The first weekend of August, Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward.
The morning sun had yet to dispel the thin mist, and the Budokan stood quietly in Kitanomaru Park. However, this moment of tranquility was quickly broken. Crowds of people surged from all directions, like ants returning to their nest, converging purposefully on this hall that symbolized glory and dreams. Everyone's face showed obvious excitement, and many were wearing T-shirts printed with characters from fatal fury.
The giant fatal fury National Finals poster fluttered slightly in the morning breeze. Takuya had gone to great lengths to pester Kurumada Masami to agree to draw these large posters of eight characters, excluding Geese, during the popular serialization of saint seiya. Each one was lifelike, attracting many fans to stop and take photos.
The colorful flags of various sponsors adorned the road leading to the Budokan like a festival celebration, with the logos of Sega and Fuji Television being the most prominent.
Media broadcast vehicles had already occupied advantageous positions, with cameras and equipment at the ready, signaling the extraordinary attention this grand event commanded.
Inside the Budokan, the lights suddenly came on, illuminating the entire venue as if it were daytime.
Inside the Budokan, the lights suddenly came on, illuminating the entire venue as if it were daytime.
In the center of the stage, several rows of brand-new arcade cabinets gleamed under the spotlights, each connected to giant CRT splicing screens in the four corners of the venue, ensuring that audiences in every corner could clearly see the game screen. The commentary booth, referee's stand, and media area were all orderly, showcasing the immense effort and professional standards Sega had invested.
Compared to the somewhat hastily arranged Industrial University Gymnasium during the Tokyo qualifiers, the Budokan at this moment was undoubtedly a true top-tier battleground.
In the audience, many people had already taken their seats early, chatting excitedly.
"I heard there are so many masters in this National Tournament! Just watching the replays of the regional qualifiers is exciting enough!"
"Nonsense, the top players selected from each prefecture, how could they not be powerful? I specifically traveled all the way from Hokkaido!"
"I'm still most optimistic about the Tokyo team. They have Nagai Kenta, and his title of 'National Practitioner' isn't just for show. That guy's Joe swept through 5 arcades in Osaka!"
"What about that high school student, Shirano? The dark horse of the Tokyo qualifiers, his Andy play is masterful. I wonder if he can go all the way in the National Tournament." A young man with glasses pushed up his spectacles, his tone filled with anticipation.
"It's hard to say. The format of the National Tournament is different from the previous qualifiers. That kid is too young; he might suffer from lack of experience," his companion responded.
Reporters were more professional; their documents detailed information on every player who had emerged from the qualifiers.
"The Tokyo team has the strongest championship buzz. After all, last week's report on 'The Television' made them too famous; it's almost an all-star lineup."
"Yes, and they have a star player like 'National Practitioner' Nagai Kenta. However, players from other regions should not be underestimated. It's said that there are monster-level newcomers from Osaka and Fukuoka, whose operations are frighteningly sharp."
"I think that in a big tournament like this, mindset is more important than skill."
Takuya Nakayama stood in the backstage control room, watching the gradually booming crowd through the one-way glass.
The Fuji Television broadcast team was already in place, and the director was making final communications with the host, repeatedly confirming the process. Everything was ready. Takuya Nakayama felt a slight calm in his heart; Sega had to win this battle beautifully.
Exactly nine o'clock in the morning.
Exciting opening music reverberated throughout the Budokan, and dazzling lights crisscrossed and flashed within the venue.
First to enter were the highly refined cosplay performers of the nine characters from fatal fury. The nine characters circled the main stage twice, walking and demonstrating their characters' signature moves and poses, instantly igniting the atmosphere.
After the nine cosplayers stood in position at the side of the stage, the host, microphone in hand, energetically walked to the center of the stage.
"Greetings, audience members here today! And audience members in front of your televisions! Good morning, everyone!"
"Welcome to the highly anticipated Sega First E-sports Tournament — the fatal fury National Finals!"
Cheers and applause, like a surging tide, instantly drowned out the host's voice, and even the floor seemed to vibrate.
The host smiled, waiting for the sound wave to subside slightly.
"Today, the top fighters from all forty-seven prefectures across the country will gather here to engage in the most intense competition for glory and for dreams!"
"They are the pride of their respective regions, the supreme powerhouses of fatal fury!"
The large screen began to rapidly flash the avatars and brief introductions of players from various representative teams, and whenever a well-known player appeared, the audience below would erupt in cheers.
"In this National Finals, we will adopt an even more exciting team competition format!"
"Each representative team consists of three players, and the order of appearance for the vanguard, middle, and general must be submitted before the match."
"The two teams will first have their vanguards engage in a one-on-one duel."
"The loser exits, and the winner continues to face the next player from the opposing team until all players from one side are defeated!"
"The cruel gauntlet challenges not only individual strength but also team strategy and resilience!"
"After yesterday's drawing of lots, today's knockout stage brackets have been determined!"
"Now, let us welcome the players of the first match with our warmest applause!"
As the host introduced them, the players of the two teams walked out from the aisle and stood in their respective competition areas.
The atmosphere at the venue was pushed to a climax from the very beginning.
When it was the Tokyo team's turn to enter, Shirano's name was called, and a considerable stir arose in the venue. Many eyes focused on the young man wearing a faded school uniform, carrying a backpack, and following behind Nagai Kenta and another teammate. Compared to his awkwardness during the regional qualifiers, Shirano's eyes were calm and his steps steady now.
That thrilling duel with Nagai Kenta, and his subsequent victory in the third-place match, seemed like a whetstone, polishing this unpolished gem into something more refined and sharp.
In recent days, Nagai Kenta had not held back, providing him with targeted guidance, especially regarding mental adjustments and tactical flexibility when facing different styles of opponents. Those experiences concerning character understanding, neutral game techniques, and psychological warfare greatly benefited Shirano.
The Tokyo team's first match was against the Hokkaido team. Shirano was arranged to go first as the vanguard.
His opponent was the vanguard from the Hokkaido team, a burly middle-aged man with a full beard, who chose Terry Bogard as his character.
The match began.