"Didn't expect you to wrap it up before we even arrived."
Storm—Arlo—grinned, lightning flickering faintly around his shoulders. Bobby and Colossus exchanged glances, both nodding in quiet respect. Their eyes on Ryuuto had changed.
"Ryuuto, I've got to admit," Tony smirked, tapping fists with him, "you're getting stronger every damn day. Not bad news for the rest of us, huh?"
Ryuuto chuckled and waved it off. "Heh, don't flatter me too much. Just doing my job."
Natasha and Gwen flanked him—one calm and calculating, the other bubbling with quiet energy.
"Right, by the way," Ryuuto suddenly remembered, "what about the Hammer Steel Drones? All handled?"
Tony's smile faded. Arlo's, too.
"They're done," Tony said grimly. "But Doctor Octopus and Whiplash slipped away. We're tracking them now—we'll drag them out, one way or another."
Ryuuto's gaze sharpened. "Good. Then I'll leave that to you guys. I've got… another problem."
"Need backup?" Colossus asked.
"Not this time. If I need you, I'll call."
Tony nodded, motioning to the S.H.I.E.L.D. unit hauling the unconscious Banner into an armored van. "Fair. Just don't die out there."
Ryuuto smiled faintly. "Wouldn't dream of it."
He could already sense it—something sinister pulsing in the air, a malevolent force crawling across the city like venom through veins.
"Go get 'em, Red Mirage," Tony called, giving a rare salute. "We'll cover the aftermath."
Natasha stepped forward then, her presence like silk over steel. "You're heading straight into danger again. Want me to come with you?"
"Same here!" Gwen grabbed his hand, eyes bright. "I can fight too—I'm not just gonna sit this one out!"
Ryuuto hesitated, then sighed with a wry grin. "Actually, Natasha, I need you to handle something else."
"What is it?" she asked instantly.
"Go back to the apartment. Tell Susan and Katie Dee that I'm fine. They're probably panicking right now."
Natasha frowned. "You're sending me away just to keep me safe, aren't you?"
"Maybe," Ryuuto said softly, brushing a thumb against her cheek. "But someone has to make sure they're calm. Besides—" he nodded toward Gwen—"she'll be with me. We'll manage."
Natasha blushed slightly but nodded, stepping closer to hug him tightly before slipping into a sleek black car. Tires screeched, and she was gone.
"Nice," Gwen said, bumping her shoulder against him. "Guess it's just us again."
"Yeah. You ready?"
"I can already sense it—the evil's gathering downtown," Gwen said, mask sliding over her face. "Let's crush it!"
"Then move!"
Both of them leapt off the building, wind tearing past as they rocketed through the New York skyline.
After a few blocks, Gwen's voice piped through the comms, panting:
"Ryuuto! Slow down! I can't—keep up!"
Ryuuto blinked, realizing he'd been dashing far ahead with inhuman speed. "Ah crap—sorry! Guess my new gear's boosting me more than I thought."
"New gear?" Gwen gasped, keeping pace as best she could.
Ryuuto looked down at himself. The ninja uniform shimmered faintly under the city lights, chakra-like energy pulsing through its threads. He whispered inwardly:
Oi, Shion, this isn't just my imagination, right? I'm way faster and stronger than before.
[Hehe~ not your imagination, Host. That's the effect of your Konoha-grade ninja combat suit! It enhances strength, agility, and intelligence by exactly 5%. You're welcome.]
Only 5%? It feels like way more than that!
[That's the bonus without buffs. And before you ask—yes, it also has a defensive barrier. Won't make you invincible, but if someone punts you through a wall, you'll probably just bruise instead of explode.]
Probably?!
[You're still mortal, baka Host. Don't get cocky. It's only an entry-level suit.]
Ryuuto grinned mid-leap, his voice full of mischief. Entry-level, huh? So there are higher tiers?
[Obviously. Keep doing missions, earn points, and maybe—if you're lucky—I'll let you touch the advanced set.]
"Ha! Guess I really hit the jackpot this time," Ryuuto laughed, slamming a fist into his palm as the wind roared past. "Let's see what this baby can really do!"
Gwen rolled her eyes behind the mask. "You talk to your clothes now?"
"You'll understand when you get your own super ninja suit."
"...Right."
Below them, an ominous green glow spread across the rooftops of midtown—shadows writhing, the stench of mutation thick in the air.
Ryuuto's eyes narrowed.
"Found you, Lizard."