"This damn seal is finally lifted!"
Ultron flexed his arms, gears whirring as energy pulsed through his frame. His red optics flickered with cruel satisfaction. If Lauf and the Destroyer manage to kill that brat, all the better.
But then—something changed.
As the ice spears and laser beams fell upon Ryuuto, his body darkened. A deep black aura rippled across his skin, chakra thrumming like thunder.
"What the hell…? Is this kid even human?" Lauf whispered, eyes wide.
Even Seraph, locked in close combat, froze. Before he could react, Ryuuto's left hand flashed. A shuriken sliced through the air, tracing a bloody line across Seraph's face.
"Argh! You little bastard!" Seraph howled. "You scratched my face?! You're dead!"
He tightened his grip on Ryuuto's wrist, muscles bulging. The two locked in a brutal deadlock, the Rasengan between them vibrating with destructive energy.
BOOM! BOOM!
The ice spears and plasma blasts from Lauf and the Destroyer slammed into them, smoke and dust erupting skyward.
"Hah! That's it!" Lauf shouted. "He's done for—turned into mince meat!"
Tony, Banner, and Gwen—watching from the sidelines—felt their stomachs drop.
"Ryuuto!" Tony roared.
Banner's fists clenched, trembling with fury.
But Gwen's gaze never wavered. "He's not done," she said softly. "He's never done."
They turned back to the battlefield just as the smoke parted—revealing Ryuuto still standing. Bleeding. Laughing.
"Icon," Ryuuto said, his voice low but sharp as a blade, "you just dug your own grave. Remember, when you reach hell, you were killed thanks to your two dumb allies over there."
He grinned—then slammed his Rasengan straight into his own chest.
"What the hell is he doing?!" Lauf stammered.
The Destroyer tilted its head, processors whirring in confusion.
Ryuuto's chakra exploded outward, connecting to Seraph through the blood still binding their wounds.
A red glow ran between them like lightning.
Seraph's eyes went wide. "W–wait, what did you—"
Blood gushed from his mouth. He staggered, glancing down. His torso was riddled with the same wounds Ryuuto bore moments earlier.
"Y-you…"
"I told you to look closely," Ryuuto said, smiling coldly. "My pain is yours now."
Seraph's knees buckled. He collapsed to the ground, eyes lifeless.
[Ding! Host used Forbidden Art: Blood Reversal Technique.]
[Effect: Damage reflected. Target terminated.]
[Side Effect: Host looks 25% cooler.]
Ryuuto rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Shion. Really helpful."
[You're welcome. I charge extra for applause.]
The last of the black chakra faded from Ryuuto's body, his wounds sealing shut. The scars vanished as though they never existed.
Lauf stared, shaking. "He… killed Seraph with his own injuries?!"
Ryuuto cracked his neck, picked up his blade, and pointed it straight at the frost giant. "That's right. And now it's your turn, ice cube."
"That fat guy's already belching," Ryuuto sneered, stepping forward, aura flaring like wildfire. "Next course: you two."
The killing intent hit like a pressure wave. Lauf stumbled back; even the Destroyer hesitated.
Hidden in the shadows, Ultron narrowed his gaze. "I knew it. That kid doesn't die easily. This was all bait…"
He clenched his metallic fist and faded into the background.
Meanwhile, high above, Magneto sat calmly on his floating throne, eyes half-open.
"Still not intervening, old man?" Ultron muttered under his breath.
Magneto didn't answer. He merely observed the carnage below, the corners of his lips twitching faintly. Behind him, cloaked mutants remained motionless, waiting for their leader's command that never came.
On the battlefield, Tony whooped. "Hell yeah! He's still standing!"
Banner let out a relieved laugh, and Gwen's eyes sparkled with pride.
"Haha, come on," Ryuuto called over, waving one hand. "It's nothing. Just cleaning up some trash. Magneto's still out there—guess I'll have to send him a reminder next."
He kicked off the ground, red energy surging around him.
"Now then… let's finish this."
Lauf turned to the Destroyer. "He's coming again! You take point, I'll back you up!"
The machine raised its arm cannons, energy building.
Ryuuto smirked. "Perfect. Makes it easier to hit both of you at once."