STORY OF KOF '97

The curtain fell on KOF '96 with an incident that occurred right after the finals.
Official reports attributed the incident—and what happened in the aftermath—to terrorist activities by forces unknown. Yet the details surrounding the identity, motives, and subsequent whereabouts of the terrorists remain a mystery.
Despite all this, KOF '96 was a resounding commercial success. The event sparked its very own fighting craze, with various conglomerates looking to ride the wave and sponsor upcoming tournaments. Demand for a new KOF was undeniably in full swing.
This heightened interest made its way across the globe—and in no time flat, the stage was now set for KOF '97.
With the tournament green-lit, fighters from across the world gather for the preliminaries. All challengers approach the event with their own personal motives: some to test their mettle, others for fame and fortune. Word of the tumultuous times ahead spreads like wildfire across all forms of media, with fighting fans gathering from far and wide to witness the white-knuckle prelim action. In fact, even as these initial matches get underway, so too does the construction of various KOF stadiums worldwide.
Naturally, anticipation toward KOF '97 exceeds historical precedent. Anyone can see that the current tournament, much like the previous one, will reach a remarkable climax.
With the world's eyes on this event, which team will claim victory—and with it, the KOF crown?　
And will an incident similar to that of the previous year threaten to dampen the festivities once again?
The entire world now watches the King of Fighters with rapt attention, waiting for the next thrill.