Tony Stark turned the detonator in his hand, scanning it with his usual confidence.
"Not a big deal," he said. "I can handle this."
"Good," Ryuuto replied, already turning for the door. "Call me when there's progress. I've got business."
Tony raised a brow. "Not even staying for a drink?"
Ryuuto smirked. "Tempting, but Emma and her gang are still out there. Hard to enjoy whiskey when someone's trying to turn Mutants into bombs."
Tony chuckled. "Fair enough. I'll update you once I've cracked this thing."
"Appreciate it."
Ryuuto started to leave—but Tony suddenly called out,
"Hey, Red Mirage! Take a look at this!"
Ryuuto walked back, expecting another gadget demo, but Tony's eyes were locked on a massive screen instead.
News footage played—a live broadcast. The ticker read: "Mutant Riot in Downtown New York – Police Under Siege."
Tony typed a few commands.
"Just popped up on the feed. Group of Mutants attacking a police precinct. Looks bad."
The screen showed smoke, flashing lights, and chaos. Officers crouched behind squad cars, outmatched by the attackers.
Ryuuto's gaze sharpened. "...No. This isn't random."
"You think Emma's behind it?" Tony asked.
"Not think—know," Ryuuto said, tone low. "Look—one of those Mutants is absorbing tear gas. The cops aren't even firing real rounds, just holding formation. They know they can't win. Emma's controlling those Mutants remotely—using them as bait. They're waiting for me."
Tony crossed his arms. "You sure about that?"
Ryuuto smirked coldly.
"If it's a trap, that means she's close. Which means—perfect. Saves me the trouble of hunting her down."
Tony sighed. "You're going alone again?"
"One man's enough," Ryuuto said. "Emma's telepathy makes group fights dangerous. Easier if I'm the only mind in range. Keep me posted on the chip. I'll clean this mess."
Before Tony could protest, Ryuuto stepped outside, already calling out,
"Hela. Gate me to New York."
In a shimmer of green light, the Goddess of Death appeared, arms crossed.
"You really love using me as a taxi, huh?"
Ryuuto grinned. "You're the best taxi I know."
Hela rolled her eyes, wrapped an arm around him, and snapped her fingers. The world blurred—and they were gone.
Moments later, Ryuuto stood on a rooftop near the New York Police Department. Sirens wailed below, the night flashing red and blue.
His eyes narrowed. Emma. Lucien. Maybe the Red Devil too.
They'd be watching from somewhere close—high ground, line of sight on the main entrance. Classic setup.
"Fine," Ryuuto muttered, forming seals with both hands.
"Light-Heavy Rock Technique."
Chakra surged. His body grew lighter as he rose into the air, landing on the roof opposite the police station.
That's when he felt it—the sharp, invasive pressure of another mind clawing into his.
Emma Frost.
His pupils contracted. Again?
The psychic pull was strong, her voice echoing faintly inside his skull. It was like drowning while still standing on land.
But this time, Ryuuto didn't panic. He let her in—just enough. His mental defenses flared, pushing back against her grip.
"Come on, Queen," he muttered under his breath. "Try harder."
Down below, Emma clenched her teeth.
"He's resisting—again!"
"Red Devil," she snapped. "Now!"
The crimson-skinned mutant vanished in a puff of sulfur smoke—teleporting directly behind Ryuuto. A dagger glinted in his hand.
Before Ryuuto could turn, the blade pierced his chest clean through.
The Red Devil grinned viciously as Ryuuto collapsed soundlessly, blood dripping onto the rooftop.
"Too easy."
He didn't know about Ryuuto's Regenerative Healing Factor.
And he didn't see the faint spark of Chakra pulsing in Ryuuto's fingertips.
Emma frowned from below. She could still feel his consciousness—alive, defiant.
He's faking it!
Before she could warn the Red Devil, Ryuuto's eyes snapped open. He shot upright, grabbed the demon's neck, and squeezed.
"Surprise."
The Red Devil tried to teleport—but Ryuuto's hand flared with blazing red Chakra. His fingers dug in like steel.
Crack.
The sound echoed through the night. The Red Devil went limp, body crumpling to the floor.
Ryuuto exhaled, tossing the corpse aside. "One down."
His gaze lifted toward the building across from him. "Two more to go."
If Emma and Lucien were hiding there, there was no point dragging it out.
Hands flashed into position again—fast, deliberate. White energy gathered between his palms, forming a rotating cube of light.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
The glowing cube launched downward, expanding in an instant.
It enveloped the top floors of the opposite building in pure annihilation.
Emma barely had time to scream before her body blackened, breaking apart into fine ash that scattered in the wind.
Lucien "Black King" didn't even get that far.
When the light faded, only silence remained.
Ryuuto lowered his hands slowly, eyes calm but voice razor-sharp.
"Design me again, Frost... and I'll make sure hell feels crowded."