"Wood Style: Four-Pillar Prison!"
"Wood Style: Wooden Dome Wall!"
In front of his villa, Ryuuto was busy grinding through Yamato's data packet—his latest system unlock—while half-distractedly chatting with Gwen through the comms. The sound of wooden constructs rising and splintering filled the air, a strange mix of focus and chaos that somehow suited his training sessions.
Meanwhile—thousands of miles away—three fugitives were dragging themselves up a mountain shrouded in fog. Quicksilver, Ariel, and Gambit climbed with expressions that screamed exhaustion and regret. Their last assassination attempt on Ryuuto had been a disaster, and now every day alive was borrowed time.
"Quicksilver," Gambit groaned, collapsing onto a step. "We've been climbing for hours. You sure this is even the right mountain? I'm about to evolve into a rock."
Ariel wiped sweat from her brow, her teleportation power flickering uselessly. "And this place—why can't I warp us up? What kind of freak mountain blocks mutant abilities?"
Quicksilver scowled. "You think I want to hike? If I could run up this thing, we'd be there already! Just keep moving."
But even his voice wavered with fatigue. Whatever aura hung over this mountain, it smothered their powers like wet cement.
Gambit finally snapped. "You know what? Screw this. I'd rather fight that crazy ninja kid again than keep crawling like a tourist!"
Before Quicksilver could respond, a voice cut through the fog—cold, ancient, and full of disdain.
"Who dares disturb the peace of my mountain? Do you people have a death wish?"
The trio froze. From the mist above descended a figure—an old man with long red hair and ten glowing rings shimmering around his fingers. His presence pressed against them like a storm front.
"The Mandarin…" Quicksilver whispered, eyes wide with awe and a trace of fear. Then, instantly switching to flattery mode, he forced a smile. "Sir! It's me—Quicksilver! Magneto's team, remember? We met before. An honor to see your power again!"
Mandarin gave a curt nod, eyes sharp as razors. "You climbed this cursed hill for a reason. Speak. I have no patience for insects wasting my time."
The arrogance in his tone could've shattered mountains. Gambit, already annoyed, muttered under his breath, "Man acts like he's king of the world..."
The words weren't quiet enough. Mandarin's eyes narrowed. One ring flared, and a bolt of lightning cracked down, exploding the ground near Gambit's feet and singeing his hair.
"Hey!" Gambit shouted, smoke curling from his coat. "You crazy old—"
Another ring glowed.
Ariel quickly stepped between them. "Wait—stop! He didn't mean it!"
Quicksilver lunged forward, forcing a nervous grin. "Please, great Mandarin, forgive him. He's new! No manners, no sense! Let's not get violent."
Mandarin folded his arms, the rings pulsing faintly. "For Magneto's sake, I'll let this slide." His gaze pinned them like spears. "But if you've come here for nonsense, you won't be leaving alive."
Quicksilver swallowed hard. "No nonsense, I promise! I came to invite you down from the mountain—to deal with a certain… kid. A mutant who's gotten too full of himself. Name's Ryuuto."
Mandarin's eyes flickered. "Ryuuto?" he repeated, a dangerous curiosity creeping into his tone. "I've heard whispers of that one—the boy who fights with chakra and mocks gods."
A thin smile stretched across Quicksilver's lips. "Exactly. So… what do you say? Care to remind the world why they fear your rings?"