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"Hey, hey, hey! Out of
my way, punk. That's my seat!"
"......"
"Didn't you hear me? Geese, let's teach this kung fu clown a
lesson, eh?
"I don't give up my seat up to lapdogs."
"......I didn't quite get that. Want to say it again?"
"The place for lapdogs is in the dog house. Satisfied now?"
"Why you..."
"Hyah, ha, ha. That sounds like a plan. I'll watch. Let's get
the show on the road!"
Those were the first words of the three the first day they met.
The English cudgel wielder, Billy Kane.
The broker of evil, Ryuji Yamazaki.
And the long-haired man dressed in the loose-fitting garments
of Chinese boxing.
"If I'm not mistaken you call yourself Gato. If you want to
see old age, you should learn to watch your mouth."
"......"
This man, a master of the rigid boxing arts beginning with those
of Yakyoku-ken, is still young with a powerful physique and
a certain something that makes the very air around him taught
with tension. But no commendable person who fears him is in
this spacious hall.
And there is only one man who could gather all of them here
together.
Geese Howard.
The CEO of the Howard Connection and a master of the ancient
martial arts - he holds mighty influence over the underground
society and rules the underworld.
"I won't tell you to take each other's hands and dance the dance
of affection..."
Geese, unpleasantly stubbing out his cigar while sitting deeply
back, turns his leather chair around 180 degrees to turn his
back to everyone.
"But how about pretending to show at least a little teamwork
with each other in front of your new employer?"
From the top floor of this skyscraper that looks down on its
surroundings, one can view his realm, Southtown.
"Client? Do you mean you've placed me in your hire?"
Gato bolts up.
"Rubbish. I have no interest in a fighting tournament. Good
day."
Billy shrugs and whispers, "It's your funeral." Geese speaks
with his back to everyone.
"This town...all sorts of people come to Southtown."
Gato ignores Geese's words and heads for the door.
"For example, a young Japanese girl searching for her long-lost
brother. Eh?"
Gato stops in his tracks.
"So what. It's none of my business."
"That is true. But many other people do come to this city. And
I've heard that Chinese boxers who may closely resemble you
may be among them."
The Howard Connection monopolizes all of the information of
Southtown. And Gato now is well aware of this.
"He's come here? For what purpose...it can't be to join the KOF?!"
"I have no idea. But it would be impossible for you alone to
search for such a man lost among the millions here. It's a simple
proposition, isn't it? You will win the tournament. And I will
help you realize your goal. We'll be even Steven."
"...Hmph. Very well. You've got me interested."
"Hmph. What a pushover. Geese, if I have to enter KOF with the
likes of this clown, I'd rather team up with a French poodle."
"Gyah, ha, ha, ha. You're nothing more than Geese's lapdog,
so it'd be a nice match!"
"Yamazaki, why you..."
"Now, now...a dog barking at guests. Where's your discipline?
What about it, Geese?"
"You filthy snake. How about me shutting you up? Huh?"
"Down, Billy."
Billy is too hot-blooded, and Yamazaki's twisted mental make-up
enjoys seeing blood more than anything else. Were Geese not
here, it would take no more than five seconds for a blood-soaked
battle to the death to break out.
"...Anyway, I'll have you three take part in this year's KOF.
You'll be amply remunerated and I will provide my syndicate
with the necessary information for their investigation. This's
just business. I think it's an offer you all can't refuse."
A crazed look appears on Yamazaki's face and he continues to
smirk insanely.
Gato looks on unemotionally, his eyes fixed on Geeese.
Billy's discontent and discomfort is palpable, but his loyalty
to Geese apparently exceeds it so he presently behaves himself,
gripping his dear cudgel hard in hand.
"Well, then, if you have no objections, that's splendid."
Geese swivels his chair around again to face the newly formed
members of his "team."
"I don't expect anything like teamwork with you jokers, but
you will win this KOF. Any other result and I wouldn't expect
to get anything if I were you."
"Any other results?"
There is no irony or jocularity mixed in with his tone of voice.
Gato's confidence in his abilities is unshaken. His pride in
his own strength speaks to this.
"Since I'll be in the tournament, there can only be one result.
I will be victorious."
"Very good."
"Hey, hey, oh, tolerant Geese. Won't you grant my desires, too?"
"...It would be a real inconvenience if you rant about your payment
in my office. Well, what is it?"
"Blood."
"...Blood, you say?"
"Recently my blood rages more than I can stand.... I just may
"go overboard" a little in this tournament, so I'm hoping you'll,
you know, make things right. I'm counting on you."
An icy glow flickers in Geese's eyes. But that, too, is just
for a second.
"Do as you like. As long as it can be disposed of as 'an accident.'"
"Hyah, ha, ha, ha! Thank you! Now I'm really psyched!"
"Are we done with our little chat? Well then I recommend you
rest up as much as you can until the tournament begins."
Once Gato and Yamazaki leave the room, only Billy and Geese remain.
"Geese, about this tournament..."
"Yeah, Billy, I've been meaning to talk to you mano-e-mano about
it."
"Yes."
"Of course I want you to keep an eye on Yamazaki, but don't
let Gato out of your sight. Especially if someone gets in touch
with him, I want you to report directly to me."
"Your wish is my command. By the way, Geese, who, in blazes,
is the sponsor of this year's KOF anyway?"
"......"
Without answering, Geese once again turns his leather chair
around with his back to Billy.
After a prolonged silence, Billy bids his leave and exits.
The next time the three team members will meet will be the opening
day of KOF. |
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SNK
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