This deployment was clear and efficient, maximizing everyone's strengths.
A textbook-level team raid strategy.
"I... I'm ready!" Chun-Li looked at Cloud and nodded firmly.
To personally avenge her father was her life's greatest wish. And fighting alongside this man gave her an unprecedented sense of security.
"Good." Cloud clapped his hands. "Any questions?"
"Yes!" Ken raised his hand. "Captain, does our operation have a battle cry? Like 'For the Alliance!' or 'Demacia!' Something with impact!"
Cloud pondered for two seconds, then said with complete seriousness:
"Yes."
"Our battle cry is—"
"Giao giao giao!"
Everyone: "..."
...
Night fell.
Thailand. Deep within the primeval rainforest known as the "Cradle of Death."
A massive military base brimming with futuristic technology crouched like a steel behemoth in the darkness, emanating an ominous purple glow.
This was Shadaloo headquarters.
The base entrance was brightly lit and heavily guarded.
Towering electrified fences, automated gun turrets, and patrolling enhanced soldiers formed a death line that no ordinary person could cross.
Yet at the highest point of this defense line, a man sat quietly in meditation.
He stood over two meters tall, his physique as imposing as a statue.
He wore an eyepatch over one eye, and across his chest, a massive X-shaped scar was horrifyingly visible, as if telling the tale of a brutal battle.
This was the man known as the "Emperor of Muay Thai" among Shadaloo's Four Heavenly Kings—Sagat!
He hadn't joined the base's defense, nor had he gone to the underground core to await orders.
He simply sat here, eyes closed, like a statue, quietly waiting.
He was waiting for someone.
A true warrior worthy of his attention.
His ears had already picked up the faint sounds of explosions and combat from the west and east sides of the base.
But he remained unmoved.
Because his beast-like keen instincts told him the true "eye of the storm" was in the center.
Suddenly, his single eye snapped open!
Like a hawk, his sharp gaze shot toward the seemingly peaceful darkness below!
"Come out."
His voice was deep, carrying the majesty of a king.
"I've been... waiting for you for a long time."
Two figures slowly emerged from the darkness.
It was Cloud and Chun-Li, who had infiltrated through the ventilation shaft with smooth progress.
"Oh? Not bad perception." Cloud looked at the tower-like man before him, a hint of appreciation on his face. "As expected of the man Ryu left a love mark on his chest."
At these words, a cold light flashed in Sagat's single eye.
Having Ryu leave this shameful scar on his chest with a Shoryuken was the knot of his entire life!
"Who are you?" Sagat slowly rose, his height of over two meters bringing an intense sense of pressure.
"I'm Cloud." Cloud introduced himself. "Just a helpful citizen passing through, on my way to beat up Bison."
A hint of disdain appeared on Sagat's face. "To see the General, you must first pass me. However..."
His gaze swept briefly over Chun-Li, then locked back onto Cloud.
"I have no interest in women."
"You!" He extended an arm wrapped in bandages—thicker than Chun-Li's waist—and pointed at Cloud. "You are strong. I can feel it. Within you lies power comparable to that man's." (Akuma)
"Fight me!"
"If I lose, you may pass."
"If you lose—leave your life here!"
The flame of a martial artist's battle hunger burned in his eyes!
He wasn't Bison's lapdog.
He was simply pursuing the "path" of fighting the strong!
"Cloud, be careful..." Chun-Li nervously tugged at Cloud's sleeve.
She could sense that this "Emperor of Muay Thai" was more than ten times stronger than the Vega she had faced before!
"It's fine." Cloud gave her a reassuring look.
He stepped forward and loosened his wrists and ankles.
"As it happens, my hands and feet have been itching for some action."
He looked at Sagat and broke into a grin.
"Your challenge—I accept."
This time, he didn't use any divine power or energy.
Instead, he slowly raised his right leg and assumed an extremely standard Muay Thai opening stance.
"Hm?!" Sagat's single eye showed surprise at this posture.
"Let me communicate with you in the language you're most familiar with."
An aura full of "joy" and "wildness" emanated from Cloud's body!
The essence of Joe Higashi, Muay Thai champion of Fatal Fury, burst forth.
"Interesting!" Sagat laughed heartily and held nothing back!
"Tiger!" With a low roar, he threw a supremely powerful uppercut, tearing through the air with vicious wind, hurtling toward Cloud!
"Hurricane!" Cloud matched him without hesitation!
He evaded the attack with a rhythmic slide step, then launched a lightning-fast roundhouse kick with the force of a tornado, aimed at Sagat's head!
BANG!
Sagat raised his arm and firmly blocked the strike!
Both their bodies shuddered simultaneously!
A pure collision of flesh against flesh!
Muay Thai versus Muay Thai!
In an instant, the entire entrance area filled with the dull thuds of fists and feet meeting flesh, and the battle-hungry roars of both men!
Sagat's Muay Thai was fierce and stable, powerful and sweeping, like a tiger descending the mountain, full of kingly dominance! Each of his "Tiger Knee" strikes seemed capable of crushing tank armor!
But Cloud's Muay Thai was completely different.
His moves were full of "joyful" energy—appearing wild and sweeping, but actually tricky and unpredictable!
His "Screw Upper" was like a tropical storm—wild and impossible to predict! His "Slash Kick" was lightning-fast, catching opponents off guard!
The two exchanged blows, fighting to a complete standstill!
"Exhilarating! Exhilarating!" Sagat grew more excited as they fought. It had been so long since he'd had such a satisfying battle!
But as the fight continued, his shock deepened!
He discovered that his opponent's Muay Thai technique was no less than his own!
In fact, in some technique transitions and variations, his opponent was even more refined!
More terrifying still—his opponent's strength and physical durability were actually superior to his own!
...
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