The King Of Fighters

Naruto stood at the center of the rooftop, his confident grin widening as he eyed his opponents. Blanka, Laura, Jaguar, and Mika had surrounded him strategically, each preparing to strike in a coordinated effort. Despite the seriousness of their formation, Naruto's demeanor was lighthearted, teasing them with a chuckle.

"What are you guys waiting for? Do you want to fight, or should I bring out the tea?" Naruto quipped, winking playfully.

Laura tilted her head, her black braids swaying as she smirked. "I was just checking you out since I didn't get the chance to watch your other fights. Oh, and I wouldn't mind grabbing a drink after this," she replied, her tone casual but her stance sharp and ready.

The camaraderie among the four fighters was evident; they had a history of battling side by side against groups like Shadaloo or NEST. Naruto, however, was the odd one out, an interloper in their circle. Yet, the shared thrill of combat seemed to forge a temporary connection.

"Let's have a party after this fight. Today's a great day! Now get ready—we're coming for you!" Mika declared, pointing dramatically at Naruto.

With that, Blanka roared, a feral sound that reverberated through the air, and launched himself at Naruto in a rolling attack, electricity crackling around him. The others moved in unison, each taking a different angle to close off Naruto's escape. It was a well-coordinated assault, the result of their experience fighting as a team.

Naruto allowed them their advantage, intentionally letting them close in. He wanted to savor this battle—not a life-or-death struggle, but a chance to test his skills and indulge in the thrill of combat.

As Blanka rolled toward him from behind, Naruto casually jumped, letting the green-skinned fighter barrel harmlessly past beneath him. In midair, Mika and Jaguar lunged at him from different heights—Mika aiming low while Jaguar targeted his upper body.

Naruto smirked and jumped even higher, avoiding their synchronized kicks with ease. But Laura was already in motion, a blur of speed as she zipped toward him, her elbow crackling with lightning aimed directly at his abdomen. She struck with precision, but Naruto blocked the attack with a swift motion, his hand absorbing the brunt of the electric shock.

Laura used the momentum to twist her body, attempting to trap Naruto in a chokehold with her legs. Blanka, regaining his balance, charged again, his clawed hand extending toward Naruto's exposed side, while Jaguar vaulted off Mika's back to strike from below.

Naruto moved fluidly, forming a single hand sign. A burst of wind chakra erupted around him, sending Blanka flying off the rooftop and hitting Jaguar and Mika with enough force to collapse the weakened roof beneath them. The sheer control of his wind jutsu was evident; Naruto had mastered manipulating the environment without relying on breaths of air. His practice and focus—now uninterrupted by Kurama's influence—had elevated his control to near perfection.

Laura clung to him stubbornly, her legs tightening around his torso in an attempt to gain the upper hand. Naruto, however, caught her arm, pulled her into a tight grip, and leaped even higher into the air. With a mischievous grin, he spun rapidly, his body enveloped in wind chakra as he plummeted toward the ground, Laura still in his grasp. It was a technique reminiscent of the Primary Lotus, enhanced with his mastery of wind chakra.

Laura struggled fiercely, releasing a surge of lightning to shock him. But the wind chakra surrounding Naruto diffused much of the electricity's impact. Her physical strength, though formidable, couldn't overpower him.

At the last moment, Naruto released her, coating her in a protective layer of wind chakra as she hurtled toward the already fractured roof. The impact sent her crashing through the structure, tearing through multiple floors before she finally came to a stop.

Naruto landed gracefully, a satisfied grin plastered across his face. "This is so much fun, isn't it, guys?" he exclaimed, the exhilaration of battle lighting up his eyes.

Laura groaned from below, her body bruised but still functional. Her Ki-enhanced resilience had saved her from serious injury, but the strain was evident. She flexed her arms cautiously, wincing as she realized one more significant hit might render her unable to continue.

She grinned despite the pain, her fiery spirit undeterred. "You're not getting rid of me that easily," she muttered, steeling herself for the next round.

Laura wiped the sweat off her brow, her eyes locked on Naruto as he stood confidently atop the wrecked rooftop, his silhouette illuminated by the glaring sun. Despite the chaotic battle, her excitement only grew. She could tell he wasn't just strong—he was someone who lived for the fight, evident in the way his grin never wavered, even against their coordinated assault.

From their brief exchange, Laura discerned that Naruto's style was a unique blend of mixed martial arts, refined through years of experience. His ability to adapt to their teamwork, something even fighters like Ryu might have struggled with, was astounding. What set him apart was his wind-based techniques, which nullified or weakened their attacks, forcing them to rethink their strategy.

"How are you guys feeling?" Laura asked, glancing at Mika and Jaguar as they climbed out of the debris.

"I'm fine. That blast just threw me back," Jaguar replied, scanning Laura for any visible injuries. "What about you?"

"It hurt, but I can still fight," Laura responded, rolling her shoulders to shake off the lingering ache. "I think we need to keep the fight on the ground. He has way too much control in the air."

"Exactly! Did you see that? It's like he can fly or something," Mika chimed in, brushing dust off her ruffled leotard. She gave Laura a reassuring pat, signaling her readiness.

Their conversation was cut short by Naruto's voice, light yet teasing. "Guys, I know this is hard, but you know it's a fight. I can't just let you plan so easily."

Before they could react, Naruto landed in front of them, the force of his arrival releasing a shockwave of wind pressure that destabilized their footing. In the fleeting second it took them to regain balance, Naruto was already on Jaguar.

With a lightning-fast kick to Jaguar's right leg, Naruto knocked him off balance, then followed with a brutal shoulder tackle that sent Jaguar crashing through the walls of the building and out onto the open field.

Naruto's movements were relentless. He pivoted toward Mika, lowering his stance as he charged. Mika saw the attack coming and crouched, bracing herself to counter. Their bodies collided with force, both fighters rolling across the cracked rooftop in a fierce grappling match.

Mika fought with impressive skill, her training under Zangief evident in every calculated move. Yet, she was up against a fighter honed by years of grueling battles. Naruto's training with Jiraiya, which included countless sparring sessions against his clones and formidable opponents, had given him a near-unparalleled understanding of grappling techniques. He had experienced and memorized countless holds and counters, making him a master in this domain.

Despite Mika's spirited resistance, Naruto maneuvered her into a python hold, locking her tightly. He admired her tenacity and skill, even appreciating her beauty as they struggled, but it was clear she was outmatched.

Before Laura could intervene, Naruto sent a gust of wind her way, propelling her across the rooftop and out of the immediate fight. With the distraction eliminated, he tightened his hold on Mika, their grappling match reaching its conclusion.

"It was fun, Mika," Naruto whispered, his voice calm yet playful, "but it's time to sleep. I'll look forward to our next fight."

Mika's struggles slowed as the hold sapped her strength, and she finally lost consciousness. Naruto gently released her, ensuring she wouldn't be hurt further. He stood, dusting himself off, his grin returning as he turned his attention to the remaining fighters.

"Who's next?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of challenge and excitement.

Laura stood up from the rubble, dusting debris from her toned frame as her sharp eyes locked on Naruto, who remained steadfast and unyielding at the center of the battlefield. The sun cast a dramatic halo around him, highlighting the confident grin that seemed permanently etched on his face. For a moment, Laura analyzed the situation, her mind racing to form a strategy.

He had already taken out Mika with alarming ease, leaving her and Jaguar at a clear disadvantage. The truth was evident: this wasn't a fight they could win. Yet, rather than discouraging her, the realization filled Laura with excitement. Fighting someone of this caliber was a rare opportunity—a chance to learn, adapt, and grow.

Her thoughts briefly drifted to legends like Akuma, whose raw, terrifying power made him a living nightmare. But unlike Akuma, Naruto's presence wasn't oppressive. He fought with passion and joy, a stark contrast to the malicious intent that defined fighters like the Raging Demon. It made him more intriguing, more... human.

Despite the odds stacked against her, Laura felt her blood pumping. This was her chance to push her limits. As the heir to the Matsuda Jiu-Jitsu style and a representative of her country, she had to rise to the occasion.

Naruto began walking toward her, his expression casual but with an intensity that couldn't be ignored. "Come on, Laura. It's your turn now. Show me what you've got. None of you can actually defeat me, so let's enjoy this and make it as showy as possible." His voice carried through the battlefield, calm yet commanding.

She grinned at his confidence, her admiration for his skill growing. "Ha! So much passion! I like your style! Want to learn the Matsuda style?" she teased, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Naruto chuckled, raising a brow. "Show it to me. Give me a reason."

"Here I come!" Laura announced, her tone vibrant as she launched herself forward, her body surging with lightning-infused Ki. She dashed toward him at incredible speed, closing the gap almost instantly. With a sharp motion, she drove her elbow toward his chest, but Naruto countered effortlessly, catching the attack with his palm. The clash of her lightning and his wind created a crackling burst of energy that rippled outward.

Laura was ready for this. Using the momentum, she grabbed the fabric of his shirt with her other hand and pulled him forward, falling back to disrupt his balance. Lightning surged from her hand, attempting to shock him and hinder his movement, but Naruto reacted swiftly, driving a knee into her abdomen and sending her crashing to the ground.

Gritting her teeth through the pain, Laura rebounded, planting her hands on the ground to spin and deliver a kick aimed at Naruto's midsection. He leapt back, dodging with ease, but she didn't let up. As he landed, Laura charged forward, her body crackling with electricity as she attempted a volt tackle aimed at his center.

Naruto jumped again, but this time she was ready. Catching his foot mid-air, Laura tightened her grip and focused her lightning into a concentrated burst, aiming to immobilize him. Yet, her opponent was one step ahead. Using her hold against her, Naruto twisted his body and delivered a powerful kick with his free leg, sending her skidding back across the ground before the lightning could fully discharge.

Breathing heavily, Laura pushed herself up, her body aching but her spirit unbroken. Naruto gave her a playful smile, his tone almost teasing. "Not bad, Laura. I'd love to learn from you again. That was an interesting experience."

Laura couldn't help but smirk, even as her exhaustion caught up with her. Before she could respond, he lightly slapped her backside in a cheeky gesture before turning his attention to Jaguar and the others.

'Pervert,' she thought with a mix of amusement and annoyance, though she wasn't truly upset. Naruto's demeanor had a strange charm, his confidence both infuriating and endearing.

Her attention shifted to Jaguar and Blanka—or what was left of them. They had clearly tried to rejoin the fight, only to be intercepted and sent flying into the building once again. Laura hadn't even noticed their attempts, Naruto's speed and precision ensuring that any interference was swiftly dealt with.

She smiled despite herself. This wasn't just a fight; it was a spectacle, one that she wouldn't forget anytime soon.