"Can't you be part of both teams?" Susan asked, arms crossed. "There's no precedent for that. It's like holding two full-time jobs at once. And Black Widow—think about it. The Fantastic Four and the X-Men are allies now. If one side's in trouble, the other steps in. We're practically one big family. The Avengers, though? They're practically at odds with the X-Men. So unless you quit the Avengers, what gives you the right to join the X-Men?"
Her words hit like a slap. Natasha Romanoff's eyes narrowed, her voice rising. "You've got some nerve! You're one to talk—running half-naked into Ryuuto's room!"
Susan smirked, unbothered. "And what if I did? Isn't it normal for a girlfriend to spend time with her boyfriend?"
"He'd never fall for you!" Natasha snapped.
"Oh, really?" Susan's smile widened. "You think he'd pick an old lady like you over someone as young and gorgeous as me?"
"Age doesn't matter," Natasha shot back coldly. "What matters is that my body's still in its prime. Physically, we're no different."
"Old is old. Don't make excuses."
"If you ever go near Ryuuto again without a damn thing on," Natasha growled, pulling out her gun, "I swear I'll put a bullet in you!"
"Try it."
The tension snapped like a wire. Natasha raised her gun. Susan's arms folded over her chest, invisible energy flaring in front of her. A faint shimmer rippled through the air — her force field was already in place.
The two women stared each other down, like two primed grenades waiting for one to pull the pin.
But Natasha wasn't stupid. She knew she couldn't harm Susan through that barrier. After a long glare, she finally holstered her weapon and stormed out.
When the door slammed shut, Susan sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Ugh… maybe drinking last night was a mistake. There goes my 'pure and innocent' image in front of Ryuuto."
She collapsed back onto the bed, groaning, then started getting dressed.
Meanwhile, Ryuuto was sitting up in bed, yawning like a man who hadn't slept in a week.
No wonder — he'd shared a bed with Katie Dee last night. The girl could phase through walls, and half the night he'd been worried she'd roll out of bed and sink through the floor. When he finally saw her walk through a wall in her sleep, he almost screamed.
"Yeah," he muttered to himself. "Next time, maybe not the best sleeping partner."
Then he remembered something.
"Oh, right — I still haven't opened that data packet."
[Hey, Shion. You awake? I want to use that packet.]
[Hmph… you and your loot obsession. Fine, go ahead.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the Zabuza Momochi Data Packet!]
[Installation complete!]
Ryuuto blinked.
Zabuza Momochi? As in… that Zabuza?
A chill ran through him as old memories surfaced.
Back in his old world, he'd watched Naruto religiously. Zabuza and Haku had been his favorite pair — the silent killer and the beautiful companion. He remembered how he'd thought Haku was a girl until… that revelation.
"Man, I still want to strangle Kishimoto for that," he muttered. "Why'd you have to make Haku a dude?!"
Still, Zabuza and Haku's final scene had always hit him hard. Even now, the memory carried a bittersweet sting.
Shaking his head, Ryuuto focused on the new data packet.
"Let's see what you've got…"
Unlocked Techniques:
Silent Killing Technique
Hidden Mist Technique
Body Flicker Technique
Water Style: Water Clone
Water Style: Water Prison
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet
Water Style: Great Waterfall
"Nice," Ryuuto grinned. "Finally, something practical."
He compared it to his existing arsenal — Rock Lee's physical strength, Konohamaru's Shadow Clone, Chōji's Expansion, Ōnoki's Earth Style, and Orochimaru's Summoning.
Now he had Zabuza's Water Style to round things out.
"This is perfect. I was worried what I'd do if a fight ever broke out over the ocean," he said. "Guess that's covered now."
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Weapon System Unlocked! Would you like an explanation?]
"Weapon system? Oh, this I gotta hear."
[When the Host acquires six Data Packets, the Weapon System activates automatically. You may now summon and store signature weapons belonging to your unlocked characters. Currently available: the Kusanagi Blade and the Executioner's Blade.]
"Wait, you mean… the beheading sword?"
Ryuuto's eyes gleamed.
That blade was legendary — said to repair itself using the iron from its victim's blood. A weapon that could never break.
He jumped out of bed.
"Alright, let's try this out!"
He formed a hand seal. "Summoning Technique—Executioner's Blade!"
A glowing summoning circle flared to life in midair. From it, an enormous broadsword emerged, spinning before landing heavily in his hands.
"Whoa—! This thing's massive!"
The sheer weight nearly dragged him down, but thanks to Rock Lee's reinforced physique, he managed to hold it steady.
"Damn, that's got some bite," he said, giving it a test swing. The air cracked. A faint line spread across the nearby window.
Then—crash! The entire glass pane exploded into shards.
Ryuuto stared. "...Okay, that's awesome."
He swung again. The walls cracked. The ceiling groaned.
Each strike unleashed a visible arc of energy — pure sword aura.
"Now this is what I needed," he said, grinning wide. "Mjolnir, meet your new rival."
He raised the blade again, ready for another swing—
—and the door suddenly burst open.
"Ryuuto, what the hell are you—"
SLASH!
The sword's aura sliced through the air, colliding with the intruder head-on.
Ryuuto froze.
"Katie Dee…?"
....
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