The King Of Fighters

Naruto stood still for a moment, cursing under his breath as he realized the mistake he had made. 'Shit, I couldn't control it right. I hope he lives.' The frustration from his unintended overuse of power lingered in his mind, but he quickly snapped himself out of it. He disappeared from the scene, his speed causing a blur as he moved faster than any normal human could follow. The cameras in the arena, designed to capture even the fastest of movements, failed to keep up as Naruto moved at his maximum speed. 'I need to control this better.'

In a split second, Naruto found himself in an entirely different city, his haste carrying him far from his intended destination. The realization hit him instantly. 'Now where am I?' Looking around, he saw a less crowded area than before, a quieter part of the city, and his earlier thoughts of returning to King began to feel like a distant regret.

'I should have just gone to King,' he thought, facepalming at his own carelessness. He had been so caught up in the moment that he forgot to consider his shape-shifting ability. 'Well, it's done now. I'll go back once I've had a look around.' With that, he shifted his appearance into Asuma's, opting for a casual orange hoodie and black jeans, clothes he had seen on someone earlier.

As Naruto walked through the city, he found himself enjoying the sights and sounds of this new place. The food stands offered a variety of dishes, some familiar and others completely foreign to him. He found himself trying out all sorts of delicacies, savoring the tastes and the mix of cultures around him. As he wandered, he noticed people from different nationalities conversing in various languages, and for a moment, he couldn't help but marvel at how different this world was from his own.

'These guys must have a hard time communicating when there are so many languages,' Naruto mused, stuffing a handful of chips into his mouth. He appreciated the peaceful vibe of the city, realizing that he hadn't witnessed any crime or trouble. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic underground fight he had just left.

As he continued his stroll, a sudden movement above caught his eye. Looking up, he spotted a figure leaping from rooftop to rooftop, agile and swift. The figure wore ninja garb, and Naruto's keen senses could tell she was of a low genin-level energy. 'Weaker than Zangief and King,' he noted, his interest piqued but quickly fading. 'Not worth following. If I did, it would cause trouble with her clan. Clans are always touchy about outsiders.'

He moved on, trying not to dwell on the figure, but his thoughts were interrupted when a voice suddenly spoke.

"Be careful where you walk."

Naruto froze, looking up to find himself almost colliding with a very feminine-looking man dressed in red clothes. The man had white hair, and there was something about him that immediately struck Naruto as strange. Despite the man's serene expression, there was an underlying danger in his aura that Naruto instinctively sensed.

"Sorry," Naruto apologized, stepping aside to avoid the man. But as he did, he couldn't help but glance back. The man smiled at him, an unsettling grin that lingered in Naruto's mind.

The man was soon joined by companions, and together, they continued on their way, giving Naruto a wave as they walked away. It was then that Naruto made the connection. 'He knows I'm a fighter.' His instincts told him that this was no ordinary person, but Naruto wasn't one to pry into matters that didn't concern him. It would be rude to investigate people without cause, especially when they seemed to be minding their own business.

'If he's good, he'll most likely show up around the tournament,' Naruto reasoned, deciding to let the matter go. The encounter only deepened his curiosity, but he didn't feel the need to follow the man or his group. With a final glance around the unfamiliar city, Naruto made up his mind. It was time to head back, find his bearings, and figure out his next move.

Naruto stood in the bar, a little surprised by the sudden attention his actions had garnered. King was sitting across from him, showing him a video on the official Street Fighters website. He could clearly see the impact of his fight with Zangief—the footage was all over the internet, and his popularity was rising faster than he expected.

"You definitely did a number on that guy. It's all over the net and your popularity is climbing at a fast rate," King said with a smirk, a glint of amusement in her eyes.

Naruto was still processing everything that had happened. "So how many more do I need to beat?" He asked, leaning in a bit, clearly eager for a real challenge this time.

"Not much, just one or two more," King replied, eyeing him carefully as she spoke. "Zangief is good, but he's on the slower side, and he was taken by surprise. You can expect him to come after you next." Her tone softened as she analyzed him more closely, realizing that he still had a lot to learn about the world of combat sports.

'Nice guy, but it feels like he doesn't know much about the net or technology,' she thought, a small frown forming on her lips as she studied his curious gaze. 'Did he live in the mountains like Ryu and his ilk?' King mused internally, wondering if Naruto's secluded past might explain his lack of knowledge about the digital age.

Naruto looked back at her, his curiosity evident. "Really? Does he actually have some skill?" His tone shifted slightly, as if he was asking more out of genuine interest than doubt. But something about the way King was looking at him made him uncomfortable, like she was seeing through him.

'Is she catching onto me?' Naruto's mind raced, sensing her eyes linger on him.

King let out a laugh, breaking his train of thought. "Haha, of course, he does. Zangief is one of the best grapplers in the world, and his body is at peak durability. Not even tanks could injure him when he's serious. Your attack hit him when he was playing around, but by tomorrow morning, he'll be completely fine." King's expression shifted into one of quiet realization. She had figured it out—Naruto was like Ryu, someone raised far away from civilization with little to no knowledge of the modern world.

Naruto blinked, processing her words. "Isn't that too much? Heal so many broken bones in a single night? Does he have a healer beside him, or does he have a healing ability?" Naruto asked, genuinely surprised. He had never thought that Zangief's durability could extend to that level, where the man could heal from broken bones overnight.

King sighed softly, shaking her head as she leaned back. "His body has strong healing properties. He's used to getting hurt. His path in martial arts is all about endurance and strength. So, sadly, this fight doesn't really count for the people. A lot of them will think it was just a fluke."

Naruto frowned, processing this new information. "What do you think?"

King hesitated for a moment before responding. "I don't know, since I've never seen you fight for real. But from what I can tell, you have the advantage in energy and speed, so you'll probably win against most opponents."

Naruto's curiosity was piqued even more now. "Why don't we have a fight, and you can give me some advice on how to improve? You can also tell me who I can challenge and who I can't." A smile tugged at his lips. He wasn't just curious about her ability to help him; he was also intrigued by her as a fighter. If they were going to work together, it made sense for her to know more about him, at least in a limited sense.

King's smile widened, a glint of interest in her eyes. "Not a bad idea, but I have something better for you." She slid an iPhone across the table toward him. "Take this, and I want you to take down some of my problems for me." Her voice was calm, yet there was a hint of mischief in her tone, as if she knew the task she was handing him would only further fuel his desire for action.

Naruto blinked, staring at the iPhone with some confusion. He had seen people use them, but he had no idea how to operate one. 'What's this? Some sort of tech?' He thought, though he didn't want to seem clueless in front of King.

King noticed the confusion in his eyes and laughed softly. "Don't worry, I'll show you how to use it. It's just a tool to help you get the job done." She leaned forward slightly, her voice softening as she added, "Consider it a test of your ability to adapt."

Naruto gave a nod, his interest piqued once more. 'Guess I'll have to learn quickly,' he thought, the idea of taking down problems for King sparking something deeper in him. After all, this was a chance to prove himself not just as a fighter, but as someone who could handle more than just brute strength.

Naruto leaned back slightly, still studying the iPhone in his hands, the weight of King's request not lost on him. He had been expecting something more straightforward, but now it seemed that she wanted to test him—perhaps more than just his fighting abilities.

"What kind of problem?" Naruto asked, still unsure of what exactly he was getting into.

King didn't hesitate, her voice cool and collected. "There's a gang known as Mad Gear. They've been causing trouble in the city during the night. I know they're the culprits, but I don't have any proof. Fighting them alone is impossible for me."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism flickering across his features. He wasn't sure whether he liked the idea of being used for someone else's problems. "Don't you think this is an inappropriate compensation for such a job?" he asked bluntly, his tone tinged with caution.

King met his gaze, unfazed. "What do you want in return?" she asked, leaning forward slightly, clearly curious about what kind of person Naruto was beneath his easy-going demeanor.

Naruto's thoughts raced. He didn't want to steal, and he wasn't about to rely on anyone else too much. The solution came to him quickly. "Supply me with food for a year," he said, his tone firm but reasonable. He didn't want to appear too demanding, but this request was fair considering the nature of what she was asking of him.

King didn't bat an eye at his request. "Okay," she said without hesitation, clearly willing to meet his terms. She had enough resources to feed another person without it being a problem.

Naruto smirked, satisfied with the arrangement. "Great, give me the details, and I'll deal with them tonight."

King nodded in approval, clearly impressed with how easily Naruto navigated the situation. She wasn't sure whether he was just a simple, kind-hearted guy, or if there was something deeper lurking beneath the surface. She had seen many fighters, but Naruto's aura was different—he wasn't driven by anger or some hidden trauma like many of the others.

"I'll come with you," King said, her voice now softer, as though the idea of following him intrigued her. She wasn't about to let him handle this alone—not just because she didn't trust him, but because she wanted to see what kind of person he truly was. Was he like Ryu, a wanderer with a quiet inner darkness? Was he a force of destruction like Akuma, or more like Jin Mishima—torn between two sides? Or was he, perhaps, something completely different? A lovable fellow like Ryo?

Naruto turned to look at her, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You sure? I thought you didn't want to fight anymore."

King smiled faintly, a knowing look in her eyes. "I don't, but this isn't about fighting. I want to see what you're really made of."

Naruto didn't argue. He was curious to see how she would react to the Mad Gear gang—and he had a feeling that King wasn't as innocent as she seemed. There was something about her that hinted at a deeper, more experienced fighter beneath her calm exterior.

"Fine then," Naruto said with a smirk, turning towards the door. "Let's see what this gang is really made of."

Naruto sat on the edge of the table, the phone in his hands as he swiped through pages of information, trying to make sense of this new world around him. He had quickly learned how to navigate the device with King's help, though he still felt like a child fumbling with advanced technology. King had noticed his confusion right away, and without hesitation, she had handed him a pile of books from her room. Each book seemed to hold more answers than he could possibly digest in a single sitting, but he was determined to catch up on everything he could.

Through the pages, Naruto began to understand the nature of the world he had found himself in—Earth. It was a planet filled with ordinary people, much like his own world, but there were significant differences. The most notable of these differences was the concept of Ki.

In the ninja world, most people were like the citizens of Earth—ordinary people with no special abilities. The few exceptions were the chakra users, those born with the ability to manipulate chakra. Chakra was a mix of spiritual and physical energy, while Ki, as he learned, was solely the physical energy. Everyone on Earth had the potential to learn how to use Ki, though it wasn't an easy task. It required immense effort, and many people didn't have the talent or patience to learn it.

Naruto had always known that not everyone in his world had chakra. In fact, the majority of people didn't. But this new understanding of Ki intrigued him. It seemed like it was something anyone could tap into if they were determined enough, though it had become rare due to the difficulty involved in mastering it.

The more he read, the more Naruto realized how much Ki was intertwined with the world's martial arts. It was often passed down through clans, dojos, and secretive schools, far removed from the knowledge of the common people. He also saw that, like chakra, Ki could be used for a wide range of abilities—enhancing the body, creating projectiles, and even manipulating energy. But what Ki couldn't do was anything as fantastical as what chakra could. There were no mentions of summoning, teleportation, or manipulating the elements at will. The techniques were impressive, but they seemed to focus primarily on physical combat and energy manipulation.

Naruto didn't just trust the books, however. He knew that not everything he read was the whole truth. There were rare abilities, abilities that weren't likely to be written down in a basic text. He would need to see for himself and experience this world firsthand to fully understand its limits.

His mind turned to the four individuals at the top of this world—those considered the greatest threats to humanity, the most powerful and dangerous fighters.

Tung Fu Rue, Akuma, Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima, and Rugal Bernstein. These names were known throughout the martial arts world, their power legendary. They were considered monsters in combat, their abilities and strength far beyond ordinary humans. But their personalities were what made them even more dangerous.

Tung Fu Rue was the master of Hakkyokuseiken, a revered martial artist who had taught the likes of Jeff Bogard, Geese Howard, and Terry Bogard. Unlike the others, Tung Fu Rue was a kind-hearted man who lived far from modern civilization. He was a fighter who sought peace, and his power came from years of disciplined training. He had fought Akuma, defeating him without much effort, proving that there were still those in this world who could stand against the darkness.

Then there was Akuma, a pure fighter who sought out the strongest opponents and killed anyone who dared to face him. His obsession with combat made him a monster, and his power had caused massive destruction, including sinking a small island. Akuma was a force of nature, and his hunger for battle seemed unquenchable.

Jin Kazama was another dark figure, one whose inner demons had led him down a path of destruction. He wasn't just a fighter; he was a killer, and his power was terrifying. Kazuya Mishima, his father, shared a similar dark legacy, one that came with the Mishima bloodline—a family notorious for its ruthlessness.

Rugal Bernstein, however, was perhaps the most dangerous. He wasn't just a powerful fighter; he had orchestrated the King of Fighters tournament, bringing together the strongest warriors from across the globe to test their might. He had been the one to defeat the head of the Kusanagi clan, a victory that cemented his place as one of the greatest threats the world had ever known. And when Kyo Kusanagi's team defeated him, Rugal, in his rage, had destroyed the ship where the final battle had taken place, leaving only destruction in his wake.

Naruto could feel the weight of their power. The fact that these individuals were still out there, somewhere in the world, was a sobering thought. And while he had his own abilities, he knew that if he faced any of these monsters, it would be a test like no other.

Naruto turned back to the pages in front of him, scanning over the rest of the information. Ki could do much of what chakra could, but there were clear limits. However, the martial world here was far more dangerous than anything he had ever encountered. Weapons like atomic bombs and missiles were commonplace, and they were more powerful than any jutsu he had ever learned.

Naruto couldn't help but feel a little shaken. Even though he had faced challenges before, there was something about the sheer destructive power of this world's weapons that made him realize how small he was in the grand scheme of things. The atomic bomb, the bomb that could level entire cities in an instant, was something he could never fight against. No matter how fast he was, how powerful his Rasengan or chakra abilities were, a bomb could destroy him just as easily as anyone else.

And then there was Akuma—the man who had sunk an island with his power. It made Naruto think carefully about the true nature of this world and what he would need to do if he was ever going to survive in it.

'It's a lot to take in,' Naruto thought, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his eyes. 'But I'll figure it out. I've always figured things out.'

He closed the books and stood up, his mind racing with everything he had learned. King had asked him to deal with Mad Gear, but now, it felt like he had to prepare for much more. The true threats of this world were out there, and one day, he might have to face them.

Naruto's thoughts lingered on the promise he had made to himself, to his friends back home. Despite the challenges and the unknowns of this new world, he remained steadfast in his belief that one day, he would return home. He had been through a lot, but the way he approached life—always with hope, always with positivity—was what kept him going.

But, in the depths of his heart, he was unaware of the great tragedy that had befallen his homeland. Konoha, the village he had sworn to protect, had been wiped off the map. The place that had been his home, where he had trained, fought, and built his dreams, no longer existed.

What had caused the destruction? And who could be behind such an unimaginable tragedy? Naruto didn't know, but he would soon find out, in ways that would shake the very core of his being.

The world, too, was moving towards something darker, something far beyond Naruto's understanding. The Immortal Queen, a force of unimaginable power, was awakening, her presence a looming shadow over the future. The balance of the world was about to shift, and with it, the struggles and choices Naruto would face would become far more complicated than he could ever anticipate.

For now, Naruto was content to enjoy the peace he had found in this strange world. But little did he know, the world he had stumbled into was about to change forever—and he would be right at the heart of it all.

He took a deep breath, letting the warm air fill his lungs. It was a new chapter, and while it had its challenges, Naruto was determined to face whatever came next.