"Sometimes, I really can't understand where you Americans get your bone-deep confidence from."
Heisenberg sighed softly, then downed a large gulp of wine.
Watching his casual drinking posture, Pietro, not far away, admired him and pursed his lips.
Meanwhile, the Ancient One immediately noticed Pietro's unusual behavior.
"Child, learn Heisenberg's detachment and self-assurance, but don't learn his alcoholism!"
The Ancient One gently admonished, causing both Pietro and Heisenberg to roll their eyes in unison.
At the same time, their mutual eye-rolling in mid-air made Wanda laugh as well.
From this moment on, Wanda and Pietro's fondness for Heisenberg began to grow exponentially.
Heisenberg seemed to see the numbers floating above their heads!
Affinity +1 +1 +1 +10086.
Haha.
The two children's smiles brought Heisenberg enough joy, so when he next spoke to Hill, the smile on his face didn't fade.
"Hill, and your S.H.I.E.L.D., you've never accepted one fact: that you are truly very weak, the side utterly lacking in power!
The weak clinging to the strong is not shameful but a step in the right direction.
Think about it: in a world without me, humanity still faced its doom.
They even had to travel back in time, and only with my help did they barely achieve a somewhat satisfactory ending!
Even the future versions of you, so mature and powerful, needed to shelter under my strength. So why does this fractured version of you keep distancing itself from me?"
As he spoke, he glanced quietly at the Ancient One.
Moments later, the Ancient One waved her right hand, and the starry sea before them transformed into a man.
Rumlow!
"You should all recognize him—S.H.I.E.L.D.'s infamous Crossbones. But now, he's mine!
As you can see, he's currently infiltrating Hydra in Europe, working to subvert and dismantle their operations!
When you've long lost the power to strike Hydra globally, it's my people who've been chasing them down, and it's my people who drove them out of American territory.
Do you think I'm so in love with your country that my help comes free?
Of course not. I have my own plans for Earth's people.
You refuse to accept me because you've seen my ambitions for this nation, for this race!
But if you open your eyes, will you see what I've brought to the people under my rule?
I've merely tightened the definition of evil and the punishment for criminals.
Just that, and New York has become the city with the lowest crime rate in the nation. Isn't the safety of New York's citizens enough to show you the future I bring?
You call yourselves S.H.I.E.L.D., the shield of humanity, yet you're dissatisfied with the peace and stability I've given New York. Can you still call yourselves a shield?
Just because you want freedom?"
At this, Heisenberg suddenly stood up, floating in the air, looking down at Hill and Natasha.
"You now have only two choices, and giving you this choice is my only mercy!
Either join me!
That way, you'll at least have the chance to correct some of my future actions from within, and you can try every means to change my mind.
I'm always lenient with my subordinates, as you should know!
Or refuse me!
Then you'll have to try to leave this room, carrying your freedom and independence, and launch a death-defying assault on Loki and the Chitauri fleet drifting in the starry sea!
Choose, Hill!"
…
As his words fell, Heisenberg looked at Hill and Natasha with a smile filled with pressure and authority.
In a brief moment, beads of sweat formed on the nape of both women's necks.
The tense atmosphere lasted over eight seconds before Hill finally asked Heisenberg, seemingly calmly.
"If I still say no, can we leave this room?"
"Haha, why would you think that? Do you think I'm just a fool who lets problems grow unchecked in your eyes?"
"Alright, we'll join. Happy to meet you, BOSS!"
Hill stood up decisively and bowed to Heisenberg.
Without moving, Heisenberg straightened her posture.
Meanwhile, Natasha took a long breath beside her.
"I thought I was about to face the most thrilling battle of my life, ha, looks like my death isn't today!"
She said with a bitter smile, then stood up and extended her right hand toward Heisenberg.
Not a handshake, since Heisenberg was floating too high.
Her outstretched hand, as if filled with reverence, reached high above her head, as if trying to touch God.
Her palm faced down, her slender wrist gracefully pressing downward, her fingers naturally spread, giving her an air of sanctity.
Seeing the Black Widow like this, Heisenberg couldn't help but shake his head.
Truly the most badass car in Marvel—she can grace the hall, handle the kitchen, be bold or gentle, attack or defend.
Though she can't transform, just her ability to switch personas is enough to charm the entire Avengers.
So Heisenberg extended his hand, lightly touching Natasha's fingertips.
Then he returned to the ground, smiling at the Ancient One behind him.
"My goal is achieved. Let's move the meeting to my theater!"
As soon as Heisenberg finished speaking, a portal appeared.
Hill didn't comment on the portal, having seen one before.
As for Natasha…
Though she seemed calm, the tension in her muscle fibers told Heisenberg she was actually scared.
Heisenberg didn't bother with Natasha's lack of experience. Turning around, he gestured to Wanda and Pietro.
"Come along, today you two will finally see the world!"
Hearing this, Wanda and Pietro immediately looked excitedly at the Ancient One.
With the Ancient One's nod, the two cheered, while Hill and Natasha blushed helplessly.
They knew all too well that when Heisenberg called them "two who haven't seen the world," he wasn't just talking about Wanda and Pietro!
Heisenberg stepped into the portal first, with the two children floating beside him, arriving in the theater together.
The Ancient One gestured for Natasha and Hill to follow, and they reluctantly trailed behind Heisenberg.
As the Ancient One also stepped through the portal…