The Sanctuary didn't even get a scream out. His body tore apart, atom by atom, until there was nothing left—no bones, no trace. Just dust floating where a person used to be.
Even at the end, he looked shocked, like his brain refused to believe he'd actually died.
Ryuuto exhaled softly, the crimson glow in his eyes fading. "One down." He squeezed Gwen's hand, steady and wordless, their backs pressed together as the air grew still.
Every enemy froze. The silence was so sharp you could hear someone swallow.
Then—a flash. A steel shard whistled through the air.
Ryuuto plucked it between his fingers without even turning his head. "Tsk. Sneak attacks already?" He flicked his eyes toward the Alchemist, whose legs immediately buckled.
"W-what are you—" The man stammered, falling backward. He felt it—the suffocating pressure like an invisible hand gripping his heart. If Ryuuto willed it, that heartbeat would stop. Instantly.
Erica's voice cut through the tension. "Everyone! Attack together! Don't let him move!"
"Yeah! Or we're all dead!"
Erica, Gambit, and Arclight scattered, each charging up their deadliest moves. Lightning flared. Cards ignited. The air warped with energy.
Even Quicksilver, who'd been hiding behind Ariel and the Alchemist, looked uneasy. He clenched his jaw. If this goes south, I'm out of here.
Ryuuto rolled his shoulders. "So you're not giving up, huh? Fine. Let's dance."
He formed a seal, voice low but thunderous.
"Eight Inner Gates… First Gate—Open!"
"Second Gate—Heal—Open!"
"Third Gate—Life—Open!"
"Fourth Gate—Pain—Open!"
"Fifth Gate—Limit—Open!"
"Sixth Gate—View—Open!"
"Seventh Gate—Shock—OPEN!"
The air erupted.
A detonation shook the building as red and black chakra exploded around him, ripping apart the floor. The blast threw debris into the air, engulfing everything in dust and light.
Erica and the others cheered too soon. "We got him—"
The dust parted.
A silhouette stood tall in the haze—eyes glowing like fire, veins lit with burning chakra. The pressure alone made everyone's lungs seize.
That's… not human.
"Die," Ryuuto whispered.
He vanished.
A heartbeat later, his fist buried itself in Gambit's gut. The man folded in half, coughing blood, before being launched like a bullet—straight into Quicksilver. The two crashed through a wall, buried under falling debris.
"Oh hell no!" the Alchemist screamed. "Ariel! Portal—NOW!"
But Gwen had already moved, her webline cracking through the air like a whip. She landed in front of them, mask gleaming. "No more running. Face justice!"
Ariel shoved the Alchemist forward like a meat shield. "Block her! I need time!"
It didn't help. Gwen slammed the man into the ground before he even screamed.
Meanwhile, Erica and Arclight were drenched in sweat, faces pale.
"What is he?!" Erica's voice trembled. "That's not chakra—that's a damn hurricane!"
Arclight didn't answer. She just screamed and fired shockwaves everywhere, desperate.
Ryuuto appeared in front of her, a blur of motion. His hand sliced through the air like a blade. The impact cracked the floor and sent Arclight flying. One strike. Gone.
"Behind you!" Erica shouted, her voice breaking.
Too late.
Ryuuto appeared at her ear, his whisper colder than the grave. "Since you're so eager to die… allow me."
Erica's eyes widened. "No—"
"Lotus Bloom."
Her body twisted upward in a spiral of motion and flame, struck a dozen times in a single second. Then silence.
When she hit the floor, she didn't move again.
Ryuuto stood amidst the rubble, chakra still burning off him like smoke. Every heartbeat sounded like thunder.
"Next," he muttered.
And every surviving Brotherhood member shivered.