Ryu and Akuma's eyes blazed with unprecedented light upon seeing this. For these pure seekers of martial arts, this was a treasure more precious than any fortune!
"I don't really have any use for this stuff, and deleting it feels like a waste. So..." Cloud spread his hands. "I propose we establish an organization."
"This organization won't belong to any nation or represent any faction. Its sole purpose will be to protect Earth, and incidentally, to spread the teachings of this training camp I'm starting—to cultivate a new generation of fighters who can fight, can endure, and won't drop the ball at critical moments."
"I'll just take an honorary chairman position and won't participate in daily affairs. The organization's management and operations, I leave to all of you."
"Kyo Kusanagi, you're experienced. How about being Dean of Training, responsible for practical combat instruction?"
Kyo was momentarily stunned, then grinned. "Hmph, disciplining those brats? Sounds good."
"Ryo Sakazaki, with Kyokugenryu's students all over the world, you're perfect for Director of Admissions."
Ryo stroked his chin. "Kyokugenryu is happy to contribute to world peace!"
"K', Maxima, the Technology Research Department is yours. Remember—don't create any world-destroying gadgets."
K' said nothing, but his eyes now held a sense of belonging.
"Terry, you're well-liked. Be the Director of Public Relations, responsible for maintaining connections with fighters worldwide."
Terry tipped his cap with a hearty laugh. "OK! No problem!"
"As for Iori Yagami..." Cloud looked at the red-haired young man who had kept his arms crossed with a "none of my business" expression throughout. He smiled. "You can be the Disciplinary Officer. Any student who misbehaves gets handed to you for a 'friendly chat.'"
A cruel smile curved Iori's lips. "Hmph... are you trash ready to be broken by me?"
And so, a super organization dedicated to protecting Earth, passing on martial arts, and training new fighters—the Guardian Alliance (a name forcefully suggested by Yuri and Athena; though somewhat cheesy, everyone was too lazy to argue)—was casually established amid an extremely cheerful atmosphere.
Cloud looked at this group of former opponents and friends, now gathered together for a common goal, and felt a sense of gratification.
He knew that with this "Alliance" and this "legacy," even if he truly became a complete couch potato someday, this world would have the strength to weather any storm.
His "overtime" could finally come to an end.
...
After handling these "worldly affairs," Cloud finally remembered one "personal matter."
—His promise to Elisabeth Blanctorche.
In a garden blooming with white roses within Infinite Manor, Cloud found Elisabeth enjoying tea alone.
This noble, strong woman, having experienced family betrayal and companion sacrifice, always carried a faint air of melancholy.
"Thinking about your brother?" Cloud sat across from her and poured himself a cup of red tea.
Elisabeth's hand trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, elegantly setting down her teacup. "I'm just... reminiscing. Missing that mischievous troublemaker who was actually gentler than anyone."
Cloud smiled without speaking, simply extending his hand, palm up.
A flickering emerald flame, like a candle in the wind, slowly materialized in his palm.
This was Ash Crimson's final remaining "trace of existence" in the river of time—a soul fragment Cloud had fought desperately to "salvage" during that great battle.
"Mr. Cloud... what is this?" Elisabeth's breathing instantly quickened. She could sense an incredibly familiar presence emanating from that flame.
"I made you a promise, didn't I?" Cloud's expression became unprecedentedly serious.
Resurrecting a person was simple for him now. Copy a body, implant memories, and a perfect "clone" would be born.
But that wasn't what he wanted to do.
He wanted true "rebirth."
He would rescue Ash completely from his tragic fate of being erased by time—including the very causality of it!
"Law Tracing!"
Cloud's eyes turned temporal gold. Using that soul fragment as an "anchor," he began traveling upstream through the river of time, searching through billions of tributaries for all causal threads related to "Ash Crimson."
He saw Ash's childhood, saw him playing with Elisabeth as children, saw his determination to bear everything to stop his ancestor, and saw his relieved, tearful smile as he finally vanished into the light.
"Found it."
Cloud reconnected and repaired all the broken causal threads.
"Law Reshaping!"
He then channeled Gaia's Soul's life laws, using that soul fragment as a "seed" to rebuild a perfect new body for Ash—one no longer tainted by the bloodline of "Those From the Past."
Flesh, bone, meridians... all rapidly generated and combined under his will.
The entire process radiated brilliant light, filled with the sacred majesty of creation.
Elisabeth had gone completely still, tears unknowingly blurring her vision.
When the light faded, a familiar figure appeared before her.
Still that signature, slightly disheveled golden hair. Still that familiar outfit with its hint of playfulness.
Only his eyes no longer held their former nonchalance and cunning.
Instead, they were as clear and mature as a sky after rain, all pretense washed away.
He looked at Elisabeth before him, his face showing a gentle smile that had been absent for so long—warm enough to melt ice and snow.
"Betty..."
He softly called her nickname, his voice filled with longing for family.
"...Ash."
Elisabeth could no longer contain her emotions. She rushed forward and embraced this brother she had lost and regained, as if wanting to press him into her very body, never to let go.
Years of accumulated tears poured forth in that moment.
Ash held her tightly in return, gently patting her back, like soothing a wronged child.
Cloud watched this touching scene with a gratified smile, picking up his tea for a sip.
"Well, I've finally given these siblings their happy ending."
He didn't disturb them, quietly rising to leave.
...
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