The King Of Fighters

As the dust from the previous battles settled, Naruto stood calm and composed, his vibrant aura radiating strength and warmth. Across from him, Jaguar remained in a combat stance, his body coiled with tension, yet his demeanor was composed and respectful.

Naruto walked forward casually, a friendly smile on his face. "I had fun. What about you? Did you learn something?" His tone was inviting, devoid of malice or arrogance.

Jaguar nodded, his voice steady and calm. "It was interesting—a first for me, honestly. I've never faced someone of your caliber personally. It cleared away any doubts I had and, yes, I learned something valuable."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? I'm surprised. So, what is it?"

Instead of answering, Jaguar crouched low, his muscles tensing. He launched himself forward in a blur of speed, propelled by Ki focused into his legs. The ground cracked under his initial leap as he kicked off the air behind him with a Ki burst, amplifying his speed further.

Naruto stood his ground, open and unguarded—a calculated bait that everyone watching could see, yet Jaguar committed to his attack. Forming an X-shape with his arms, Jaguar crashed into Naruto's outstretched right arm. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, cracks spiderwebbing beneath Naruto's feet.

Jaguar didn't stop there. Using the momentum, he launched a series of powerful kicks, the speed and force enhanced by his Ki. Naruto blocked each attack with precision, his body absorbing the blows without flinching. However, Jaguar's determination was unshaken.

With a sudden roar, Jaguar's wild side seemed to surface. His Ki flared around him like a living entity, the energy forming a jaguar-like aura that embodied his fighting spirit. His movements became sharper, more feral.

'Jaguar, awaken within my soul.'

Locking eyes with Naruto, Jaguar sprinted back to create distance. The ground exploded beneath his feet as he pushed all his Ki into a final burst of speed. Executing his signature Running Exploder, Jaguar launched himself high into the air and aimed a dual-legged kick at Naruto, channeling all his remaining strength and Ki into the attack.

Naruto's expression shifted slightly, recognizing the heartfelt effort behind the move. Instead of dodging, he braced himself, enhancing his body with chakra. His arms met Jaguar's powerful kick, and the resulting collision echoed like thunder.

For a moment, it seemed as though Jaguar's attack might push through, but Naruto's strength prevailed. The force dissipated, and Jaguar was thrown backward. Naruto remained steady, his feet planted firmly, and allowed Jaguar to land safely without counterattacking.

The fight was over.

Breathing heavily, Jaguar looked up, his jaguar mask slightly cracked but his spirit intact. He spoke sincerely, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you for the opportunity."

Naruto grinned, walking forward with an outstretched fist. "No problem. I like you, bro. I've heard about the things you've done for others. We're similar in a lot of ways—I want to help people, too."

Touched by the sentiment, Jaguar smiled beneath his mask and bumped Naruto's fist. Despite the overwhelming power difference, he felt a genuine connection with the blonde warrior. Something primal within him—a part of his wild nature—recognized Naruto's sincerity and connection to the natural world.

The crowd erupted in cheers, their admiration for both fighters reaching a fever pitch. Naruto and Jaguar stood side by side for a moment, acknowledging each other not just as fighters, but as kindred spirits in their shared mission to make the world a better place.

As Jaguar adjusted his jaguar mask and approached Naruto, he spoke with a warm tone. "How about having lunch together? Not just you and me, but all of us. I think everyone here would enjoy it." His words were earnest, reflecting his desire to connect with Naruto and the rest of the fighters, many of whom seemed equally curious about the newcomer.

Naruto's grin widened, his carefree nature shining through. "Of course! I'm free at the moment and could use a feast. Plus, a drink or two would hit the spot. And let's not forget—beautiful, sexy ladies are always a treat for the eyes." He chuckled playfully, clearly enjoying the camaraderie.

Jaguar laughed in response. "You're a bold one. Though I'll tell you, the ladies around here are tough to impress." His voice carried both amusement and understanding, as they both shared a mutual appreciation for the beauty of life.

With the decision made, the two men walked together toward the gathered fighters, their mutual respect palpable. The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, officially declaring Naruto's victory and revealing his new ranking—one that now surpassed every fighter present. Cheers erupted from the crowd, a mixture of awe and excitement filling the air.

Naruto paused briefly to accept his reward money, a sizeable sum that made the gathered fighters raise their eyebrows in recognition of the prize's value. Taking the stage for a moment, Naruto addressed the roaring crowd.

"I appreciate the support and this opportunity to showcase my skills!" Naruto began, his voice resonating with energy. "But don't think this is the end—I'm aiming for the very top! A place where no one can stand against me. If you want to challenge me, step up, train harder, and let's make the fighting world stronger together!"

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and chants, his words sparking a fire in the hearts of the fighters and spectators alike. The other competitors couldn't help but feel motivated by his bold declaration, even as they acknowledged his overwhelming strength.

Afterward, the group of fighters, now united in a celebratory mood, decided to head out to enjoy a grand meal together. For many of them, it was a rare chance to unwind, reconnect, and share their stories. Jaguar took the lead, guiding the group toward a well-known local restaurant, while Naruto trailed behind, basking in the camaraderie and attention.

Naruto's clone met with Poison and Roxy in a quiet corner of the bustling city. The two of them had been gathering intelligence and now had important news to share. As they exchanged pleasantries, the tone quickly shifted to something more serious. Poison, with her usual calculated demeanor, handed over a folded piece of paper containing their findings.

"We've gathered a lot, but there's one person you should definitely know about," Poison began, her voice steady as ever. "Her name is Rose. She's a mystic, someone with power over souls, and she's in Osaka at the moment. They say she can predict dangerous situations with her abilities—kind of like a living oracle. You might want to check her out, Naruto."

Roxy chimed in, her enthusiasm tempered by the gravity of the information. "She's not someone you want to underestimate. We've heard rumors that she's connected to some of the most powerful groups out there. If you want more insight into what's happening around the world, she's the one."

Naruto listened intently, his thoughts already racing. Someone who could predict danger and had influence over souls sounded like a powerful ally—or a dangerous foe. But what caught his attention even more was the next piece of news. Poison handed him another document, one that detailed the current location of a figure known as Dhalism.

"He's in India, on the rural side as usual," Poison said, eyeing Naruto closely. "We didn't manage to get too much information on him, but he's been known to associate with some mysterious circles. If you ever find yourself there, you might want to look into it further."

Naruto's expression remained neutral, but inside, he felt the pull of the unknown. Dhalism was someone whose reputation preceded him, and despite his location in the far corners of the world, his influence was undeniable. But the real bombshell came next, when Roxy spoke up with an excited grin.

"And here's the big one," she said. "There's a tournament happening in Bangkok in two months, organized by the Mishima Corporation. It's a massive event, and they're offering some incredible rewards. The winner gets a huge cash prize and—get this—ownership of one of the Mishima Corporation's five-star hotels."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, intrigued. The Mishima Corporation was a name he had heard whispered in the underground fighting world for a long time, their reputation for hosting some of the most brutal and prestigious tournaments making them a force to be reckoned with. The chance to not only win a fortune but gain control of such a valuable asset? That was an opportunity that couldn't be ignored.

"It sounds too good to be true," Naruto mused aloud, rubbing his chin. "A cash prize and a hotel, huh? They're giving fighters a chance to prove themselves, just like KOF. Interesting. But they've missed me on the invitations. Not sure if that's intentional or if I just slipped under their radar."

Poison gave a small shrug, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Doesn't matter. Whether they invited you or not, you've got what it takes to win. And if they didn't invite you, that just makes it more interesting. You'll have a chance to show them you're a force to be reckoned with."

Naruto's smile grew wider, his excitement palpable. "Exactly. I don't play by anyone's rules but my own. The more fighters, the better. It'll be a great chance to grow."

For Naruto, the prospect of battling against skilled fighters and gaining new experiences was always more enticing than anything else. He had never been the type to sit still and meditate, believing that real growth came from the heat of battle. And this tournament in Bangkok promised exactly that.

Looking at Poison and Roxy, who had gathered such valuable intel, Naruto's expression softened. They had risked their safety and comfort to bring him this information, and now, it was time for him to show his appreciation.

"You've both done a great job. I'll make sure to reward you," Naruto said with a grin. "Get ready for something special, because I won't forget this."

He then clapped both of them on the shoulder, signaling that he had something big planned for their efforts. They had shown that they were capable, and in his eyes, they deserved more than just a simple thank-you. This was his way of acknowledging their growing importance in his journey.

As the clone parted ways with Poison and Roxy, heading back to join the others, Naruto felt a fire inside him grow even stronger. The path ahead was becoming clearer, and with each new challenge, he would continue to rise. The tournament in Bangkok, the potential allies and foes he might encounter, and the power that awaited—Naruto was ready to take it all on.