"Because… he and I are both machines. And I was built by Ultron," Vision said earnestly, his gaze locked on Ryuuto. There was a quiet desperation in him, a need to believe that this path could still have a chance for redemption.
"I know Ultron has done terrible things," Vision continued, "but please… let him live this time. Give him a chance. Whatever comes next, I swear I won't stop you."
Ryuuto raised an eyebrow, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"That all? You really think I'm going to make promises?"
Vision's eyes widened slightly, his circuits pulsing nervously. Ultron, lying half-dead, tensed, unsure what Ryuuto might do next. But Ryuuto didn't care. His cold gaze fixed firmly on Vision, waiting.
"Fine!" Vision finally nodded solemnly. "I know this is… hard to ask, but if you can promise me Ultron lives, I'll join your side. I swear. No regrets. I won't return to Ultron's orbit."
Ryuuto tilted his head, a flicker of approval in his eyes. "Oh? Really?"
"Yes. Truly." Vision's eyes glimmered with a mixture of hope and determination.
"Then… fine." Ryuuto gave a lazy nod, his gaze drifting back to Ultron. The mad AI sprawled helplessly on the ground, but Ryuuto didn't bother cleaning him up. He strode off, utterly unconcerned.
"As the old saying goes… a prodigal son can't tarnish gold. Vision gets a second chance. Ultron? A mad dog's life isn't worth my attention right now."
Vision bowed deeply, gratitude shining in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Ultron simmered with rage, his chest cavity quivering. He forced himself to remain still, silently swearing vengeance, vowing to make Ryuuto pay a thousandfold.
Ryuuto's eyes flicked to Lauf, lying wounded in a pit, and a sly grin spread across his face.
"Hey, Ultron," he murmured, "I can spare you… but Lauf? You really care about him?"
Vision stepped aside, silent now, letting Ryuuto deal with the Ice King.
"Damn it, Ryuuto! You're not serious… you're planning to finish us both, huh?!" Lauf croaked from his pit, his fear finally breaking through his pretended composure. The hairs on his body bristled.
"Heh… big blue ghost, thinking you can fight me to the end? You overestimate yourself." Ryuuto's grin widened, almost teasing.
"The current situation is crystal clear even to fools—it's you who's doomed!"
"Don't push it, or Magneto will never forgive you!" Lauf spat out, panicked.
"I don't care," Ryuuto replied, stepping forward. "You're practically immortal? Cute. Still won't change the outcome."
One by one, Lauf and his remaining Jotunheim giants were forced to retreat, the aura of Ryuuto's Haki radiating outward, crushing their morale. They looked on helplessly, desperation written on every face.
Suddenly, three figures came charging through the battlefield, their presence raw and overwhelming.
"Haha! Ryuuto, finally found you!"
Deadpool landed in front of him, clad in a ninja suit. Ryuuto blinked—he hadn't expected the Merc with a Mouth to show up, and even more shocking, Quicksilver lay bloodied and barely recognizable beneath him. His face a mask of agony, tortured into something inhuman.
Ultron and Lauf froze, staring at the scene, too terrified to intervene. With Ryuuto and Deadpool present, even these two monsters knew better than to interfere.
"Boom!" Deadpool tossed the barely-living Quicksilver onto the ground like a ragdoll, brushing his hands together.
"All done for this little 490 kid," Deadpool declared. "Lots of wannabe heroes tried to snatch the prey, but I killed them all, hehe! Now, Ryuuto, let's have some fun. Cast your world-breaking technique—let me feel death properly!"
Ryuuto scratched his head, speechless, silently mourning Quicksilver's misfortune.
But the chaos wasn't over. Another figure hurtled toward the battlefield, eyes locking on Quicksilver with deadly intent.
"Huh? Is she insane? Followed me tens of thousands of kilometers just to get here?" Deadpool muttered, tilting his head curiously as he watched the newcomer approach.
Quicksilver, recognizing the familiar presence, let out a frantic scream.
"Mystique… save me! I'm here!"
The battlefield had just become even more unpredictable.