"Ryuuto… are we really letting this kid go?" Deadpool tilted his head, lips pursed in that trademark mischief.
Ryuuto shrugged casually. "Yeah, let him go. Won't do us much good anyway." His gaze flicked toward the horizon. Time was slipping—Gillian needed to be stopped, Tony and Wolverine rescued. Anything else could wait.
"Fine… I suppose that's how it has to be." Ultron stretched out his hands in mock helplessness.
A grin twisted Deadpool's face, his chaotic glee shining through. He scooped up Quicksilver like a ragdoll and flung him toward Mystique.
"I haven't finished playing with this toy yet," Deadpool cackled, "but if you want him, Uncle, here you go!"
Quicksilver hit the ground with a loud smash, mouthful of mud, and nearly blacked out. Mystique gritted her teeth. Lauf and Ultron clenched fists until veins popped, glaring at Ryuuto and Deadpool with unrestrained hatred.
"You really don't know when to stop," Deadpool teased, spinning a ninja knife in his hand. "Are you volunteering to be my next 287 sandbags?"
"Get away while you still can!" Lauf snarled, face green with anger.
"Honestly? Deadpool's right," Ryuuto said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Move fast, or I can't guarantee I won't decide to crush you all myself." His eyes gleamed, tracking every twitch of Ultron and Lauf.
"Let's go!" he barked.
"Hmph! Ryuuto, don't get cocky—we'll meet again!" Mystique leapt into action first, retreating. Ultron and Lauf, furious, could only curse under their breath while retreating, dragging Quicksilver along like wounded puppies.
Ryuuto chuckled, watching them scramble. "Run slow, don't trip and die, would be a waste of time," he muttered, amusement clear in his tone.
He flexed, the thrill of battle still coursing through him. Magneto and his Mutant Brotherhood? He'd take them on anytime—ready to crush their schemes completely.
"I'm heading out too," Vision said, landing beside him. "But I'll fight for the righteous side." Roar soared into the sky, joining the group.
Deadpool, ever restless, wagged a finger at Ryuuto. "Hey, you want me to chase them down and kick their butts?"
"No need," Ryuuto replied, hand raised, voice calm but decisive. "I've got something urgent to deal with."
"Wait! Take me with you!" Deadpool protested.
"Nope. Too much trouble if you're tagging along." Ryuuto didn't even hesitate. Deadpool's regenerative factor made him unpredictable—having him around could complicate things, and Ryuuto had no time for extra chaos.
"Fine, fine," Deadpool grumbled, rolling his eyes but still itching for action. "But you owe me a show. Use the original world stripping technique—let me feel the thrill of death again!"
"Geez… you're impossible," Ryuuto muttered. But he had no choice. Concentrating, he unleashed Oh Yemu's original world stripping technique, atomizing Deadpool into countless particles while the mercenary's excitement flared to ridiculous levels.
Immediately afterward, Ryuuto vanished in a streak of high-speed movement, determined to personally deal with the threat that was Gillian.
[Drop! Congratulations, Master! Task completed. Two enemies severely damaged. Special rewards: 100 life potions! One Hokage character data pack!]
Athena's (Shion's) voice chimed through his earpiece.
"Finally! I thought you forgot me!" Ryuuto's grin split his face, nearly falling off the edge of the skyscraper from excitement. A new role? Tears of joy flickered in his eyes.
[Haha, flattery suits you, don't overdo it!] Shion teased.
"Fine, I'm shy too… just love seeing you this happy!" Ryuuto replied, rubbing his head.
[Focus! Serious topic—open the data package now?]
"Not yet. Bigger fish to fry," Ryuuto said. He pulled out his phone, contacting Charles.
"Charles, it's Ryuuto. What's the situation? I need to locate Gillian."
"Ryuuto? Really you? I was about to alert you, but… you called first? Already fighting enemies?" Charles' voice was tense, disbelief mixed with urgency.
"Yes! Quick update—how are Wolverine and Tony? Short version, hit me fast." Ryuuto's patience was running thin.
"And the X-Men?" Roar asked from the side.
Charles sighed. "Wolverine and the others got infected with the virus, but containment is holding… for now. The real concern—Gillian's Extremis project. If he succeeds, it's a global catastrophe for humans and mutants alike. You must stop him."
Ryuuto's jaw tightened. "Understood. Send me the coordinates. I'll handle it."
"Got it! Call if you need anything!" Charles replied, hope pinned squarely on Ryuuto's shoulders.
...
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