"Is he your brother?"
Nick Fury spoke calmly, his one eye fixed on Thor. His expression was steady, his tone calm but probing. He had already overheard the earlier conversation and understood the relationship.
"So you are also a god?" Fury asked.
"I am indeed a god," Thor replied with a firm nod. He had never hidden his identity—it was simply that he had never bothered to mention it before.
"Then, have you joined S.H.I.E.L.D. and become one of the Avengers?" Fury's voice grew slightly sharper.
"I am a member of the Avengers," Thor admitted without hesitation, though his brows furrowed slightly. He knew exactly what Fury was about to say, but he didn't deny it.
"It endangers world peace," Fury continued, his tone low and heavy. "What do you think should be done?"
Thor hesitated for a brief moment before answering, "Kill."
But almost immediately, he countered, "However, his identity is unique. We cannot sentence him so easily. His judgment should belong to the gods."
"Do you think I am qualified?"
The sudden voice cut through the air. Thor's expression shifted as he turned his head.
The one who spoke was Arakawa Zenkichi.
He stood there with a faint smile, though his tone carried no warmth.
"Without a doubt," Thor answered, his voice respectful. He knew very well how terrifying Zenkichi was. This was the man who had defeated the Wolf God—a being whose true nature Thor fully understood. The fact that Zenkichi had bested such a creature only proved his overwhelming might.
"I believe he deserves to die."
Zenkichi's gaze settled on Loki, his tone cold and resolute. He had spared Loki several times before, but today the trickster had trampled over the last of his patience. If Loki had not been one of the crucial figures in this world's fate, he would already be long dead. Still, today's actions had crossed the line, and a price had to be paid.
Hearing Zenkichi's words, Thor fell silent. He could not argue. Loki had indeed gone too far, and Zenkichi had every right to judge.
"However," Zenkichi continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "there is no need for an immediate execution. They still hold value. We can extract information from them first. For now, imprisonment will do."
Though he knew Loki and the others deserved death, Zenkichi's judgment was measured. Their special identities meant they might hold secrets vital to understanding the Marvel world itself. Such knowledge was worth more than their immediate deaths.
The others present exchanged glances but said nothing. None dared to refute Zenkichi's words. They knew he was right.