I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 590 Balance
"Big news, this is really big news."

After broadcasting Manolos's "dismembered body" live from close range, a certain "news king" did not leave America, but instead rushed to Rio Rancho City and entered the church which was guarded by a large number of superhumans wearing black robes with red clouds and masks.

"Should I address you as Luigi, or as my lord?"

Inside the church, there was only a figure with his back to him.

The figure emanated a soft white light, and simply standing calmly beneath the cross gave off an aura of unapproachability.

Demon level!

KYG squinted his eyes.

He followed Kani-hime around every day and occasionally had the opportunity to meet Ōtakemaru, making him extremely sensitive to the aura of powerful individuals; this is why he has been able to traverse various battlefields and remain alive and well to this day. Moreover—

The opponent had no way of concealing or hiding their powerful spiritual energy!

"Please make yourself at home, Mr. KYG."

Luigi turned around, revealing a face familiar to journalists; however, whether it was KYG's imagination or not, he felt that this newly promoted Demon-level superhuman was filled with a sense of compassion.

"You are the 'King of News' in this world, and I have some things I would like to ask for your cooperation on."

"It's to promote your name, right?"

KYG is not afraid of his opponent because he has the support of the Sea Kingdom: the combined strength of two ghosts and two dragons. Unless they are top-tier demons, he is fearless in the face of anyone.

"Exactly."

Luigi nodded slightly.
In fact, his publicity agency alone is enough to spread his reputation.

However, there is one point: if KYG, who is known as the "King of News," were to come forward to "refute the rumors," it would deal a huge blow to his reputation.

Luigi doesn't care about fame, but without sufficient faith, he can't suppress the corruption of his supernatural abilities and the ever-rebellious Mannoroth within him: if he hadn't orchestrated a battle between the two in the mental space, resulting in mutual destruction, he would already be out of control, either turning into a monster or becoming the new Lord of Fire.
“I need people’s faith, Mr. KYG, for the future of humanity.”

"learn,"

KYG nodded.

The island nation's creation of the 'Kami of Calamity' is also based on the power of faith.

Although they were defeated by Duke Yanyang, it doesn't mean they weren't strong: at least KYG knew that Kawa and Mai were still alive—it's just that they've been replaced.

In his view, Luigi also wanted to go down this path, to which News King simply shrugged.

"I will have my men cooperate with you, but—"

As KYG turned to leave, he added:
"The road ahead is not easy."

"Good luck."

It refers not only to the path of faith, but also to the path of 'salvation'.

"Thank you,"

After KYG left, Sekus came in and bowed to report.

"Lord, what should be done with those imprisoned in Seattle who drank the 'blood of fire'?"

During the battle with Mannoroth, they controlled a group of people who had just drunk the 'blood of fire'; now that everything has settled down, they have finally taken the time to deal with this problem.

“Bring them here and let them atone for their mistakes.”

Having drunk the 'blood of fire,' they become fire creatures, but Luigi is still willing to give them another chance.

An opportunity to prove oneself as 'human': even if the body is not, as long as the heart identifies with it, one is still a human being.

"Lord, should they bring their relatives as well?"

Sekus continued to respectfully request instructions.

"One of the young men's mothers was critically ill."

Luckily, because of filial piety, half of Seattle remained.

“Provide them with treatment.”

Luigi answered without hesitation that, theoretically, they had already betrayed humanity, but since they hadn't yet committed evil, they could still make amends; otherwise, whether they fell into the hands of the Grand Master or the Holy Church, they would only face certain death.

“I will obey Your will.”

Just as Secus was about to leave, Luigi had a sudden thought and called him back.

"What's that young man's name?"

"Soren,"

"Soren Emedich".

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

On the other side, in California.

A solemn atmosphere prevailed on Mount San Antonio, which had been completely transformed into an erupting volcano.

Faced with the being before them, all the fire lords knelt on one knee.

Because the one with his back to them was none other than Duke Yan Yang!

"Father, I have disappointed you."

Akash, the eldest son, spoke first, and the man with the flamboyant, carefree look bowed his head deeply.

"Please give us some time, and we will wash away this shame with fire!"

Mannoroth wouldn't have died if they hadn't fought individually: in any case, the Burning Legion had the advantage in combat strength.

The result was a chaotic mess; aside from not sabotaging each other, they were practically a bunch of complete novices.

"Old Father,"

"I will personally twist off the human head that killed Mannoroth!"

Katrina, with her giant meteor hammer beside her, also looked up and swore that no matter how much they argued, they were all fire demons and would never allow humans to kill them!

"In that case, the battle here is yours to handle."

Without turning his head, Duke Yanyang suddenly transformed into a beam of light and shot off to the west, leaving behind only a faint utterance.

"Do not disappoint me."

"Father is gone,"

Dubra, who resembled a little priestess, thought for a moment.

"If I were the island nation's government, I would definitely recall the superhuman codenamed 'Shura' immediately."

In fact, the island nation's government asked Yu-kun to send Takashi back directly.

I'm afraid of being killed by Duke Yanyang.

"Then what do we do?"

Without Manolos, who usually commands, Katrina, a leather-clad woman who only knows how to charge, was completely at a loss.

"Let's continue with Manolos's plan for now,"

Akash, the eldest son, adjusted his brown sunglasses.
“Transform large numbers of humans into our ‘Fire Demon Clan’ as our vassal army.”

On the one hand, it can increase their military strength; on the other hand, these transformed 'fire demons' are much more intelligent than ordinary fire creatures.

They can serve as mid-level commanders and advisors, addressing the problem of their chaotic and disorganized fighting.

With Mannoroth's death, these fire lords began to take things seriously.

The reason why Duke Yanyang did not personally take action was—

“A troublesome human little girl,”

Returning to Sun Island, Duke Yan Yang couldn't help but feel a headache coming on as he looked at the giant craters below. He had his children investigate, and it turned out that Jiu Kong Yao Ai could indeed resurrect. Some time ago in Japan, she had resurrected a bunch of powerful demons from a certain 'demigod plane' and had a chaotic battle with the great Onmyoji Abe no Seimei. In the end, she was driven away in one move, and those powerful demons collapsed on the spot.

This intelligence was classified, but not unknown to everyone; as a result, Duke Yanyang was hesitant to act rashly.

Jiu Kong Yao Ai wasn't afraid of him killing Xiao; even if he did, she could immediately be reborn through the Impure World.

But Duke Yanyang did not have this ability.
If Jiu Kong Yao Ai were to shamelessly launch a sneak attack on his subordinate 'Flame Lord', the casualties would surely be heavy.

Very well, let the children go and learn from this experience.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The King of Fighters Demi-Dimension
“Hoo~Hoo~~”

The girl, drenched in sweat from training, had just stopped to catch her breath when a loud cracking sound came from beside her.

"Don't stop! You're far from your limit!"

Iori Kazuka, wielding a stick, waved his 'spirit stick' menacingly, forcing Shimizu Ami to continue striking the puppet in front of her with her 'gentle fist' again and again.

Under Iori Kazuka's "corporal discipline", poor Shimizu Ami squeezed out all the exercise she used to do in a month.
The images before my eyes were blurred, and my hands and feet felt like they didn't belong to me.
"Not enough, not enough!"

But who is Iori Kazuka?

She was someone who advocated solving problems with violence, and being a master of the Tiger level, she knew the girl's physical condition perfectly well; adhering to the spirit of "training until you die if you can't," she began a true hellish training.

"Come on! Let me see where your limits are?"

???

She was so numb that she didn't even have the thought of 'I'm going to die'; Shimizu Ami just mechanically swung her fist.
If she doesn't move on her own, Yihua doesn't mind using a stick to assist her.

"Oh, what a nostalgic scene."

Mr. Big, bald, wearing sunglasses and a suit coat, stepped into the training room and couldn't help but sigh.

"It reminds me of my time in the army—"

Meanwhile, Gis, who came along with them, directly mocked them.
"Heh, once she's been beaten like a dead dog, she'll know how to throw punches like crazy."

In the eyes of these two underworld bosses, Shimizu Ami was completely 'unaware of her good fortune': back then, Mr. Big fought his way up on the battlefield, and Geese went through countless hardships to become a disciple of Bajiquan; in order to gain power, they suffered a lot.

It is precisely because of their past experiences that they crave power so much.

This girl, however, gained the 'qi' that others had painstakingly cultivated for many years simply by drinking a bottle of medicine; and judging from how much Iori Kazuka cherished it, even sending two fighters to be Shimizu Ami's bodyguards, it's clear that she has other secrets.

In fact, Shimizu Ami's progress has been remarkably rapid; she is already able to easily defeat several yakuza henchmen.

Even underworld henchmen possess spiritual power: that is, all of them are at the dog level.

"You two came together, is there something you need?"

Facing Yi Hua approaching,
Giss took out a stack of documents and handed them to her.

"The list of participating teams for the 96th King of Fighters Championship?"

Yi Hua took the document, which contained information about various teams, along with photos.

"The island nation team?"

The first team to be hit was one that left Yi Hua stunned.

Yes,

The world also has the concept of nations.

"This team has already won the King of Fighters championship twice."

After all, they were collaborators, and Yi Hua and the others still needed to contribute, so Giss dutifully explained:

"Captain Kyo Kusanagi is the current head of the Kusanagi family, an ancient martial arts clan from Japan. His 'Crimson Flame' technique melts gold and boils iron, and combined with the Kusanagi Fluid Technique, it is extremely powerful!"

He pointed to the young man in the photo, whose features were upright and whose face exuded righteousness. There was a reason why Geese introduced him so solemnly: after all, this Kyo Kusanagi had never lost since he started throwing punches, and had won the King of Fighters championship twice in a row, all thanks to him.

As for his teammates, Goro Daimon and Benimaru Nikaido, they were merely supporting characters and not worth mentioning.

splash,

Having noted down the other person's characteristics, Yi Hua turned to the second article.

What I saw was a madman with bright red hair covering one eye, wearing a dark suit, red trousers, and a red leather belt connecting his legs.

"This guy's name is 'Iori Yagami',"

Giss pointed to the man with the unconventional attire and unique hairstyle.

"Rumor has it that he is Kyo Kusanagi's nemesis, and his strength should not be underestimated. As for his two teammates, they are said to be Rugal's secretaries, so they probably aren't that strong either."

Rugal was a dark merchant who controlled the black market for weapons, drugs, and other commodities in this world. He organized the first two King of Fighters tournaments, but after being defeated by Kyo, he and his aircraft carrier were blown to ashes.

That's right, this underworld boss is the guy who owns his own aircraft carrier.

"Next up is the Hungry Wolf Team,"

At this point in the introduction, a complex expression flashed across Giss's face.

Terry and Andy from the Hungry Wolf team were the adopted sons of his former best friend Jeff: it was these two who knocked him off the Gista Tower, and he only managed to escape by faking his death.

"Terry is the strongest; the others are nothing to fear."

After a brief introduction, Giss gestured for Yihua to turn to the next page:
Two men and one woman appeared above, all dressed in karate attire with the word "Extreme" embroidered on their chests, their identities self-evident.

"The Ryūgo Team, Ryo Sakazaki, the head of Kyokugenryu Karate, his sister Yuri Sakazaki, and his 'brother-in-law' Robert."

As he spoke, Geese glanced at Mr. Big, the bald man in sunglasses next to him.

"Oops, I was careless."

As a boss who was defeated by the Extreme Flow, Mr. Big's words lacked confidence; if they fought again, he would most likely still lose.

"Next up is the 'New Women's Fighters Team',"

When the team was mentioned, Geese gave a mocking smile.

"Well, they're kind of 'special guests.' After all, we need to show some gentlemanly manners—especially since only Mai Shiranui is participating this time, I wonder where she found these two girls."

In Gis's view, this team was just there to make up the numbers.

But Yi Hua was stunned when she saw the photo.

Isn't this the chairman of the local association?

Yihua gave Geese and Mr. Big a strange look, and then silently mourned for the two of them for a second.

If they were to face the chairman of the local association, those two guys would probably suffer a great loss.

Mr. Big's strength is between Tiger-level and Demon-level. Geese is stronger, but only to a limited extent, and can only be considered a weak Demon-level.

Although the president of the Hongo Association has been "demoted", she was once a powerful demon after transforming; moreover, she was a master of physical combat – this world is exactly where she is.

"The remaining Superpower Team, Ikari Team, and Gold Team are quite strong, but that's about it."

After introducing the main participating teams, Gis looked confident.

"Our goal is to defeat them!"

"When the finals come and they face Kyo Kusanagi, the Eight Orochi will definitely be unable to resist making a move, and then—"

Hunt down the Eight Heroes and seize the 'Orochi Blood'!
"I understand your plan."

Iori Kazuka closed the documents in his hand. This so-called King of Fighters tournament was indeed full of strong fighters: every participant was at least a Tiger-level fighter.

Very well, let her meet these renowned fighters from the 'demigod plane'.

The King of Fighters '96 Tournament begins!
(End of this chapter)