Ryuuto had no intention of cutting down Natasha Romanoff. He only wanted to test if his Mist Shinobi Technique and Silent Killing had truly erased all traces of sound and scent.
The answer came fast.
Natasha stood right behind him, unaware of his presence—no breath, no heartbeat, no hint of chakra. Ryuuto smirked. Perfect.
That meant if he ever needed to end someone's life quietly, he'd only need one breath… one slash.
The Red Mirage could truly live up to his codename now.
His mind started spinning with combinations.
If I use Shadow Clone first, then Mist Shinobi, and finish with Silent Killing...
He could hunt dozens—maybe hundreds—at once. His chakra reserves had been skyrocketing lately anyway.
After all, every Data Packet the System gave him didn't just boost his power—it increased his total chakra capacity.
All the chakra of every shinobi he'd ever absorbed… pooled inside him.
Someday, he might have too much chakra to even spend.
When that day came, techniques like Primordial Stripping—the kind that used to drain entire lifetimes—would be just another tool in his arsenal.
The Life Potions wouldn't even be for replenishing chakra anymore, just body recovery.
Ryuuto grinned to himself. Yeah… the future me's gonna be terrifying.
Sure, guys like Thanos or Galactus could squash him right now—but give it time. He was evolving.
They were stagnating.
When he finally dropped the mist, Natasha spun around, startled. Ryuuto was already standing behind her, resting the massive Beheading Blade casually over his shoulder.
"You made that fog too?" she asked.
He smirked. "Yup. Impressed?"
Natasha frowned. "I can see your lips moving, but… are you not talking, or are my ears broken?"
Ryuuto snapped his fingers—ah, right. The Silent Killing field was still active. He dispelled it, and his voice returned.
"Better? Now tell me—do I look like a killer yet?"
Natasha's lips quirked. "You look like someone who's breaking the mutant rulebook. Seriously, how many powers do you have, Ryuuto? You've surpassed any mutant I've ever met. Are you trying to collect every ability in history?"
"Definitely," he replied with zero hesitation.
Natasha laughed. "You're not even humble about it."
"No need to be humble when you've got results," Ryuuto said, then paused. "About last night—"
She waved a hand. "No need to explain. I know you weren't flirting with Susan or Katie. Susan's just… complicated. Mature face, immature heart. We argued again this morning."
Ryuuto chuckled. "You two are basically rivals."
"Unfortunately," she sighed. "But… I'll try. We're both under your command now, right?"
"For life," he teased.
She arched a brow. "For life? What, are we getting married?"
He smirked. "Would you mind?"
Natasha blushed faintly and looked away. "I just meant—it sounded weird, that's all."
Ryuuto grinned wider. "Didn't expect to see you shy."
He reached out. Natasha tensed but didn't move as he flicked away a grain of rice clinging to the corner of her lips.
"If you're still hungry, eat more instead of storing leftovers on your face," he joked.
She looked mortified. Ryuuto just laughed—and then the calm shattered.
A voice boomed across the mansion's PA system—Charles Xavier's voice, sharp and urgent.
"All personnel, evacuate to the refuge immediately! We leave in one hour!"
The message repeated several times before cutting off.
Ryuuto's brows furrowed. "What the hell…?"
Natasha's expression turned grim. She pressed a finger to her earpiece, listening to incoming comms.
After a few seconds, her face paled.
"The Ministry of Defense just approved a full-scale assault," she said tightly. "Five stealth bombers, ten tanks, and a thousand armored troops are on the way. And—" She hesitated. "Three enhanced soldiers wearing Second Generation Iron Man armor."
Ryuuto blinked. "Wait—Tony's armors? But he's not even involved right now!"
"That's the problem," she muttered. "He swore not to hand them over. Someone must've overridden him."
"What's their objective?"
Natasha's tone dropped.
"Total annihilation."
Ryuuto froze for a second. Then his lips curved into a dark, dangerous smile.
"…Tch."
He slammed his Beheading Blade into the ground, and sword aura exploded outward, carving a ten-centimeter-deep trench in the dirt.
"Who told you this?"
"Steve did. He thinks I'm still with S.H.I.E.L.D., so he slipped me the info."
Ryuuto's eyes flashed crimson with fury. "Then tell him this…"
He raised the blade again, and his chakra flared like wildfire.
"If they want annihilation—
then I'll give them extinction."