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King of Fighters II
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King of Fighters '94
"Tchee-yah!"
Just as he hears the scream, Goro Daimon finds himself airborne and BAM! He lands with large thud.
"Goooooo-waaah...."
It is Daimon's loss. The boy who wins the preliminary round of Japan's varied fighting forms tournament quickly catches his wind. The fighting style of this delicate young boy, Kyo Kusanagi, seems to combine the art of manipulating fire, passed through his bloodline, with the "Sword of Kusanagi," which protected the Susano-ono-Mikoto of legend, to make up the Fist of Kusanagi martial arts that is said to be as old as humanity. Kyo is a direct descendant of this Kusanagi bloodline.
And Goro Daimon now realizes in this preliminary match the sublime power of the moves Kyo possesses.
"Too bad there. Mr. Former Gold Medalist man."
Daimon looks back to see a superbly coiffed blond boy, his hair shooting up into the sky. He's Benimaru, who moved onto the finals one step ahead of Kyo. His style is flamboyant, and he is a guy who really stands out in a crowd.
"You lose to a punk like this, what a joke. Your reputation as a gold medalist is ruined."
"...Hold on there, sonny, you can't win with a half-hearted attitude like that..."
"What did you say? It's a given that I'll win and be hailed all over Japan!"
"You should show more prudence before issuing challenges..."
And because of his boasting, the conclusion to the battle between Kyo and Benimaru's is fairly predictable. As Kyo keeps a certain degree of distance, Benimaru continues to move in. It's truly a strategy of attrition.
"Nuts! What a clown. Hey-yaah!!!"
Benimaru moves to finish the match with a single blow and jumps in for the kill. Then it happens:
"Hoooh-yeah!"
Having kept a certain distance from his foe until now, Kyo releases his super special move, the Serpent Wave.
"What the...? Oooh-wghaaaaaa!!"
The flames that Kyo release swallow up Benimaru and the match ends. Kyo pants something as he tries to recover his breath.
"Heh, heh...Burn, baby, burn...."
The two, who have come to respect each other's strengths, receive their invitations to the King of Fighters one year later.
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King of Fighters '95
Benimaru and Daimon, hearing information that Kyo has returned from his training abroad, arrive at the port to greet him.
BENIMARU: "Unbelievable! He's finally coming back!"
DAIMON: "So, just how strong has he got...?"
When the ship on which Kyo is believed to be arrives, a masked figure pounces on the two.
The attack is shrewd and Benimaru and Daimon, in spite of their strength, do their utmost just to avoid the attack.
BENIMARU: "Wh-who is this clown?"
DAIMON: "Hmph. Quite a strangely nimble opponent!"
Then at that moment, a flame out of nowhere glances the mask of the figure who has attacked the two.
ASSAILANT: "Gah...!"
The three look in the direction that the flame came from to see the figure of Kyo blowing out the flames on his fingertips.
KYO: "What are you doing, you two?"
BENIMARU: "K-Kyo?!"
The figure's mask, grazed by Kyo's flame, breaks in two and falls to the ground. The identity of the figure is revealed to be none other than the secretary who led them to Rugal's lair one year ago.
BENIMARU: "Y-you?!"
SECRETARY: "Hoo, hoo, hoo...it's just like you three to put me in a pretty pickle. As my duties involve delivering this to you, I'll conclude my duties presently."
Rugal's secretary produces the invitation from her breast pocket.
SECRETARY: "An invitation to King of Fighters '95. We insist you honor us with your presence at this year's tournament...Well, then, I look forward to our next meeting."
Rugal's secretary makes a swift exit.
BENIMARU: "Hey! Get back here!"
KYO: "...For crying out loud what a pain in the patootie. I just get back home and now this! Well, at least I won't be getting bored anytime soon."
BENIMARU: "You got that right. Things are getting downright compelling! Do you think the appearance of that chick could mean Rugal's still alive...?!"
KYO: "Rugal...?! If that's the case...things'll really be getting compelling!"
BENIMARU: "Then...we three are a team again? So what're ya gonna do...!"
DAIMON: "Yeah, it's too bad ŽÐ I was hoping to whoop your backsides this time around."
KYO: "OK...! Well, then, let's start workin' out!"
And thus, their will's resolved, our three heroes once again team up to enter the King of Fighters '95.
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King of Fighters '96
A great clash of psychic force takes place in the middle of an overgrown thicket.
One of the men sports a sun pattern on the back of his uniform, and the other has melted into the shadows. It is hard to make out just who or what he is.
The man dressed in the uniform, Kyo Kusanagi that is, is already panting heavily.
KYO: "F-fudge! Then how about trying this one on for size?!!"
Kyo focuses all his energy and unleashes his Serpent Wave move. But his opponent catches and crushes its flames with one hand.
KYO: "What the?!"
SHADOWY FIGURE: "So that is all your capable of, Kyo Kusanagi...?"
Just when he thinks the shadowy figure uttered this, he is sprung into the air.
KYO: "Ooh-whaaa!"
Kyo is slammed to the ground and rendered motionless.
KYO: "Guh, wh-who...are you...?"
SHADOWY FIGURE: "Hmph, someone who grossly overestimated your abilities, I guess..."
And with that, the shadowy figure slips back into the shadows.
Kyo swallows his failure hard as his consciousness slowly fades.
Kyo awakens suddenly. He looks up at the snow-white ceiling above.
KYO: "...Where am I?"
He looks up at two blurry faces. They are Benimaru and Daimon.
BENIMARU: "Hey! Kyo, can you hear us? Kyo!"
DAIMON: "Are you OK? Kyo!"
KYO: "Benimaru...Daimon...."
BENIMARU: "What happened to you? How did you get all banged up like this?!"
KYO: "..."
Kyo tries to lift his arms. He sees that they are wrapped in white bandages. Pain suddenly rushes up and down his limbs.
KYO: "Ooh...mama! That hurts."
BENIMARU: "Hmm... I guess he did more than trip on the street. No! Do you think he met up with Yagami?!"
KYO: "No...."
DAIMON: "Then who the devil was it?!"
KYO: "...I don't know. Nuts!"
Kyo swivels on top of the bed to punch the wall with all his might.
BENIMARU: "But who would have imagined you getting this smashed up."
KYO: "...I was sure I could win. I placed my confidence in these fists of Kusanagi. But I never thought.... The Serpent Wave would prove useless..."
BENIMARU: "Wh-what? Hey, are you kidding?"
KYO: "I'm serious! That's why...guh...."
BENIMARU: "Kyo...."
Kyo suddenly rises from his bed, as if suddenly remembering something.
KYO: "Owwww-oooch...."
BENIMARU: "Hey, what are you doing? You're in no condition to walk!!"
KYO: "I can't just lollygag around here forever. Got it? And don't try to follow me!!!"
Kyo rises from his bed and staggers out the door.
Benimaru and Daimon exchange glances.
DAIMON: "So what do we do now?"
BENIMARU: "Well, if someone tells me not to follow him, I got to follow the guy."
DAIMON: "..."
Having tailed Kyo, Benimaru and Daimon arrive at the overgrown thicket.
Here they find Kyo loitering around.
DAIMON: "Are you sure about this...? If Kyo finds us here...."
BENIMARU: "Bah, dummy up! We came here because we were worried, didn't we? If this is bothering you, you shouldn't have come with me in the first place!"
DAIMON: "U-uh...yeah..."
BENIMARU: "What the crud is that guy doing here anyway?"
Kyo inhales slowly and focuses his energy in his fists. Shortly thereafter a tremendous force begins to reverberate through the thicket.
BENIMARU: "Ah!"
DAIMON: "Whoa...!"
KYO: "Hah!"
At the release of his scream Kyo becomes absorbed in light and Benimaru and Daimon are smacked to the ground by the shockwave.
DAIMON: "!"
BENIMARU: "Kah!"
When the glow subsides, the thicket is charred black and Kyo stands at its center.
KYO: "Huh, huh...looks like I did it.... Did you see me, Father?!"
Kyo mutters this as he drops to his knees.
Benimaru and Daimon stare in blank amazement, overwhelmed by the power.
BENIMARU: "Aw-awesome..."
DAIMON: "Yeah...that was one amazing move...."
Kyo looks back at the two.
KYO: "Didn't I tell you not to follow me...? Whatever. So, what did you think? That was one of the heavenly moves of the Kusanagi.... I've always wanted to try it at least once but never was able to pull it off. I thought I was strong enough without it, so I never again attempted it, but I felt I could do it.... I gave it a shot, and sure enough..."
BENIMARU: "That was amazing! That should cream the guy who messed you up...."
KYO: "Will it? The only way to find out for sure is to try it."
Saying this, Kyo falls temporarily falls silent, but shortly thereafter he opens his mouth as if remembering something.
KYO: "King of Fighters...."
BENIMARU: "Huh?"
KYO: "The King of Fighters!"
BENIMARU: "Ah, yeah, if you're talking about the King of Fighters I sent in the application the other day, but what about it? ...Ah, you mean?! The guy who knocked you senseless has something to do with this year's King of Fighters?"
KYO: "No, not that. And I wasn't ever senseless! It's just that I can't stand the fact that that guy is watching me somewhere and snickering at me! I want to show what I, Kyo Kusanagi, am capable of during the King of Fighters.
BENIMARU: "Hey, we planned to enter anyway! We're already on that rail, bud!"
DAIMON: "Yup."
BENIMARU: "OK! Well then."
KYO: "Let's get cracking. King of Fighters, here we come!!!"
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King of Fighters '97
Daimon's judo gym. Daimon stand with his arms crossed and looks down at the man kow-towing at his feet.
DAIMON: "Master...would you please stand up?"
MAN: "No, I'm staying here until you agree to my request. If you don't, it will mean the end to the sport of judo in Japan. I beg you. Come back. Save Japanese judo!"
DAIMON: "Master...!"
Daimon frantically tries to bring his master to his feet but the man does not budge. Daimon begins to brood, a desperate crosses his face.
DAIMON: "...All right then."
The man springs to his feet and gazes into Daimon's eyes.
MAN: "Are you serious?"
DAIMON: "It is true that I entered this world of fighting competitions because I realized the limitations to judo's power, but I never once renounced it. Judo made me what I am today. And if judo is in danger, then I can't just stand by and watch. Though I'm not up to the task, Master, please let me help you."
MAN: "Thank you. Thank you so much, Daimon!"
DAIMON: "But I have a favor to ask of you."
MAN: "Huh? What is it?
DAIMON: "Y-you've probably already heard but the King of Fighters begins tomorrow. It's important for me to finish what I began, so I ask you to wait until the King of Fighters is over for me to help you."
MAN: "I knew you'd say that. I understand. Knock 'em dead, Daimon."
DAIMON: "Thank you. You know I will."
The port. Benimaru is lost in thought, looking off into the horizon at nothing in particular. He lights a cigarette. He stares at the glimmering fire of his lighter, lighting and extinguishing it over and over. The flickering of the flame triggers a flashback.
BENIMARU: "Since that fateful day, I've never taken that guy on...."
Memories of Kyo cross dance in his mind's eye. He recalls the last time he and Kyo fought, and Kyo served him up a stinging coup de grace.
BENIMARU: "I almost forgot I lost to that guy..."
Benimaru blows a puff of smoke up at the sky.
BENIMARU: "I can't keep going on being this chummy all the time...Maybe the opportunity to avenge myself has come. Kyo Kusanagi...."
Panting and gasps reverberate through the area. Kyo assumes a fighting position. He fights an unknown opponent.
KYO: "Nuts...!!!"
His opponent moves slightly. Kyo finds an opening.
KYO: "Victory is mine!!"
Flames shoot from his hands.
KYO: "Eat this!!!"
The flames rush forward. The flames engulf his opponent. The flames then suddenly contract and a shadow grows in their place. The shapeless, formless void continues to grow. It threatens to swallow up not just the flames but Kyo as well.
KYO: "Gah! ...Ah!!! ...!!!"
Kyo's body, voice, and breath are all swallowed by the void. All Kyo can see is darkness. In this state, a ringing in his ears gradually increases in volume. He covers his ears but to no avail. He gradually becomes aware of what the noise is.
KYO: "The din...it's...singing?!"
The moment the ringing in his ear reaches its peak, the void suddenly collapses. A stadium becomes visible before him. In the distance he sees the message: "KOF."
KYO: "...!"
Kyo opens his eyes. His body is drenched in sweat.
KYO: "A dream...When did I fall asleep?"
Suddenly his gaze shifts to his desk. An invitation with "KOF" emblazoned on the envelope rests there.
KYO: "The King of Fighters? ...What's going on...?"
In the judo gym. Daimon folds up his judo gear.
At the port. Benimaru crushes out his cigarette.
Kyo stares at the invitation.
KYO, BENIMARU, DAIMON: "So it all begins...tomorrow."
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King of Fighters '01
"Oomph."
Bam!
A large man stands out conspicuously in the gym, and he tosses one Olympic athlete after another down on the mat.
"That's enough for today!"
"Thank you very much!"
The giant removes his judo clothes and begins to wipe the sweat dripping from his granite-firm body.
Then, all of a sudden...
"Hey, long time no see, Daimon! This time, more than I care to."
"Well, if it isn't Benimaru!"
"Must be tough being a coach, isn't it...Or are you the manager?"
The two leave the gym, sit on a bench, and begin talking.
"...Benimaru, judging from the circumstances, I don't think you've come to talk about the good old days, have you?"
"Well...as a matter of fact, I got one of these."
Benimaru dramatically offers the envelope to Daimon.
"Is this...an invitation to the King of Fighters tournament...?"
"Yup, that's it. I won't beat around the bush, Daimon. I want you to enter with me."
After a considerable silence, Daimon comes to his conclusion.
"Benimaru...I...."
"I know. It's Kyo, isn't it?"
"That's it...."
"Well, then, what if I told you that Kyo is entering the tournament, too?"
"Kyo, in the tournament?! Have you heard from Kyo, Benimaru?"
"Yup, but we just talked on the phone...It seems that he's in Japan. He told me he's officially entering the tournament."
"Hmm..."
"Care to be teammates again? Eh, Daimon?"
"...Benimaru. Lead the way."
"That's the old pepper, big guy!"
Shingo sits and fidgets on a park bench, illuminated by the moon's rays.
"Mr. Kusanagi. We didn't have to meet in a place like this..."
There's no trace of another human around. To be honest, Shingo is shivering with fear. He's the only one in this park at midnight....
"Oh wow, it's past twelve o'clock. I wonder if Mr. Kusanagi's really going to show up...."
He mutters this while looking up at the moon. ...Then in that instant, Shingo feels the presence of someone behind him. He quickly swivels around.
"...What? ...Guess it was just my imagination...."
"Hey, Shingo."
"Dwaaaagh!"
Shingo panics and looks back in front of him as his name is called. It turns out to be the person that Shingo has been dying to meet all this time.
"Mr. Kusana-aaaaaaagi!"
Shingo, overcome with sheer joy, tries to embrace him, but Kyo bats him away with a single hand. Shingo, carried by his own inertia, crashes "neatly" into the ground, face first.
"...Jeesh. I see you haven't changed for the better, have you?"
"Ow! That's going to leave a mark. Uh, you too, Mr. Kusanagi! What have you been up to all this time?! I was worried sick!"
"Well, a lot has been on my plate. So, Shingo, just where's Benimaru at?"
"Yeah! Benimaru should be coming along any time now. ...Ah, here he is!"
Benimaru walks toward the two, his blond hair gleaming in the moonlight. The judo giant walks behind him.
"Th-That's...."
Kyo is surprised.
"Kyo, it's been a while. It's not much of a souvenir, but I brought Daimon along with me."
"Benimaru...Daimon..."
"Long time no see, Kyo. It seems you've been through some tough times."
"I've seen a few...."
"Hey you two, lighten up. More important, I have a message for you, Kyo. You haven't been by Yuki's have you? She's been pretty worried."
"Yuki? Ah...yeah. Once this is over...."
"Jeesh...Why don't you...ah, whatever. So...I've been looking after your self-appointed disciple. I don't know how much my word means, but he seems to have improved a little during your absence."
"A little? That's harsh, Benimaru!"
Everyone lets out a brief laugh, but the mood quickly changes.
"Kyo...do you feel it?"
"Yeah...we're surrounded. ...I'd say three, four, five, probably more."
"Hmm..."
The three-Kyo, Benimaru, and Daimon-change their mood previously friendly one and they appear poised for combat, their adrenalin increasing. Only one, only Shingo, seems to dither about, not grasping what is about to go down.
"U-Uh...What's the problem, guys?"
As Kyo puts his glove back on, he lets out a scream!
"How about breaking a few heads together, for old times sake?!! Are you up for it, Benimaru?! Daimon?!"
"Sounds like a plan! Team Japan is back in business!"
"All right!"
Kyo, Benimaru, and Daimaru dash into the darkness as one.
"Hey ev-everybody! Don't leave me alone here! Heeeeey!"
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King of Fighters '03
"Hello, I am speaking to Goro Daimon, aren't I? This is the police and..."
Hired by his alma mater as a special instructor, Daimon has no choice but to cancel practice with this sudden summons and rush to the police station. He links up with Benimaru Nikaido who happens to be on his way to the station for reasons of his own.
"Hey, Daimon, tell me what the heck's going on here. Or have you only heard the same yadda-yadda that Shingo's been taken into protective custody that I have?"
"Yup. That's right."
"Jeesh.... Just what's that clown done this time?"
Without reaching any definitive answer to Benimaru's question, the two arrive at the police station.
Right away they are led to a room deep in the bowls of the station, and there sits Shingo Yabuki, who, even now, looks as if he is about to burst into tears.
"Daimon, and Benimaru! I haven't done anything! You've gotta believe me!!!"
"Sorry to put you through this hubbub, Mr. Daimon. This guy was screamin' at us to have you come here."
The officer in charge and Daimon seem to have met before. In spite of his aloof disposition, Daimon, who also moonlights as a special judo instructor at the police academy, is well-connected. But the one who lays into Shingo is Benimaru.
"So why did you call for Daimon?! Calling your mommy and daddy would have been more apropos, don't you think?"
"Are you kidding?! If my parents knew about this...they'd ground me for life and no KOF this year!"
"What a putz. ...So, what's this guy in for? Murder? Armed robbery?"
Benimaru continues to rake Shingo over the coals. This joking is due to the very fact that he knows Shingo is innocent, but naturally no one finds his attempts at levity very funny.
"He's in here for attempted arson."
The stern-faced policeman answers Benimaru's question. Any looks of amusement on Benimaru and Daimon's faces subsequently vanish.
"I'm telling you it's all a big misunderstanding!"
"I got you dead to rights, punk! I saw you with my own two eyes in front of a house in the wee hours of the night and heard you say stuff like, "This time I'll make fire for sure." "I got a little flame there." And the coup de grace: 'Burn, baby, burn!'
The police officer slams an open hand on the table; Daimon and Benimaru take a glance at each other then look up at the ceiling as if to say, "Good grief."
(So that's what this is all about.)
The two know Shingo well. They are sure for the most part that he's incapable of a criminal act, and the various bad premonitions they had on the way to the station in spite of this have now faded away. They are assured their fears were groundless, and now they are relieved...and a little bit ticked off.
"Looks like this has all been one big misunderstanding. Daimon and I can vouch for this guy's character. Isn't that right, Daimon?"
"Yup. That's right."
"Well, if Daimon says so..."
The evidently dissatisfied police officer nevertheless promptly releases Shingo in deference to Daimon.
The three exit together from the police station's main entrance. But Shingo takes up the rear, plodding behind them as if trying not to step on their shadows. And after a brief time walking...
"Uh...excuse me you two.... I'm sorry for making such a nuisance of myself!"
Benimaru smacks the back of the head of the deeply bowing Shingo.
"You got that right. I know you were probably giving yourself a crash course in the fighting arts of Kusanagi, but even I would suspect someone ranting about fire and flames in front of houses in the middle of the night of being an arsonist."
"Yup. That's right."
"I'm sorry. I just got carried away.... I just know I made some fire."
"It had to be static electricity or something. If not that, it was a hallucination. A...hal-lu-ci-nation!"
"Hmm...I guess so, huh?.... No, I know I..."
Benimaru and Daimon ignore Shingo's babbling and head back to the university.
The two turn to the topic of joining the next KOF tournament.
Yes, the two intend to join the competition once again this year.
As Shingo catches scraps of the conversation, Daimon discusses how he wants to see the results of his training. Benimaru speaks of wanting to see what he's made of...And another reason is it seems one of the new contestants has caught their attention. When it comes to the crucial reason, the level of Benimaru's voice drops, but Shingo can make out fragmentary words like Lin, flying brigands, and Seth.
With his head drooping down, Shingo continues to follow behind the two. Shingo's house, mind you, is in the opposite direction.
"...Hey, uh, Shingo."
Benimaru turns to look behind him.
"Y-Yes?"
"It doesn't seem like you to be moping around like that, don't you think?"
"Yup. That's right."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. You endure Kyo's ribbings with laughter, cheerfully suffer his bullying, and happily obey his commands. You're a guy who rushes in where angels fear to tread with spunk and stamina. That's you to a tee, isn't it?"
"Yup. That's right."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
"Whatever. Snap out of it because for the next KOF, Daimon, me and you are going to be a team."
"Yeah, telling me to meekly resign myself to my just deserts...are you?! You're going to let me join your team?"
"Why? You got a problem with that?"
"But what about Kusanagi? I thought for sure...."
"That bozo Kyo is traveling abroad. I can't get in touch with him."
"Yup. That's right."
Certainly this seems to be the case.
After the end of the previous tournament, Shingo periodically trained under the guidance of Kyo's father - Saisyu Kusanagi.
The training took place in a corner of the Kusanagi house, but during that time the figure of Kyo was nowhere to be seen.
"Well, with a guy like that, he just may be planning to storm in at the last minute, but we can't afford to wait for that."
With a swish, Benimaru's body turns and his fist suddenly stop short of Shingo's face. Shingo moves his body a few centimeters to narrowly avoid the blow.
A small flash of lightning emanates from Benimaru's left hand, and he momentarily flashes a fearless expression from below. Though eclipsed by Kyo and Iori, Benimaru Nikaido is one of the world's preeminent fighters.
"Well now, you have improved, haven't you? Am I hearing right? You've been getting special training under a true slave-driver coach, haven't you?"
"U-Uh, yeah, well..."
"Cheer up there, pal. When you get all gloomy, it puts me down in the dumps. To add insult to injury, teaming up with Daimon here, our team image will be pretty off-putting, so I'm begging you."
"Yup. You got...hey, wait a minute!"
"Very well. I'll do anything you want today and today only. Just tell me what you'd like."
"Huh?"
"I'm sick of seeing you get knocked around all the time. So, any request - just to psyche you up before the tournament."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. Whatever you want. How about something you've always wanted to eat?"
When it seems apparent that Benimaru is sincere, Shingo thinks over all sorts of possibilities with a glint in his eyes.
"Well, then.... Ah, that's it! There is something I've always wanted to do! Benimaru!"
"What is it?"
"Bring me some tiramisu! And make it snappy!"
Daimon and Benimaru cringe for a moment that seems like an eternity.
"Oh, yeah?! Eat this: Heaven Blast Flash!!!"
"Hee-gyaaah!"
Suffering a massive electric shock, Shingo, burnt to a crisp, rolls to the ground and moans.
"Ow-oooch...I knew it was a bad idea not to have said, please."
"Putz."
"Uh, but just now...I'm sure I thought I saw bursting flames. ...From my eyes, that is."
And from that moment on the participation of these three in KOF was written in stone.
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King of Fighters III
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Goro Daimon
Former gold medalist in judo at the Olympic Games, Goro decided one day to improve his discipline by adding new techniques such as "tremendous earthquakes". He later joined Kyo and Benimaru to participate in the KOF Tournament. Goro always seems to have a very serious expression, but he is a hard-worker.
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