"Shion, just tell me already—what do I have to do to get the rest of Itachi's fragments? My hands are shaking, my soul's ready, my patience is dead!"
Ryuuto's voice practically bounced off the walls of his apartment. His grin could've powered a city.
[Host, calm down. Because you've already collected the data packages for Rock Lee, Konohamaru, Chōji, Onoki, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Zabuza, Hidan, Kakashi, Ino, Shikamaru, Sarutobi, Gaara, Yamato, and Neji, the System will now grant you two special rewards to choose from.]
Ryuuto blinked. "Wait, this broken gacha system gives choices now? The gods must be crying somewhere. Fine, go on. I'm listening."
[Option one: 100 Character Fusion Points. Option two: a designated mission. Complete it and you'll get a 100% guaranteed fragment of the Hokage Character—Uchiha Itachi. Host, choose wisely.]
"…Can I choose both?"
[Denied.]
"Tch. Fine, option two. Give me that mission. I'm completing this collection even if I have to fight the Multiverse itself."
[Noted. But a reminder, Host—your current System storage can only hold fifteen data packages. To unlock more capacity, upgrade to Platinum Rank through further missions.]
Ryuuto dragged a hand down his face. "So basically, work harder, peasant. Got it. Let's get this over with."
[Confirmed. Ding! Designated mission issued: Reach the New York Museum within three hours via subway. Reward—one Itachi Uchiha puzzle piece.]
"…That's it? No cosmic abominations? No boss fight? You're kidding, right?"
[Two hours, fifty-nine minutes, forty-eight seconds remain. Oh, and minor warning—you might face interference from unknown hostiles. Good luck~]
"Of course. Because nothing says 'peaceful commute' like a life-threatening brawl. Great."
With a sigh that could curdle coffee, Ryuuto sprinted out, hoodie up, making for the nearest subway station.
Meanwhile, in a half-ruined base somewhere beyond the city, Thor nursed his wounds in grim silence. His arm—still seared from Ryuuto's last attack—throbbed under the weight of divine pride.
"Dark Elf leader," he growled, staring into the void. "Show yourself. I owe you a debt."
The air shimmered like boiling glass. Malekith stepped forward, smirking, flanked by his black-armored troops.
"Thor, Thor… no need for formalities. We're practically family now." His tone dripped venom. His gaze flicked to the god's mangled arm. "That human did a number on you. But with our help, you'll rise again—and together, we'll bleed those mutant heroes dry."
Thor clenched his fist. "What do you want from me?"
"Simple," Malekith replied. "Help us locate the Tesseract. We call it the Tai Particle. In return, we heal your arm and give you your vengeance."
Thor hesitated, lightning flickering faintly in his eyes. "Fine. The cube is yours. But Ryuuto's head… belongs to me."
"Then we have a deal," Malekith purred. The two clasped hands, sealing a pact soaked in arrogance and malice.
The shadows swallowed them whole as they vanished into the dark dimension, laughter echoing like thunder.
Elsewhere, in his own gilded solitude, Loki lounged in front of a floating hologram, wine swirling lazily in his hand.
"Well, well, dear brother… humiliated again. Truly, the god of thunder, struck dumb by a mere human."
He chuckled, eyes gleaming with delight. "Ryuuto, you unpredictable little pest. I can't decide whether to thank or eliminate you. Let's find out how long your luck lasts."
His gaze shifted to another file hovering above his palm—the "Mutant List."
One name pulsed at the top: Quicksilver.
Back on the subway, Ryuuto slumped into a seat, breathing hard. "Shion, remind me again why I can't just teleport?"
[Because, Host, you haven't unlocked the Kamui Travel Function yet. And even if you had, your chakra control's about as stable as a toddler on espresso.]
"…You're lucky you're cute, Shion."
[You're lucky I haven't muted you.]
He chuckled, flipping through a random newspaper just to look normal. The passengers were quiet, heads bowed, exhausted by the city. The air hummed with monotony.
Until the train jolted.
Screams erupted as sparks burst from the ceiling. Through the window, a streak of flame tore down the tunnel—like a comet on wheels.
Ryuuto's eyes widened.
A flaming motorcycle.
"Shion… tell me that's not who I think it is."
[Oh, it definitely is. Good luck, Host. You've got a Ghost Rider inbound.]
The conductor barely had time to scream before the front car exploded into molten fire.