Quicksilver skidded to a stop, wind crackling around his feet. He didn't spare a single glance at the corpse behind Ryuuto.
"Ryuuto, we meet again. And you're still the same disappointment," he said, deadpan, as if reading off a weather report.
His squad of Mutants fanned out behind him, bloodlust sharp enough to taste in the air. Every gaze locked onto Ryuuto like they were already dividing up his remains.
Ryuuto rolled a few kunai between his fingers, lazy and unimpressed. "You're still talking like someone who's overdue for a beating."
That single sentence was enough to make the entire enemy lineup tense.
"Oh? Brought another group of people here to die for you? Guess that Magneto gene really came with a discount version of survival instinct."
"You brat!" one Mutant snarled, stepping forward, eyes bulging.
"Relax. I'll put you straight into the dirt. See how big your attitude is after that."
Masque—already losing his temper—lunged at Ryuuto without waiting for orders.
A few Mutants whispered from behind Quicksilver.
"Should we jump in?"
"Does Masque even stand a chance?"
Quicksilver didn't answer. He just watched, unreadable.
Ryuuto cracked his knuckles. "Your people really don't respect their captain, huh?"
He flicked his hand. "Parker. Mad dog incoming. Go teach him whose territory this is."
The ninja dog perked up. "Finally! A chew toy!"
All eight ninja dogs roared forward, teeth gleaming.
Quicksilver's men blanched. They absolutely did not expect Ryuuto to literally sic dogs on them.
"A bunch of mutts think they can stop me?!" Masque roared. His body warped, muscles bulging as he swung a fist the size of a boulder at Parker.
Parker sidestepped elegantly.
The other ninja dogs tackled Masque as a pack, biting, dragging, rolling him across the ground like a squealing sack of laundry.
"What an embarrassment!" Quicksilver snapped. "Magma! Kill those mangy things. And while you're at it, rip off Ryuuto's head. I'll reward you with more power than you can imagine!"
A woman wrapped in blazing flames stepped forward, irritation twisting her lips.
"Hmph. Let's see if the Red Mirage actually lives up to the hype."
She thrust out her hand.
A violent inferno surged across the battlefield.
"Retreat!" the ninja dogs yelped. "That fire's not normal!"
They scattered just in time as Magma marched forward, molten heat distorting the air.
Quicksilver smirked. "This is over."
Ryuuto sighed. "Fire user, huh? Shame you picked the wrong guy."
He inhaled.
Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!
A massive fire dragon roared out of his lungs and slammed into Magma—exploding flames bright enough to stain the sky crimson.
Magma didn't even flinch.
She laughed. "Flames? You attacked me with flames?"
The fire wrapped around her harmlessly, fueling her instead of hurting her. Her entire body glowed like a living volcano.
Even the ninja dogs fell silent.
Magma swept her arms forward and unleashed a tidal wave of molten slurry. Lava arced through the sky like a falling sun, swallowing the battlefield and sealing Ryuuto inside a blazing cage.
Quicksilver's grin widened. "Now that's more like it."
He motioned to his squad. "Prepare a formation. When he's done cooking, finish him."
"Understood."
Power gathered across the team.
Inside the molten maelstrom—
Ryuuto smiled.
Water Style: Great Falls Jutsu!
A colossal waterfall detonated from beneath his feet, ripping through the magma like a meteor crashing through the sea.
Steam exploded upward as the battlefield drowned in mist and heat.
Ryuuto stepped out of the steam, eyes sharp.
"If fire doesn't work, water will."
Magma's eyes widened. "What—where did—!?"
She barely dodged as the flood nearly swallowed her whole. Fear and anger flashed across her face.
And Ryuuto cracked his neck, ready for round two.