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[Crossover] Ch 263: Annie Is Pluto
🕑 Added 2025-09-21 15:42:30 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
John Pluto Smith. The masked superhero of Los Angeles. The strongest man in America. A legendary figure, larger than life, flamboyant and untouchable.
And now it's revealed that Annie Charlton… is Pluto?
Wait— Annie is a man. No, hold on—Pluto's actually a woman?
And not just any woman, but this one? This pale, reserved, almost fragile-looking girl?
That can't be right… Jack thought instinctively.
Pluto was supposed to be a man. How the hell could this Yagami guy not even tell the difference between a man and a woman?
Jack turned and saw Professor West, the man beside him, staring wide-eyed at Ryo in total disbelief.
And Annie herself—the center of attention—looked caught, her expression awkward and her eyes darting everywhere but at Ryo Yagami.
Jack blinked a few times, his face stiffening.
"Sorry, you've got the wrong person. I'm not Pluto." Annie gritted her teeth, flat-out refusing to admit it.
And only now did she start to regret her impulsive decision to come here.
Ten years ago, when she was just seventeen, she had been like any other teenager in L.A.—watching Iron Man, Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, and so on screen, dreaming about one day becoming someone like them, standing up to protect the city.
Then, by sheer chance, she killed an Aztec god—Tezcatlipoca himself.
From that day forward, wearing a double-plated helmet and a sleek black suit that gave her a hint of aristocratic flair, "John Smith" was born.
Like a superhero, she fought again and again to protect Los Angeles from rogue sorcerers, and before long, she was known across America as Pluto.
But as she grew older, the helmet became harder to take off.
If anyone ever learned that the dashing, cape-wearing hero who spoke with a crisp British accent, cracked jokes in back alleys, and sometimes even flirted with teenagers—was actually her, Annie Charlton…
She would rather bash her head into the plane in front of her than face that humiliation.
It was just too mortifying.
Like being caught as a kid waving a plastic light stick around the schoolyard yelling, "I'm Yoda!"—and then ten years later, having the footage played nationwide on primetime TV.
That was social death.
Annie denied it, but Ryo just raised an eyebrow, amused.
"No point pretending. In this world, the only ones who can resist my power are god-slayers—or actual gods."
He gestured casually. "And just now, besides you, the other two were completely overwhelmed. Which leaves only one conclusion: you're Pluto."
Thud!
The heavy impact startled everyone.
It wasn't Ryo being struck—Jack had just been smashed into the ground by Annie's fist, knocked out cold.
"What the—?!"
Lilianna, just coming off the plane, froze.
They had barely set foot in America and the local hosts were already fighting each other? What kind of reception was this?
Ryo, also surprised, frowned at Annie's flushed, furious face. "What the hell was that?"
Annie quickly raised her hand to cut him off. "We'll talk later!"
She turned to West. "Prepare the memory-erasure spell."
"Yes, my Queen!" West bowed instantly.
At this point, there was no use keeping up the act. Playing her assistant in this charade had always been a hassle anyway.
Together, they wiped Jack's memory with brutal efficiency, tied him up with nylon rope from the car, and dumped him in the trunk.
When it was done, Annie dusted off her hands, walked up to Ryo, cheeks pink, and extended a hand.
"Annie Charlton, known as Pluto."
"Ryo Yagami, known as... uh never mind."
He shook her hand briefly before letting go.
Lilianna gaped. "You're Pluto? But isn't he supposed to be a guy in a mask, speaking with a British accent?"
At that, Annie shot her a look so flat and cold it could have killed. Her voice was dead inside. "From now on, you'd better call me Annie."
Lilianna wisely shut her mouth.
She had the sinking feeling that if she said one more word, Pluto might actually strangle her on the spot.
Ryo stepped forward protectively, blocking Lilianna. "Glare at my Lily like that, are you trying to start a fight?"
Annie's heart eased a little with his intervention, but on the surface, she gave him a thin, brittle smile.
"Didn't think anyone could see through me. Even Alec and Salvatore never figured it out."
Ryo tilted his head, puzzled. "And that's supposed to be an accomplishment?"
Annie froze, unable to reply.
Alec at least had some brains, but Salvatore Doni… best not even start.
Ryo's words made it sound like she was bragging about fooling an idiot, and now preening in front of him.
Her face stiff, she pushed her red-rimmed glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Let's cut the chatter, Yagami. Why are you in America?"
Ryo smiled lightly. "Am I obligated to report to you?"
Annie faltered.
He was right. He didn't owe her any explanations.
They were both kings, equals in rank. In fact, after defeating Salvatore Doni and suppressing Alec, Ryo might actually be stronger than she was. Which explained why she hadn't been confident about stopping him earlier.
But that didn't mean she could just back down.
"You're right. You don't owe me anything. But don't forget—you're in America now."
For the first time, Annie's lips curved into a bloodthirsty smile, showing the cruel side of a god-slayer.
"If I decide to stand in your way, you won't succeed in doing anything on my turf."
Power always came down to force.
For nations or individuals alike, authority rested on the ability to enforce it.
And as America's King, Annie believed that if she went all out, she could ruin any plan Ryo had.
At least, that's what she thought.
"You're welcome to try," Ryo said calmly, still smiling. "But I can promise you—before you make a move, I'll have already taken your head."
Annie's smile vanished, her face turning cold.
Ryo, however, just stood there, utterly at ease.
And in an instant, the air between them tightened, sharp and dangerous, like swords drawn in the dark.
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.
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