Professor X had always been kind to me.In the ten years I lived at this school, he never once mocked me like the others did. He even invited me to join holiday meals so I wouldn't be alone. That's why, no matter how much I rebel, I still respect him.
So when he looked at me with that gentle smile, I answered honestly."Professor, you once said abilities awaken during adolescence. I turned eighteen today. Guess I'm a late bloomer."
His eyes sharpened. "Then tell me—what is your ability?"
"Simple. I run fast. Hit hard. Nothing fancy."
"I saw enough in your battle earlier to know that's an understatement," Professor X said. "But why did you cut off Pyro's finger?"
I smirked. "To remind him. The weak aren't playthings. Push them far enough, and they bite back."
"And what of the weak in general?"
"If they're kind, protect them. If they're cruel, crush them. If they're unforgivable—kill them."
Professor X sighed, still smiling. "Justice must be tempered with restraint, or else you'll lose the crowd's trust."
"You're saying I went too far with Pyro?"
"Perhaps," he admitted. "But lessons come in many forms. Now, let's turn to something more constructive. Wolverine, Rogue—you've met them already. Wolverine is older than even me, though he doesn't look it. Ryuuto, since your power only awakened today, I'd like you to spar with him."
The moment those words left his mouth, Wolverine's lips curled into a grin. He'd wanted this from the start.
As for me? I wanted it too. To see if my fists could really match those claws.
We shook hands, our grips tight, eyes locking."Backyard," I said."Backyard," he agreed, voice low and eager.
Professor X, Storm, and Rogue followed us. The students gathered by the dorm windows, whispering. Among them was a disguised Mystique, watching silently.
We stood opposite each other, tension sharp as a blade.
Just as Wolverine crouched to lunge, I raised my hand.He blinked. "What's that? Giving up already?""No. Forgot my weapon."
"Thought all you had were fists.""For now, yeah. But a proper fighter knows how to improvise."
I walked up to Rogue."Your belt. Lend it."She hesitated, confused, then unbuckled and handed it over.
I tied it around my waist, the crowd muttering in disbelief. No one understood what I was planning.
I returned to my spot. "Alright. Start!"
Wolverine roared, charging. He was built like a gorilla—raw power, thick muscles, claws flashing. Most thought I'd get torn apart in seconds.
But as his claws came down, they only met dust.
I was already gone.
The students gasped as my afterimage flickered past. The shock in Wolverine's eyes was almost funny. He hadn't expected speed like this—fast enough to vanish from his sight.
I slipped behind him, lips curling."Wolverine, your body's strong, but compared to me… you're wide open."
"Don't care how fast you are—if I hit you once, I win!" he snarled.
"Then come try."
He slashed again, but I was already gone.
I closed the gap—ten centimeters.
"Taijutsu—Leaf Hurricane!"
My kick smashed into his chest, sending him flying.
Professor X's eyes widened. "That speed… and strength! Enough to launch Wolverine?!"
The courtyard exploded in noise, students shouting, jaws dropping. Even Mystique's disguise faltered for an instant.
But I wasn't done.
Before Wolverine even hit the ground, I blurred forward. My body twisted, hands on the earth, legs whipping upward.
"Shadow Dance Leaf!"
My kick hammered him midair, hurling him higher.
Then I pushed further.[Ding! First Gate of the Eight Inner Gates—Opened!]
Power surged through me, muscles screaming, strength erupting like a flood.
I tore Rogue's belt free, snapped it tight around Wolverine's arms, and locked him in my grip.
"Table Lotus!"
We spun together, faster and faster, the world blurring into streaks of white. The crowd screamed. Wolverine's eyes widened in horror as the ground rushed up beneath us.
Professor X's voice cut through the roar."Ryuuto! Stop! If you land that, you'll kill him!"