"You… what did you just do to me?"
Apocalypse's face twisted with panic as he realized the truth—his body wouldn't move. Not a finger. Even his voice came out strained, like the words were dragging through mud. Sweat rolled down his temple as invisible pressure crushed against him.
"You calculated this from the start, didn't you?" he growled through clenched teeth. "You're no hero—you're a snake in human skin!"
Ryuuto smirked. "Keep yapping. Let's see if you can still talk in a minute."
"Shadow Strangle Jutsu!"
His hands blurred through seals. The shadow beneath him split and shot forward like a living serpent, twisting up Apocalypse's body, its black tendrils tightening toward his neck.
"Kill me with shadows? Please. I've lived for millennia, boy. You're still in diapers." Apocalypse's voice cracked into a roar. "Look behind you!"
A surge of telepathic power pulsed out of him—his mind forcibly hijacking a nearby cable car's network systems.
Metal screeched. The suspended car ripped free from its line like an enraged beast, hurling toward Ryuuto at terrifying speed.
Inside—civilians. Dozens of them.
Ryuuto cursed under his breath. "You really are a sly old fox."
He dropped the attack instantly, throwing his arms wide as sand burst from the ground, wrapping around the tumbling car. The massive mass of sand gripped the steel tight and lowered it safely to the roadside.
But the moment his focus wavered—Apocalypse broke free.
The ancient mutant somersaulted back through the air, landing outside Ryuuto's attack range, lips curling into a sinister grin. "Didn't expect you'd force my hand, brat. But you should've killed me when you had the chance."
The temperature around him plummeted. His aura flared like a storm of hatred.
"Now… witness my true power."
He sliced his finger open with a ritual blade, dark blood dripping onto a handful of frogs and birds. Within seconds, their bodies convulsed, skin warping, eyes glowing crimson. The small creatures twisted into grotesque beasts—mutant abominations pulsing with Apocalypse's energy.
Ryuuto's lip curled. "That's disgusting."
"Call it evolution," Apocalypse sneered. "You'll join them soon enough."
Ryuuto's hands snapped into a new seal. "Nah. You'll be the one feeding my summon."
"Summoning Technique!"
He slammed his hand to the ground. Smoke exploded outward—and from the cloud rose an enormous serpent, scales glinting dark purple.
"Ten Thousand Snakes!"
The ground trembled beneath its arrival. The beast's twin eyes—like blood-red lanterns—fixed on Ryuuto with an irritated glare.
"Brat," the serpent hissed, voice shaking the air. "Did you bring sacrifices this time, or are you wasting my patience again?"
Ryuuto groaned. "Why do you always start with food? You ever think about developing a hobby?"
Ten Thousand Snakes flicked its tongue. "My hobby is eating. Don't test me."
"Yeah, yeah—fine! Just look alive. Those things aren't dinner—they're a problem."
The serpent turned lazily toward the incoming abominations… then immediately screeched in pain as one of them pounced, claws tearing scales from his hide.
"You dare!" The serpent's roar rattled the air. "I'll swallow you all whole!"
Ryuuto leapt into the fray. His body flickered—one kick, Leaf Great Whirlwind, and a beast was launched skyward. The air cracked as he rushed Apocalypse head-on.
"You wanna test speed?" Ryuuto shouted. "Bring it!"
Apocalypse's grin widened. "You'll regret that." His form blurred, vanishing in a gust of wind.
Ryuuto's eyes flashed crimson. Sharingan—activated.
"Not fast enough."
"Water Style—Water Dragon Bomb!"
Water erupted before Apocalypse, slamming into him with explosive force, drenching him head to toe.
"This trick again?" Apocalypse bellowed, slicing the water in two with raw telekinetic force. "It's useless!"
"Then taste this."
Ryuuto appeared right in front of him, chakra spiraling violently in his palm. The air screamed.
"Rasengan!"
Apocalypse's eyes went wide. Even before the sphere hit, the pressure alone pierced through his chest like a blade of light. Instinct screamed—if this attack landed, even a god would die.
And Ryuuto's grin sharpened. "Time to see if you can absorb this, old man."