After the events of KOF ’96, the world is once again captivated by The King of Fighters tournament, which has now reached its 1997 edition. However, beneath the excitement of the competition, an ominous presence lurks—Orochi, the ancient entity of destruction, is on the verge of resurrection.
The tournament is once again held under mysterious circumstances, with no clear sponsor. Despite this, fighters from around the world eagerly participate. However, those who have been paying attention begin to sense that something is wrong. Strange occurrences begin to unfold, and fighters with connections to the supernatural feel an unsettling disturbance.
Among the participants are Iori Yagami, heir to the Yagami Clan and cursed with Orochi blood, and Leona Heidern, who shares the same cursed lineage but fights to suppress it. Meanwhile, Kyo Kusanagi, the champion from previous tournaments, is once again determined to prove himself, unaware that the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
A new team known as the New Faces Team—composed of Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie, and Chris—makes their debut in the tournament. Initially, they appear to be just another group of talented fighters. However, as the tournament progresses, their true intentions are revealed. They are, in fact, the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi, powerful warriors tasked with bringing Orochi back into the world.
In the climax of the tournament, they shed their disguises and unleash their full power. Yashiro, Shermie, and Chris reveal themselves as Orochi’s devoted servants, seeking to break the final seal that binds their god. They manipulate Iori Yagami’s cursed blood, causing him to enter a Riot of the Blood state, a mindless frenzy where he attacks anyone in his path. Leona, suffering from the same blood curse, also succumbs to this state, unleashing chaos.
Despite the interference, Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, and Chizuru Kagura—descendant of the Yata Clan, the guardians of the Orochi seal—face off against Orochi Chris, who serves as the vessel for Orochi’s resurrection. The final battle is brutal, as Orochi’s overwhelming power threatens to bring devastation to the world.
Kyo and Iori, once bitter rivals, are forced to unite. Using the power of the Kusanagi and Yagami flames, they unleash their combined strength against Orochi. Chizuru supports them with her sealing abilities, aiming to imprison Orochi once and for all.
As the battle reaches its climax, Iori Yagami—driven by hatred and his clan’s cursed fate—goes berserk and grabs Orochi by the throat, locking him in place. Kyo, seizing the moment, delivers a final, devastating blow, sending Orochi back into dormancy. Chizuru completes the ritual, sealing Orochi away once more.
With the battle over, Iori vanishes into the shadows, and Kyo is left wondering if the war against Orochi is truly over. Meanwhile, the world breathes a sigh of relief, unaware that this is only the beginning of greater battles to come.
KOF ’97 remains one of the most iconic entries in the series, marking the dramatic conclusion of the Orochi Saga. It also introduced multiple endings, depending on which teams the player used, adding layers to the story.
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