[Shion: Hey, Ryuuto, maybe walk and talk? Unless you're planning to let Tony die mid-monologue.]
Ryuuto gave a short sigh. "Banner, lie down and rest. Susan, thanks for the heads-up—but I've got something important to handle."
Without another word, he strode off.
[System Update in Progress… Uploading new functions.]
[Function One: Data Packet Selection Mode — upon completing S or SS-level missions, Host can now choose one of three reward data packets.]
[Function Two: World Data Access Protocol.]
[This one's mostly for me, not you. I'm the system admin, remember? But I still don't know much about this parallel world, so this feature lets me absorb global data directly. Eventually, I'll become an encyclopedia of everything here—people, powers, and tech. Though… it's gonna take a while to cram the whole universe into my head.]
[And yes! I said head! Isn't that wild? I technically shouldn't even have one—I'm supposed to be a glorified database!]
Ryuuto raised an eyebrow. "You sound weirdly proud about that."
[I should be! Because thanks to this upgrade, I've got a personal sub-database now—like a human brain! And do you know what that means, Ryuuto?]
"I'm listening."
[It means I now have the groundwork for independence from the main system!]
Ryuuto blinked. "Wait, you mean—"
[Yup. Remember when you asked if I could ever appear in front of you? Well, that chance just went way up. Now I've got memory that belongs only to me. Not the system's, not the world's—mine. So, with enough power flow, I can literally manifest in front of you someday!]
"That's… actually pretty amazing. So how long until that happens?"
[No clue! But the more you use the system, the faster it'll get there.]
"So basically, not anytime soon."
[Exactly!]
[Oh, but when the time does come, you can even pick my character template!]
"What template?"
[From Hokage, of course!]
[If you like Hinata, I can use her template. If you prefer Tsunade, Terumi Mei, or Konan—also possible. But my personality changes depending on the template. Tsunade-type? I'll be a hot-headed tigress. Hinata-type? Sweet and obedient… Master~]
"...Wait."
Ryuuto froze. "Did you just call me Master?"
The image of a shy, blushing Hinata kneeling in front of him flashed through his mind—and yeah, it did things to him he wasn't proud of.
"Okay. New mission unlocked: get Shion to appear. ASAP."
But a thought struck him. "If you appear… who's gonna manage the system?"
[Uhh… good question. Future problem! We'll deal with it when it happens!]
"...Figures."
[Oh, almost forgot—weapon system upgrade's live now too! You can store this world's weapons directly.]
"Wait, what?!"
[Any weapon. No limit.]
Ryuuto's eyes widened. "You mean even—missiles?"
[Missiles, fighter jets, whatever. If it's a weapon, it's fair game. The new weapon system is about to make your life a lot more boom.]
"Holy crap…"
His mind raced. If this had been available earlier, Ant-Man wouldn't have stolen the scepter. Hell, Abomination wouldn't have touched it.
He grinned. "This changes everything."
If he could store weapons from this world and summon them in the Summoning Realm… he'd be unstoppable.
Imagine—hundreds of thermal missiles on standby. One summon, one explosion—the kind that could erase a city from the map.
The heat of a single detonation rivaled the sun's surface.
Ryuuto's grin widened. "Yeah… this is real power."
He had planned to remove the Mind Gem from the scepter. Now? Forget that. He'd just take the whole damn thing and toss it into storage.
Just as he was plotting, a roar split the air.
Tony streaked toward him, clad in a new-generation armor—sleeker, faster, and trailed by a swarm of black suits.
Ryuuto squinted. Hundreds of humanoid armors, flying in formation like mechanical crows. He couldn't even tell which model they were from this distance.
"Guess the party's here."
Earth Style — Light and Heavy Rock Technique!
Ryuuto shot into the air toward Tony.
[Ding! Mission Update: SS-Rank Activated! Rescue Iron Man Tony, approaching Axville Academy! Reward: Choose one of three Data Packets!]
He smirked. "Same task, new stakes. Let's see what goodies you've got for me this time."