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*****
United Nations Headquarters.
At this moment, the silence in the conference hall was so profound that one could hear a pin drop.
Under the scrutiny of countless gazes, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four felt a chill settle in their hearts.
Today, it seemed, this matter would not end peacefully.
This thought occurred to all of them simultaneously. In fact, it felt as though today's events had been a trap from the very beginning.
Tony and Steve exchanged a look.
What should we do? To sign or not? Should we try to stabilize them first?
Steve shook his head. Anxiety flashed in Tony's eyes as he whispered, "If this continues, a conflict is bound to break out."
A conflict!
Steve's eyes flickered as he murmured, "Today's events were planned long ago. This only proves my suspicion—their motive for wanting us to sign the Act is definitely not as pure as they claim!"
"If we sign, it will send a signal to every superhero out there to follow suit, leading even more people to sign onto this Superhero Registration Act!"
"By then, the situation will have spiraled completely out of control."
"As for a conflict... this is the UN Headquarters. Perhaps they will be wary of that—"
"Don't hold them in such high regard." Tony scoffed. "When these politicians get ruthless, they're fiercer than Carter playing mahjong!"
Steve: "..."
We're talking business, why do you have to bring my wife into this as a bad example?
"And..." Tony's eyes shifted, giving a slight chin-flick toward the Inhuman SpecOps nearby.
Steve understood instantly.
Just then, Ross said flatly, "Make your choice. To sign, or not to sign?"
Steve looked at the assembled superheroes and spoke slowly to the group, "No matter what you choose, it is understandable. But I will not sign."
He looked at Ross, then at the national representatives, his voice ringing with conviction: "I will not sign!"
As soon as he spoke, the representatives were stunned. They hadn't expected Captain America to be so unyielding.
Maximus, however, couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth. It was exactly as he had expected. This scene was part of his plan. It meant his plot to purge the superheroes was already halfway to success.
Following the Captain's lead, Bucky, who had grown up with him, stood by his side without hesitation, followed by Falcon, Sam Wilson, who viewed Captain America as his benchmark.
Banner and Natasha glanced at each other. Noticing the worry and hesitation in his girlfriend's eyes, Bruce gently squeezed Natasha's hand and whispered, "Don't worry, I'll protect you. No one will hurt you!"
Natasha felt a surge of warmth. Though she was no fragile woman, hearing those words still made her feel like she was floating in pink bubbles of happiness.
Natasha nodded. While she knew the optimal choice was to agree first to buy time for negotiation, the words from Ross and Maximus had made it clear that such a thing was impossible. Ever since she became an Avenger and gained her freedom, she never wanted to lose that precious thing again.
Thus, she stepped behind the Captain without hesitation.
Seeing this, Steve blinked and whispered, "I thought you'd try to find a way to stall."
"This situation... is like Carter holding a terrible hand of cards despite her mediocre skills. It's beyond saving," Natasha whispered back.
Steve: "?"
We're just talking, why are you using my wife as a bad example too? Steve grumbled internally.
With Natasha's choice made, it meant Bruce had made his as well. Holding her hand, he stood beside her without a second thought. Seeing this, Barton also smiled, shook his head, and joined them.
Then came Pietro and Wanda.
Vision hesitated for a moment, then looked at Tony along with Rhodey.
Tony pondered for a moment and let out a bitter smile. He wasn't opposed to superheroes being subject to some oversight and restraint, but the current form of control was not what he wanted.
So, with a wry smile, he took a firm step forward and stood beside Steve.
Vision's eyes flickered, and he cheerfully walked over to Tony's side, whispering to Wanda, "I've come for you."
Wanda paused, then couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
Everyone looked at Rhodey. After a moment of internal struggle, Rhodey closed his eyes and walked toward Tony and the others.
Meanwhile, the Fantastic Four looked at each other and focused their gaze on Reed. Reed said in a low voice, "When we were the Protectors, we followed the government's orders and were overseen by them. And what happened...?"
He gave a bitter smile. "They arranged for us to do things we didn't want to do—things that went against our hearts. I never want to experience that again!"
They had worked hard to break free from the government; they could not repeat the same mistake.
Hearing this, Susan and the other three nodded, and the four of them stood together with the Avengers. (As for Crystal and Daisy, they were fugitives from the Inhumans and were avoiding a direct meeting with Maximus here.)
Seeing this scene, the expressions of the national representatives varied wildly. Some showed disbelief, some anger, and some mockery.
Ross let out a sigh of regret, while Maximus sneered inwardly.
Excellent. This choice is simply perfect!
He said with thinly veiled anticipation, "Then, from this moment on, you are dangerous elements! You are criminals!"
He looked at them sharply, though a fire seemed to dance in his eyes.
Following his words, the members of the Inhuman SpecOps prepared to attack, and a pressure that made everyone tremble began to emanate from Black Bolt.
At the sight of this, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four tensed up.
Ross took the opportunity to shout, "This is your last chance!"
As he spoke, he placed a hand on his tie. A glint of angry red light appeared in his eyes, and several super-powered soldiers in combat suits appeared in the hall.
Clearly, those representing the government were also prepared for a fight.
Seeing this, the faces of the national representatives turned pale. They stood up one after another and began running for the exits.
You might not be afraid of the fallout, but think about us!
Although they had anticipated this and made preparations, they still began to panic when the moment actually arrived.
The superheroes' expressions grew even grimmer. It was obvious they had been set up today.
"So, this was your conspiracy?" Steve looked coldly at Maximus.
The Superhero Registration Act! The appearance and push for this thing were definitely closely linked to Maximus. If the Inhumans led by Maximus hadn't made some sort of promise to the nations, they wouldn't have used such heavy-handed tactics.
So, their goal is to eliminate us? What happens after we're gone? Based on Crystal and Daisy's guesses, they had an even larger plot. For example... destroying all of humanity?
"What conspiracy?" Maximus said in feigned shock. "You refused to sign the agreement and became criminals. We are helping to catch criminals. Is there something wrong with that?"
"Stop acting!" Tony sneered. "Crystal already told us what you've been up to."
"So you really are harboring our fugitives!" Maximus roared in mock anger, though a look of triumph flashed in his eyes.
"Clumsy acting!" Natasha said flatly.
Steve looked at the departing representatives and the now-empty hall, whispering, "Get ready to break out. We're leaving!"
Rhodey couldn't help but say, "But if we do that, we really will become criminals!"
"The current situation is that we are already criminals!" Bucky said in a low voice.
"Get ready to fight, everyone!" Tony muttered. He habitually reached for the reactor on his chest, but his expression froze, and he looked up at the ceiling.
Because of today's UN meeting, they hadn't brought any weapons when they arrived. Tony and Rhodey's Iron Man suits, Sam's wings, Steve's shield, Barton's bow, and Natasha's weapons...
Without weapons, aside from the Captain, their combat effectiveness would plummet.
Steve realized this too. He turned to Pietro and whispered, "Now, leave at top speed and bring back their weapons."
Pietro nodded, his toes lightly tapping the floor.
Hearing this, Tony's mouth twitched. What era are we in, still running back to get weapons?
Fortunately, he was prepared. He had placed backup weapon suits on the Veronica platform; they could be deployed directly from space.
Seeing Pietro ready to go, he hurriedly said, "Uh, no ne—"
Suddenly, Vision interrupted Tony, warning, "Energy reaction!"
As the words fell, layers of shimmering energy shields rapidly encased the entire hall.
The group's eyes narrowed.
"Pietro!" Steve shouted. At Pietro's speed, he could definitely burst out before the energy shield fully formed.
At the same time, accompanied by a roar from Ross, dangerous red light exploded in his eyes, as if his entire body was being dyed red, and he began to grow.
With that signal, everyone sprang into action.
Pietro vanished from among the Avengers like a gust of wind. He remembered the task the Captain had just given him.
Tony's mouth twitched uncontrollably. I haven't finished speaking! You really don't need to run for them! I've already ordered the weapon drop...
Pietro's face was solemn as he moved at extreme speed. From his perspective, everyone else seemed to have been put on pause, their movements becoming agonizingly slow.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. If he used his super speed right now to take out Maximus or Black Bolt and his team, then this battle...
"Ha! I'm getting First Blood!" Pietro whispered, his mouth curling slightly. He sped up even more, pivoted, changed direction, and charged straight for Black Bolt.
Move, clench fist, swing!
At this moment, Pietro seemed to turn into a rapidly pulsing light.
But...
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Pietro—who had rushed in front of Black Bolt—was struck by an invisible force. As if hitting a train, he was sent flying backward.
"Ah!" He cried out in pain as a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips.
"Pietro!" Wanda screamed. Wisps of scarlet mist appeared between her fingers, and her eyes turned a deep crimson.
Reaching out, the scarlet mist entwined around Pietro and pulled him back rapidly.
"Cough, cough!" Pietro coughed lightly. The blood fell like a string of shimmering red rubies, dripping onto Wanda's heart.
Anger burned like fire in Wanda's chest. Her scarlet eyes glared at Black Bolt. With a wave of her hand, a massive surge of crimson mist poured toward him.
Black Bolt's expression remained indifferent. He opened his mouth again.
Instantly, a powerful wave of destructive energy, carrying ripples of force, boomed forward.
The two forces collided. The scarlet energy was blown apart like mist, and the invisible destructive energy flew toward the group.
Just then, Invisible Woman Susan gave a low shout, her invisible force field transforming into a shield to block them.
Boom!
With a loud explosion, cracks appeared on the force field shield.
Seeing this, the group was shocked. Black Bolt's power... was terrifying.
"Heh!" Medusa smiled faintly, the red hair behind her head dancing wildly. With only these people present, they were no match for Black Bolt.
"Roar!"
At that moment, a furious roar erupted. A red giant slammed his legs into the ground, leaving a trail of cracks as he leapt up with a surge of heat, descending upon the Avengers from the sky.
Seeing this, Rhodey, Sam, and the others hurried to dodge. Forget the fact that they were currently unarmed; even with their equipment, they were no match for a Red Hulk who was in the same tier as the Hulk.
"Damn it!" Tony cursed in frustration. If only I had my suit...
Natasha glanced at Bruce and gave him a nod.
In the next second, as the red giant fell from the sky, Bruce Banner took off his glasses and tossed them aside.
"Roar!"
Amidst the roar, Bruce instantly transformed into the Hulk, raising both hands to catch the fists that fell like warhammers.
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, the ground beneath Hulk's feet shattered into pieces.
"Hulk!"
With a mighty shout, Hulk grabbed the red giant's hands and hurled him away.
Rumble!
Amidst the sound of destruction, the Red Hulk smashed through every table and chair in his path, tumbling across the floor like a bowling ball, leaving a trench in his wake before slamming violently into the wall of the assembly hall.
Crash!
Cracks appeared all over the wall before it collapsed, burying the Red Hulk.
"Heh!" The Red Hulk wiped the corner of his mouth as he stood up from the rubble, looking at Hulk provocatively.
In the next instant, both giants crouched low and pushed off the ground.
Boom!
Two craters appeared in the floor, and both men launched themselves forward almost simultaneously.
Thud!
Their fists collided, sending an invisible shockwave sweeping through the surroundings like a gale.
The scene went silent for a moment. Then, it descended into absolute chaos.
Watching this, Maximus gave a satisfied smile and quickly retreated.
"Catch him!" Steve roared. The injured Pietro charged out once more, joined by the Human Torch, who had burst into flames.
(End of Chapter)