After meeting Tony and Banner in the living room, Ryuuto leaned back on the couch while Jean poured coffee for everyone.
He took a sip of the steaming cup and asked, "So, what exactly did you want to discuss with me?"
Tony's tone was unusually grim. "It's about Abomination. Loki's scepter ended up in his hands, and now S.H.I.E.L.D. is practically under his control. The Defense Department just held an emergency meeting labeling Stark Industries a terrorist group. My company's assets have been seized, all weapons transported away—and Pepper's been thrown in jail. I handed management to her while I buried myself in armor research… Damn it, I didn't think I'd drag her into this mess."
Ryuuto frowned, setting his cup down. "Which prison?"
"Rowell Women's Prison. Florida."
"That's far," Ryuuto said calmly, "but with the school's spacecraft, we can get there in about an hour. Let's go."
Tony blinked. "Wait—hold on. That's not what we're here to talk about today."
"You're not saving her?" Ryuuto asked bluntly. "She ran your company while you hid in a lab."
"I am going to save her," Tony said, "just not right now. The military will expect that move. They'll have heavy guards posted. If we rush in now, we'll get slaughtered. We need to deal with Abomination first. Banner and I talked about sneaking back onto the Helicarrier and grabbing the scepter—or taking that monster down directly."
Ryuuto leaned back, unimpressed. "That doesn't sound urgent."
Tony stood, pacing. "The Helicarrier's loaded with over a hundred high-heat warheads. If they detonate, everything here—the school, the ocean around it—gone. Banner and I saw what one of those things can do. This is no time for heroics!"
"Rescue Pepper first," Ryuuto said, rising from his seat. "An hour won't change anything. You two stay here and monitor the situation. If something happens, you'll know."
Tony exhaled, frustrated. "She's my employee. I should go."
Ryuuto grinned. "And you'd only slow me down."
Tony groaned. "You really don't know how to be subtle, do you?"
Ryuuto flashed a quick smirk. "S.H.I.E.L.D. might beg for your help, Stark—but me? I call you when I need you. Until then, finish your coffee."
Tony sighed. "Good luck, then."
Ryuuto waved lazily as he left the room. Ten minutes later, the school's spacecraft thundered into the night sky, slicing toward Florida.
The passengers: Ryuuto, Arlo, Susan, and Katie Dee.
Last time, Ryuuto brought Susan and Katie to Devil Island. This time was no different—he needed versatility. Susan could turn invisible. Katie could phase through solid walls. Together, they were a perfect infiltration pair.
Plus, the two had grown close—"sisters," they called each other now—so their teamwork was flawless.
Arlo, piloting the ship, glanced over his shoulder. "You even know what kind of place Rowell Prison is?"
Ryuuto shrugged. "Not really. Why?"
Arlo gave a dark chuckle. "Rowell's the largest women's prison in the U.S. Almost three thousand inmates. But the place is a damn swamp—corruption everywhere. Guards trading favors, inmates seducing them for protection or supplies. Some get dragged into 'private rooms' by the staff if they catch the wrong kind of attention. And drugs flow in and out like candy."
Ryuuto's brows rose. "That bad?"
"Worse," Arlo said. "Every time some clean-suit politician tries to 'fix' it, they either quit or disappear. The place hasn't changed in over a decade. Rumor says even the guards run a prostitution ring inside. That's where Pepper ended up."
Ryuuto exhaled slowly, his gaze hardening. "Didn't know that. I just figured—everyone deserves freedom. Especially someone innocent like her."
"She's beautiful," Arlo teased. "Bet she's already drawing attention in there. Good thing she was sent only this morning. A few days more, and…" He trailed off.
Ryuuto's tone turned cold. "If anyone lays a finger on her, I'll erase that entire prison."
Arlo laughed nervously. "You sound like you've got a crush."
That earned him three looks—Susan and Katie both turned toward Ryuuto with raised brows.
Ryuuto scoffed. "So what, I save one woman and suddenly I'm in love? What if you were the one locked up, Arlo? Should I just let you rot because I don't 'like' you enough?"
Arlo grinned. "Oh, so you do care about me~?"
"Please," Ryuuto said dryly. "You're the Storm God. You make thunder look jealous when you're in a good mood."
"Ha! Stop it before Susan gets jealous!" Arlo laughed, eyes half-shut with amusement.
Behind them, Susan groaned. "Boys…"
The ship streaked across the night sky—destination: Rowell Women's Prison.