Before Tony could even react, Ryuuto—now transformed into a living, rolling tank of flesh—charged straight at him.
The bulk made him slow, but his intent was pure chaos. Still, even with that momentum, if his speed wasn't high enough, Tony could easily counter or simply push him away.
So, mid-roll, Ryuuto canceled his Expansion Jutsu and Meatball Chariot, shrinking rapidly like a deflating balloon.
Tony blinked. "...Huh?"
Pepper, watching from the upper platform, wasn't confused—just amused. She knew Ryuuto was a mutant, but she hadn't expected his body to expand and retract like a living rubber ball.
Her boredom vanished instantly. This was way more entertaining than Tony's usual "genius billionaire drama."
She wanted to see if this so-called "Red Mirage" could actually move Iron Man's armor. And knowing the suit's specs by heart, she doubted it. Even a car slamming into Tony at full speed wouldn't budge him. The armor could split that car in half like paper.
Tony crossed his arms. "You surrendering already?"
Ryuuto smirked. "No. I just don't like wasting time."
"Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll know soon," Ryuuto said calmly. "Call S.H.I.E.L.D. and tell them to ignore the energy readings from here."
Tony frowned. "...You're not about to blow up my house, are you?"
"Relax. I'm not that reckless. Pepper's safe too."
"That's a relief," Tony muttered. "If you level my villa, fine, but my lab? That's sacred ground. I'm calling Fury right now before he panics and sends in the cavalry."
A minute later, Tony lowered his comm. "All right. We're clear."
Ryuuto clenched his fists, eyes sharp. "Then let me show you... what powerlessness really feels like."
Tony grinned. "You're confident. I like that. Makes breaking your pride more fun."
Ryuuto wasn't playing games anymore. If he wanted that spot in the Mutant Upgrade Program, he had to go all in. Time to burn a Life Potion and unleash the forbidden technique.
His breath grew ragged, aura swirling violently.
"Eight Inner Gates... First Gate—Open!Second Gate—Heal Gate, Open!Third Gate—Life Gate, Open!"
Each opened gate made the air tremble. Chakra stormed around him like a rising hurricane.
[Warning: Unknown Energy Detected! Unknown Energy Detected!]
"I know, I know!" Tony snapped. "JARVIS, stay on full scan mode! He's gonna move faster than human eyes can track!"
[Understood, sir!]
Ryuuto could feel the seventh gate screaming to open, begging him to go beyond human limits. He stopped just short of the eighth—he wasn't ready to die today. Not yet.
He slammed his palms together.
"Ninjutsu—Expansion Jutsu!""Ninjutsu—Meatball Chariot!"
The massive form burst forward in a blur. To Tony, it looked like a meteor had come alive.
"Wait—wait—WAIT, WHAT THE HELL—!"
The impact sent Tony flying like a ragdoll, his armor spinning end over end through the air like a metal shuriken.
[Alert! Power system malfunction! Thrust offline! Defense system damaged! Energy core destabilizing!]
"Then tell me how to FIX IT!" Tony barked. "Altitude one hundred meters and dropping! If I hit the ocean, I'm scrap metal! Pressure systems—report!"
[Sir, only communication remains functional. Recommend issuing distress signal.]
Tony groaned. "Unbelievable! That collision from Ryuuto just wrecked a Mark-class suit! Hey—Red Mirage! Don't you dare let me crash! If I hit that sea, I'll be Iron Pancake!"