"Ryuuto, you did wonderfully! You've saved the X-Men once again!"
Professor Charles's voice rang with relief as he hurried forward. Mystique was frozen in place, trapped in Ryuuto's shadow bind, unable to move a muscle.
Ryuuto just smirked. "Heh. Don't make it sound so grand, Professor. Just doing my job."
He turned his gaze toward Mystique, his grin widening. "See now? I offered you a clean hostage exchange earlier. But no—you had to play tough. And this is where it got you."
Mystique met his stare, her calm almost eerie. "Even if I'd agreed, you wouldn't have let us go, would you?"
Ryuuto chuckled, clapping his hands slowly. "Sharp. I like that. You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Bobby and Scott exchanged puzzled looks. "Captain," Bobby whispered, "what do we do with them? Should we… you know, take them out?"
That question hit Quicksilver's ears like an electric jolt. "No! You can't kill me!" He shot up from the floor, eyes wide with fear.
"Oh?" Ryuuto tilted his head, curious. "Give me one good reason."
"There are—there are plenty!" Quicksilver stammered, his voice trembling. "Think about it! I'm Magneto's son! If you dare touch me, he'll wipe this entire city off the map! Not just you—every human in New York will die! You can't afford that!"
His voice echoed through the hall, loud enough to make even Cyclops and Colossus pause. Rogue had just regained consciousness, her eyes narrowing at the mention of Magneto. Even Charles looked uneasy.
Every gaze shifted toward Ryuuto, waiting for his response.
Ryuuto sighed. "Are you done?"
He pulled out a gleaming shuriken, twirling it lazily between his fingers. The room went dead quiet.
Then he released the shadow bind, letting Quicksilver collapse beside Mystique.
"What's so terrifying about Magneto?" Ryuuto asked, tone flat. "If he's got a problem, I'll deal with him personally. I already don't like the guy's face."
Mystique froze, speechless. The two Brotherhood mutants went pale as corpses. Even Quicksilver's bravado evaporated.
This guy—he wasn't bluffing. He was insane enough to mean it.
The air thickened with tension. No one dared to speak.
Then Ryuuto broke the silence. "Relax. I'm letting you go."
"…What?"
Quicksilver blinked, unsure he'd heard right. "You—you mean it?"
Ryuuto shrugged. "You heard me. I don't go back on my word. Not everyone's a snake like you."
He waved his hand dismissively. "I'm sparing you because of Mystique. But tell your old man something for me."
Ryuuto's eyes glowed faintly, that dangerous smile curling his lips.
"Tell Magneto that I, Ryuuto, will visit his little fortress soon. He better be ready. Maybe clean up the place before I burn it down."
The X-Men instinctively stepped aside, clearing a path. Mystique's eyes softened for a brief second—something unreadable flickering there—but she said nothing.
Quicksilver's heart raced. He could barely believe they were being allowed to leave. Still, he forced himself to sneer. "Don't think the Brotherhood will just forget this! You'll regret crossing us!"
Ryuuto's smirk didn't waver. "Then don't keep me waiting."
Quicksilver clenched his teeth, glared at Mystique, and snapped, "And you—don't think I didn't notice how you looked at him! Are you a spy now?"
Mystique rolled her eyes. "I'm too tired to deal with your drama."
"You think this is a joke?!" Quicksilver yelled, face red. But before anyone could reply, he gave both of them a look filled with fury and humiliation—then bolted.
"Ryuuto! You hear me? I'll be back!"
His voice faded down the corridor, his figure vanishing like a silver streak.
Ryuuto exhaled and turned away. "Some people never learn."