"Don't underestimate him just because he's young," Natasha said coolly. "He's stronger than me, and I don't hand out compliments for free. His name's Ryuuto. I brought him here from the Axville Mutant School. Now quit lying down, Tony—it's rude."
"I've never been polite to anyone," Tony shot back, not even lifting his shades. Typical Stark.
Natasha rolled her eyes. Steve, at least, had manners. He stepped forward and offered his hand.
"Steve Rogers. Call me Captain, or Steve if you prefer. Welcome to Australia. We really do need help. Banner's gone berserk—he attacks anything that breathes. We can't even get close. So before we risk throwing you into his jaws, I have to ask: what's your ability?"
Ryuuto shrugged. "Nothing much. Just stronger, faster… tougher. Pretty standard."
Steve's gaze hardened. "Then prove it. Two moves. That's all I need to see. It's not about doubting you, it's about making sure we don't send you to die against Banner. His fists don't just break bones—they turn people into paste."
"Fair enough," Ryuuto said, smirking. "Two moves it is."
They moved to an open stretch of dirt. Natasha shaded her eyes. Tony just sprawled in his chair until Natasha snapped:
"Get up. You'll want to see this."
"Fine, fine," Tony muttered, rising. "Armor's still busted from the other day anyway. JARVIS is patching it up back home. Without the energy system I'd be scrap metal against Hulk."
Steve unslung his shield and spun it on his arm. "Before we start, you should know what you're up against. This shield isn't just metal. It's forged from Adamantium and Vibranium alloy. Strongest in the universe, strongest on Earth—take your pick. Bullets bounce, energy disperses, shockwaves rebound. It protects me, and it hits back harder. Nothing breaks it."
Ryuuto's grin widened. "Perfect. Then let's see if it can handle this."
His hand snapped up. Chakra surged, wild and fluid, spiraling into his palm. A dense whirlpool of energy condensed, tighter and tighter, buzzing with destructive force.
Tony's eyes bugged. He dashed into a tent, rummaged, and came out with a pair of energy-scan glasses.
The moment he looked—BEEP BEEP BEEP!
"Warning. Overload."
CRACK!
The lenses exploded on his face.
Tony ripped the broken frames off and gaped. "What the—! That energy output—impossible! What IS that?!"
Natasha's lips curved as she watched the blue sphere shriek with power. "He calls it Rasengan. Devastating, but only at close range. That's the flaw."
"Close range?!" Tony shouted, still shaking sparks out of his hair. "That thing's output eclipsed my arc reactor three times over!"
Steve tightened his grip on the shield. The ground itself seemed to tremble from the rotation.
Ryuuto crouched, eyes gleaming. "Ninjutsu—[Rasengan]!"
He roared and charged. The air screamed with the sound of spiraling chakra.
Steve planted his feet, raised the shield, and braced for impact.
Then—
BOOOOOOOM!
The Rasengan slammed into the iconic shield, light erupting like a miniature sun.