"If that's all, then when the time comes, you just need to participate in the King of Fighters tournament with me. After all, it's not easy to find teammates with real strength."
Ryuji figured that since this was clearly a stitched-together world, interesting things were bound to happen.
For example, Ken entering the King of Fighters tournament. Or Akuma crashing the tournament and causing chaos. Those were very plausible developments.
But if none of that happened, he wouldn't be surprised either.
Because this world was vast.
To players, the fighters might seem like the entirety of the world. But in a real world, that wasn't the case.
Fighters were only one part of it. Even among themselves, their circles didn't necessarily overlap.
Just like on Earth, those who practice judo don't necessarily mingle with those who practice taekwondo, boxers don't compete in WWE and underground no-rules fighters don't cross paths with professional boxing.
They aren't even on the same track.
Just like a top-tier fighter like Chun-Li, if her father hadn't been killed, she probably wouldn't have participated in any fighting tournament to investigate clues or seek revenge.
She was already busy enough with cases.
So to ordinary civilians in this world, the King of Fighters tournament and even the possible Street Fighter tournament, were likely not that important at all. At least, not on a global scale.
The King of Fighters would grow bigger over time, but its influence will probably remain limited. There were still many fighters or people with real martial art skills, who simply had no interest in competitions.
In fact, many renowned masters probably wouldn't participate in KOF. Fighters like Mai entered to build their reputation. But established masters had no need for that. If they stayed out, they could claim they were focused on training and exchange. If they participated and got defeated? Their reputation would take a hit.
And once you became famous, challengers would swarm you. Apart from those who craving fame, seeking more battles, or had personal grudges, the KOF tournament was actually quite closed off.
After all, not everyone had the means or the patience to join a tournament that frequently ended in explosions, missing finals, conspiracies everywhere and an annoying registration process.
It might become popular, but there was no way the whole world revolved around KOF and its fighters.
"What's so great about participating in that small boxing tournament?"
Chun-Li was genuinely puzzled. She had only even heard the name "King of Fighters tournament" because she frequently traveled to the U.S. for work. Its popularity didn't even rival some daytime soap operas. One of her boxing-enthusiast friends even mocked it, saying the level wasn't as good as the local matches near his house.
For such a small tournament, if she just studied a bit of boxing technique, she could probably become the so-called "King of Fighters" easily. What was the point?
"It's like that now, but it won't stay that way forever."
Ryuji replied with a faint smile. The King of Fighters tournament would only receive massive funding and become a major competition with tempting prizes once Rugal got involved with the Orochi clan.
"You always speak in riddles… But fine, I agree. But you have to notify me in advance. After all, I'm an Interpol officer and I can't just show up whenever you call."
Chun-Li complained, but still nodded. She felt talking to Ryuji was exhausting; there were always so many things she had to guess.
Ryuji nodded in satisfaction. When the time came, he could team up with Chun-Li and Mai, or form a Team with Mai, Chun-Li, and Tifa. Either would be wonderful.
Though Mai's outfit would have to change. The Shiranui style needed reform. He had no interest in letting other men stare at his wife's chest.
"No problem. There's plenty of time to prepare before the future King of Fighters tournament, you'll have more than enough time."
Ryuji spoke casually, but in the next moment, his perception suddenly heightened. A vivid image flashed before his eyes...
Hanzo being blasted backward into the courtyard.
It would happen twenty seconds later.
And the one who sent him flying by someone with a topknot tied at the back of his head.
His heart was pierced.
Future sight through Observation Haki?!
At that moment, Chun-Li crossed her arms over her chest and scoffed.
"Hah. You say that like you can predict the future…"
Ryuji had no interest in listening to what she was saying. He gave a vague reply and rushed outside.
"Maybe I actually can!"
His movement was so abrupt that Chun-Li and Mai were stunned and even Tifa looked completely bewildered. But Ryuji had no time to explain, because he sensed an overwhelming surge of killing intent and destruction.
The instant he sensed that will, his body instinctively went on guard. His blood-qi secret art activated without warning, magic began to boil within him and the qi amplified by this world erupted around his body on its own.
A powerful enemy!
The kind of enemy who could kill him if he wasn't careful.
The moment Ryuji rushed out of the house, he sensed the enemy but what transmitted danger to him wasn't the person about to collide with the concealed Hanzo, it was the fluctuations and will radiating from that person.
A will of pure slaughter and destruction!
The Demon Slayer sword began vibrating violently due to of his heightened spiritual state and the divine sword on his back started glowing.
Just sensing that will was enough for Ryuji to enter his strongest combat state.
His body blurred like a phantom as he shot out of the Shiranui dojo and at that very moment...
"You give me a very strange feeling."
The man with a topknot and tattered clothes looked curiously at Hanzo, who was stood defensively in front of him.
Earlier today he had suddenly felt a peculiar sensation, a feeling that he might encounter a worthy opponent. Coupled with the fact that his supplies were nearly exhausted, he had came out of the mountains to see what was drawing him in and to replenish his supplies.
But the moment he approached this area, he sensed the aura of a strong fighter. And this strong fighter gave him a strange feeling.
That was...
He couldn't kill this person.
Naturally, that made him curious, so he intercepted Hanzo, who had been secretly following Chun-Li, wanting to understand why he couldn't kill this man.
"You are…?"
Hanzo stared at the man in front of him, his eyes widening involuntarily. As a veteran of the martial world, he recognized him almost instantly and couldn't help but gasp.
Feeling that terrifying killing intent radiating from the man, his eyes widened further.
Because this could no longer be described as a human presence at all.
"…Akuma?! The Satsui no Hado is real?!"
He couldn't stop his mouth from falling open as he looked at Akuma in front of him. Instinctively, he wanted to retreat, because he had no intention of bringing trouble upon his granddaughter.
"Ha? Who are you?"
Hanzo recognized Akuma, but Akuma didn't recognize Hanzo. He casually glanced at the Shiranui-ryu signboard and scratched his cheek.
"A third-rate school like Shiranui-ryu actually has someone barely worth looking at, huh."
He spoke with disdain. In his circles, he had heard of Shiranui-ryu before, but it had never produced any true masters and had always seemed eager to expand toward America.
So, he had never paid attention to it back then and hadn't even bothered to challenge them.
After all, schools like Shiranui-ryu were everywhere.
But since this man gave him such a strange feeling, then...
"Let me see what you're made of!"
~~~~~~~~~~
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