching Bai Ye easily defeat Geese Howard, Andy's eyes lit up. Bai Ye's strength was immense, and he decided that he definitely needed to follow Bai Ye and train diligently from now on.
Indeed!
Bai Ye making him serve tea and pour water for him all that time was part of his training!
After knocking down several people, only Mature, Mai Shiranui, Yuri Sakazaki, Leona, and Athena Asamiya remained on the stage.
Seeing the situation, Mature directly raised her hand and chose to forfeit the match.
She was a member of the Hakkesshu, and her purpose in participating in the competition was to monitor Iori Yagami.
She wasn't competing for rankings, and she also knew very well that Bai Ye's strength was immense. To preserve her strength, Mature naturally wouldn't fight Bai Ye.
However, she did become somewhat interested in Bai Ye.
A guy who had never appeared in any records before, who hadn't participated in the previous two KOF, and now suddenly participating—what exactly was he thinking?!
"Mai, I think we should team up."
Although Yuri Sakazaki knew that Mai Shiranui would most likely refuse, as she had just expressed her stance, she also clearly understood that if they didn't team up now, they wouldn't be a match for Bai Ye at all.
"No."
Mai Shiranui, as expected, chose to refuse.
"Mai, you go with them."
"But!!"
Mai Shiranui originally wanted to refuse, but Bai Ye had spoken. Did he also want her to team up with them?
"Only four people left. Let's finish them all at once!"
"Hmph! Bai Ye, don't you dare say you were ganged up on later!"
What the heck!
Is he looking down on me!?
Mai Shiranui pouted, feeling a bit unconvinced by Bai Ye's words, but then she thought of the combat power Bai Ye had just displayed, and it was indeed formidable.
But back at the Shiranui Dojo, Bai Ye wasn't that exaggerated.
He wasn't even her match at first, and later in training, it wasn't a complete overwhelming advantage either.
"Don't worry, I won't."
Listening to Bai Ye's words, although the others didn't say much, they indeed subtly started to consider forming an alliance.
And Mature, who was off-stage, secretly sighed that she had left a bit too early.
If she had known they would team up, she should have tested Bai Ye's strength.
The four surrounded Bai Ye from different directions. Leona attacked first, and because she had learned military combat techniques, her strikes aimed for vital points.
However, Leona, without going berserk, seemed to be missing something in Bai Ye's eyes. He caught her incoming punch, and as she shifted her stance, preparing to use her left foot to attack and expose his weakness, Bai Ye spun around and also sent her flying.
Before Bai Ye could catch his breath, Athena Asamiya's Psycho Ball followed closely. A psychic!
This KOF world was truly amazing: psychics, ancient martial artists, Ninja, clones, and various abilities mixed together, and yet, they were all just ordinary people!
"He withstood my Psycho Ball?!"
Athena Asamiya stared in shock at Bai Ye, who had forcibly endured her Psycho Ball with his back.
How was she supposed to fight this?!
"Don't get distracted!"
Yuri Sakazaki shouted, then punched towards Bai Ye.
"Too slow!"
Bai Ye said, returning a punch. However, the moment Yuri Sakazaki was struck by Bai Ye, a hint of triumph flashed in her eyes: "You fell for it!"
She was just a decoy; the real attacker was Mai Shiranui!
"Bai Ye, you were careless!"
Mai Shiranui had appeared behind Bai Ye at some point. Her fan was wreathed in flames, and she was about to strike Bai Ye, but before the fan could be thrown, her arm was caught by Bai Ye, and she was then lifted into the air.
Bai Ye looked at Mai Shiranui with a smile, kissed her on the forehead, and gently said, "Go on down, Mai."
"Ah?! Oh..."
Mai Shiranui's face flushed crimson, and at the same time, she was screaming internally, 'Why is this guy so good at flirting!?'
Everyone else got a punch or a kick, but she was gently kissed by him and told to leave the stage.
Darn it!
She had clearly said she would defeat him earlier!
Never mind.
Defeating him now held no meaning whatsoever!
Mai Shiranui, filled with sweetness, happily stepped off the stage.
Watching Mai Shiranui's retreating figure, Yuri Sakazaki's mind now only contained two words: Kill these two lovebirds!
What about the promised alliance?! What about fighting Bai Ye together?
You get kissed once and you leave the stage?
The cheering audience suddenly paused, looking at Bai Ye on the stage with indignation!
Are we here to watch you fight or to watch you flaunt your affection?!
But before she could react, she was thrown off the stage by Bai Ye, like a little chick. Yuri Sakazaki, in mid-air, wondered why she had participated in this competition?!
Coming here to be stuffed with so much public display of affection was bad enough, but in the end, she was even thrown off the arena like that!
"The winner of Stage Two has appeared!"
Bai Ye was the only one left standing on the stage.
Everyone previously defeated by Bai Ye on Stage Two looked at Bai Ye on the stage, their emotions complex.
As time passed, the winner of Stage One was Iori Yagami, and the winner of Stage Three was Kyo Kusanagi. Both had sustained injuries to varying degrees, with Iori Yagami's injuries being more severe, a result of his battle with Jotaro.
"Sorry, that guy's fighting style seems a bit desperate, so I gave up!"
Jotaro glanced at Bai Ye and shrugged. He still had the energy to fight, but fighting Iori Yagami, he felt the opponent was too desperate. He had also promised his mom that he would go back to school properly after a while.
So he could only injure Iori Yagami as well, and then create an opportunity for Bai Ye.
"I understand!"
In Bai Ye's eyes, Jotaro and Iori Yagami were actually evenly matched, but if it came to a desperate fight, then Iori Yagami would probably be stronger. Clearly, Jotaro wouldn't go all out in a competition like KOF.
Iori Yagami himself craved battle, and encountering an opponent like Jotaro would naturally make him want to fight more and more, but this wasn't what Jotaro wanted; he had already enjoyed the fun of fighting.
"I'm not his match."
Kagura Chizuru said slowly. Her goal wasn't to win, and besides, she really wasn't Kyo Kusanagi's match.
When she saw Bai Ye win, she had actually already given up the idea of continuing to fight Kyo Kusanagi.
And so, the three came to the final winner's arena.
"It's a bit of a shame; both of you are injured."
Bai Ye truly wanted to have a good fight with the two of them, but both were already injured and not at full strength.
And this somewhat disappointed Bai Ye.
"It's alright, the two of us will team up!"
Kyo Kusanagi said with a smile, exchanging glances with Iori Yagami. From each other's eyes, both understood that they both wanted to defeat Bai Ye first, and then have a fated showdown between themselves.
Pale Flame and Crimson Flame appeared in their hands. One used a fist, the other a claw, both wanting to defeat Bai Ye in one move. They had both watched Bai Ye's previous battles.
He was indeed very strong!
However, just as their moves were unleashed, they were directly caught by Bai Ye's left and right hands, and the power in his body left them no chance to struggle.
How could this be!?
Both were incredibly shocked, and so was everyone present.
"How can this be?! Kyo even used Crimson Flame!"
Benimaru Nikaido stared in shock at the three on the stage. He recalled the scene of being thrown away by Bai Ye earlier, and how similar it was to now!
"That guy is really strong!"
Goro Daimon said faintly. If Bai Ye continued to participate in KOF in the future, he would definitely be a colossal mountain weighing on the hearts of all fighters!
"Mai, is your boyfriend a pervert?"
King was truly numb now. Was her boyfriend really that strong?
"Hehe..."
Mai Shiranui giggled foolishly.
"Such a powerful fighter..."
The thoughts of everyone present were surprisingly consistent.
And Bai Ye's dominant display on the arena also surprised many.
The wind... seemed somewhat abnormal.
Bai Ye, on the stage, felt the unusualness of the wind. His gaze unconsciously turned towards the crowd. He knew he had to do something, otherwise, this opportunity would be lost.
He used immense strength to throw Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami off the arena.
"Ding! You have become the champion of this KOF tournament, changing KOF96! Reward: one lottery chance!"
Here he comes!
Goenitz of the Orochi's Wind!
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