Ryuuto froze as "Natasha" tugged at his hand. His mouth curled into a grin that didn't reach his eyes.
"Romanoff, sorry—" he said lightly, slipping free. "I wasn't ready for this. Let me go take a piss first."
He ducked behind a tree.
When he came back half a minute later, the warmth was gone from his face. Standing five meters away, his eyes were cold, razor sharp.
"You've got some nerve showing yourself in front of me again."
"...What do you mean?"
"I mean—" his tone dropped to a knife's edge, "—I know you're Mystique."
Her form shimmered, Natasha's red hair melting away. In its place stood the true shape: blue-scaled skin, reptilian eyes, that smirk of hers curling like smoke.
Mystique tilted her head, cautious. "How did you know?"
"Natasha Romanoff isn't the type to throw herself into someone's arms like a lovesick teenager," Ryuuto shot back.
Mystique laughed once, sharp. "Touché. I slipped."
Of course, that wasn't the whole truth. The moment she came near, Ryuuto's phone had been buzzing in his pocket. A tracker, hidden in her bloodstream from their last encounter. Every time she came within thirty meters, it lit up. The moment "Natasha" leaned in close, he knew.
Which meant… the real Natasha was somewhere unconscious.
His eyes narrowed. "Where is she?"
"Sleeping, safe… for now."
"You dare?" His voice cracked with steel. "Come here just to die?"
"I came to invite you," Mystique countered smoothly. "Join the Brotherhood. This world is ruled by humans who fear us, hate us. Mutants are hunted, caged, executed. That's why Magneto founded Brotherhood—to put an end to it, to make Mutants the masters of tomorrow. You're a special one, Ryuuto. I want you with us."
He snorted. "You've got a bad memory. I already told you—Magneto and you should be serving me. If I ever touch the Brotherhood, it'll be as its leader."
"You don't have Magneto's ambition," Mystique snapped. "You stand with humans. That disqualifies you."
She flicked her tongue—spitting out a capsule she'd hidden there. It hit the dirt with a click.
"What's that?" Ryuuto asked.
"A narcotic. I meant to drug you earlier," Mystique admitted, clicking her tongue. "Thought you'd be too distracted by Black Widow's charms to notice. Tsk. You're sharper than I expected. That only makes me want you more."
"Persistent idiot," he growled.
"No choice. Talent like yours is rare."
"I refuse." Ryuuto raised his hand, eyes gleaming. "But the invitation's open—join me instead."
The forest rustled.
From beneath dead leaves, iron shards shot out like snakes, striking his limbs before he could react. Pain flared. In the blink of an eye, he was pinned against an old tree, arms and legs bound tight by writhing metal.
"...Tch." He strained, muscles bulging. His physical strength had already been boosted beyond normal limits by the system's Rock Lee package. But the air around him thrummed, warped. The magnetic field itself was against him—every ounce of force drained.
Then the sound came:
Rustle… step… step.
Leaves crunched.
Out of the shadows walked an old man in a dark coat, eyes burning with authority. Magneto. Behind him loomed Toad, crouching and sneering, and Sabretooth, all claws and fangs.
Mystique bowed her head slightly as Magneto approached.
"Ryuuto." His voice was calm, heavy as iron. "I've seen what you can do. Join us. The Brotherhood needs you."
Ryuuto stared back, unflinching. "And if I don't?"
"Then you're the enemy." Magneto's hand rose, and the air hummed. The floating particles of metal swarmed closer, buzzing inches from Ryuuto's face. "We are Mutants. Our destiny is not to grovel beneath humans, but to rule. Charles dreams of peace—but peace is a lie. They will never accept us. Until we hold the power, we will always be monsters in their eyes."
"…Sounds real noble." Ryuuto smirked, eyes gleaming. "But tell me—what exactly can you do to me?"
"You're bound. My captive. Do you think I can't break you?"
"Correction," Ryuuto's voice sharpened. "You didn't capture me."
Bang!
The body pinned to the tree shattered into smoke—gone.
A clone.
Magneto froze, shock flashing across his face for the first time in years.
"…What—?!"
The forest fell silent.