"Calm your mind."
In the scorching month of June, a group of people began meditating diligently under Chin Genzai's guidance. Ryoma Sengoku was not among them; he had already left.
"Qi is a profound and important martial arts philosophy. Qi is the life force contained within the human body, and it is also the core of martial arts cultivation. Through deep breathing and meditation, focus your attention within your body and sense the flow of qi. Qi is not merely an inner power; it can also be used in battle. By releasing qi during an attack, you can increase the power and range of your fists and kicks. At the same time, when facing an enemy's attacks, learn to use qi to strengthen your defenses and resistance, allowing you to maintain a stable fighting stance."
Chin Genzai's voice echoed leisurely, drifting through the space.
"Keep your heart calm and composed. Qi is closely linked to the mind; only with inner peace can you master stronger qi. In battle, you must keep a clear head and not be swayed by emotions in order to better wield qi's power."
"In everyday life, qi is an energy of life. It can not only play a role in battle, but also be used for healing and recovery."
The meditation training came to an end.
Andrew asked Nathan Hawke with a puzzled look, "I honestly don't understand any of this. Although I could understand Chinese after coming to this world, I couldn't comprehend a word Master said."
Nathan Hawke said, "Just think of your telekinesis as 'qi.' That will do. Look at Max—didn't he understand it perfectly?" The two looked over together, only to see Max wearing an enlightened expression as sparks of electricity began flashing around him with crackling pops.
"Eh, does he have lightning powers like Rai Den too?" Sie Kensou moved closer to the two, staring at the electric sparks flickering around the electric man's body.
"More or less," Nathan Hawke replied simply.
The current KOF timeline was 1996, and the upcoming KOF tournament would be held in July.
Nathan Hawke had agreed to Chin Genzai's request, so Andrew joined the Psycho Soldier Team to participate in this KOF tournament.
And this reverse summoning—or rather, this crossing over—
was an upgrade to the Golden Finger within Nathan Hawke's body. He had gained the ability to travel between worlds, along with the chance to obtain a world anchor and travel back and forth.
At the same time, Nathan Hawke sensed that he could remain in this world for around two months, roughly until the end of the KOF tournament.
"Hm?" Nathan Hawke discovered words appearing before his eyes that only he could see.
World Traversed: KOF Remaining Time: Two months Number of New People That Can Be Brought Back: 1. (Must be voluntary)
So that was how it worked. Nathan Hawke understood. In essence, it was still summoning, except this time he had crossed into another world and could personally choose—or perhaps conquer—the target.
"1996? Who would be suitable to bring back?" Nathan Hawke sat down cross-legged and began to ponder.
Meanwhile—
"Master, why do we have to train with these shady people?" Sie Kensou wore a miserable expression. What he truly minded was that this meant he would no longer have plenty of alone time with Athena.
Chin Genzai raised his wine gourd, took a drink, smacked his lips, and said, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."
"Hehe." Sie Kensou subconsciously scratched his back in embarrassment.
Athena Asamiya asked, "Master, why did they suddenly appear in our courtyard? And my psychic powers can sense the evil thoughts and killing intent mixed within them."
Chin Genzai nodded, looking at Athena Asamiya with an expression of approval.
"They may be Outworlders."
"Outworlders?" The two listened in surprise to the term their master had spoken.
Chin Genzai's eyes, hidden behind his hair, turned sharp. Memories of his youth seemed to flicker within them as he slowly began to speak.
"There are many spaces in this world. Or rather, many 'worlds.' For example, the Orochi of ancient legend."
Athena Asamiya said in surprise, "Orochi really exists? I remember Kyo Kusanagi and the other Three Sacred Treasures families—"
Chin Genzai nodded in reply. "Yes. You can understand Orochi as something from beyond this world, but you can also understand it as the Three Sacred Treasures families driving Orochi beyond this world—sealing it—and turning it into something beyond this world."
"There are many places in this world that mankind does not know about."
"And these people may have come from one of those unknown places. They possess extraordinary power." (Similar to Those from the Distant Land.)
"Really? Why do I feel like they're actually pretty weak?" Sie Kensou poked at his hair with a finger.
Bang!
"Ah!"
Athena Asamiya, unable to endure it any longer, gave Sie Kensou a brutal chop to the head.
"Wuwuwu, Athena, you really do love me." Sie Kensou lay on the ground, tears streaming down his face as his eyes filled with hearts.
Athena Asamiya crossed her arms and ignored Sie Kensou's antics.
"So, Master, what exactly are you thinking? You want one of them to compete with us." Athena Asamiya seemed to have vaguely guessed her master's intentions.
"Taking a break, I suppose. It's rare to meet someone with such highly developed telekinesis." Chin Genzai took a gulp from his wine gourd and wiped his mouth with his arm. Then he said seriously, "I can sense dark power reviving. The power of Orochi bloodline is awakening."
"No way, Master. You can sense even that?" Sie Kensou wore an expression that plainly said he did not believe it.
Bang!
"Wuwuwuwu... Athena."
After being chopped on the head again, Sie Kensou crouched on the ground with tears in his eyes, drawing circles.
"Then what about this group of people, Master?" Athena Asamiya asked worriedly.
Chin Genzai shook his head. "Although their aura of slaughter is heavy, they will not bring destruction to this world." When Chin Genzai first saw Nathan Hawke, he sensed that Nathan Hawke had neither attachment to nor a desire to conquer this world. He thus knew that they must have had a purpose for appearing here, but it definitely was not to destroy or rule this world.
"Mm, I believe in you, Master," Athena Asamiya said obediently.
"Heh heh." Sie Kensou tugged at the corner of his mouth, making it clear that he did not believe it.
Then, during their days of training—
"Max, hurry and help me! My game console is out of battery."
"Andrew, hurry and help me..."
Watching Sie Kensou's relationship with them grow better by the day, Athena Asamiya frantically shook her head to dispel the memory of how disdainful and distrustful he had once been.
"Master Chin Genzai, thank you for your guidance over this past month." Nathan Hawke, Andrew, and Max all performed a disciple's bow to express their gratitude.
Chin Genzai accepted their thanks and nodded. "Then prepare to set off."
After packing their belongings, the group prepared to depart for Sakura Country.
Sakura Country, KOF registration venue.
"It's the Psycho Soldier Team."
"Wow, it's Miss Athena Asamiya."
"Athena Asamiya."
"Athena Asamiya..."
Besides being a fighter, Athena Asamiya was also an immensely popular idol in Sakura Country.
"Hello. Hello, everyone." Sie Kensou waved at them.
"Don't block our view of Athena."
"Get lost! Stop blocking my view of Athena!"
"..." The crowd erupted with complaints toward Sie Kensou.
"Uh." Sie Kensou shrank back.
Athena Asamiya covered her mouth and secretly smiled.
Athena Asamiya walked to the registration desk and handed the invitation in her hand to the staff member.
The other party began registering them, until—
"Eh?" The staff member looked up at Chin Genzai.
"Master Chin Genzai, aren't you competing this time? Then who is Andrew?"
Andrew stepped forward. "I am."
The staff member looked suspiciously at Andrew, then at Chin Genzai, who nodded to him.
"Fine. Normally, if you replace a member with a newcomer, you need to start from the preliminaries. But since Master Chin Genzai has approved it, I'll let you through."
"Thank you." Athena Asamiya pressed her hands together and made an adorable, playful gesture.
The staff member instantly blushed.
They stayed at the hotel arranged by the tournament organizers.
Sie Kensou looked at Andrew curiously and asked, "By the way, what are your companions doing?" After arriving in Sakura Country, Nathan Hawke and Max had left.
"I don't know either." Andrew shrugged. He only knew that Nathan Hawke had told him before leaving to compete properly.
Kusanagi Castle.
Nathan Hawke and the electric man's first stop.
"Do you need something?" Goenitz, who was teaching Shingo Yabuki, asked as he watched Nathan Hawke enter Kusanagi Castle.
The once warm and hospitable Goenitz, who had no money, learned that his son had been defeated by a mysterious person and had received timely treatment with Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon's help. After his son went to his training grounds, Goenitz sensed an oppressive feeling as though a storm were approaching.
Relying on a martial artist's intuition, Goenitz sensed that these two had come here with a purpose.
"Hello, Goenitz." Nathan Hawke got straight to the point. "I need to discuss a business deal with you."
"Business?" Goenitz's eyes instantly lit up.
Goenitz immediately instructed Shingo Yabuki, who was standing nearby with the curiosity of a child, "Quick, Shingo, invite them in."
Sitting cross-legged because he truly was not accustomed to kneeling, Nathan Hawke looked at the excited Goenitz and said, "I need your blood, Goenitz."
"Hm?"
A stifling wave of killing intent rapidly enveloped the entire room.
"Uh, this, this..." Shingo Yabuki looked at the calm Nathan Hawke, then at the murderous-looking Goenitz.
"Hahahaha." Goenitz withdrew his killing intent and laughed loudly as he looked at Nathan Hawke. "You're an interesting one. You actually want my blood. Is it for experiments?"
Nathan Hawke nodded. "The price is negotiable. At the same time, as long as you agree, I can tell you the names of the Hakkeshu, the abilities granted by the Orochi bloodline, and the approaching conspiracy—the fate that your Three Sacred Treasures must face. Of course, if I want to know more, I will need the blood of all three of your Three Sacred Treasures families."
Before you continue