Ryuuto's speed was something even Johnny's flames couldn't track. One blink and the "Red Mirage" was already behind him, while Johnny kept hurling fireballs at nothing but a clone.
Earth Style — Rock Fist Technique!
In an instant, Ryuuto's right arm was coated in jagged stone, swelling until it was thicker than his thigh and hard enough to crater steel.
Ninjutsu — Partial Expansion Jutsu!
The already-monstrous arm stretched further, its weight turning into raw force.
"Johnny! Behind you!" Reed shouted.
Johnny spun just in time to eat Ryuuto's stone-covered fist. The blow snuffed his flames and sent him crashing down like a meteor.
Earth Style — Heavy Rock Technique!
Before Johnny could react, his body doubled, then tripled in weight. He slammed into the ground with a scream."Feels like a truck rolled over me," he groaned.
With the three of them down, Ryuuto didn't waste a second—he shot toward Susan.
Loki was already inside the isolation room, scepter in hand, closing in on Susan as she pounded desperately on the reinforced glass.
Earth Style — Rock Fist Technique!
Ryuuto's punch hit the window with enough power to shatter tanks—yet all it did was make his arms go numb.
'What the hell? Even Rock Fist can't crack it?' he thought, teeth clenched.
Susan's palms slammed the glass from the other side, her eyes screaming help.
Ninjutsu — Rasengan!
Chakra spiraled violently in his palm as he pressed the Rasengan into the window. The screech of grinding energy filled the air. Sweat rolled down his face. The glass barely scratched.
'Seriously? Even Rasengan can't touch it?!'
Loki's laugh echoed. He was five meters away from Susan now.
Ryuuto vanished in a blur, reappearing above Loki's shoulder and throwing a punch—only for his hand to pass through. The illusion burst like smoke.
"Damn clone—!"
The door slammed shut behind him with a heavy clang.
Outside, Loki's voice was cold and amused. "You can trap me? I can trap you. I told you—inside my isolation chamber, Mutants and so-called super-abilities turn into ordinary insects. Refuse me, and you'll just die slowly."
His tone softened into a mock-offer. "Of course, Invisible Woman… if you're willing to serve me, maybe I'll spare your little friend. You have ten minutes. After that—poison gas fills the room. Both of you die."
Susan's eyes brimmed with panic. "I… I'm sorry. I didn't know this would happen. If it comes down to it, I'll be his slave so you can escape—"
"You actually believe the crap coming out of a lunatic's mouth?" Ryuuto snapped, sarcasm sharp even as his mind raced. "This is Loki we're talking about—the guy who stabbed his own brother just to play king. You think he'd really let me go? First thing he'd do is order you to kill me."
"Then what do we do?" Susan's voice cracked. "Are we really going to die here?"
Ryuuto's gaze flicked to the reinforced glass. "Susan, what's with this window? Physical attacks, energy attacks—it's like it's immune."
"It's not," she said, trembling. "Reed built this room from unstable special molecules. The glass can self-repair instantly, copying and patching any damage you inflict. You did hurt it—but the molecules sealed the gap before you could see. Without our powers, we're just normal people in here. Escape's impossible."
"I'm not a fan of your pessimism," he muttered.
"It's just reality," she whispered. "Reed once told us even Superman would be an ordinary man if locked inside. Ben used to sleep here at night—he said it made him feel human again. The morning Loki came, he said he'd bring his wife here and… and maybe have a baby…"
Her voice broke. Tears rolled down her cheeks like shattered pearls.
Ryuuto sighed. "Next time I'm stuck with you, I should really pack tissues."
"There's no rule saying super-people can't cry," Susan shot back, eyes red. "Without my powers, I'm no different from anyone else."
"Fair," he admitted, glancing at Reed, Johnny, and Ben outside. "And since I can't use ninjutsu right now, all the jutsu I cast on them has worn off too."
"I just… I just hope they wake up," she murmured. "Loki's a monster. He'll make them his weapons."
"Six minutes left," Ryuuto said, his tone turning steely. "Time to break the unbreakable."
"Break it? How?"
A slow grin tugged at Ryuuto's lips. "You'll see."