"Are you really going to participate in that World Martial Arts Tournament, Kyo?"
Saisyu Kusanagi looked at his son, Kyo, and couldn't help but scratch his head. The Kusanagi family had long since ceased to be the prestigious family they once were. In fact, most of the family's expenses were now covered by Kyo's mother.
Therefore, he was actually opposed to Kyo participating in the World Martial Arts Tournament.
If it were just a relatively small global competition, and the prize money wasn't something as outrageous as several hundred million dollars, he wouldn't mind letting Kyo go and have some fun.
But several hundred million dollars… honestly, even he had started entertaining the thought of fighting to the death and leaving enough wealth behind for his family.
This was hundreds of millions of dollars!!
Therefore, he was afraid Kyo would get himself killed.
"Yes, but I'm not doing it for the prize money."
Kyo, whose hands were wrapped in numerous bandages, recalled the way Ryuji had pinned him to the ground and effortlessly toyed with him in every possible way. He remembered how he had been defeated without the slightest suspense.
The feeling of humiliation was like a parasite clinging to his bones, gnawing away at his heart.
Although Kyo was not the kind of brainless idiot who was arrogantly full of himself, he still had his own pride.
In the past, he had thought that even if he wasn't the strongest person in the world, he was at least among the top fighters.
But now?
Now, practically anyone he randomly encountered on the street could be stronger than him!
So, he had awakened. He was more clear-headed than he had ever been.
"I want to become stronger. I want to master techniques that no one has ever mastered before. Father, I want to put myself through even more training. I want to break through my limits!"
Kyo clenched his fists. Right now, he only wanted to become stronger, stronger, and even stronger!
He held no resentment toward Ryuji, but he wanted to possess the same level of power as Ryuji so that he could fight him on equal terms!
And most importantly, he believed that the guy named Iori Yagami would also participate in this tournament, just like him!
He had to defeat him as well!
"I see…"
Saisyu nodded, then slapped his thigh.
"Then go. But before you leave, I'll put you through some special training."
Coincidentally, elsewhere, Iori Yagami was also looking at his parents.
"I have someone I absolutely have to defeat. And I also want to see where my limits are."
Contrary to what various King of Fighters manga claimed, Iori's parents were not dead, nor was his hair dyed red by his mother's blood. His parents were alive and well, and they were very much in love.
Looking at their stubborn son, Iori's parents could only sigh helplessly.
"Then go. But there should be something in the old family estate that you're looking for."
His parents were also quite supportive of his decision.
Thus, the two protagonists of King of Fighters began their respective journeys. They started training relentlessly, waiting for the World Martial Arts Tournament to begin.
They intended to fight once again, demonstrate their strength once again, and completely defeat the versions of themselves that they had been before!
And it wasn't only them. In South Town, America, Terry and Andy had also decided to participate in the tournament.
"I don't know if Geese will participate in this tournament, but there are definitely going to be many experts at this tournament."
Terry looked at the promotional flyer for the World Martial Arts Tournament, quietly adjusted the cap on his head, and spoke to his younger brother Andy.
"Yeah. If that's the case, we can become even stronger as well."
Andy was not at all depressed about being separated from Mai Shiranui. Looking at the flyer in his brother's hand, he nodded seriously.
"Then let that bastard live a little longer. By the time we return from the World Martial Arts Tournament, the day of his death will be even closer."
Clenching his fists, Terry planned to train himself a little more before facing Geese. What he did not know was that Geese was also preparing to participate in the World Martial Arts Tournament.
"This is a great opportunity to make ourselves known."
Geese wasn't particularly concerned about the hundreds of millions of dollars in prize money. Although he wasn't some extraordinarily wealthy tycoon, as the man who controlled South Town, his total assets still amounted to tens of millions…
Well, actually, he cared very much about that prize money.
"With that prize money, our business can reach an even higher level."
Looking at the requirements for the World Martial Arts Tournament, he silently considered who he should choose as his teammates and quickly settled on several candidates.
And just like Geese, there were many fighters participating for the sake of the prize money. For example, the Kyokugenryu dojo, which was also located near South Town.
"Ohhh! We really need to work hard this time! Ryo! That's your sister's dowry we're talking about!"
Takuma Sakazaki shouted excitedly as he threw his fist toward his son, looking extremely enthusiastic!
"That money is what we're going to use to expand the dojo!"
Ryo Sakazaki absolutely refused to admit that he didn't want to marry off his sister, so he shouted back while throwing his own fists at his father.
"Ahahaha!!"
Looking at his son, Takuma became increasingly satisfied, while his fists and feet showed no signs of stopping.
They absolutely had to make a name for Kyokugenryu in this tournament!
~~~~~~~~~~
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