"I'm not here to do anything fancy. I just think T'Challa is more suited to be king. Wakanda's throne should stay with him."
Saitama's tone was flat.
In his view, T'Challa's "justice value" hovered around 3, while W'Kabi's was somehow at –2. Picking a king, to Saitama, couldn't be simpler.
"Nani?"
W'Kabi blinked, as if he'd misheard—then burst out laughing. "Did you lose your mind? You said T'Challa should be king? And what are you supposed to be? Guards! Remove this outsider from Wakanda!"
At his barked order, several soldiers strode out to seize Saitama.
Among the royal clans gathered here, Saitama and Agent Ross stood out—they were not of the blood. If not for Shuri and T'Challa, they'd have been thrown out long ago.
"Get out of Wakanda! This isn't your land!"
"Outsider, begone!"
"W'Kabi forever!!"
W'Kabi's supporters howled, giddy with momentum. With warships already overhead, even if T'Challa donned the Panther habit, it would change nothing.
In the face of armed revolt, all schemes crumble before overwhelming force.
And unfortunately for everyone else, W'Kabi believed he now wielded overwhelming force.
Dozens of energy rifles swung toward Saitama; overhead, warships slowly slewed their gun batteries to bear. Light swelled in those cold muzzles, power building to a frightening pitch.
"Stop! Saitama is our guest!!" T'Challa cried. Shuri, Okoye, and the Dora tightened ranks, ready to rush in.
"Kill him!!"
W'Kabi's hand chopped down. His grin was feral.
Boom—boom—boom—
In an instant, a storm of energy lanced toward Saitama. The warships screamed, spitting beams that could bore through heavy armor like paper. The impact swallowed Saitama in a roaring blossom of light. The shockwave alone sent T'Challa and the others staggering backward.
Shuri and Okoye blanched. No one knew Wakanda's firepower better than they did.
W'Kabi and his cohort, by contrast, were elated. It was his first time openly defying a king's order—and being obeyed. The taste of power was intoxicating. Once he wore the crown, that feeling would be his forever.
"Hahahahaha! T'Challa, what are you waiting for? Hand over the royal sigil—unless you'd rather drown this nation in war and drag your loved ones into the abyss!"
W'Kabi stepped forward, sneer carved deep.
T'Challa's face turned ashen. Power had slipped from his grasp; the gathered royals swallowed their words and lowered their eyes. In times like these, anyone who spoke too loudly risked becoming W'Kabi's cautionary example. Politicking veterans all, few had the depth of loyalty to T'Challa that his mother, sister, and guard did.
And so—
The arena tilted, grotesquely one-sided.
Those who had cheered for T'Challa now held their tongues. Apart from the Queen Mother, Princess Shuri, and Okoye's Dora, none of the clans dared voice protest. Only W'Kabi's faction shouted for the "new era."
Pain creased T'Challa's features. After a few seconds' struggle, his hand rose—closing over the necklace that held the ring, the token of every Black Panther king.
"Hold on. No need to rush."
A calm, out-of-place voice drifted from behind the crowd.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!] [[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]