The King Of Fighters

Naruto arrived at Aokigahara Forest, the Sea of Trees, before Zangief and Laura. The dense forest exuded an eerie calm, but Naruto wasn't concerned. As he stood there, his senses alerted him to someone's presence.

From the canopy above, a voice broke the silence. "Are you Mr. Uzumaki?"

Naruto glanced up to see a young woman perched gracefully on a tree branch. She wore a ninja outfit, though her attire leaned more toward the revealing side than traditional ninja garb. She looked confident but curious, and her eyes gleamed with youthful energy.

"And who's asking?" Naruto replied, already piecing together her identity.

"I'm Ibuki," she said, jumping down with a smooth motion. "I'm with Guy. He told me you might be someone worth learning from."

Naruto nodded. Guy was one of the few ninjas he'd met in this world, and he had sensed a quiet strength and discipline in him. "So, he sent you to keep an eye on me?"

"Not exactly." Ibuki adjusted her stance, trying to appear professional despite her obvious enthusiasm. "I'm here to learn from you. Guy thinks you might teach me something new. And besides, we could use this as a way to approve of you as a friend."

Naruto studied her for a moment. She reminded him of Anko back in his world—not just because of her slightly provocative style but also her fiery personality. Ibuki was younger, though, and her aura gave away her inexperience. She had never taken a life and had an optimistic energy that clashed with the darker image of a traditional ninja.

He smiled. "Sure, why not? I'm Naruto. Just call me that."

Ibuki's face lit up, and she immediately bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Naruto! I'd like to spar with you, if that's okay?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? I'm not going to go easy on you."

"That's fine! I've seen your fights. You're amazing, and I want to learn as much as I can."

Her enthusiasm was genuine, and Naruto couldn't help but find it endearing. "Alright then, Ibuki. Let's see what you've got."

As they prepared, Naruto couldn't help but notice her unconventional ninja outfit. It was a mix of traditional and modern, with sleeveless black garments, baggy pants, and a mask covering the lower half of her face. However, the outfit was more revealing than standard ninja attire, highlighting her youthful rebellion against tradition.

Ibuki wasn't just a ninja; she was a teenager grappling with the clash between her traditional upbringing and the modern world. She wanted to enjoy life, had typical interests in boys, and dreamed of leaving the ninja path behind for something more normal. Yet, despite her reservations about the ninja way, she respected it enough to give her best effort.

Naruto noticed her admiration, which bordered on a crush. It wasn't new to him—people admired strength—but Ibuki's openness was refreshing. She wasn't hiding her awe, and her sincerity was something he respected.

"Alright, Ibuki," Naruto said, taking a ready stance. "Show me how a ninja of this world fights."

Ibuki grinned, her twin ponytails bouncing as she readied herself. "You asked for it, Naruto. Don't hold back!"

As the two prepared to spar, Ibuki's excitement was palpable. This wasn't just a chance to improve—it was an opportunity to stand alongside someone she admired, someone who embodied everything she respected and liked in a person.

Naruto smirked at Ibuki's determined expression. The spar had turned into an intriguing test of skill, and he wasn't about to go easy on her. When she nodded to signal her readiness, Naruto got up, his hand darting forward like a striking viper.

Before Ibuki could react, Naruto grabbed her by her ninja garments and effortlessly pulled her toward him. She let out a startled gasp as he drew her into a firm bear hug, effectively immobilizing her.

"Now the battle is over," Naruto murmured confidently, a playful tone in his voice as he tightened his grip.

Ibuki's small, athletic frame pressed against his much larger and stronger build. At 162 cm (5'3") to Naruto's towering 190 cm (6'3"), the size difference was palpable. Her mid-class chest was pressed against his torso, and her soft body contrasted with his firm, muscular form.

"Do you give up?" he whispered near her ear, his voice teasing but not disrespectful. Naruto's intention wasn't to humiliate her, but to show her the vast gap in their strength.

Ibuki flushed, equal parts embarrassed and frustrated. "That was not fair," she muttered, wriggling in his grip. Despite her words, there was a strange comfort in the hug that she couldn't ignore. She scolded herself inwardly, shaking off the thought.

In a burst of movement, Ibuki utilized a classic ninja technique, making her body malleable and slippery. She managed to slide free from Naruto's hold, despite how secure it had felt. She didn't let herself dwell on how oddly pleasant the hug had been.

Quickly regaining her composure, Ibuki countered with a serpentine move. She twisted her body around Naruto, locking him in a python-like hold. With a kunai to his neck, she declared confidently, "We are ninja. Nothing is fair in battle."

Naruto's chuckle was her only warning. In a flash, he substituted himself with a nearby leaf, vanishing from her grasp. Ibuki stumbled back, her kunai cutting through empty air. Her eyes widened in shock.

"He teleported?" she thought, trying to process the technique. Teleportation was exceedingly rare in her world, with only a handful of fighters—like Dhalsim and M. Bison—capable of such feats. But this wasn't quite teleportation. Naruto's substitution required precise control and focus, something Ibuki didn't yet realize.

Naruto reappeared behind her, his speed leaving her no time to react. His hand shot out, grabbing her by the face. Without hesitation, he drove her into the ground with moderate force. The impact sent a tremor through the earth, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Ibuki's mind reeled as her body hit the ground. She was strong and agile, but she had underestimated Naruto's overwhelming power and speed. Her ki-infused techniques barely scratched his chakra-enhanced body, and his speed seemed to match hers perfectly, as if he was adapting to her every move.

Naruto released her and stepped back, giving her time to recover. "You're good, Ibuki," he said with an approving nod. "But you've got a long way to go."

As the dust settled, Ibuki groaned, sitting up and rubbing her head. She glanced up at Naruto with a mix of frustration and admiration. His skill was leagues beyond hers, and she couldn't help but feel both challenged and inspired.

Before she could respond, Naruto's attention shifted. He sensed the arrival of others. Turning, he saw Zangief, Laura, Mika, and Sakura approaching the clearing. The group looked lively as they chatted amongst themselves.

Naruto smiled. "Looks like our friends are here. Take a breather, Ibuki. We've got a lot more to do."

Ibuki nodded, still catching her breath. Despite the pain and her bruised pride, she couldn't deny her excitement. This was just the beginning of her journey with Naruto, and she was determined to prove herself worthy.

Naruto greeted the group with his usual warm smile, exuding a relaxed confidence that immediately lightened the atmosphere. "Good morning, everyone. I hope you had good dreams," he said, stepping forward.

He gave Laura a warm hug, the kind that felt genuine and full of camaraderie, before fist-bumping the others, one by one. Each gesture was a small connection, showing his bond with each person in his growing circle.

Laura, always playful and teasing, responded with a wink. "Good morning to you too, Naruto. I definitely had some very good dreams last night."

Naruto chuckled at her flirtatious tone, his grin widening. "That's good to know, Laura."

Sakura, meanwhile, noticed Ibuki standing a bit apart, still recovering from her sparring session. She hurried over to her friend, concern etched on her face. "Ibuki, what are you doing here?"

Ibuki rubbed the back of her head, still sore from Naruto's earlier attack. After a brief pause to steady herself, she answered, "Training with Naruto. It's my new mission."

Sakura blinked, taking in Ibuki's disheveled state and the determination in her voice. She couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and amusement. "Figures. He doesn't go easy on anyone."

Naruto turned back to the group, his tone growing more serious. "As you can see, we've got a new friend joining us. But before we get into anything, I want to show you all something—my true strength. It's time you understand why you should follow me."

Without further explanation, Naruto closed his eyes and entered Sage Mode.

The shift was immediate and palpable. The atmosphere around them grew heavy, the air thick with power. Naruto's energy became dense, radiating an intense pressure that pressed against their very beings. Even the most seasoned fighters among them could feel the weight of it.

Naruto opened his eyes, his Sage Mode unmistakable. Golden irises with slitted pupils glimmered with a primal, otherworldly energy. His connection to nature was evident, as if he had become one with the world around him.

With a casual sweep of his hand, an invisible force surged toward them. The group reacted instinctively, enhancing their bodies with Ki to brace themselves. Even so, they were sent flying backward, the sheer power of the unseen attack enough to hurl them miles away had they not stopped themselves midair.

Before they could fully recover, the winds around them picked up, rapidly intensifying into a raging hurricane. The storm spiraled around them, trapping them in its center. Each attempt to break free was met with sharp, cutting winds that threatened to slice through them like blades.

"This isn't just power," Zangief muttered, struggling to hold his ground. "It's mastery."

Laura gritted her teeth, her usual teasing demeanor replaced by awe. "He's not playing around. This is on another level."

Naruto stood at the eye of the storm, calm and unshaken, his presence dominating the battlefield. The environment itself seemed to respond to his command as lightning crackled in the darkened skies and the storm roared.

Then, as quickly as it had begun, it stopped. The winds died down, the skies cleared, and the oppressive energy dissipated. The world returned to normal, leaving only silence in its wake.

Naruto smiled at the group, his aura still radiating quiet confidence. "This is just a glimpse of what I'm capable of," he said. "If you follow me, I promise to make all of you stronger. Together, we'll reach heights you've never imagined."

The group stared at him, their expressions a mix of shock, admiration, and determination. In that moment, they understood: Naruto wasn't just a fighter.