"Don't let me down. I've got faith in you!"
Lauf clapped the Destroyer's shoulder, panting hard but grinning like he'd already won.
The Destroyer cracked his neck, molten eyes flashing. "No problem. Been waiting for this. Time to settle our score once and for all!"
They had no escape route left. Ryuuto—no, Red Mirage—was already upon them. Either they fought to the end, or they died cowards.
The Destroyer roared, metal plates shifting, and charged.
[Skill Module: Earth Augment—Activated!]
Ryuuto's body hardened, skin darkening into a sheen of stone. His speed, his strength—everything spiked. He slammed forward like a human meteor.
Fists met steel.
Each collision rang like hammer on anvil. Sparks flew. Metal screamed.
But it wasn't even close. The Destroyer—the walking tank forged from divine alloys—was getting wrecked. His chest caved in like crumpled tin, armor dented and twisted beyond repair.
"Hang on, big guy! My ultimate's almost ready!" Lauf's voice cracked as he scrambled to weave frost through the air. His hands shook violently, the panic obvious. If the Destroyer fell, he'd be next.
He screamed, "Move! Get out of the way, I'll smash that freak to bits!"
Frost gathered into an iceberg the size of a skyscraper. Lauf's veins bulged as he lifted it over his head, trembling but desperate, every breath ragged.
"Fine! Just make sure you don't hit me!" the Destroyer snarled, barely blocking another barrage from Ryuuto. He glanced back, and his eyes went wide at the sight of the enormous frozen mountain above Lauf's head.
A savage grin spread across his ruined face. "Heh. Poor fool. You're finished!"
But Ryuuto was already moving. His body pulsed, energy spiking.
[Combat Data Switch: Tsunade Mode – ON]
Power surged through his muscles like an earthquake.
"Holy hell!" he gasped.
Ryuuto clenched his right fist—and the world broke.
His punch connected with the Destroyer's face, and half the man's head imploded. His eyes bulged out, his scream was more animal than human, and his body rocketed away like a missile.
"RYUUTO, DIE!" Lauf bellowed, hurling the iceberg with a roar that rattled the air.
And then he froze.
Because the Destroyer's limp body hit the iceberg first.
The collision shattered it into a billion glittering shards, raining down like icy fireworks. Lauf's jaw dropped in horror.
"Oh crap—no, no, no, don't come this way—!"
Too late. The Destroyer's body fell like a meteor, smashing straight into him.
The two crashed into the ground below, vanishing into a deep, smoking crater.
Ryuuto exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing. "Guess it's time to finish this."
His hands blurred through seals, movements sharp and precise.
Power rippled through the battlefield, oppressive and electric.
Mutants aboard the floating saucer above began to panic.
From his throne, Magneto watched with faint interest. "Fascinating. He's actually growing stronger mid-fight."
Quicksilver stepped forward, impatient. "Dad, want me to take a few men and deal with him?"
"No." Magneto's voice was cold. "No one moves without my word. Let him finish. I want to see what this boy becomes."
"Yes, sir!"
Quicksilver clenched his fists and backed off, frustrated. Magneto's smirk deepened. To him, this was all a game. A test.
He whispered, "Impress me, Red Mirage."
Ryuuto landed above the crater, gazing down. "Dead or alive, doesn't matter. I'll make sure you two stay buried."
He looked toward Magneto's distant silhouette. The old fox was still sitting comfortably. Good, Ryuuto thought. You'll be next.
[Skill Activation: Giant Rasengan]
A roaring vortex of chakra exploded in his palm, swirling faster and faster until it looked like a miniature sun. The energy tore at the air, humming with violent intent.
Faces paled all across Magneto's ship.
Lauf, half-crushed beneath the Destroyer's corpse, opened one bloodshot eye—and froze at the sight of the descending sphere.
He barely had time to scream before the Rasengan hit.
The crater erupted into blinding light. The impact roared like thunder, swallowing the two villains whole.
When the light faded, there was nothing left but molten debris and silence.
Ryuuto stood over the ruin, cloak fluttering in the wind. "That's that."
[Ding! Enemy Threats Eliminated.]
[EXP +9999]
He didn't smile. Just cracked his knuckles, eyes flicking back to the sky. "Now then… old man Magneto, your move."