Thor pumped his fist like a kid who finally saw the exam results weren't catastrophic. "This time… it's over, right? Please tell me it's over," he muttered, practically begging the universe to let both fighters kill each other so he didn't have to get ragdolled again.
Malekith, drunk on desperation and dark magic, lunged straight at Ryuuto, eyes burning with fanatic rage.
"Boy! Die for me! Offer your soul!"
Ryuuto didn't even bother acknowledging Thor's hopeful wheezing in the background.
"Try it then."
His tone was flat, almost bored. The giant decapitating blade flashed into his hand like an executioner's shadow.
Breathless Murder Technique.
One step.
One swing.
A silver arc tore through the battlefield, clean and absolute.
The entire world froze.
Malekith's body lingered for half a second before gravity remembered its job. His head slumped sideways, the expression still stuck on a horrified how— before a pillar of blood erupted like a grotesque fountain.
Silence.
No cheers.
No screams.
Just the sound of Thor's armor clattering as he flung himself to the ground in pure self-preservation.
Ryuuto rested the blade across his shoulder and swept his gaze across the crowd. The air turned colder.
"Anyone else unconvinced?" he asked lightly. "If so… I can escort you home personally."
That was all it took.
Every survivor — dark elf or Asgardian — shook their head so violently it looked like they were trying to unscrew it.
"Run! Run now!"
"We'll stay in the Dark World forever, I swear!"
"Someone please pick a sane leader next time!"
The army scattered like frightened birds. Nobody dared look Ryuuto in the eye.
Thor, bruised pride leaking harder than his wounds, spat out one last line as he staggered away with the crowd.
"Don't get cocky! Someone… someone will deal with you one day!"
Ryuuto flicked a shuriken.
Actually, he flicked eight.
The barrage screamed through the air like crimson meteors.
"HEY—!" Thor yelped, swinging Mjolnir like a man swatting flies made of pure murder. He managed to block a few before collapsing onto the nearest soldier's back, wheezing like he'd run a marathon.
As Malekith's death unraveled the dark barrier, light finally returned to the battlefield.
"Bro! You're really alive!"
Katie Dee was the first to crash full-force into Ryuuto, hugging him like an overexcited missile. Susan and Gwen followed, eyes bright with emotion.
"Kid, you're a damn monster," Wolverine grunted, giving him a hard thumbs-up.
Tony smirked. "Not bad, Red Mirage. You saved the city. Again."
All around them, celebration erupted. Hulk was gleefully chasing down the retreating Thor and whacking him like a particularly shiny piñata.
The dust had settled. Victory — overwhelming and absolute — belonged to them.
"Captain! Where's Malekith? I can still fight!" Bobby shouted, cracked knuckles eager for another round.
Ryuuto shrugged. "Dead. Permanently. The Dark Elves won't be a problem anymore."
A cheer exploded from the group.
"Alright!" Ryuuto grinned. "We're done here. Hotel party on me!"
"HAIL!!"
They stormed toward a five-star hotel like a victorious anime squad, letting the cleanup teams handle the battlefield.
Just as Ryuuto stepped through the lobby doors, a familiar lazy voice sighed in his mind.
[Ding. Congrats, Host. You defeated Thor and decisively erased Malekith. New York saved. System experience +100,000. Final puzzle piece obtained. Data package: Uchiha Itachi — synthesized.]
Ryuuto's eyes lit up.
Itachi. Finally.
"Shion, open it. Now."
[Fine, fine. Executing. Host now has access to Uchiha Itachi's arsenal.]
Fire Style: Phoenix Fire
Fire Style: Great Fireball
Genjutsu: Tsukuyomi's Echo
Sharingan: Izanami
Mangekyō Sharingan: Amaterasu
Mangekyō Sharingan: Tsukuyomi
Susanoo: Ten-Fist Blade
Susanoo: Yasaka Magatama
Distinguished Heavenly Gods
Ryuuto's grin sharpened. His whole body felt like a furnace overflowing with power.
"Perfect. I definitely need a test subject later."
"Captain! Drink with us!" Bobby shoved a bottle into his hands, eyes sparkling.
Tony raised his glass. Wolverine lifted his. Banner nodded. Even Charles had flushed cheeks.
Ryuuto drank with them all, laughter weaving through the night, wrapped in warmth he pretended not to need… but didn't push away.
Tonight, the world was safe.
Tonight, the Red Mirage stood tall.