The King Of Fighters

The group made their way through the busy streets toward the steakhouse, a popular local spot known for its first-class service and mouth-watering dishes. Mika, ever the local expert, had recommended it as the perfect place to recover after the intense battle. With their Ki levels depleted and their bodies drained from the rigorous fights, everyone, except for Naruto and those who hadn't fought, was starving. Their Ki, the vital energy that fueled their attacks, was directly connected to their physical stamina. With it running low, they were left feeling fatigued, needing food to recharge and restore their strength.

As they walked, the streets seemed to part before them. The sheer presence of the group caused people to step aside in awe, many pulling out their phones to snap pictures. The group was a collection of some of the most renowned martial artists in the world—fighters whose names had been spoken in hushed reverence and respect. Even among them, Naruto stood out, his confident stride and easygoing demeanor setting him apart.

Naruto, enjoying the attention but still with a curious mind, turned to Zangief, who walked beside him, his massive frame almost overshadowing the group. "I heard from someone that you might come for me. What do you think?" Naruto asked with a grin, testing Zangief's reaction.

Zangief, a towering man at 3 meters tall, was a sight to behold. His body, covered in battle scars, reflected a lifetime of hard-fought victories. His Mohawk and thick beard only added to his imposing presence, and his sheer muscular frame seemed to radiate raw power. Known as the "Tank" in the fighting world, Zangief's durability was legendary. His body had withstood unimaginable punishment, from missiles to some of the fiercest attacks in battle. His fists could shatter concrete, and his endurance seemed limitless.

The Russian hero had been caught off guard by Naruto's earlier display of power. Despite his experience and strength, Zangief hadn't expected someone to be holding back during their fight, especially not to the extent that Naruto had. He'd felt the impact of Naruto's enhanced blows and realized just how much the man could truly do. Zangief, used to taking on the world's toughest fighters, had met his match that day. He knew that if Naruto had fully unleashed his potential, he might have been in for a much tougher fight.

The air around Zangief was thick with an intense sense of patriotism. Born and raised in the Soviet Union, Zangief was driven by an unshakable desire to bring glory to Russia. He was fiercely competitive, and his pride in his physicality was unmatched. He often belittled smaller fighters, calling out their lack of muscle and strength, and would tell them to "build more muscle" if they wanted to stand a chance. Yet, despite his sometimes brash exterior and quick temper, Zangief had a softer side. His good sense of humor and love for his country had made him a national hero. He enjoyed simple pleasures like hopak dancing and eating borscht, and he held no ill will toward those who fought honorably.

Naruto chuckled as Zangief responded to his question, the big man's booming laugh echoing down the street. "Haha, you have an interesting friend there," Zangief said, slapping Naruto's back with a force that could have shattered bones in a lesser man. "They are right. I am a challenger, and no matter how hard it gets, I will always go back unless I am dead."

The force of Zangief's hand was enough to send a shockwave through Naruto's body, yet the blonde fighter remained unfazed. His enhanced durability and strength allowed him to absorb the impact with ease. To anyone else, that back slap might have been a brutal reminder of Zangief's raw power. To Naruto, it was a reminder of the type of man Zangief was—strong, prideful, and not afraid to show affection in his own rough way.

Naruto met Zangief's friendly expression with a smile of his own. Despite his past associations with Shadaloo, Naruto had sensed no malice from the Russian fighter. Zangief wasn't an evil man, just someone who had been caught up in the wrong circumstances at one point in his life. The fact that he had left the organization after being defeated by Ryu spoke volumes about his character. Zangief was someone who fought for pride and honor, not for power or control.

Naruto's challenge hung in the air like an electric charge, his eyes fixed firmly on Zangief as he made the proposition. "Actually, I look forward to a proper fight since I heard only good things about you. Tomorrow morning, let's do it," he said, his voice filled with quiet confidence. He knew that Zangief was a force to be reckoned with—one of the few fighters who could stand toe-to-toe with him in terms of physical durability.

But Naruto wasn't intimidated. He had felt the power of Laura and Blanka's lightning attacks earlier, and while they had the potential to alter the battle's dynamic, he had been prepared. The wind chakra he wielded had countered their elemental advantages. But Naruto wasn't interested in petty tricks or unfair advantages. Real fighters deserved to fight at their best, and Naruto was holding back, limiting himself to just the basics. His actual killer moves, moves that could obliterate entire landscapes, were off the table for now. He was still searching for a worthy opponent, someone who could match his versatility and strength.

In his mind, he felt that Zangief, with his size, strength, and ruggedness, might be the closest he'd come to a real challenge at the moment. But there were others, too, such as Eliza. She was the strongest fighter he had encountered in this world, but he held off on challenging her. She needed to regain her full strength before he could consider testing his abilities against hers.

Naruto also thought back to his world, where he was only second to Pain in terms of raw power. He considered the capabilities of Jiraiya and Killer Bee—his friends and allies who stood at the top in their own right. Bee's eight-tails form could cause devastation on an unimaginable scale, and Naruto had witnessed firsthand the lengths to which Obito's abilities could push them. The battle against Bee, with his devastating chakra-enhanced power, had been an experience that opened Naruto's eyes to just how terrifying that power could be. But defeating Killer Bee wasn't the goal—it was to gain a piece of the beast's power to continue the mission. Still, the aftermath of the fight had caused entire mountain ranges to vanish.

As Zangief heard Naruto's words, his usual stoic demeanor broke, and a wide grin spread across his face. "Wonderful," he boomed, his voice vibrating with excitement. "It is a welcome surprise to see such a personality. This is how men should live. Embrace the challenges and improve!" His voice was loud, echoing across the street as he pumped his fists in the air, clearly excited by Naruto's challenge.

"Quiet down, Zan, you are causing ear problems for everyone," Laura said as she slowed down to walk beside the two giants. Her words were playful, but there was a hint of annoyance in her tone. Laura and Zangief had been rivals in the past, their styles complementary in ways that kept their battles interesting. Zangief's overwhelming durability met Laura's speed and agility, and the two of them had spent countless hours honing their techniques to outdo each other.

Zangief immediately softened his tone and adjusted his posture as he realized his outburst had caught the attention of the others. "Apologies, I let my joy cause disturbance," he said, his deep voice taking on a more apologetic note. Despite his imposing figure, Zangief had a good heart and didn't like causing unnecessary discomfort for others.

"Chill, it wasn't serious," Laura said, giving him a teasing smile. "I wanted to ask about your training, though. How is it going now?" There was a competitive glint in her eye. As rivals, she was always interested in what Zangief was up to and how his training was progressing. She wanted to know how far ahead he was and, perhaps more importantly, how she could catch up.

Zangief puffed out his chest with pride, clearly pleased with himself. "I've been preparing to challenge a volcano and dive into the lava soon, to improve my physique by another level," he said, his tone bold and filled with confidence. "My Ki has increased a lot those days, but I need some time to adjust myself to it, so I will be gone for a few months after two days."

Laura smirked at his words, knowing exactly what he was implying. "You are one crazy bastard, that's for sure," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "But don't think about leaving me behind. I'm planning a training montage as well. You'll see the might of Matsuda style and lightning!"

The rivalry between the two was palpable, each one determined to outdo the other. Zangief's overwhelming strength and durability were met head-on by Laura's speed and lightning-infused attacks. Neither fighter could easily defeat the other, which made their competition all the more exciting. They were both constantly striving to improve, driven by their own egos and desire to prove themselves as the strongest.

Tomorrow's battle with Zangief would be an exciting test, but Naruto knew that there would be many more challenges ahead. As long as he kept fighting and growing, there would always be something new to strive for.

Naruto's mind wandered back to the extreme training sessions he had endured in his own world. The memory of diving into volcanoes, being struck by lightning, and enduring storms came flooding back. Those trials had not only strengthened his body but had also given him an unparalleled resistance to the elements. He had built an affinity for them, and it was the reason he could survive against powerful attacks like Sasuke's. Their first meeting after so many years had been a testament to how much Naruto had grown. Sasuke, who once raged against him, now seemed to understand the level Naruto had reached. There was no anger in his eyes when they faced off, just the cold realization of Naruto's power.

Sasuke, though still powerful, had never endured the same kind of training that Naruto had gone through. It was no surprise that Naruto had developed into someone whose durability was practically unshakable. From that first battle, Sasuke could tell that Naruto's body had been hardened beyond the point of normalcy, a result of his grueling training. It caused Sasuke's attack's to weaken against him and when they met for the first time after so long, he only survived the battle because of the enhancements from Orochimaru. From his expression even Sasuke understood this point but it seems he had already expected such a thing so he didn't explode into anger like back in the days.

The thought of such intense experiences put a smile on his face as he listened to Zangief and Laura. "I look forward to that day," Zangief said with a grin, his excitement bubbling over. "Oh yeah, Naruto. What about you? What training methods do you employ?"

Laura joined in with her teasing tone, "Yeah, yeah, come on. Don't keep it a secret, and I might just give you a surprise." Her playful wink and the way she held his arm made Naruto chuckle, though he had no intention of revealing every detail of his past. He didn't mind sharing a few of his experiences though.

Naruto wasn't one to shy away from his past. He gave them a confident smile. "I have bathed in lava, lightning, huge storms, survived earthquakes, fought giant monsters, fought multiple masters at the same time, taken hits to the body that broke my bones and almost tore me apart, extreme weights in the thousands of tonnes, and continuous training for at least 15 hours a day for two years with some breaks in between for enjoyment," he listed off with ease, as though it was just another day in the life of a warrior.

The sheer absurdity of his words made Zangief and Laura pause for a moment. "I thought he was insane," Laura muttered, her eyes wide. "Your training schedule is crazy. I can see how you became like this. But, what do you mean by 'thousands of tonnes training?' Were you actually carrying giant ships on your back or something?"

Zangief, too, was intrigued, though his experience with weight training had led him to believe that Naruto had possibly been lifting ridiculous amounts of weight. Zangief himself could lift 2000 tonnes with his Ki enhancement, but he had always dreamed of reaching the 100,000-tonne mark before his death. He was striving for the ultimate apex of physical power, and to hear Naruto mention such extreme training was both humbling and impressive.

Naruto smiled at the question. "That's a secret. You can only have it if you're mine," he said playfully, his grin widening as he reached over and gave Laura a playful slap on the ass.

Laura's reaction was immediate—she didn't flinch or back away but rather smiled at him, amused by his response. She didn't mind the teasing at all. In fact, it intrigued her. She had always been a flirt, enjoying the attention she received from her fellow fighters, but with Naruto, something about his confidence and laid-back approach caught her attention. She was single, and while she wasn't one to rush into anything serious, a little fun never hurt anyone, especially if it was with someone as strong and confident as him.

The tension between them was palpable, but Laura wasn't shy. "I don't mind the teasing," she said, her smile widening as she considered the prospect of what might come next. "It could be fun—and lucrative," she added, her tone filled with mischief. She wasn't sure where this would lead, but she was intrigued. Naruto wasn't just a fighter; he was a force of nature, and the idea of sparring with him in more than just the physical sense was beginning to appeal to her.

Zangief, watching this exchange with amusement, laughed loudly. "You two are a pair of maniacs. But I like it! This is what makes life interesting!" His boisterous laughter echoed through the streets, drawing the attention of some nearby onlookers.

As they arrived at the steakhouse, the atmosphere was charged with an electric sense of anticipation, not just from the upcoming meal but also from the conversation that had taken place. Laura, ever the tease, couldn't help but press Naruto further. Her sly whisper and the way she had pressed her body to his had caught him off guard, a reaction he hadn't expected. It seemed like her teasing had hit a nerve, and though Naruto was quick to suppress his emotions, he couldn't entirely ignore the growing tension between them.

The pain seal he activated to fight back his body's reaction worked instantly, jolting him with a wave of intense discomfort that neutralized the situation. His focus snapped back to reality as the pain flushed away any lingering arousal, leaving him with a sense of control over his own body once again. Laura, still aware of the subtle shift in his demeanor, smiled to herself, pleased with the effect she had on him. It wasn't that she wanted to make things too easy—she enjoyed the chase, the challenge of getting under his skin.

Zangief, on the other hand, had been following their exchange with a bit of confusion. His thinking process was always straightforward, especially when it came to matters of power and loyalty. He scratched his head, taking a moment to digest Naruto's words. "What does that mean, exactly?" he asked, still processing the idea of serving under Naruto's rule.

Naruto gave him a casual look, then answered simply. "Serve under my rule, as simple as that. You should know that I'm a future leader, so it's expected of me."

Laura, never one to shy away from stirring the pot, added her voice to the conversation. "What if I became your girl?" Her words were playful, but there was an undercurrent of genuine curiosity.

Naruto's response came quickly, his tone unyielding. "I would still not give until the relationship is stable." He wasn't one to rush things or make promises he couldn't keep. Relationships were about trust, and that was something he wouldn't compromise on.

Laura raised an eyebrow, impressed by his firm response. "You're a hard nut to crack... and something else is hard as well." Her words were low and flirtatious as she leaned in close, brushing her body against his. Naruto felt the heat of her proximity, his body once again betraying him. It was a fleeting moment, though, as Naruto quickly took control, slipping his left hand to her ass and giving it a firm squeeze. The playful gesture almost escalated, but his self-discipline won out. Instead, he activated the pain seal once more, shutting down his physical reaction before it could spiral out of control.

The shock of pain hit him with brutal force, and Naruto winced, focusing all his energy on the pain to ground himself. Laura, for the first time, seemed surprised by his reaction. She had expected him to indulge in the moment, but Naruto's discipline was too strong, even for her teasing.

Zangief, meanwhile, was still trying to make sense of everything. "Would serving under you affect my country?" he asked slowly, the thought finally settling in his mind.

Naruto nodded. "Yes, and in a good way. Plus, if you serve under me, you also get my protection."

Zangief gave a thoughtful hum, contemplating the offer. "Hmm, I will decide after the battle. I need to know with my body, if it's worth it or not."

"I will make sure that you understand the point tomorrow," Naruto replied with a confident smile, a chill running down Zangief's spine as he felt the weight of the challenge ahead.

Laura, ever the curious one, jumped back into the conversation. "You said that you were going to be leader of a village. Does it have only one style or does it have multiple styles?"

Naruto's eyes gleamed with pride as he answered. "Multiple styles. So you can keep your Matsuda style and attract people from the village to join it. You could also learn the other styles to improve your own."

Laura seemed pleased with this answer, nodding thoughtfully. "What else do you have to offer, other than the secret to your weight training?"

Naruto didn't hesitate to list what he could offer. "By joining me, you could get intense sparring, help with increasing reserves, healing, techniques, protection, and money. Is that enough?"

Laura considered this for a moment before replying. "I believe in action. If you can prove all these things, then I'm willing to join."

Naruto fixed her with a serious look, sensing the resolve in her words. "Tomorrow, come with Zangief, and we'll talk about it."

"Okay," Laura replied with a smile, her expectations clear. She wasn't someone who took promises at face value; she needed proof. But there was a spark of interest in her eyes now—a challenge to be met.

The group finally reached their destination, the luxurious steakhouse. It wasn't just about the food—it was about the camaraderie, the thrill of the challenge, and the games they played. As they entered, the world outside faded for a moment. Tomorrow, the real test would begin.