The sudden voice stunned everyone in the cabin—except Ryuuto.He'd already caught that faint trace of perfume no one else noticed.
"Who's there?" he asked flatly.
In the next moment, the air shimmered, and a figure faded from transparent to solid.
Tony's jaw dropped. "You've gotta be kidding me. Invisible Woman? Susan Storm?! What the hell are you doing on our ride?"
Susan, blonde curls framing her face, gave a sheepish smile. "Just… catching a lift."
Ryuuto narrowed his eyes. "Please. You could fly on your own. Sneaking onto a jet isn't exactly casual. You're here for another reason."
Susan sighed. "Fine, you got me. We've always known Mr. Banner can't fully control the Hulk. If his temper spikes, the green monster takes over. Once I heard he was here, I rushed over. Since you're headed back to New York, I hitched a ride. Flying with force fields is… exhausting. It's like balancing on a mental tightrope. So yeah—I cut corners."
Ryuuto didn't answer immediately. Instead, he noticed the way Susan kept sneaking glances at him. "Do I have rice stuck to my face or something?"
"Eyes, nose, mouth… all where they belong," Susan said, narrowing her gaze. "I'm just curious. You're… the first mutant I've seen from Japan."
"…And that makes me exotic to you?" Ryuuto snorted. "Figures."
"Don't be offended." Susan softened her tone. "How about visiting me once we're in New York?"
Ryuuto raised a brow. "That came out of nowhere. Makes it sound like you've got an ulterior motive."
"Conspiracy? Ha! I just want to talk," Susan said quickly.
"Ryuuto," Natasha cut in sharply, eyes cold, "throw her out."
Susan tensed. "Nat, that's a little harsh. We've fought together before."
"And those times weren't exactly friendly," Natasha shot back, already flipping a switch. The cabin hatch hissed open, wind roaring inside.
Susan's smile faltered. She looked to Ryuuto, almost pleading.
Beautiful or not, something about her approach felt off. And sudden invitations from people he barely knew? That screamed trouble. Without a word, Ryuuto simply pointed toward the open hatch.
Susan vanished in a blink.
"Don't bother," Natasha said evenly from the cockpit. "My systems are top-tier. Invisibility won't hide you here."
"You really have to be this cold?" Susan's voice wavered.
"You didn't sneak on just for a ride. You came to get close to him." Natasha's voice sharpened. "Ryuuto already has an affiliation. Don't think about recruiting him into your little squad. Unless you want to rename yourselves the Fantastic Five. Either step out yourself… or I'll help you out."
Susan's figure reappeared, lips pressed thin. "Fine. But remember this—if the Avengers ever come crawling for the Fantastic Four's help, don't expect us to answer."
"I'll make sure we never need to," Natasha replied icily.
Susan didn't argue further. She formed a glowing, invisible platform beneath her feet and walked straight out into the night sky. The hatch sealed behind her with a hiss.
For a while, only the drone of the engines filled the cabin. Then Natasha spoke again, calmer this time.
"Ryuuto, the Fantastic Four aren't tied to any country, any government, or even S.H.I.E.L.D. Reed Richards is brilliant, but reckless—always chasing things beyond Earth's horizon. They can't be trusted. I saw Susan aiming for you. I don't want you caught in their experiments."
Ryuuto chuckled. "Sweet steamed bun syndrome, huh? Everyone wants a bite. First Magneto. Then S.H.I.E.L.D. Now the Fantastic Four. I swear, I'm living in a recruitment fair."
"Stay with the X-Men," Natasha said firmly. "That's your home. No other team."
"Relax. I've already decided—no matter who tries to lure me, I'll refuse."
By the time their jet reached New York, the city was glowing under the night sky.
Tony invited Ryuuto to his workshop. Banner wanted to drag him into the lab. Steve suggested another sparring match.
But after everything that happened in Australia, with his body drenched in sweat and chakra drained to the bone, Ryuuto only wanted one thing: a hot shower.
And that meant following Natasha back to her place.
On the way, news blared across a screen in Times Square:
"Tropical Rainforest Obliterated—Experts Debate Possible Weapon Test."
Ryuuto just smirked.
"Yeah… guess that was me."