Ryuuto already knew what kind of man Deadpool was—someone who didn't care about good or evil, only about how much fun it was to piss people off.
Technically, Deadpool wasn't even a born Mutant. He was made that way—thanks to one of those lovely "secret human experiments" that only ever end with screaming and bad jokes.
Still, Ryuuto figured the guy was a walking contradiction: a psychopath with a hero complex and too much time on his hands.
Deadpool aimed his twin pistols straight at him, the muzzles like twin black holes.
"So, Red Mirage—wanna dance?"
Ryuuto sighed. "Not really in the mood. Maybe tomorrow. Or never."
"Ha! Fighting isn't a date, buddy! You don't schedule it—you feel it!" Deadpool spun his guns like a kid showing off fidget spinners. "Since I can't die, I've got infinite time. You refuse to fight, I refuse to shut up. Simple math!"
Ryuuto rubbed his temple. "You're seriously broken, y'know that? Fine. Let's fight. My hands are itchy anyway."
"Now we're talkin', Samurai Netflix!"
Before either could move, Banner cut in from the side. "Ryuuto, not now. If you two start, the whole area's toast."
"It's fine," Ryuuto said flatly. "You two step back. I'll handle this clown."
Banner wanted to argue, but Tony just tugged him away. He'd known Ryuuto long enough to tell when the kid wasn't changing his mind.
Ryuuto and Deadpool stared each other down.
Deadpool's tone softened—just a little. "I've been looking for someone who can actually kill me. Maybe you're the guy."
"I heard you've got the Goddess of Death's favor. Can't die, no matter what."
"Favor?!" Deadpool exploded. "It's a curse! That purple idiot Thanos got jealous 'cause I liked Death, so he cursed me! Can't die, can't flirt, can't even rest! I'm a cosmic joke, man!"
Ryuuto raised an eyebrow. "So… even if someone turns you into confetti, you come back?"
"Damn right! I once got drunk, fell into a blender—came out fine. Smelled like a smoothie for a week."
"Your healing's even worse than Wolverine's."
"Ten times faster," Deadpool bragged. "Plus, you know, cosmic curse perks. Unlimited continues."
"Then I'll test that."
Ryuuto summoned his sword—an enormous black blade manifesting in a shimmer of crimson light.
Deadpool's eyes widened behind the mask. "Ohhh, big sword alert! Let's see whose steel's harder!"
He holstered his pistols, drew twin katanas, and lunged.
Steel met steel. The shockwave rattled nearby debris.
Deadpool staggered first—Ryuuto's raw strength made his hands tremble.
"Hah! Finally—someone who can hit!" Deadpool backed off, laughing.
Ryuuto didn't wait. He charged.
The air split with each strike, sparks flying like fireworks.
Meanwhile, Tony and Banner watched from a safe distance.
"I fought Deadpool once," Banner muttered. "Before I went green. He wanted me to kill him. I refused."
"Let me guess," Tony said dryly. "He annoyed you until you Hulked out."
"Exactly. Tore him apart five times. Limbs, guts, spine—you name it. He just… reassembled. Then showed up by my bed that night asking if I wanted to 'get up and go pee together.' That man is a walking nightmare."
"So basically unkillable."
"Pretty much."
"Which side's he even on?"
"He's on his own side," Banner said grimly. "Don't try to understand him. That's how you die."
Tony chuckled. "So who's stronger—Ryuuto or Deadpool?"
"Ryuuto, definitely. But Deadpool's like chewing gum stuck to your soul. He'll never stop coming back."
Tony smirked. "Then I'm on Ryuuto's side."
"Didn't expect you to pick sides that fast."
"I like winners."
Back on the battlefield—
Ryuuto swung downward. Deadpool barely had time to flinch. The slash cleaved through his shoulder, sending one arm spinning away.
"Aw, dammit! I liked that arm!" Deadpool groaned, grabbing a pistol with his remaining hand and firing.
Ryuuto casually blocked every bullet with his blade, sparks flaring. Then he stabbed the sword into the ground, stepping on its hilt.
"You done yet?" Ryuuto asked.
"You think you won?"
"For someone who can't die, there's no such thing as losing, right? You just keep respawning."
"Heh. I didn't say that!"
Deadpool scooped up his severed arm, twisted it back into place, and with a few grotesque squelches—it fused perfectly.
"See? Good as new."
Then he teleported, vanishing in a red flash—reappearing behind Ryuuto like a ghost.
"Boo."
Four gunshots rang out.
[Ding! Host, incoming attack from rear quadrant. Reaction speed test commencing!]
Shion's voice crackled in Ryuuto's mind, playful as ever.
"Tch. Late call, Shion."
[Hehe~ wanted to see if you'd dodge in time, Red Mirage-kun.]
Ryuuto twisted midair—the bullets grazed past, slicing only the edge of his coat. His blade roared with crimson heat as he turned.
"Then let's make this quick," he muttered. "I've got better things to do than babysit an immortal idiot."