It's Salt.

There's a pretty significant power divide between the fighters in KOF. I thought that would be a fun thing to consider. Like, there's king, who can kickbox - then there's Athena - who's literally a greek goddess. like wth kek.

Japan, Tokyo 3:14 PM

"No way, you talked to Yagami?" Kyo laughed and stirred his coffee. "I bet he wasn't wearing pants, Right? Guy treats the entire city like his living room. It's pretty funny actually."

Mary grinned back. "He's a real nutcase. I don't know how you deal with him. He threatened to blow up my house."

"Haha! That means he likes you. He's a real softie. You know, 'tough guys' are always like that." Kyo sipped his coffee, frowned, and added a few more teaspoons of sugar. Mary felt she was getting fat just by watching him.

"Anyways… Tell me what you're really here for Detective. How can I help you."

Shortly after the harrowing experience with the insane fruitcake musician, Blue Mary had flown first class to Japan to talk to Kyo Kusanagi. She had gotten his contact information from Terry, and felt butterflies in her stomach as she waited for him to pick up the phone. She sincerely hoped Kusanagi wasn't going to be difficult with her. Iori had already drained 150% of her patience.

He picked up after the first ring, and greeted her cherrily before even asking who she was.

To Mary's relief, Kyo Kusanagi was the polar opposite of his rival. He was a friendly conservant and readily agreed to meet with her. She conducted her interrogation in a quaint coffee shop over biscuits and tea.

"Mr. Kusanagi, have you heard anything about Chizuru Kagura recently? Has she contacted you?"

Kyo frowned and added more sugar. "Chiz? Hm. Well she called a week ago telling me to book a ticket to Iceland. Probably Orochi again. She's in contact with Heidern, and Heidern has got satellites everywhere. They probably found something there that we need to take care of."

Iceland.

"But why would you ask me that? Did something happen to her? She's not in trouble is she?"

Sharp kid.

Mary pulled out a manilla envelope from her travel bag and passed it over to her sugary companion. Kyo received it with a confused look and began rifling through it. Mary watched as his face fell, then went serious.

"Who the fuck did this?"

Mary shook her head. "That's what I was hired to find out. Can you tell me if she said or did anything suspicious in the last few weeks? Anything that stood out to you? Anything memorable?"

Kyo had his eyes fixed on one of the photos."... Memorable? Not really. I mean, we aren't really friends. She just checks up on us once in a while - me and Yagami I mean, - to make sure we're alive and not killing each other… Is this her blood? Did you run DNA?"

Mary nodded. Kyo clenched his teeth.

"Detective Ryan." He snapped his chin up to stare her straight in the eye. "Once you find the fucker who did this, you tell me. I'm going to rip the bastard in half."

Mary blinked. She didn't expect to hear such a strong reaction. They weren't really friends after all.

"Whichever asshole dared…. Fuck!... You don't know this Detective, but Chizuru Kagura is one of the best people in the world. "

"What do you mean by that?… Kusanangi are you alrig- Please don't burn that! I need it!"

Kyo flinched before extinguished the fire on the photo. He passed it back to Mary and took another sip of coffee. He frowned and added more sugar.

"Let me tell you a story, Detective. I'm not sure if this will help you, but don't go spreading it around okay? It's supposed to be a secret. Chizuru asked me to keep this under wraps."

Mary nodded. FInally, I'm getting somewhere.

"So you might have heard in news reports that I faked my own death and disappeared for… like six months last year right?"

"The media said you were in the mountains training. Is that not true?"

Kyo laughed. "I wish! No. I got kidnapped by the NESTS Cartel. They ship me off to Brazil and put me through the wringer for three months. Then Yagami shows up, busts me out, and I fly back to Japan."

Mary frowned. Kagura… is it possible she was the Next NESTS' target? She is a 'sacred treasure' after all.

"When I get back here, let me tell you. I was royally fucked up. I had no idea what NESTS did to me, but Chizuru - I mean, the scientists that work under her - did. Those guys are good. She spent two months and a fortune to patch me up, and didn't even ask for anything in return. I'm almost good as new. Stronger even."

Kyo sipped his coffee and frowned. Mary cringed as he reached for the cup of sugar.

"Iori Yagami saved my life, but Chizuru Kagura saved the rest of me. If she didn't find and treat me, I'd be dead by now. She told me there was all sorts of shit in my body… I don't know what it was…. but Kagura took care of it. I'm really grateful to her."

Kyo sighed and looked down at his drink.

"So, if anything happens to her... well, whoever did that. I will personally murder them. I'm sure Yagami is the same… Ah, Yag didn't do it by the way. You can't tell, but he loves her as much as I do."

Kyo chuckled sadly to himself, then continued to stared at his coffee cup. He reached for the sugar container.

"Mr. Kusanagi, do you think NESTS targeted her? They targeted you after all."

Kyo looked up, dropped the spoon on the table, and pressed his lips against his knuckles, thinking. "... Maybe. I mean, they wanted me to make a clone army - That's not a joke by the way, stop laughing."

Kyo have given up with his coffee and leaned backwards to pour it into a nearby potted plant. Mary thought she saw it wilt a little.

"But, no offense to Kagura, I don't think a clone army of thirty-five year old business ladies would really be that effective. She's strong… I guess, but… hm."

"Perhaps NESTS is trying to harness the power of the three treasures?" Mary proffered,

Kyo thought for a moment. Then stood rapidly. There was a panicked look in his eye.

"I think you're right… Detective. We need to-" He seemed to realize who he was talking to and concluded that she couldn't help him. He stopped talking and pondered for a moment before turning to leave.

It felt like a slap to the face. Mary flinched angrily. She would've rejected an invitation to the 'sacred treasure' fight club even if Kyo offered her one... but she wasn't even offered one. Did he think she was weak? No… She wasn't weak, she just happened to be swimming with monsters.

"I'm sorry. I need to make a call. If you need me ring me up later okay? Here -" he threw money at one of the waiters and began walking away. "Sorry. Stay in touch Detective!... Heidern? Commander! I need your help. NESTS has-..."

His disappeared into the crowd.

Mary sat there stunned and angry.

Monsters.

Iori Yagami had rudely blown her off - but that was just how he worked. It didn't really sting much because he was obviously insane. But what Kyo did was much worse. He had feigned kindness, then told her quite plainly that she was useless.

Mary set her face like flint. She would prove these Monsters wrong if it was the last thing she did.

Mary, Chiz and Terry are a bit older than Kyo and Iori. Like 5 or six years older.

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