"Da da da!"
Bullets whizzed past Rose's scalp, knocking his military cap straight to the ground. The once-arrogant general froze, hugging his head instinctively and crouching low, eyes darting in panic.
Around him, his trusted confidants were already shredded into a pool of blood, their bodies frozen mid-expression, eyes wide in disbelief—death had found them before their brains could even catch up.
"Ross… you really are getting worse and worse. Do you even deserve that shiny general's title?" Natasha Romanoff's pistol spun lazily in her hand, her gaze sharp with disdain and contempt.
"Ryuuto! You're really here!" Gwen exclaimed, dropping beside him after packing away a few special forces. She shot him a bright smile and nodded to Natasha.
"I couldn't just sit back. Banner's my friend too, and seeing you guys fight… let's just say I can't stand idly by."
Ryuuto grinned and teased Gwen's nose playfully. Then, his eyes flicked to Hulk Banner. Relief washed over him when he saw that the big green guy wasn't in immediate danger.
"Black Widow… so it's you!" Rose fumed, unable to tolerate the warmth and camaraderie between Ryuuto and his allies. He waved his hand impatiently, pointing at Ryuuto and Natasha.
"Unbelievable! You've really paired up with this brat! What a pathetic couple of dogs and men!" he barked.
"No matter what, compared to people like you, we stand for justice!" Natasha shot back, curling her lips in defiance.
"Ross, you couldn't even spit ivory from a dog's mouth if you tried," Ryuuto muttered, covering his nose and mouth in disgust. But his eyes were ice-cold, radiating murderous intent as he stepped forward.
"I originally planned to let you scum live… but now, I've changed my mind. There's only one solution for you—and that's a one-way trip to hell!"
Rose sneered, shaking with barely contained rage. "Boy! Who do you think you are? Savior of the world?"
"Ha! Still thinking you can send us to hell? Today, do you even have the legs to run?" Ryuuto's smirk widened as he readied himself for the incoming storm.
With a contemptuous flick of his fingers, Rose signaled the masses behind him. Soldiers swarmed forward—guns, bazookas, laser cannons—all primed and deadly, the battlefield thick with tension.
And it wasn't just soldiers. Four massive behemoths rolled out from the street, demolishing everything in their path. A tiger tank loomed behind them, its black cannon locked on Ryuuto. Rose had prepared a killing net, and he wasn't afraid to use it.
"Ryuuto! Promise me—whatever happens, you get out alive!" Natasha's voice was firm, yet filled with warmth.
"Yes! Natasha, Gwen, I've got this. As long as I draw breath, no one will hurt you!" Ryuuto said, hugging their shoulders in turn, eyes burning with determination.
Natasha and Gwen froze for a moment, hearts racing, faces flushed with happiness and relief. Even amidst the chaos, this moment felt… alive.
"Ha! So true feelings show in life-and-death moments. Touching, really!" Ryuuto muttered under his breath, a teasing grin on his lips.
Rose's laughter shattered the brief warmth, arrogance dripping as he mimicked slicing his throat at Ryuuto. "Today is your death date, boy! In the face of absolute strength, all your bravado is worthless!"
He had meticulously planned Banner's capture for years, aiming to extract the Hulk's genes to create a superpowered army. Now Ryuuto dared to interfere—provoking life-and-death stakes without even realizing it.
But Ryuuto remained unshaken. A sly smirk curved his lips, and his calm aura made Rose freeze in disbelief.
"What?!" Rose growled, incredulous.
"Since you asked so nicely, I'll indulge you," Ryuuto said, chest puffed with pride. He shook his head at Rose with disdain. "Before I arrived, Obadell and Ten Rings were wiped out by my hands. The two jumping jokers, Whiplash and Doctor Octopus? Also beaten and fled by Iron Man and me!"