The King Of Fighters

Laura staggered slightly as she returned to the real world, her mind spinning from the surreal and unsettling experience. She quickly jumped to her feet, her frustration bubbling over. "What the fuck was that? Didn't I accept her? Explain!" she demanded, her voice tinged with both confusion and irritation.

Naruto, standing with his usual calm demeanor, looked at her and the others who had also returned from their respective struggles. He offered them a small, knowing smile. Each of them bore expressions of discomfort and unease, the weight of their failed attempts to confront their darkness evident on their faces.

"You failed because, deep down, you didn't truly accept it," Naruto began, his tone patient and understanding. "There was still denial in your heart, and even an ounce of denial is enough to make you fail. It's not about saying you accept it. It's about feeling it, truly embracing those parts of yourself without reservation. Now, did you learn something from the experience?"

The group remained silent for a moment, digesting his words. Naruto stepped forward, his chakra swirling gently around them. The warm, comforting energy seeped into their bodies, easing the turmoil in their minds. Though it didn't erase their discomfort, it gave them the clarity they needed to reflect on what they had just experienced.

As the soothing chakra worked its way through them, some began nodding hesitantly. They had indeed learned something. Facing their darkest thoughts had been a harrowing ordeal, but it had revealed truths about themselves they had been unwilling to confront. Now they could empathize with what Ryu must have been feeling—living with a darkness that constantly threatened to consume him. It wasn't just a fight of willpower; it was a battle for inner peace, and it was grueling.

Naruto clapped his hands together, his voice taking on a more upbeat tone. "Don't look so glum, chums. This was your first attempt, and nobody's perfect on their first try. Sit down, meditate, and let's give it another shot. I'll bestow upon you some sacred teachings, and this time, you'll pass with flying colors!"

His confidence and energy were infectious, lifting their spirits slightly despite the lingering unease. Naruto's unshakable positivity and faith in them felt like a lifeline, and they grasped onto it. Slowly, they settled back down onto the ground, forming a circle around him.

Naruto created a handful of shadow clones, each one taking a place behind a member of the group. As the clones placed their hands on their backs, Naruto and his duplicates began circulating chakra into their bodies. The chakra infused their Ki pathways, harmonizing with their natural energy to strengthen their reserves and enhance their physiques. It was an intensive process, but it created a deep sense of connection between Naruto and his trainees.

"Close your eyes," Naruto instructed gently, his voice calm and grounding. "Focus on your breathing. Now, think about what you experienced. Think about the darkness you saw, the parts of yourself you deny. It's not about winning or losing a fight. It's about understanding and accepting. Positivity is your greatest weapon, but that doesn't mean ignoring the ugly parts of yourself. It means embracing them and transforming them into something beautiful."

As they meditated, Naruto continued to speak, his words weaving lessons of self-acceptance and growth. He shared stories of his own struggles with his darkness, the times he had doubted himself, and the moments where he had learned to embrace every aspect of his being.

His words resonated deeply, filling the air with a sense of hope and determination. Slowly but surely, the group began to find a fragile sense of peace, their minds opening to the possibility of truly understanding their inner selves.

After finishing up the training session with Laura, Sakura, Zangief, and the others, Naruto shifted his attention to Poison and Roxy. Over the past few weeks, his clones had been working with the duo, putting them through a rigorous regimen similar to the training the others had undergone. Poison and Roxy had displayed enthusiasm, but Naruto knew they still had a long way to go.

Standing in a clearing near their training grounds, Naruto observed the duo sparring. Poison's movements were fluid, her whip snapping like a viper, while Roxy's strength and aggression made her strikes forceful and direct. Despite their efforts, they still lacked the finesse and raw power needed for the challenges ahead.

Naruto stepped forward, signaling for them to stop. "Poison, Roxy, good work today. You've improved a lot, but you're not there yet. If I were to send you into a serious fight now, you'd be overwhelmed."

Poison wiped the sweat from her brow, her usual confident smirk still in place. "You're saying we're still fodder, huh?"

Naruto chuckled at her bluntness. "Not fodder, but not ready either. That's why we're pushing you so hard. I see potential in both of you, but potential alone isn't enough."

Roxy crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "So, what now? More of your crazy training?"

"Exactly," Naruto said with a grin. "My clones will keep working with you while I'm away. I'll be gone for a few days on an important mission. I expect you both to take this seriously and make real progress while I'm gone."

Poison raised an eyebrow. "Away? What kind of mission?"

Naruto's expression became serious. "We've located a base in the Kunlun Mountains in China. It's a big one, so I'll be helping Mary and the others with the operation."

Roxy's eyes widened slightly. "Sounds dangerous."

"It will be," Naruto admitted, "but that's why I need all of you to keep getting stronger. When the time comes, I'll need people I can count on, and that means you two."

Poison and Roxy exchanged a glance before nodding. "Fine, we'll keep at it," Poison said. "Just don't forget to come back in one piece."

Naruto smiled, appreciating their determination. "Deal."

Later, Naruto met up with Mary and the rest of the team. They were gathered at a private hangar, preparing for the journey to China. The Kunlun Mountains were remote, and the operation required stealth. To avoid detection, they planned to fly over the waters and then travel on foot to the base.

As Naruto approached the group, he noticed someone standing apart from the others—a figure he immediately recognized from videos and stories. Kyo Kusanagi. He looked different from his usual confident, almost cocky demeanor. His posture was more grounded, his aura calmer but still intense. It was clear he had undergone a transformation during his time away.

Mary greeted everyone as they gathered near the plane. "Thank you for coming, everyone. As you can see, we have a new addition to the team." She gestured toward Kyo. "Kyo Kusanagi. He wasn't available when we started planning this mission, but he just returned home last night from a training trip and agreed to join us."

Naruto stepped forward, extending a hand to Kyo. "Kyo Kusanagi. I've heard a lot about you. Glad to have you with us."

Kyo shook his hand firmly, his piercing gaze meeting Naruto's. "Naruto Uzumaki. You're the guy everyone's been talking about lately. Let's see if you live up to the hype."

Naruto grinned, unbothered by the subtle challenge in Kyo's tone. "Guess you'll find out soon enough. Looking forward to working with you."

The two shared a moment of mutual respect before Mary called for everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone, let's board the plane. We have a long journey ahead, and we'll need to be fully prepared when we arrive. This mission isn't just dangerous; it's critical. Let's move out."

With that, the team began boarding the private plane, their resolve solidified. The mission ahead would test their strength, strategy, and unity—but with this group, the odds were in their favor.

Kyo Kusanagi's arrival at the private plane was a moment that held more weight than anyone outside his immediate circle could understand. The heir to the Kusanagi clan, a lineage as ancient as it was powerful, Kyo carried with him the pride of his family and the legacy of the flames that had sealed Orochi centuries ago. Yet, his presence today was not as the carefree scion who once dismissed responsibility with a smirk, but as a hardened warrior who had faced death and emerged stronger.

Naruto took note of the subtle changes in Kyo's demeanor. His posture, once relaxed and nonchalant, now carried the tension of someone who had seen too much. The fiery cockiness in his eyes was tempered, but the intensity remained. This was a man who had walked through fire—literally—and come out the other side forged anew.

Mary greeted the team, emphasizing Kyo's recent return. The words barely registered with Naruto as his attention was drawn to the aura radiating from Kyo. It wasn't just the physical strength—though Kyo's presence made it clear he was stronger than most—it was the air of someone who had embraced his destiny, however reluctantly.

As the group boarded the plane, Kyo caught Naruto's gaze. "You're sizing me up," he said, a smirk creeping onto his face, reminiscent of his old self. "You'll have to wait to see what I've got in action."

Naruto chuckled. "I wasn't sizing you up, just taking stock. A lot's changed for you since the last time you were in the spotlight."

Kyo leaned against the plane's interior, his arms crossed. "Yeah, well, life has a way of throwing curveballs. Let's just say I got tired of sitting around waiting for the next disaster. Figured I'd get ahead of it this time."

Naruto nodded, sensing there was more to the story than Kyo was letting on. "Good to have you on the team. Your flames might come in handy where we're headed."

"They'll more than come in handy," Kyo replied, his smirk widening. "I've been training in magma, pushing my flames to their limit. The heat you'll feel out there is nothing compared to what I've been through."

As the plane took off, Kyo's mind wandered to the events that had brought him here. The KOF tournaments had been a wake-up call. Seeing his father crippled by NEST's experiments and nearly losing his friends had been a bitter pill to swallow. His overconfidence, once his defining trait, had nearly cost him everything. Rugal's near-victory had been the final nail in the coffin of Kyo's carefree attitude.

The magma training had been grueling but necessary. Buried deep in the earth, surrounded by heat that would incinerate a lesser being, Kyo had found a new level of power. His flames, once an extension of his will, had become a force of nature. He had embraced the madness Akuma once preached, not to lose himself, but to shatter the limitations he had always imposed on himself.

Beating Iori had been the cherry on top. The satisfaction of making his eternal rival taste defeat was undeniable, but it was also strategic. Kyo knew Iori would rise to the challenge, forcing both of them to grow stronger in the process.

Kyo entered the group with his trademark casual confidence, greeting everyone with an easy smile that belied the intensity simmering just beneath the surface. His voice carried an infectious energy as he waved.

"Hey, how have you guys been doing? I hope you missed my beautiful mug," Kyo quipped, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he made his way over to Robert.

Robert didn't miss a beat, meeting Kyo halfway and pulling him into a friendly embrace. "Where have you been? I thought you might've hidden away like a rat after the tournament."

Kyo laughed, punching Robert playfully on the arm. "Dude, not cool. That tournament was insane. Pretty sure I wasn't the only one shaken up by it."

The two laughed, the camaraderie of shared struggles evident in their banter. Kyo turned next to Ryo, the memory of their fierce battle still fresh in his mind.

"You're right, that tournament was no joke," Ryo said, his tone more serious. "But we've been through worse. You handled yourself well, Kyo. Our fight was one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to a rematch."

Kyo's grin widened, his cocky attitude shining through. "How about after this mission? This time, I'm gonna make you surrender."

Ryo chuckled, crossing his arms. "Big talk, kid. I didn't even surrender to Geese Howard, so good luck with that."

"We'll see," Kyo said with a wink before turning to King. He extended his hand, and the two shook warmly.

"You're looking well, Kyo," King said, her voice tinged with approval.

"Yeah, just fine and dandy," Kyo replied. "Though, I've got to admit, I'm really missing city life. Can't imagine how Ryu manages this 'middle of nowhere' existence."

"Everyone's different," King replied. "Ryu's always been like that. He thrives in solitude."

Kyo nodded thoughtfully but couldn't suppress a sigh. "Yeah, well, not all of us are built for the monk life. Too quiet for us modern folks."

Finally, Kyo's gaze landed on Naruto, who had been observing the interactions with quiet amusement. The two locked eyes, and Kyo stepped forward, his hand outstretched.

"I've seen your videos, Naruto," Kyo said, his tone carrying a hint of challenge. "I hope we get to spar later. I've been itching to test my limits."

Naruto grasped Kyo's hand firmly, a smile tugging at his lips. "I look forward to it. But tell me, are you strong enough to make it worth my time?"

The playful insult lit a fire in Kyo's eyes. His cocky grin returned, and his grip on Naruto's hand tightened. "I'll let you decide," Kyo muttered, his voice low and confident.

Without warning, flames ignited in Kyo's hand, licking up his arm with a ferocity that betrayed their intense heat. Naruto responded in kind, enveloping his hand in a layer of dense chakra, a faint glow of blue energy crackling against the flames.

The heat was palpable. Naruto could feel the searing intensity—stronger than lava, easily surpassing 5,000 degrees Celsius. His chakra absorbed much of the heat, but even so, Kyo's strength was evident.

"I see you've been training," Naruto said, his voice calm despite the effort it took to withstand Kyo's power.

"I have," Kyo replied, his grin never faltering. "You?"

Naruto's smile deepened as he broke the handshake with a deliberate squeeze, a surge of chakra rippling through the contact. "Guess we'll find out."

Kyo chuckled, flexing his hand as he extinguished the flames. "Yeah, we will."