The King Of Fighters

Naruto sat with the group, feeling the weight of the discussion. These were no ordinary fighters—they were legends in their own right, each with a deep history of battles fought against overwhelming odds. Yet, they spoke casually, their camaraderie built on trust forged in the crucible of shared struggles.

As King introduced her friends, Naruto couldn't help but compare their bond to the one he shared with his own team back home. Ryo, Robert, and Mary weren't just allies; they were family, bound by battles against both common enemies and each other. Naruto recognized the strength of such relationships—how they could turn ordinary individuals into something extraordinary.

Ryo Sakazaki, the stoic and disciplined master of Kyokugenryu Karate, extended his hand with a friendly smile.

"Naruto, I've been looking forward to meeting you. I hear you're planning to go up against NEST. That's no small feat."

Naruto gripped his hand firmly. "Neither is taking on Geese Howard or surviving KOF tournaments. I hope we get a chance to spar—your reputation precedes you."

Ryo chuckled. "Anytime. Let's see if your fighting spirit matches what King says about you."

Robert Garcia, ever the relaxed and playful one, added, "Careful, Ryo. Naruto here might just put you on the ropes. And don't bring up Terry—he's still working through that growth spurt of his."

Ryo shot him a look but let the comment slide, replying with a smirk, "Keep talking, Robert. You're still slipping while I'm catching up to Terry."

"Slipping? Me? I've grown wise, my child," Robert quipped, playfully tapping Naruto's arm. "Come on, join us. Let's strategize before we charge into this mess."

As the group discussed NESTS, Naruto leaned in, taking mental notes. This wasn't just another criminal syndicate—it was something far more dangerous. Blue Mary, her tone sharp and professional, outlined what they knew.

"NESTS isn't like Shadaloo. They've existed for centuries, hidden in the shadows, pulling strings across the globe. They control a significant portion of the world's underground economy, and their reach extends into places most governments can't even touch. Their strength lies in their technology—bio-engineering, weaponry, and now cloning."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Cloning?"

Mary nodded. "They've been gathering DNA samples from the strongest fighters for years. Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Ryu, Terry, Ryo, even Akuma and Geese Howard. They're using the King of Fighters tournament as a cover to collect data, perfect their techniques, and create bio-engineered super-soldiers. If they succeed, they'll have an army capable of wiping out even the strongest warriors."

The mention of Akuma and Geese Howard made Naruto sit up straighter. He'd faced strong opponents before, but the idea of mass-produced versions of those two was chilling.

Mary continued. "They've been difficult to track, operating from a satellite base that's untouchable by conventional means. But with the help of Leona, Mai, and the Ikari Warriors, we've found one of their ground bases. It's heavily fortified, but it's our best chance to gather intel and strike back before the next tournament."

The gravity of the situation settled over the group. Ryo crossed his arms, his expression serious. "We can't afford to take them lightly. If they've already begun creating clones, we're running out of time."

"Which is why I came to you," Mary said, looking at King, Ryo, and Robert. "I need your help. This isn't something I can handle alone."

Naruto listened attentively as the group discussed the NESTS organization. He was astonished by the technological advancements this world had compared to his own. Robots, drones equipped with lasers, and a global information network called the internet—it was far beyond anything he'd encountered before. The scale and reach of NESTS were also unprecedented. In his world, no organization had ever survived so long or controlled so much. It was both intimidating and inspiring.

Naruto saw NESTS as more than just a threat; it was an opportunity. Their technology and resources were a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be uncovered—and looted. After all, what hero could resist opening every treasure chest they came across?

He slammed the table lightly with his palm, his grin wide and brimming with confidence. "Count me in. I'm itching for dangerous fights."

His voice carried his trademark determination, drawing approving smiles from the group. Naruto didn't care about the danger; he thrived on challenges. The more dangerous the enemy, the more he could grow.

Mary's lips curled into a smile. She had already anticipated this. From the videos she had seen of Naruto, it was clear he was a brave and outgoing person, unafraid to take on challenges. "Thank you, Naruto. I look forward to working with you."

"So do I," Naruto replied, nodding toward her. "I'm looking forward to seeing what these enemies can do."

Ryo, who had been silent until now, clenched his fists, his face resolute. "I'll join too. I can't forgive scum like NESTS for what they did to my family."

His words carried a heavy weight. NESTS had nearly kidnapped his sister and used his father as experimental material. Though the experiments had increased his father's strength, they left his Ki unstable and caused him pain whenever he tried to use it. It was a cruel mockery of the martial arts life they cherished.

Robert, sitting next to him, nodded in agreement. "The old man's our master—and my future father-in-law. There's no way I'm letting this slide either."

Mary turned her attention to King, also known as Grace. "The boys are ready. What about you?"

Grace tapped her finger on the table, mulling it over. "I'll join since you're all going, but have you reached out to anyone else?"

Mary nodded. "The Ikari Warriors are with us, and Vanessa's coming too. I asked Terry, but he said he's busy with something personal right now. I could invite more people, but I don't trust everyone equally, and we can't have too many on this mission. It's supposed to be a quick attack, and the last thing we need is someone slipping up and giving away our position."

The group nodded in agreement. They all understood the importance of secrecy and coordination, especially against an organization like NESTS.

Naruto suddenly tilted his head, curious. "Hold on a second. Why did you trust me with all this information? Couldn't I have been one of their creations?"

Mary chuckled softly. "Good question. I trust Grace's intuition, and mine as well. Your actions speak louder than words, Naruto. Everything about you—your body language, your tone—tells us you're a good person. We've been through enough to spot something off in a person if they were hiding their true intentions. You're the real deal."

Naruto grinned. "Thanks for trusting me. I'm looking forward to working with all of you. But now, I've got a meeting with some new friends, so I'll take my leave."

He stood up, giving them a respectful nod.

"Take care, and don't break them," Grace said with a smirk.

Naruto chuckled, his voice trailing as he disappeared from the room like a ghost. "No promises."

As the door closed behind him, Ryo shook his head slightly, muttering, "He gives off the feeling of a ninja, but he's nicer than any I've met."

Mary quipped with a sly grin, "Except Mai."

Ryo sighed deeply, his tone flat. "Yeah, Mai."

It was no secret that Ryo had a complicated relationship with Mai Shiranui. Her flamboyant and revealing attire clashed with his more traditional values, especially since she flaunted herself so openly to people other than her significant other. "She should take a lesson from my Grace," he muttered under his breath, though the group let the comment slide with knowing looks.

Robert narrowed his eyes at Ryo, his best friend and eternal obstacle. "Calm down, brother-in-law. Her name isn't going to hurt you."

Ryo's brows furrowed as he shot back immediately. "Who's the brother-in-law?"

"You."

"Say those words once you beat me."

The banter between the two was a familiar dance, but Robert's mind wandered to Yuri. She was already 17, and the thought of only having to wait one more year filled him with a bittersweet impatience. He and Yuri shared mutual affection, but Ryo was a constant wall between them, always pulling them apart.

It was infuriating. Ryo had his own love life sorted, but he was leaving Robert to endure the torment of singlehood. The nerve.

"Mount Everest in three months," Robert muttered suddenly, pointing a finger at Ryo as he stood up and made his way toward the door.

Ryo blinked, puzzled. "Hey, why that place?"

"I was planning a vacation there," Robert replied casually as he exited, leaving Ryo with his thoughts.

As the door clicked shut, Grace chuckled, shaking her head at the scene. "Do you enjoy messing with him?" she asked, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.

Ryo leaned back in his chair, letting out a satisfied sigh. "I do. He enjoys messing with me, so it's only fair. Besides, I'm not about to hand over my sister to someone weaker than me. No matter how much wealth Robert has, I want him to struggle for this one thing. He needs to prove his loyalty to Yuri—and to me."

Mary laughed softly, pouring herself another drink. "You know, Ryo, I wish I had a guy like you. You're romantic in a way most people in our line of work aren't."

Ryo's expression softened at her words, though he didn't respond directly. He understood what Mary was saying. She had her own struggles, particularly with Terry, and he admired her strength in handling it. It wasn't Terry's fault that he didn't feel the same way about Mary, but it still hurt.

"Drink and enjoy," Grace said, changing the mood as she stood to grab more bottles. "I'll keep you company tonight. We can prep for the mission later."

Ryo raised his glass in silent agreement, letting the camaraderie and shared understanding wash over the room. The mission was looming, but for now, they had each other, their friendships, and a few bottles to share.