Just carrying two girls?!
For Mu Shiki! For Ya Sakazuki!
Forget participating in KOF—even if I had to take them to "StarCraft," I'd carry them to the championship throne!
Just as Cloud secretly resolved to become "KOF's strongest dad"...
Several gazes filled with "resentment" and "killing intent" shot over from nearby.
He looked up to see Mai Shiranui, Yuri Sakazaki, and Athena Asamiya—these three "main wife alliance" members—marching toward him with puffed cheeks.
"Cloud!"
Mai crossed her arms, her bright almond eyes practically shooting flames.
"You... are something else!" Her gaze swept back and forth between Kusanagi Aoi and Yata Tsukihime's equally stunning faces like X-rays.
"We've barely been apart and you've... already brought back two such beautiful little sisters?!"
Her words dripped with vinegar, the sour smell detectable from three meters away.
"Exactly! Cloud!" Yuri pouted unhappily too. "Didn't you say you were going to the Kusanagi family for a reunion? How did you... even find in-laws already?"
Only Athena maintained her "idol" composure, but those purple eyes looking at Cloud also clearly said "you better give me a reasonable explanation."
Facing this "epic-level" battle royale, cold sweat instantly broke out on Cloud's forehead.
"Misunderstanding! All misunderstandings!" He frantically waved his hands explaining. "These two... are newly recruited teammates! Pure, revolutionary, comrade relationships!"
However, his explanation looked so pale and weak before three women's "I don't believe your ghost stories" expressions.
"Hmph! Looks like in the future, we'll need to watch you even more closely!"
Mai left behind a "warning"-laden phrase before pulling the other two away with puffed cheeks.
Cloud watched their departing backs, feeling utterly exhausted.
Being an excellent man is really too difficult.
...
Amid this "gossip" and "battle royale" pre-match atmosphere, the opening ceremony finally began.
When the MC shouted "Yagami Team" with his passion-filled, arena-igniting voice...
The entire venue's atmosphere was instantly enveloped by an ice-cold, arrogantly violent aura!
Iori Yagami maintained that "the whole world owes me eight million" swagger.
Hands in pockets, body slightly hunched like a night king, he slowly walked onto the stage.
Behind him followed the equally "displeased" Billy Kane, and... a man radiating "ninja" vibes with half his face covered—Eiji Kisaragi.
"Trash..."
Iori didn't even glance at surrounding spectators.
Those eyes filled with madness and killing intent swept directly toward the Japan Team and Fatal Fury Team in the contestant area.
A cruel, disdainful arc curved his lips.
"Kyo Kusanagi... Ryo Sakazaki... Terry..."
"Last year, you trash got lucky enough to stand on the finals stage."
"This year..."
Purple ominous flames erupted around him!
"I'll personally... clean up all you eyesores... completely!"
This "map-wide attack" arrogant declaration instantly ignited the powder keg!
"Bastard! What did you say?!"
"Too arrogant! This guy!"
Kyo and Terry were about to rush the stage for "real-life PK"!
However, just as Iori enjoyed this "enemy of the world" pleasure...
His gaze inadvertently swept past Cloud's "Beautiful Girl Squad" rest area.
Then... his expression froze.
That arrogant smile stiffened on his face.
His body burning with purple flames instantly petrified.
What did he see?
He saw...
His little sister who should be home obediently practicing "Yagami-style ancient martial arts"—his most beloved, only cared-for... sister.
Yata Tsukihime.
Currently wearing a gothic dress she'd bought who-knows-when, full of "edgelord" vibes, sitting aloof beside...
That damned "Kusanagi family" man Cloud he most wanted to kill?!
Moreover!
That damned man actually... actually dared... rest his arm on the back of his sister's chair?!
In that instant, Iori felt something in his brain... BOOM... explode.
One second ago, he was that "I'm number one, you're all trash" arrogant king.
The next second, he completely transformed into... a red-eyed, veins-bulging old father whose daughter got "stolen by a pig"!
"You... damn... bastard!!!"
An inhuman roar filled with infinite rage and killing intent erupted from Iori's throat!
He no longer cared about Kyo, no longer cared about Terry.
Those eyes capable of making ghosts and gods tremble locked onto Cloud's "innocent" face!
He pointed at Cloud from afar, his finger trembling with extreme fury!
"Get your dirty hands! Away from my sister!!"
"And! What did you do to my sister?! Why is she with you?! Did you... use some despicable methods on her?!"
"I'm telling you! If you dare touch one hair on my sister! I, Iori Yagami, swear! I will tear you to shreds!!!"
This sudden, complete 180-degree "sister protection maniac" declaration instantly plunged the entire venue into eerie silence.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"