The King Of Fighters

Naruto sat cross-legged on the roof, his mind racing as he absorbed Eliza's words. The revelations she had shared about the potential paths he could take were daunting, but there wasn't an ounce of fear in his demeanor. His face, usually animated and filled with a boyish charm, was now resolute and hardened with purpose.

Eliza stood behind him, her gaze sharp as she observed the man who had become the center of her attention. His golden chakra flickered faintly around him, a testament to the sheer willpower he was summoning to stay composed despite the chaos within him.

Naruto's thoughts briefly drifted back to the unknown girl who had pulled him from death's grip. Her cryptic message still echoed in his mind. She'll come for me. She gave me another chance. The memory of her voice carried a blend of authority and care, leaving him uncertain whether to view her as a savior or a threat. Regardless, she had made it clear that his survival hinged on leaving his old world behind—for now.

'They're alive. They have to be.' Naruto reassured himself again, clutching at the hope that his family and friends were safe. His fists unclenched, and he let out a slow, measured breath. He couldn't afford to crumble under pressure. The stakes were too high.

Finally, his blue eyes met Eliza's. "Tell me about the people that can help me travel through dimensions," he said, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of urgency.

Eliza smirked faintly, impressed by his resolve. "You're in a rush," she noted, stepping closer. Her hand brushed against his face, her touch cold but not unkind. "But listen carefully, Naruto. You should be cautious of the girl who saved you. Her power and intentions are beyond what we can fully grasp. And the beings I'm about to mention… they are far stronger than you or me. If you're not prepared, I will stop you myself. Understood?"

Naruto didn't flinch under her warning. "I understand, but I won't let fear stop me. Just tell me who they are."

Eliza nodded, sensing the unshakable determination in his voice. "Very well. There are three entities I know of who can help you, but each comes with their own risks."

"The first is called Orochi, the Eight-Headed Snake," Eliza began, her tone serious. "He is an ancient force of nature, once a guardian of balance between humanity and the natural world. But as humans grew in number and began upsetting the balance, Orochi's purpose twisted. He became a being consumed by wrath, desiring to eradicate humanity entirely."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "And he's sealed?"

"Yes. The three royal clans of this world sealed him away long ago. To gain his help, you'd need to unseal him. But doing so would unleash his fury upon the world again. Orochi's power is immense—he controls all elements and even wields power over space itself. If you could somehow earn his favor, he might assist you, but the risk to the world would be catastrophic."

"The second option is Belial Aensland," Eliza continued. "He is the ruler of Makai, the Underworld. Belial is an S+ class supernatural being, one of the most powerful in existence. Despite his fearsome reputation, he is not a tyrant. He sees his realm as an extension of himself and deeply cares for its people."

Naruto tilted his head, intrigued. "So, he's not evil?"

"No," Eliza confirmed, "but he's not altruistic, either. You're an outsider, and whether he helps you will depend entirely on how you present yourself. Belial's power is on a scale you can't imagine—he could erase entire countries with a single blow. If you choose to seek him out, you'll need to be much stronger than you are now, or you'll risk being crushed under his gaze."

"The last is the most dangerous and least understood," Eliza said, her voice dropping slightly. "He's called Verse, the embodiment of negativity. He thrives on misery, death, and the darker aspects of humanity. Verse exists in another dimension, but his influence has been felt in this world for centuries. No one knows how to reach him, but his power is said to be limitless."

Naruto frowned. "If no one knows how to reach him, why is he even an option?"

"Because," Eliza replied, "if you ever encounter him, you'll have no choice but to face him. Verse is drawn to conflict and despair. If he becomes aware of you, he'll come to you."

Eliza finished her explanation and studied Naruto carefully. His expression remained firm, his mind already weighing the options. She was impressed by his lack of fear. Most would have balked at the idea of confronting even one of these beings, yet Naruto stood unfazed, his gaze burning with determination.

"So," Eliza said with a faint smile, "are you scared yet?"

"No," Naruto replied without hesitation. "My goal goes far beyond them. If these are the obstacles in my way, I'll overcome them."

Eliza's smile widened slightly. "Good. Then I suggest you start with Orochi or Belial. Verse is… unpredictable. He's a last resort."

Naruto nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Thank you, Eliza. I'll prepare myself and make my choice. But no matter what, I will find a way back to my world."

Naruto stood under the moonlit sky, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Eliza as her words sank in. Her suggestion carried a playful undertone, but Naruto wasn't entirely dismissive of it.

"You're fine with me attacking your King?" he asked, genuinely curious. Eliza was a creature of Makai, and it was reasonable to assume she held some loyalty to its ruler.

Eliza smirked, her sharp features illuminated by the pale light. "It's not like you're planning to kill him. You need him alive, and a battle might be the best way to prove your worth. Or…" she trailed off, her smirk widening mischievously, "you could seduce his daughter and take the back way."

Naruto blinked, caught off guard. He tilted his head in thought. Seduce his daughter? That could work… It wasn't exactly his usual approach, but he couldn't deny the practicality of the suggestion.

"Do you know anything about his daughter?" he asked after a moment, his voice steady despite the unusual nature of the topic.

Eliza let out a soft laugh, circling him leisurely. "Ah, just the reaction I expected. A valid choice, but unfortunately, I don't have any information about her. I haven't been to Makai in over 600 years. Back then, Lord Belial didn't have any children—or at least, none that were publicly known."

Naruto frowned slightly, processing her words. "So, we're flying blind."

"Not entirely," Eliza corrected, stopping to face him. "If Lord Belial has a daughter, we can find information through other dark beings. Look for rumors about bloodsuckers, werewolves, or succubae. Such beings tend to keep tabs on Makai's prominent figures. If she's in the human world, she's either incredibly strong or here by accident. But…" She sighed, her gaze momentarily wistful. "I can't go back to Makai myself. My way home was destroyed long ago."

Naruto nodded thoughtfully. "I'll look into it. Are you going to help me gather this information?"

Eliza's smirk returned, her fanged smile giving her a predatory air. "Of course, I'll help. I don't want you getting depressed or wandering aimlessly—it'll ruin your taste."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly despite himself. "Thanks, Eliza. I owe you one." He paused, his expression turning serious. "But… I need some time alone right now. I need to clear my head."

Eliza tilted her head, her crimson eyes softening slightly. "I'll be here waiting, so don't take too long."

Naruto gave her a small smile, the weight of his responsibilities momentarily lightened. "Right." With that, he stepped back, his hands forming a quick seal. In a flash of chakra, his body shifted and transformed, feathers sprouting as he turned into a majestic eagle. With a powerful beat of his wings, he took off into the night sky, leaving Eliza watching his departure with an amused expression.

As he soared above the quiet landscape, Naruto's mind raced. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with formidable challenges and moral dilemmas. But no matter the obstacles, he was determined to find a way back to his world—and to his family.

Eliza watched Naruto's eagle form disappear into the distance, his silhouette blending into the sky. For a moment, she remained still, gazing at the horizon with a contemplative expression. The emotions she sensed from him lingered in her thoughts—determination, pain, and a strange sort of hope. They intrigued her, but for now, she chose to focus on herself. It had been far too long since she'd indulged in the simple pleasures of this world.

With a soft sigh, she turned away and began to walk, her boots clicking against the pavement. The city lights of Tokyo stretched before her like a sea of artificial stars, casting their glow on the restless human crowd. Eliza walked with unhurried grace, her crimson eyes scanning her surroundings. This world had changed significantly during her long slumber, and it fascinated her to see the evolution of human civilization.

It's been so long since I've done anything meaningful… she thought, her mind drifting to her past.

Born 1,500 years ago into the noble Gremory family, one of the most powerful clans in Makai, Eliza had once been a rising star. Her innate talents and rapid growth in power had been extraordinary, drawing admiration and envy in equal measure. But in a family ruled by rigid traditions and politics, her talents became a curse rather than a blessing. She was not the daughter of the clan head, and thus, her potential was viewed as a threat to the established hierarchy.

As her abilities grew, whispers spread throughout the family, questioning the worthiness of the heir. This unrest eventually erupted into open conflict. Factions formed, with one side supporting the official heir and the other advocating for Eliza to take their place.

The ensuing battle was bloody and senseless, and Eliza had wanted no part of it. She hadn't sought power, nor had she desired the throne. All she'd ever wanted was freedom—freedom from expectations, from politics, and from the constant threat of betrayal. So she escaped, leaving behind her family and the chaos of Makai.

Her flight to the human world had been hasty, a desperate bid for survival. She destroyed the artifact that had brought her here, severing her connection to Makai. It was only later that she realized the consequences of her actions. Without the dark energy of her homeland to sustain her, her strength began to wane.

At first, she had tried to subsist on human blood, but the weak lifeforce of ordinary humans was barely enough to keep her going. Slowly, her vitality ebbed away, and she became lethargic, slipping into a long slumber. She had waited centuries, hoping that humanity would grow stronger—and eventually, they did. Martial artists and warriors emerged, their blood rich with power, and it was through them that she found sustenance once more.

Her thoughts returned to the present as she wandered the streets. Her crimson dress and regal aura drew stares from passersby, and her mere presence seemed to part the crowd. Yet she paid no attention to them. Her mind was occupied by her current circumstances—and by the strange connection she felt to Naruto.

Maybe his blood is too addictive. It's affecting my mind… she mused, smirking to herself.

Suddenly, her path was blocked by a man. He stood tall and imposing, his eyes cold as he stared her down. The faint aura of dark energy surrounded him, a telltale sign of his allegiance.

"Demon," he said, his voice low and accusing.

Eliza raised an eyebrow, her expression unimpressed. "I prefer vampire, Orochi's servant," she replied coolly, her lips curling into a sharp smile.

The man's eyes narrowed, and the tension between them crackled like static. Eliza's smirk deepened as she studied him, her mind already calculating her next move. It seemed the day was far from over.