Bobby lay crushed beneath Susan's invisible force field, unable to move. The pressure warped his face and lungs until he could barely suck in air, much less focus enough to freeze the air around him. The suffocation turned his thoughts hazy—his ice powers useless under the weight.
Then, Wolverine roared and lunged straight for Susan.
"Oi, Wolverine-san!" Ryuuto yelled from the sidelines, voice sharp with teasing. "Didn't think teamwork was your style. I was sure you'd go lone-wolf again!"
Wolverine didn't answer—he rarely did.
By the time he'd closed half the distance, Ryuuto had already flashed in front of him, decapitating blade in hand.
Steel met instinct. Wolverine leapt, trying to vault over him, but Ryuuto slammed the massive blade into the ground and twisted his body upward with a burst of chakra-like energy.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
The kick connected cleanly. Wolverine was sent skidding several meters, claws scraping sparks from the floor.
By the time he climbed back up, Bobby's time had already run out—he was officially eliminated.
"Susan! Drop the field before we have to dig a grave for him!" Ryuuto called out.
"Ah—sorry! I got carried away!"
The invisible wall dissolved. Bobby gasped in deep, frantic breaths, color returning to his face. Colossus helped him off the arena as the next bout reset.
Now it was just Wolverine versus Ryuuto.
Ryuuto waved Susan off. "You've done your part, Invisible Girl. Leave this to me."
She hesitated, then nodded and stepped aside.
The two men faced each other—one steady, one breathing hard but grinning like he'd just found a worthy opponent.
Wolverine studied the boy in red, brow furrowed. Despite the fight so far, Ryuuto wasn't even sweating. Calm eyes. Balanced breathing. Dangerous.
For all Wolverine's size and muscle, he could tell—this kid's explosiveness outclassed him.
He still didn't back down. That wasn't in his DNA.
With a guttural roar, Wolverine charged again. Ryuuto's blade answered in kind.
Metal clanged, fists crashed, shockwaves scattered dust across the training yard.
Minutes passed. Wolverine's breath grew ragged, his movements heavier. Ryuuto remained quiet and unreadable, like a storm waiting to break.
"Pointless to drag this out," Ryuuto muttered under his breath, stepping back. "Guess I'll end it here."
He planted the decapitating sword beside him, pressed his hands together, and murmured—
"Hidden Mist… Silent Killing."
Fog bled into existence, thick and cold, swallowing the whole playground.
From the sidelines, Natasha narrowed her eyes. "He's done for. Once that mist sets in—"
"Not so fast," Arlo interjected confidently. "Even blindfolded, Wolverine can sniff his prey. His nose will track that kid easily."
Natasha said nothing. She'd seen that jutsu before. It didn't just hide sight—it erased presence itself.
Inside the fog, Wolverine turned in slow circles, ears twitching, nostrils flaring—but there was nothing.
No sound. No scent. Only silence.
Then—steel whispered.
A crimson flash tore through the mist, followed by a sharp scream. Wolverine staggered, a fresh wound slashed across his back.
"Red Mirage, you bastard!" Wolverine barked through his teeth. "Ever heard of holding back!?"
A chuckle echoed in the mist, low and amused. But no one could locate it.
Hands clasped again, Ryuuto whispered another command.
"Earth Style: Weighted Stone."
Wolverine's knees buckled instantly. It felt like an entire mountain had been dropped on his shoulders. He struggled, growling through clenched teeth, refusing to fall. His body trembled, but his pride wouldn't let him kneel.
"Still standing, huh?" Ryuuto murmured. "Fine—let's finish this properly."
He dismissed the blade with a flick—sending it back into his system's summon space—and sprinted forward.
A swift spinning kick to the chest dropped Wolverine like a felled tree.
When the mist cleared, Ryuuto was already there, offering a hand. "Call it a draw," he said casually. "No need to measure pride tonight."
He knew exactly what he was doing—giving Wolverine face. Declaring victory would only piss the man off.
For a long moment, Wolverine just stared at the offered hand. Then he barked a laugh and took it.
"No wonder Professor Charles picked you. You're something else, kid."
Ryuuto grinned. "Pleasure's mine, Wolverine-san. Next time, I'll aim for your front instead of your back."
"You do, and I'll gut you before you land the hit."
"Looking forward to testing that healing factor," Ryuuto quipped, stepping around behind him to inspect the already-closed wound. "Damn. Regeneration that quick—no wonder they call you an immortal beast."
Charles's voice cut through from the side. "Ryuuto, if you have a moment—let's talk."
"Sure thing, Professor."
Ryuuto adjusted the man's wheelchair and pushed him toward the quieter corridor, fog still fading behind them.