Icarus was still trembling on the sand, wings drooping like a soaked pigeon, while Ryuuto stood over him with that stupidly bright Big Ball Rasengan fading from his palm.
"See? Ending a fight nicely is way easier than starting one," Ryuuto said, ruffling the bird-man's hair like he was patting a misbehaving pet. "Relax. I'm not going to roast you again… unless you start mouthing off."
Icarus collapsed with a wet thud, sweat dripping from him like he'd just run a marathon straight into a nightmare.
Katie Dee sprinted over first, eyes sparkling. "Ryuuto-san, that was sick! You turned him into a pillow!"
Gwen and Susan followed, beaming like proud teammates instead of accomplices to assault.
"Let's go get ice cream," Gwen said. "If anyone here deserves to celebrate, it's you."
"Fine, fine," Ryuuto sighed, though he was already turning toward the nearest shop. "I'll treat."
His gaze slid to Icarus, and the guy yelped, instinctively covering his head with both wings.
"Relax," Ryuuto said. "You work for me now. And since you still have all your limbs attached, I have a job for you."
Icarus peeked out. "…What job?"
"You're going to shadow Quicksilver and Loki," Ryuuto replied, voice calm but carrying that quiet threat only someone who just won could manage. "Just watch. Report to me immediately. Do that, and I'll pay you back with something better than not dying."
"I—I'll do it!"
Icarus saluted like a terrified recruit, then shot into the sky, leaving feathers and dignity behind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Mutant Icarus subdued.
Current progress: Uchiha Itachi Data Package – 8/9 fragments collected.
One more to complete integration.]
Ryuuto practically vibrated. "Shion, don't play with me. What mission gives the last piece? Tell me and quit acting mysterious."
[Heh. As if I'd make it easy.]
Shion's lazy tone slid through his head like a cat refusing to get off a warm laptop.
[Only one hidden mission remains. No hints. Complete it on your own… if you can, Host.]
"Great. Love that for me," Ryuuto muttered. "Last piece really wants to play hard to get."
Still, he didn't sulk. He marched straight into the ice cream shop with Susan, Gwen, and Katie Dee trailing behind him, the four of them laughing like the world wasn't about to explode outside.
Because obviously, fate hates this kid.
Elsewhere, deep in some forgotten cosmic corner, Malekith had just barged into Thor's path.
The God of Thunder looked him up and down with the patience of someone being forced to share an elevator with his worst enemy. "You let that kid steal your Aether particles and didn't tell me?"
Malekith winced. "I… underestimated him."
Thor snorted. "Underestimated? The boy stole from you, humiliated you, and threw your entire Dark Elf army into chaos. If you'd told me earlier, we wouldn't be here licking wounds."
Malekith's face twisted. "He destroyed my kingdom for his own selfish whims. He must die."
Thor stepped closer, eyes cold and thunder-bright. "On that, we agree. As long as Ryuuto breathes, he's a threat. If he keeps growing, even the gods will struggle to stop him."
"What do you propose?"
Thor grinned, all divine brutality. "War. You and I strike together. No mercy. No holding back. We rip his head from his shoulders."
Malekith grinned back, eager and hateful. "Then we move now."
Their handshake sealed a pact soaked in pure malice.
A storm was coming.
Across the world, Deadpool was wandering the Mutant Brotherhood's base, poking at things that specifically warned "Do Not Touch."
"Man… I miss dying," he sighed dramatically. "Hanging out with Magneto is like being trapped at a retirement home run by grumpy metalbenders. I want chaos. I want danger. I want Ryuuto!"
Mutants around him recoiled like he was contagious.
Wade paused, nodded to himself, and bolted.
"Yup. I'm going back. Screw subtlety."
The Brotherhood collectively cheered the moment his presence vanished.
Magneto didn't even pretend to hide his relief. "Pack up. We leave before he comes back."
At the X-Men base, alarms blared.
Jean Grey, Bobby Drake, and Scott Summers rushed in as Arlo delivered the news.
"Professor!" Arlo shouted. "Thor and the Dark Elves are attacking S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers at the same time! New York is burning!"
Steel looked up sharply. "Do we deploy?"
All eyes turned to Charles.
War was crawling toward them.
And Ryuuto was right at the center of it.