"Yeah, that's me, kid. Got a problem?"
Ryuuto stood there grinning, eyes locked on the hulking iron figure in front of him. The metal giant's body hummed with energy, a blinding white circle glowing ominously on its head. Ryuuto's instincts flared instantly — that thing wasn't just for show.
"You don't need to know who I am."
The Destroyer's voice was metallic and hollow, like death speaking through an amplifier. "Because you won't be alive long enough to remember."
The instant the words left its mouth, the Destroyer charged — the ground split beneath its feet, shockwaves tearing through the street.
"Ryuuto, be careful!" Katie Dee and Susan cried from behind, their eyes filled with alarm. But Ultron and Heimdall's malicious stares held them back — a single move and they'd be vaporized.
BOOM!
The Destroyer's fist smashed into the ground, a crater erupting in black smoke and debris — but Ryuuto was gone.
"Where did he—?" Lauf frowned, his icy brows twitching. "You think that tin can's actually got this handled?"
He glanced at Ultron and Heimdall, suspicion in his tone.
"Tch. What's that supposed to mean? You doubting me?" Heimdall snapped, visibly irritated. "If you've got guts, take him down yourself. Otherwise, shut your mouth before I weld it shut."
"I'm just saying the truth!" Lauf snarled.
Ultron raised a metallic hand, smirking. "Relax. The Destroyer's made for one-on-one slaughter. Just sit tight. Either way, Ryuuto's not walking out of this alive."
The trio exchanged cold, poisonous looks, each one calculating the moment they'd betray the others.
Then—
"Leaf Hurricane!"
Ryuuto's shout cut through the night. He appeared behind the Destroyer, foot wreathed in chakra flame as he unleashed a spinning kick. The strike connected with a resounding clang!
But the result was… nothing.
The Destroyer didn't even flinch.
Ryuuto winced, his leg throbbing from the rebound. "Damn… feels like I just kicked a tank made of pure regret. You're seriously built from metal, huh?"
"The speed is impressive," The Destroyer droned, voice devoid of emotion. "But strength… insufficient."
Its massive hand shot out, grabbing Ryuuto's leg midair. The next second—
WHAM!
A gut punch like a cannon. Air burst from Ryuuto's lungs, and his body was flung backward, crashing through concrete.
"Clever words," The Destroyer said coldly, "but empty. You're just another insect who thought sarcasm was power."
Ryuuto coughed, wiping blood from his lips. "Heh. You sound just like Ultron — all metal, no soul. Guess cheap trash sticks together."
He dropped into stance again, eyes narrowing.
The Destroyer raised both arms and charged, each movement shaking the ground. Its palm glowed white-hot, condensing energy for a finishing blow.
"Such a waste of potential," it said flatly. "You could've lived a little longer if you'd begged."
"Not my style," Ryuuto said, smirking.
"Then die!"
The Destroyer hurled him skyward and followed with a brutal chop aimed for Ryuuto's skull —
"Nice hit!" Heimdall shouted, eyes gleaming. "Take his damn head off!"
Lauf cackled. "Let's see how the 'Red Mirage' bleeds!"
But Ultron's optics flickered. Something didn't feel right. "Wait— look closer. The Destroyer might've hit—"
CRACK!
The sound wasn't bone. It was wood.
Every eye froze.
In the Destroyer's massive hand wasn't Ryuuto — it was a broken log.
A Body Replacement Technique.
"Impossible…" Lauf muttered.
Ryuuto's voice came from above, loud and full of swagger. "Surprise, buckethead!"
The Destroyer's head snapped up just in time to see a blur of crimson light diving toward him.
"Your turn's over!"
Ryuuto's chakra erupted — a fiery spiral twisting around his fists. The night sky burned red as his voice rang out like thunder:
"Crimson Tempest Fist!"