Steve Rogers stood rigid on the ruined span, searching Banner behind the Hulk's raw fury. He'd watched Ryuuto's broadcast the night before and hated it—until now. The more he thought, the more the words sank in: he hadn't become Captain America to protect a ruling class that betrayed its people.
Steve's silence stretched. Finally he asked, "Are you on the mutants' side?"
"No." Ryuuto shook his head. "I want mutants and normal people to live together without killing each other. Mutants are just the upgraded X-gene showing up in newborns. If the normal world keeps trying to wipe us out, wars will never stop. The government wants to erase mutants. They killed over a thousand soldiers to cover it up. I can't stand for a government like that."
Steve's jaw worked. "I know the truth in my head… it's just—hard to accept."
Ryuuto's eyes sharpened. "I don't care if you accept it. My rule is simple: stand with me, and I'll die for you. Stand against me, and I'll erase you. Friends get my blade; enemies get my death."
Steve laughed, startling and real. "That's the kind of leader the X-Men need. I'm decisive when I have to be, but I've held back too often. Natasha and Tony—they already defected to your side?"
"They did," Ryuuto replied. "And you're welcome to join."
Before Steve could answer, Banner's groan cut through the wind. The Hulk had collapsed into the river and Banner bobbed up, shaken and pale. Steve leapt down and hauled him up—Banner coughing, clutching at his midsection.
Ryuuto let the "Earthstyle: Heavystone Technique" ease him back onto the pier and watched Banner try to breathe. The damage from Ryuuto's doubled Rasengan had left bruising and internal shock—he could tell Banner was still reeling.
If only Ryuuto had a medical ninja data packet—Sakura or Tsunade—it would take seconds to stitch internal injuries, to turn chakra into surgical precision. That tech was at the top of his things-to-get list.
Banner forced a humorless smile. "Sorry—again. I don't have control when it flares. The will inside me… it's stronger than I am. If my anger index spikes, it triggers. I don't want it to—but I can't stop it."
"Why are you here?" Ryuuto asked.
"To catch Magneto," Banner rasped. "He slaughtered too many—he's a real threat. We were ambushing him on Devil Island. I didn't expect him to be this strong. He kept sending metal shards into my nose—if they reach my brain, I don't even want to think what that'd do."
"You could wear helmet tech, like Stark," Ryuuto suggested.
Banner tried to laugh. "Then it's not the Hulk."
"How've you been otherwise?" Ryuuto asked.
"Better than before," Banner answered.
Ryuuto nodded. He looked at Banner, then said bluntly: "You're the only one who can stop the Hulk right now."
Banner's eyes met his. "There might be a few who could match me," he admitted. "But right now? You're the one who can actually put me down."
"So if you go Hulk again, you'll act like you did—out of control?" Ryuuto clarified.
"Yeah," Banner said. "That's the risk."
Ryuuto reached out. "Then quit the Avengers. Join the X-Men."
Banner hadn't answered; he was still steadying himself on the pier. Then Steve—wet and tired—offered a shaky grin. "Ryuuto, you can't keep poaching team members. Natasha, Tony, now Banner? You'll leave me with what—me, Hawkeye, Thor, Ant-Man, Falcon?"
"That's five left. Count it: still a squad," Ryuuto said with faux innocence.
Steve muttered something like resignation. Banner pushed himself upright. "I can't join the X-Men, Ryuuto. I'll stay with the Avengers. Thanks for saving me—twice. If I ever become your enemy, I'll fight. With everything I have. Even if all the Avengers join, we might still lose. I hope we don't become enemies."
"If we do, I'll have no choice," Ryuuto said, voice cold but even. "I'll defend my ideals—no regrets."
A S.H.I.E.L.D. jet cut through the gray sky above, heading toward them. Banner peered up. "That's S.H.I.E.L.D. They'll pick us up. You can leave."
Ryuuto smirked and folded his arms. "Oh please. I could sink that carrier if I wanted. But I'll leave you to your heroes. If you ever feel like joining the X-Men—my door's open."
He turned and walked away without waiting for an answer.