When ninjutsu fused together, the result was always chaos—and chaos was Ryuuto's playground.
Toad, Sabretooth… guinea pigs for my experiment. If you die, you die. If you live, unlucky for you—I'll kill you again later. The system wants your heads, and I'm not about to argue with free XP.
Every clone—including the real body—raised their palms. Chakra that had been raging in whirlwinds suddenly snapped toward them, condensing into spinning spheres. Each palm birthed a miniature typhoon, shrieking like steel under pressure.
"Boss, this doesn't look good," Toad muttered nervously. "That glowing ball… yeah, that's trouble."
"Shut up and fight!" Sabretooth growled, though even his bravado cracked at the sight.
Magneto, however, remained still, his cloak billowing like a banner of arrogance. Mystique's eyes narrowed—she'd fought countless battles, but this? Ryuuto surrounded by a legion of giant clones, each swollen with monstrous power? If Magneto didn't move soon, they were screwed.
Magneto's eyes glinted, though. He wanted to see. To measure. To push. If Ryuuto's strike was too fierce, he'd simply shred every clone—including the original—with his metal storm.
If I can't use you… I'll bury you.
Ryuuto's clones bent their knees, launched skyward in unison. Twenty meters up, they leveled their palms.
"Ninjutsu—Rasengan!"
"Ninjutsu—Rasengan!"
"Ninjutsu—Rasengan!"
One after another, the clones slammed their spiraling spheres toward the center of their formation.
The roar was like a dragon escaping its cage.
From the mountaintop, Natasha gasped into her binoculars. "My God… how many abilities is he still hiding? He's—he's like an army of Hulks!"
A familiar voice cut in. "Army of what now?"
Tony Stark had arrived, curiosity piqued. He snatched the binoculars and peered through—then his jaw nearly hit the dirt.
"What the hell is this kid?!"
Natasha's voice softened, uncharacteristically breathless. "He's… a man who can perform miracles."
Tony blinked. Then, smirking, he quipped, "Wow. First time I've seen you fangirl over anyone. Guess that's the magic of love. Shame though—I'm rich, charming, and I can't buy your heart. Guess Red Mirage already did."
Cold steel pressed against his throat.
Natasha's dagger gleamed against his skin as her narrowed eyes warned, "Tony… in my memory, you've never once tried to chase me. If you ever dare… I'll send you to hell myself. Don't forget who I am—the Black Widow. To men I don't love, death is their only reward."
Tony eased back, hands raised. "Okay, message received. No flirting, no knives next time. I value my neck, thanks."
She lowered the blade, voice like ice. "Then remember: some jokes will cost you your life."
Tony exhaled and shoved the binoculars back at her. "Got it. You win, Widow. He wins, too. I'll be in the chopper."
Meanwhile, aboard the Helicarrier—
"Director!" Maria shouted. "All signatures are converging—ten thousand… thirteen thousand… fifteen thousand… twenty thousand! The readings already exceed an atomic detonation!"
Fury's single eye narrowed. "Malfunction?"
"No, sir. Instruments were recalibrated yesterday. This is real. His power is beyond imagination."
Fury grimaced. "Unlimited potential… Charles really did chain this kid to the X-Men."
"What if he switches sides?" Maria pressed.
"Impossible. Charles took him in at eight, raised him for ten years. That bond's more father and son than teacher and student. Avengers and X-Men may be allies now, but if the government ever orders us to 'solve the mutant problem,' Red Mirage will stand with them—and against us."
"Then we need him, Director. If it comes to war, without him… we lose."
Fury leaned closer. "Keep watching. Are the numbers still rising?"
Maria stared at the monitors. "Stabilized—for now. But, Director… I don't think he's containing it. I think he's preparing a detonation."
Fury's gut clenched.
Red Mirage wasn't just fighting anymore.
He was about to rewrite the battlefield.