"Ugh… sweat! What's the point of this for me?"
Ryuuto glared at the system, a vein of frustration throbbing in his forehead. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Seriously… I've got life potions for energy, but when I'm mid-battle, I can't just sit down and eat a bowl of ramen. Is that even smart?"
[Master, you got it wrong this time, haha!] Shion's cheeky voice echoed in his mind.
"Eh? Wrong? How?"
[During battle, life potions automatically replenish energy. But after completing a task, the Konoha Village Ninja Ramen is delivered straight to this parallel world for you!]
Ryuuto's eyes widened. "Wait… so I can not only eat it myself, I can also hand it out to others?"
[Exactly! It looks like ordinary ramen, but the effects… well, you'll see!]
"Ha! Perfect! A must-have for travel… and murder." Ryuuto grinned, imagining the possibilities.
[One warning, Master: if you use it on others, keep the system secret. Exposure will be catastrophic!]
"Understood, got it!" Ryuuto nodded, then smirked as golden light flickered in his eyes. "Shion, let's talk about something else."
[Um? Speak, Master!]
Ryuuto raised an eyebrow. "Since you gave me Ninja Ramen… can I get another bowl? A big one?"
[Uh…] Shion froze mid-sentence, then abruptly disconnected.
Ryuuto sighed, shaking his head. "Cheating system's stingy as ever. Looks like it's just me and my own grind if I want to get stronger."
He turned his attention to Gwen. "You're the best, Gwen."
"You too! You're the most important person in my life!" Gwen beamed, her smile lighting up the theater.
And then… BANG!
The quiet, cozy atmosphere shattered like glass. A violent explosion echoed as the wall of the cinema cracked and splintered. Screams erupted as the entire theater shook, people stumbling in panic.
Ryuuto squinted. "Guess the break's over… another nasty guest."
A hulking figure burst through the wall, red electronic eyes locking onto him. Sparks of fire and energy danced in the invisible air between them.
"Ryuuto!" Gwen clutched his hand, tense and nervous.
"Relax," Ryuuto said lightly, patting her shoulder. "Just two small fries." His gaze flicked toward the shadows—he knew more enemies were lurking.
The figure's voice boomed, mechanical and arrogant. "Huh! You're Ryuuto? You look weak. Why am I wasting my time?"
With a swift motion, the enemy tore open his windbreaker, revealing dark, glistening armor. A robot. Powerful. Terrifying.
Ryuuto smirked. "Ah, if I remember right… you must be Ultron."
Ultron's red eyes blazed. "Your arrogance rivals Magneto's!"
"So… Magneto sent you?" Ryuuto asked calmly, still holding Gwen close.
"No one commands me—not even Magneto! I came on my own to deal with you!" Ultron strode forward, every step confident, predatory.
"Now, hand over Quicksilver! Or regret it!"
Ryuuto's eyes burned. "Regret? Ha! I've been living just fine without knowing what that is!"
Ultron's eyes flared, beams of red light slicing through the air. "Then witness true power! Let's see how a weak human fares against me!"
In an instant, Ultron fired a massive energy beam straight at Ryuuto's head.
"Gwen! Protect yourself! I've got this!" Ryuuto shouted.
He didn't retreat. Instead, he surged forward, chakra coalescing in his hand into a blazing Rasengan. The Rasengan collided with Ultron's beam midair, dispersing it in a violent explosion of sparks.
"Heh! Your energy beam? Zero effect!" Ryuuto grinned, spinning the Rasengan aggressively toward Ultron.
Ultron's eyes flickered—shock, then malice. Instead of facing the attack head-on, he leapt to the side, evading skillfully.
"Stupid human… time to die!"
Seizing the moment, Ultron unleashed his ultimate power, a surge of energy slamming into Ryuuto's back. His massive armored fist aimed straight for Ryuuto's head!