The King of Fighters

In a Boston museum, Mai Shiranui and others attend the private unveiling of the Kagura Mirror, the Yagami Necklace, and the Kusanagi Sword. Rugal Bernstein storms the exhibit, steals the three relics, and uses them to open a dimensional portal that awakens Orochi. The incident kicks off a tournament that spans multiple dimensions and sets the plot in motion.

The Kusanagi Sword is revealed to be a fake, delaying the quest. Mai is told by Chizuru that the real sword resides with Saisyu Kusanagi at a mental institution. Chizuru warns that Iori should stay out of Mai's mission to obtain it.

At the mental institution, Mai encounters a catatonic Saisyu and his son Kyo. Iori's arrival breaks Saisyu from his trance, and the elder Kusanagi threatens Iori before losing consciousness. Saisyu dies shortly after the confrontation.

In Seattle, Chizuru informs Scott that Rugal has altered the King of Fighters database and issued challenges to fighters around the world. CIA agent Terry Bogard enters Chizuru's room seeking information on Rugal and the tournament. Chizuru explains that multiple dimensions exist and tells him to seek Mai, who is undercover for the CIA.

At a cemetery in Seattle, where Saisyu is buried, Kyo and Iori confront each other. Iori explains that the Kusanagi and Yagami clans were destined to be enemies, foreshadowing the Orochi crisis. The encounter underscores the personal stakes behind the looming battles.

Mai hitches a ride with Kyo to his home, explaining that she is searching for the Kusanagi Sword. Kyo recounts a centuries-old Orochi legend and the danger of its return. Mai warns that Rugal plans to unleash Orochi on the world.

At a hotel, Mai and Kyo join Iori and Terry. Rugal uses the tournament dimension to merge with the real world, increasing the peril. Mai blows her cover, prompting Iori to equip a Bluetooth headset and enter the tournament dimension to confront Rugal.

In the tournament dimension, Iori defeats Rugal's servants Mature and Vice, but the Orochi power begins to consume his mind. The team grasps the magnitude of Rugal's power and the danger of Orochi.

The next day, Kyo is lured into the tournament dimension and fights Rugal. He loses but is spared as a warning. Kyo then joins Chizuru and Terry into the tournament after Mai is dragged in by Rugal.

When the four meet, they are separated into different dimensions: Kyo versus Rugal, Mai and Terry versus Mature and Vice. Rugal nearly decapitates Kyo, but Iori reappears to intervene and avert disaster.

Rugal recounts a past clash with Saisyu, Chizuru, and Iori over control of Orochi. Iori’s earlier submission to Orochi left Saisyu mentally scarred by the assault. The conflict escalates as Orochi's power surfaces during the duel between Kyo and Iori.

Chizuru appears with multiple clones and reveals she has found the Kagura Mirror and the Yagami Necklace. The heroes fail on their first attempt to combine the relics and trap Rugal. Chizuru is mortally wounded, and Mai takes her place as the mirror holder.

As the trio corners Rugal, Mai acts as the mirror holder and Kyo and Iori push the fight to a climax. Rugal destroys Kyo's sword, but Kyo miracles a new blade to block a fatal fireball and then launches the weapon to finish Rugal off. Rugal is defeated and destroyed by the sword.

Back in the real world, Scott places a lantern on the ocean in memory of Chizuru. The fighters reflect on the fight and honor her sacrifice, keeping the memory alive.

Kyo decides to carry on the family tradition by continuing the tournament, inspired by his late father's teachings. Iori stares at him from the other side of the pier, implying lingering conflict and unresolved fates.