Chapter Summaries

Ryo and Robert agreed to enter the KOF Tournament with Yuri, who worried about explaining her decision to Mai Shiranui. Elsewhere, Ralf proposed the tournament to help Leona recover, Athena persuaded Chin Gentsai to let the Psycho Soldier Team compete, and Choi Bounge negotiated with Kim for their freedom; Kim was considering the deal when the chapter ended.

• Yuri Sakazaki agreed to join Ryo and Robert in the KOF Tournament but worried that she had already promised Mai Shiranui she would not enter.
• Ralf told Leona and Clark they were suspended from missions and proposed entering the KOF Tournament, and Leona agreed.
• Athena showed Chin Gentsai a letter from a girl who could not stand, and Athena and Kensou persuaded him to let their team enter the tournament.
• Choi Bounge and Chang Koehan asked Kim to let them compete in the KOF Tournament so they could promote his reform ideals.
• Choi Bounge offered Kim a deal: if their team won the tournament, Kim had to let them go, and Kim found the proposal persuasive.

As the KOF Tournament teams gathered, Bai Ye spoke with Chizuru Kagura, who explained that she had organized the tournament to prepare for Orochi’s revival. The chapter left Bai Ye aware of the Orochi threat and the plan to seal him again, though Chizuru did not know how Orochi would return.

• Shinato took the invitation meant for America’s representative team, joined Sharmell and Chris, and qualified as part of the New Faces Team.
• The tournament’s teams assembled as publicity peaked, and Bai Ye discussed the preparations with Chizuru Kagura.
• Chizuru Kagura hesitated to explain her reasons for organizing the tournament, but Bai Ye recognized that she meant to discuss Orochi.
• Bai Ye revealed that he already knew about Orochi and Goenitz, prompting Chizuru Kagura to explain the Orochi threat and the Three Sacred Treasures Families’ plan to seal him again.
• Chizuru Kagura told Bai Ye that Goenitz’s actions had weakened Orochi’s seal and that she did not know exactly how Orochi would revive.

Chizuru Kagura explained Orochi’s threat and asked Bai Ye to stop the Hakkesshu if they interfered with the Three Sacred Treasures Families’ efforts to seal him. She also revealed that Bai Ye would compete in the KOF Tournament from the start, then reassured Mai Shiranui that her conversation with him had been only about tournament matters.

• Chizuru Kagura told Bai Ye that the Three Sacred Treasures Families needed to unite to seal Orochi and asked him to hold back the Hakkesshu if they appeared.
• Bai Ye agreed to help and worried that a complete Orochi resurrection would be too powerful to defeat.
• Chizuru Kagura explained the tournament’s new format, which placed Bai Ye, Iori Yagami, and Shingo Yabuki in separate groups alongside the other teams.
• Bai Ye complained that competing from the beginning would cost him his final-boss prestige, and Chizuru Kagura reminded him to avoid hurting opponents unnecessarily.
• Mai Shiranui asked Chizuru Kagura what she had discussed with Bai Ye, and Chizuru Kagura reassured her that they had only talked about the tournament.

King, Mai Shiranui, and Chizuru Kagura discussed the tournament format and the possibility of facing Bai Ye, while Chizuru Kagura hoped they would draw him early. Andy then confronted Bai Ye about his advice that women hindered training and asked whether Bai Ye had a special method for getting stronger.

• Chizuru Kagura explained that twelve teams, including three solo teams, would be split into groups, with each group winner advancing to compete for the championship.
• King worried about drawing Bai Ye, but Chizuru Kagura argued that facing him early could make an eventual loss less costly.
• Andy arrived looking for Bai Ye and reflected on Bai Ye's old claim that women affected the speed of his punches.
• Andy pointed out that Bai Ye was with Mai Shiranui without seeming weakened, then accused him of hiding how to balance love and training.
• Andy clarified that he wanted Bai Ye to share any special training method that could help him become stronger.

Bai Ye advised Andy to ease up on cultivation, and Andy reunited with Terry and Joe as the KOF97 Tournament began. The public draw placed Bai Ye, Iori Yagami, and Shingo Yabuki in separate groups, leaving Mai Shiranui worried that her team would face Bai Ye first.

• Bai Ye told Andy that constant cultivation could cause frustration and that relaxing might help him improve.
• Andy warned Bai Ye that he had grown stronger, then reunited with Terry and Joe, who doubted they could beat Bai Ye.
• Bai Ye approved the start of the tournament, and the host explained its three-group, single-elimination format.
• The draw assigned Shingo Yabuki to Group A, Iori Yagami to Group B, and Bai Ye to Group C.
• The completed draw placed the New Female Fighters Team, Fatal Fury Team, and Psycho Soldier Team with Bai Ye's team in Group C.
• Mai Shiranui worried that her team would be eliminated first if it drew Bai Ye.

The teams were drawn, putting Bai Ye Team against New Female Fighters Team in the first match of Group C. As Mai Shiranui and Chizuru Kagura encouraged the worried King, Yuri Sakazaki arrived to apologize for breaking her promise and explained that her dojo had entered the tournament after being challenged.

• Mai Shiranui and Chizuru Kagura worried about drawing Bai Ye, while Andy and Joe Higashi joked with them before the draw was announced.
• The draw placed Bai Ye Team against New Female Fighters Team and Fatal Fury Team against Psycho Soldier Team in Group C.
• King despaired over facing Bai Ye, but Chizuru Kagura urged her to fight, and Mai Shiranui asked Bai Ye not to knock King out too quickly.
• Bai Ye told Mai Shiranui that Chizuru Kagura was the strongest member of their team and that Mai Shiranui and King could not carry it past the match.
• Yuri Sakazaki apologized to Mai Shiranui for declining her invitation, explaining that her dojo had entered the tournament after suffering losses in a challenge.
• Mai Shiranui forgave Yuri Sakazaki, who worried that Bai Ye would not hold back; Bai Ye pointed out that she had said this in front of him.

Yuri Sakazaki reunited with Mai Shiranui and Bai Ye before the KOF matches, while the group discussed Iori Yagami's chances against the Rage Team. Iori Yagami faced Ralf first and challenged all three opponents to fight him at once.

• Yuri Sakazaki hid behind Mai Shiranui and traded barbs with Bai Ye over their past rivalry.
• Mai Shiranui, King, Chizuru Kagura, and Bai Ye discussed Iori Yagami's upcoming match and Leona's unusual resemblance to him.
• The Rage Team chose Ralf to face Iori Yagami first and advised him to conserve his strength for the next match.
• Iori Yagami told Ralf that all three members of the Rage Team could attack him together, angering Ralf and exciting the spectators.
• Mai Shiranui compared Iori Yagami's boastful challenge to Bai Ye's past showmanship, and Bai Ye said Iori Yagami had always been like that.

Mai Shiranui urged Bai Ye to copy Iori Yagami’s dramatic display, but Bai Ye refused to humiliate his friends or repeat a stunt he had already used to gain fame. Meanwhile, Iori defeated Ralf in one move, and Clark stepped up to face him as Leona worried about their chances.

• Mai Shiranui encouraged Bai Ye to make a spectacle of defeating his opponents, then realized his first opponents were her own team.
• Bai Ye refused to repeat his earlier showy stunt, explaining that he had no reason to embarrass his friends or copy Iori Yagami.
• Iori Yagami dodged Ralf’s flying kick, seized him by the face, and slammed him unconscious into the ground.
• The referee declared Iori Yagami the winner, and Clark volunteered to fight next while Leona warned him to be careful.
• Clark reassured Leona that Ralf had been careless and said he would face Iori Yagami before leaving the final chance to her.

Ralf and Clark were defeated by Iori Yagami, while Leona continued fighting him despite sensing her Orochi's Blood stirring. The New Faces Team decided to provoke Leona's blood to test Bai Ye, and Leona's condition began to worsen as the fight continued.

• Leona realized Ralf was awake but pretending to be unconscious, and Clark later kicked him up to cheer for her.
• Clark surrendered to Iori Yagami after recognizing he could not defeat or wear him down.
• Leona admitted that Iori Yagami was strong, while Iori sensed that she shared his connection to Orochi.
• Shinato, Chris, and Sharmell agreed to trigger Leona's Orochi's Blood to create chaos and gauge Bai Ye's strength.
• Leona held her own against Iori Yagami, but her body began to hurt as her blood slipped out of her control.

Leona’s Orochi’s Blood went berserk during her fight with Iori Yagami, but the organizers decided not to intervene while the match remained under control. Iori gained the upper hand as Leona struggled to control her power, and the fight was nearing its end.

• Leona’s Orochi’s Blood erupted, surprising Iori Yagami and prolonging their fight as Shinato’s attempt to trigger both fighters’ blood failed.
• Ralf tried to rush onto the stage, but Clark stopped him because Leona had not surrendered or lost the ability to fight.
• Chizuru Kagura recognized Leona’s Orochi’s Blood, and Bai Ye explained that she had inherited it from her father, one of the Hakkesshu.
• Bai Ye refused to intervene while the match remained under control, while Chizuru admitted her concern about Orochi had made her lose her composure.
• Bai Ye judged that Leona could not control her newly awakened power and that Iori Yagami was winning as the fight neared its end.

Iori Yagami defeated Leona by knocking her unconscious and the Group A match between Kim Team and the 97 Special Team began. Choi Bounge injured Billy with a burst of speed, leaving Billy furious and the fight unresolved.

• Iori Yagami knocked Leona unconscious, confirmed she was safe, and won the first Group A match.
• Billy volunteered to fight first for the 97 Special Team, while Kim assigned Choi Bounge to go first for Kim Team.
• Choi Bounge and Chang Koehan argued over the lineup, and Kim kept Choi Bounge in the first position.
• Billy taunted Choi Bounge, but Choi Bounge vanished with his speed and tore open Billy's face with his claws.
• Billy vowed to fight seriously, while Ryo Yamazaki doubted him and Mary defended him.

Choi Bounge defeated Billy after using a wind-based move to turn Billy’s flames against him. Ryo Yamazaki stepped into the arena next, and Choi immediately sensed that Ryo was far more dangerous than Billy.

• Billy defended himself with a ring of fire, then used his modified three-section staff to strike Choi Bounge when Choi dodged.
• Choi Bounge decided Billy was a useful test subject and used a wind technique that intensified Billy’s flames, burning him unconscious.
• Mai Shiranui worried that Choi’s speed countered her fighting style, while Bai Ye explained that their differing strength came down to talent and abilities.
• Medical staff treated Billy, and Mary asked about his condition before Ryo Yamazaki entered the arena.
• Choi Bounge felt overwhelming pressure from Ryo Yamazaki and wondered whether he had made an enemy of him.

Choi Bounge forfeited his match against Ryo Yamazaki, and Chang Koehan took his place but was whipped around until Kim ordered him to surrender. Ryo Yamazaki remained undefeated as the 97 Special Team’s remaining fighters faced the prospect of meeting him.

• Choi Bounge forfeited before his bout with Ryo Yamazaki began, and Ryo Yamazaki was unable to object.
• Choi Bounge explained to Kim that he wanted to save his strength and let Chang Koehan fight Ryo Yamazaki.
• Chang Koehan took the stage and was repeatedly whipped by Ryo Yamazaki while Shinato and Sharmell dismissed Ryo Yamazaki’s independence from the Orochi Clan.
• Kim ordered Chang Koehan to stop fighting, and Chang Koehan surrendered before apologizing to his teammates for losing.

Kim fought Ryo Yamazaki after Chang Koehan’s defeat, but Ryo knocked him unconscious despite Kim’s refusal to give up. As Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge considered leaving the Arena, Bai Ye discussed the fighters’ power and Mai Shiranui wondered whether their future child might inherit special abilities.

• Kim reassured Chang Koehan, then entered the Arena to avenge his teammates against Ryo Yamazaki.
• Kim tried to outmaneuver Ryo Yamazaki with taekwondo, but Ryo caught his kick and threw him toward the edge of the Arena.
• Kim refused to withdraw and continued fighting, while Ryo Yamazaki held back to conserve strength for Iori Yagami.
• Bai Ye explained to Mai Shiranui, King, and Chizuru Kagura that innate powers and bloodlines shaped the tournament’s strongest fighters.
• Ryo Yamazaki knocked Kim unconscious, and Chang Koehan asked Choi Bounge whether they should leave while Kim remained behind.

Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge chose to stay after Kim was carried away, while Group B’s first match saw Shingo Yabuki face his master, Kyo Kusanagi. Shingo showed how much his martial arts had improved before conceding, and the tournament continued with the other Group B teams still to compete.

• Chang Koehan refused to leave because he had promised Kim he would stay if they lost, and Choi Bounge agreed to remain with him.
• After Group A ended, Shingo Yabuki’s team faced the Sakura Team, and Shingo challenged Kyo Kusanagi to fight him.
• Kyo Kusanagi accepted and tested Shingo using only martial arts, without relying on his flames.
• Kyo Kusanagi praised Shingo’s improved technique, while Shingo eventually admitted defeat rather than continue fighting.
• Shingo explained that he had wanted to show Kyo the results of his training and had not wanted to waste stamina before later matches.

Sharmell entered the King of Fighters match against the Ryuuko no Ken Team and overwhelmed Ryo with her powerful lightning. As Ryo struggled to approach her, Kyo Kusanagi predicted that he was on the verge of losing.

• Shinato declined to fight the Ryuuko no Ken Team, so Sharmell volunteered to take them on while Chris and Shinato discussed their later matchups.
• Ryo, Robert, and Yuri Sakazaki chose their lineup, with Ryo going first, Yuri second, and Robert last.
• Ryo faced Sharmell and launched a wave of ki, but she struck him with lightning and repeatedly stopped him from getting close.
• Chizuru Kagura recognized Sharmell, Chris, and Shinato as Hakkesshu members and asked Bai Ye to watch for their plans.
• Benimaru Nikaido expressed interest in fighting Sharmell, while Kyo observed that Ryo could not counter her lightning and was likely to lose.

Sharmell brutally defeated Ryo and Yuri Sakazaki, leaving Robert as the last member of their team to face her. As the New Faces Team secured Group B’s final qualifying spot, Chizuru Kagura reaffirmed her duty to stop Orochi’s revival, while Bai Ye supported her decision.

• Sharmell overwhelmed Ryo, slammed him into the Arena, and stopped only after Bai Ye’s gaze warned her to hold back.
• Bai Ye and Chizuru Kagura discussed Orochi’s views on humanity, and Chizuru said she would conserve her strength for the threat of Orochi.
• Mai Shiranui questioned Chizuru’s plan to hold back against Bai Ye, but Bai Ye told Mai not to interfere with Chizuru’s family duty.
• Sharmell defeated Yuri Sakazaki without tormenting her and sent her away for medical care.
• Sharmell’s victory over the team’s fighters secured the New Faces Team the final qualifying spot in Group B.

Mai Shiranui faced Bai Ye in the New Female Fighters Team’s match and tried to catch him off guard with a ninjutsu illusion of a baby before launching a fiery ambush. Bai Ye emerged unharmed, leaving Mai Shiranui’s team to accept the gap in their strength.

• The stadium cheered as the Group C matchups were announced, and Kensou mistakenly thought the crowd was cheering for him until Chin Gentsai corrected him.
• Mai Shiranui, King, and Chizuru Kagura decided that Mai Shiranui would face Bai Ye first because he was most likely to hold back for her.
• Mai Shiranui stepped onto the stage and used an illusion of a baby to distract Bai Ye, then attacked him with a sudden blaze from her fan.
• Bai Ye walked through the flames unharmed, and King and Chizuru Kagura realized Mai Shiranui had not stood a chance of injuring him.
• Bai Ye teased Mai Shiranui for using a sneak attack, recognizing that she had saved the tactic for their match.

Mai Shiranui withdrew from her match with Bai Ye and decided she would leave the KOF Tournament behind to pursue a peaceful life. Chizuru Kagura also withdrew, apparently intending to focus on the Orochi Clan, whose members were preparing their plan involving Iori Yagami.

• Mai Shiranui admitted her sneak attack could not overcome Bai Ye's defenses and chose to withdraw from their fight.
• Chizuru Kagura told Mai Shiranui that the audience cared more about fights between powerful opponents, helping Mai decide she would not compete in another KOF Tournament.
• Mai Shiranui explained that she wanted a peaceful life and no longer needed to carry the responsibility of revitalizing Mai Shiranui's Dojo because Bai Ye was around.
• Andy, Terry, and their companions worried about their coming matches, while Shinato, Chris, and Sharmell discussed their plan to resurrect Orochi and avoid dying before then.
• Chizuru Kagura went onstage and immediately withdrew, surprising the audience and prompting Bai Ye to question her decision.

Shinato, Sharmell, and Chris triggered Iori Yagami and Leona’s rampages while taking Yuki hostage to begin Orochi’s revival, but Bai Ye quickly stopped the fighters and confronted them. The KOF Tournament was suspended and the crowd evacuated as the two sides prepared to fight.

• Athena and Andy began the final Group C match between the Psycho Soldier Team and the Fatal Fury Team.
• Chizuru Kagura noticed Shinato, Sharmell, and Chris preparing to act, and Bai Ye agreed to stop Iori Yagami’s rampage while they confronted the Hakkesshu.
• Iori Yagami and Leona went berserk, and Shinato took Yuki hostage, but Bai Ye subdued the two fighters with an electric shock.
• Bai Ye refused Shinato’s invitation to join the Orochi Clan, while Kyo Kusanagi attacked to rescue Yuki and Chizuru Kagura stepped forward to face the Hakkesshu.
• The referee suspended the match and ordered staff to evacuate the spectators as a fight threatened to break out.