Heisenberg casually patted Barbara's golden hair.
"Woman?" he chuckled. "No matter how knowledgeable you are, you're still just a girl, tsk tsk."
As he spoke, he glanced at Barbara's legs, causing her to gasp and quickly press her legs together.
Even if she knew no action could block Heisenberg's gaze if he wanted to look, at least this posture made her feel more at ease.
As for Heisenberg, he had already withdrawn his teasing gaze, turning to address Hill through the communication patch.
"Agent activity in New York has picked up again recently. You should know this better than I do!"
"Indeed, I must admit that the weakened S.H.I.E.L.D. can no longer completely block agents from the U.S. and other countries!"
Hill bluntly acknowledged S.H.I.E.L.D.'s decline, prompting Heisenberg to smirk.
"Are you sure those aren't your people?"
"Of course not, Lord Heisenberg. Currently, the only active S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in New York are Coulson, Barbara, and Natasha's teams, totaling no more than forty."
"Hmm, good to know. There are too many annoying mosquitoes around my theater.
I'll be cleaning them up tonight, so consider the costs and benefits.
Also…"
Heisenberg's tone grew serious.
"Find a time to meet me. There are some important matters I need to discuss with you!"
"No problem, sir. I should be able to reach your theater within two hours!"
Hill replied straightforwardly, but Heisenberg didn't agree to meet at the theater.
"Not my theater, but Apartment 177A on Brick Street. Be there within two hours!"
Saying this, Heisenberg removed the communication patch, flicking it back to Barbara's ear.
Before Barbara could speak, Heisenberg patted her shoulder, smiling.
"Unless something unexpected happens, you'll be my subordinate soon, Mockingbird!"
With that, Heisenberg left the nightclub, heading to the Ancient One's territory, unconcerned about how tense Barbara and Hill were.
After he left, the still-drinking Thor's nose twitched.
Heisenberg, huh!
What a guy to make Thor so conflicted.
Did Thor hate him?
Of course, because his hammer was destroyed by Heisenberg.
But as a warrior, what right did Thor have to blame his opponent for being strong?
First, he recklessly stormed Jotunheim and was thoroughly schooled by King Laufey.
Then, he was banished to Midgard, where his brother gave him another lesson.
After regaining his power, before he could even show off, Heisenberg gave him another lesson.
And then he discovered that Midgard actually had someone who could replace him, someone worthy of lifting the hammer!
Through it all, Thor didn't feel he had the right to blame anyone—he was just too weak!
"Drink!!"
He raised his glass again, downing it, and continued boasting to the drinkers around him about his two thousand years of battles across the Nine Realms.
As for love…
When a man feels his career has vanished, where does he find the courage to pursue love?
…
Leaving the nightclub, Heisenberg didn't choose to fly.
Ever since Tony Stark retired his Iron Man suit to get married and devote himself to raising his daughter,
and Heisenberg grew tired of flying around,
New York quickly returned to a world without superheroes zipping through the skies.
With the rapid expansion of the Nuke Gang, New York no longer needed superheroes.
At least, as Heisenberg walked through the streets, he saw or heard of no major crimes.
Letting real gangs clean up the streets could eliminate most of the city's evil.
After all, gangs don't play by the law.
When the cost of crime shifts from prison to castration, or even being dumped at sea,
potential criminals have to consider the risks.
No need to risk being dumped at sea just to rob a small shop for a few thousand dollars, right?
Of course, compared to castration, most criminals would prefer being dumped at sea…
In any case, New York had truly become the safest city in the U.S.!
Who knows if Spider-Man would still debut in this city in the future.
If he does, he'll probably never get a chance to tackle any major cases…
After a forty-minute walk, Heisenberg arrived at the Ancient One's sanctuary right on time.
Sure enough, as he arrived, Hill's car pulled up in front of Apartment 177A.
Hill and Natasha got out, waving to Heisenberg from a distance.
"Long time no see, Lord Heisenberg."
"Hmm, long time no see. Come in and let's talk!"
Heisenberg nodded, then pushed open the door, leading Hill and Natasha into a room that left them instantly stunned.
From the outside, it looked like an ordinary duplex villa.
But inside, the house was like a castle filled with mystical charm!
Meanwhile, the young and radiant Ancient One, with her two newly accepted disciples and the guardian of the New York Sanctum, bowed slightly to Heisenberg.
After returning the gesture, Heisenberg pointed to Hill and Natasha beside him.
"You've met them—S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. I think it's time they broadened their horizons!"
"Indeed, Mr. Heisenberg!"
The Ancient One smiled, nodding meaningfully at Hill and Natasha.
"In the future I've seen, Earth's first great storm is approaching. So…
it's time for S.H.I.E.L.D. to join our Justice League!"