His Dimensional Plunder System had already activated "scan mode" in his mind.
[Ding! Target detected: E. Honda.]
[Nationality: Japan.]
[Style: Japanese Sumo.]
[Core Abilities: Hundred Hand Slap, Sumo Headbutt, Oicho Throw.]
[Plunderable Talents: Body of the Yokozuna (greatly increases physical defense and impact resistance), Sumo Mastery.]
[System Evaluation: A nimble fatty. Thick-skinned, immensely strong. Recommended not to play "huggy-bear" with him, or you may experience the terror of being dominated by a 200-kilogram meat missile. Overall Rating: B+ ingredient. Solid mouthfeel, very filling.]
Cloud watched the sumo master—whose body rivaled a small mountain, his hair meticulously arranged, currently performing the traditional shiko warm-up stance—and nodded with satisfaction. "Mm, not bad as a meat shield. That Body of the Yokozuna talent is interesting. Worth grabbing."
He continued forward.
[Ding! Target detected: Zangief.]
[Nationality: Soviet Union (now Russia).]
[Style: Russian Sambo / Professional Wrestling.]
[Core Abilities: Spinning Piledriver, Iron Lariat, Atomic Suplex.]
[Plunderable Talents: Red Cyclone (greatly increases throwing technique power and range), Body of Steel.]
[System Evaluation: A muscle-bound giant even more agile than the fatty—the pinnacle of grappling. His motto is: "There's nothing a Spinning Piledriver can't solve. If there is, use another one." Friendly reminder: Do NOT let him grab you. Overall Rating: A- ingredient. Extremely high protein content, but a bit "tough to chew."]
Cloud observed the "Red Cyclone" in his red wrestling trunks, chest hair thick enough to knit a sweater, and nodded again. "Mm, a grappling master. That Red Cyclone talent could shore up my weakness in throwing techniques. Reserved."
He then turned his gaze toward a particularly bizarre corner.
There, a man with dark skin and a body thin as kindling sat cross-legged, a string of skulls hanging from his neck, and—somehow—was floating in midair, eyes closed, muttering under his breath.
[Ding! Target detected: Dhalsim.]
[Nationality: India.]
[Style: Yoga.]
[Core Abilities: Yoga Fire, Yoga Tower, Yoga Teleport.]
[Plunderable Talents: Body Extension (bizarre ability to freely stretch one's body), Elemental Affinity: Fire.]
[System Evaluation: A genuine "cheater" in every sense of the word. He's developed human potential to an absurd degree—can breathe fire, teleport, and stretch his limbs like Luffy. His fighting style isn't "martial arts" anymore—it's "mystic arts." Overall Rating: A-grade ingredient. Peculiar texture with a hint of "curry flavor." Consume with caution.]
"Holy crap, I absolutely need that!" Cloud's eyes lit up. "Free body extension? That ability, if used in bed—ahem, I mean in combat, would be absolutely shameless!"
He wandered through like a starving ghost who'd stumbled into an all-you-can-eat buffet of delicacies, mentally "ordering" dishes as he went.
That green-skinned "wildman" from the Brazilian rainforest who could generate electricity—Blanka?
Mm, that [Body of Lightning] is worth studying.
That masked, claw-wielding "noble ninja" from Spain who was narcissistic to the point of perversion—Vega?
Pass. Too effeminate.
That American heavyweight boxing champion, Balrog? Mm, pure power-type. Could use him as an "experience pack."
Just as he was thoroughly enjoying his "inspection tour," a familiar figure caught his eye.
It was Ryu.
He sat alone in the most inconspicuous corner, eyes closed, as if all the surrounding commotion had nothing to do with him.
He was like a boulder cast into a lake—unmoved by wind or waves.
Beside him, the flashy red figure of Ken Masters was far more active.
He was surrounded by reporters and fans, signing autographs and posing for photos, busy as could be, wearing his trademark confident, sunny smile.
"Hey! Cloud!" Ken's sharp eyes spotted the wandering Cloud immediately. He broke free from his fans and walked over enthusiastically, throwing an arm around Cloud's shoulders.
"You made it too! How you feeling—nervous? Want me to introduce you to some hotties to help you relax?"
"I'll pass." Cloud pushed away Ken's grabby hand. "I'm just here to look around, get familiar with the ingredients—I mean, opponents."
"Haha!" Ken laughed loudly. "See that yoga master? Last time I fought him, I nearly got dizzy from those stretchy arms and legs of his! And that Soviet bear—whatever you do, don't let him get close! Oh, and there's also..."
Ken rambled on like a broken faucet, introducing Cloud to all the various masters present.
Then, suddenly, the entire backstage area fell silent.
A cold, pure killing intent—as if emanating from the depths of hell itself—descended without warning.
All the boisterous fighters fell silent as if someone had grabbed them by the throat. Their faces showed expressions of terror and disbelief.
Cloud, Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and Guile all turned their gazes toward the entrance of the waiting area.
There, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
He wasn't particularly tall, but each step he took seemed to land directly on everyone's heartbeat.
He wore deep purple training clothes, a string of massive prayer beads around his neck, and his signature flame-red hair stood straight up like burning fire.
On his back, a vivid crimson character—"天" (Heaven)—was emblazoned on his gi, radiating an ominous red glow.
This was the man who had refined the "Satsui no Hado"—the Murderous Intent—to its ultimate form. The one who had fallen into the path of the Asura in pursuit of death matches—Akuma!
"Such... such powerful killing intent!"
"Is he... the legendary master of the fist?"
"Just standing here, I can barely breathe!"
Every fighter present trembled to their very souls before this absolute, pure "Surge of Murderous Intent"!
...
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