"You've got some real skills, kid," Stone Dragon snarled, blood running down his scaled jaw. "But it doesn't matter how strong you are—you're still just one man. And today's the day you die!"
The air around them vibrated as Mindforge—face twisted with focus—pressed two fingers to his temples. Psychic energy flared like a storm, locking onto Ryuuto.
"Boom!"
Ryuuto, mid-charge with a crackling Raikiri in hand, suddenly jerked sideways as his body spasmed. The lightning blade veered off course and smashed into the marble floor, shattering it into molten rubble.
He gritted his teeth. "Psychokinesis, huh? Great. Another mind-reader. My favorite."
[Host, your chakra flow is unstable. Maybe try not getting your brain fried this time?]
"Not. Helping." His eyes snapped open—scarlet Sharingan swirling—and a burst of spiritual pressure erupted outward. With sheer willpower, Ryuuto ripped the psychic chains apart and flung Mindforge's influence out of his mind like garbage.
Mindforge screamed, clutching his head. "What the hell are you!? Your soul—how can it be that strong!?"
"Trade secret," Ryuuto said flatly, lightning flickering around him.
Stone Dragon roared from above, snapping him out of it. "Stop whining and fight!" He dove again, claws like jagged swords aiming for Ryuuto's skull.
And behind him, Pyro—flames erupting across his body—finally broke free of the wooden binds that had been holding him down. He snatched a museum spear from a shattered exhibit and grinned wickedly. "My turn."
Ryuuto cracked his neck. "Three against one again? Guess teamwork's trending."
Mindforge, shaking but furious, extended his mind into the museum's digital system. "Then let's make it interesting." He seized control of the anti-theft network. Sirens blared, red lasers flared, and every automated gun in the building pivoted toward Ryuuto.
"Wow," Ryuuto muttered. "Three mutants, twenty turrets, and me. Talk about overkill."
[Hehe~ They must really like you, Host.]
He smirked. "They're gonna love me more in a second."
He flickered out of sight—instant acceleration—reappearing behind Stone Dragon. A whirlwind kick smashed into the creature's ribs, sending him flying into a wall. Before Pyro could react, Ryuuto spun and unleashed a blinding flurry.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
His heel crashed into Pyro's chest, crumpling his armor and knocking him into a display case. Flames exploded outward.
"Stone lizard, pay attention!" Mindforge shouted. "I'll cover you!"
He threw up an energy barrier, blocking a fireball Ryuuto had spat into the air moments earlier. The fire roared and broke like waves against the psychic shield.
Stone Dragon grinned behind it. "Nice! Let's end this!" He dove again, claws glowing with heat, tearing gashes across the floor as he landed.
At the same time, the museum's turrets locked onto Ryuuto.
"Fanatic! Stone Dragon! Get to cover—I'm lighting this place up!" Mindforge yelled.
Gunfire erupted like a metal storm. Hundreds of bullets screamed toward Ryuuto, turning the entire hall into a hurricane of destruction.
"Die already!" Pyro cackled from behind the rubble.
For a moment, all they could see was smoke. Then—
A deep hum filled the air.
"Eight Trigrams Palms: Revolving Heaven!"
Ryuuto's Byakugan flared open. Chakra burst from every pore, forming a glowing sphere that spun faster and faster. The bullets ricocheted away like pebbles against a storm wall, gouging craters in the marble around them.
Stone Dragon froze midair, eyes wide. "What—what kind of monster are you!?"
Pyro ducked instinctively as stray bullets sliced past his head. "This is insane!"
Ryuuto stood at the center of the storm, unscathed, eyes calm and cold.
"You done yet?"
He blurred forward again, fists moving faster than sight. "Eight Trigrams—Sixty-Four Palms!"
Each strike landed like thunder. Pyro's armor shattered piece by piece, his body lifted and tossed like a rag doll. Blood spattered the floor.
"Dragon's Wrath Claw!" Stone Dragon bellowed, wings beating hard enough to shake the ceiling. He dove with claws glowing white-hot.
Ryuuto didn't dodge. He met the charge head-on, lightning gathering in his hand until it screamed.
"Since you're so eager to die," he hissed, "I'll make it quick."
Lightning Style: Raikiri!
The world turned blinding white. Ryuuto vanished in a flash and reappeared right in front of Stone Dragon. The creature barely had time to gasp before Ryuuto's lightning blade tore through his chest, bursting out his back in a spray of blood and sparks.
Mindforge's scream filled the hall. "No! Don't—!"
Too late. The energy shield cracked, shattered, and dissolved into glittering dust. Stone Dragon's body slumped to the ground with a heavy thud.
Ryuuto exhaled, Raikiri fading from his hand. "One down."
He turned his gaze toward the last two, eyes glowing faintly red.
"Now… who's next?"