Chapter 11: Carver University, Hulk Appears!
Cornell University sits in the small town of Ithaca, upstate New York.
Move-in day.
Eustass made the four-hour drive in the SUV he'd just bought and rolled onto campus.
The place was gorgeous—lakes, hills, wide open skies.
The campus crowns the southern tip of Cayuga Lake.
He parked, killed the engine, and stepped out.
From the hilltop the lake spread below him, vast and brilliant.
He'd enrolled for Information Engineering.
Simple reason: it was his major before he transmigrated, so it came easy.
Most of his hours would go into training—getting stronger. Raw power was the only coin that bought survival in Marvel.
Picking a subject he already knew freed up more time for the gym.
At the dorm he unpacked, then met his roommate.
Two beds, one room.
The guy was straight out of the West Coast.
They talked for ages; the roommate, whose name echoed every pirate manga ever—Kid—started gushing about Joker the moment he saw him.
Joker had once surfaced in Los Angeles.
Kid swore the clown was East-Coast born, and every Joker-head back home agreed.
"Uh… you guys actually have Joker fans?"
Eustass stared, stunned.
Even after years here, America's mental gymnastics still broke his brain.
You idolize a psycho?
"Hey, don't tell me the Big Apple's short on Joker stans—or Flamingo cults."
Kid grinned.
"Heard the rumors."
Eustass nodded. These last months, every time he showed his masked face he'd snap a selfie.
Sold to the networks for a fat check.
New York, inexplicably, was crawling with Joker fans.
"But the papers say Joker hit Stark Industries—why love the guy?"
he asked, honestly curious.
The smear campaign didn't bother him.
He wasn't auditioning for hero, and it didn't cramp his daily life.
The louder the press screamed villain, the fewer cuffs he'd wear when it counted.
He'd weaponized moral backlash.
"No clue if it's true—
but Joker decked playboy Stark!
How sweet is that, man? That loudmouth had it coming."
Eustass got it—same as the Wang-rich-Kid meme back home.
Some loved the swagger, others loathed the arrogance.
They swapped numbers.
Eustass had lifts to hit; he waved, hopped in the SUV, and hunted for a gym.
Months later,
Virginia.
Carver University.
A sedan nosed against the science building.
Eustass killed the engine; Helen Cho stepped out beside him.
"Why fly all the way to Virginia? New York's got profs in your field."
He stretched after the rented ride.
He hated long drives—even one state away it ate hours he'd rather spend training.
They'd flown down and picked up a rented SUV—spacious, comfy, his style.
"My advisor pushed Dr. Elizabeth Ross; I've got to meet her."
Helen smiled, shutting her door.
They stopped at the info board, scanning faculty listings.
Dr. Elizabeth Ross—Cellular Biology.
Done reading,
they headed inside.
Just past the lobby they paused by security—
neither student nor staff here.
Ahead, guards checked badges.
Welcome to America: talk cell cycles, catch a bullet reset.
Moments later
a woman in a white-gray striped dress greeted the guard and walked over, smiling.
"Hi, I'm Elizabeth Ross—just Elizabeth is fine.
Which of you is Zhao?"
She stopped, then blinked up at Eustass—two meters of solid muscle towering over her.
Months of brutal training had carved him into a human tank; in tight sportswear he looked like armored cavalry.
"That's me. This is my boyfriend."
Helen beamed, pinching his arm.
He chuckled.
Elizabeth was stunning, but he was taken—pure appreciation only.
"I'm swamped right now. Here—books and notes for your level. Read through, then come back when I'm on campus, okay?"
She smiled; she had to leave with her newly-reunited lover, and dragging Zhao along could get dangerous.
"Sounds perfect."
Helen nodded.
She'd already devoured this semester and half of next; her questions left Professors stammering.
A mind gunning to out-IQ Stark himself—once family poverty was off the table, her genius blazed.
So the advisor punted her to Ross—let someone else suffer the gifted-child syndrome.
"Great, I'll be in touch."
Elizabeth turned to leave.
Eustass exhaled.
The moment he'd heard "Elizabeth Ross," alarm bells rang; he'd tagged along as bodyguard.
If she and Helen never crossed paths again, perfect.
Elizabeth strode toward the lawn.
Cap low, pack on back, Dr. Banner scanned the quad.
"Who were they?"
he whispered.
"Just two students from New York—relax."
Elizabeth laughed.
"Let's move."
Crowds meant risk; exposure here could traumatize Kids for life.
"Okay."
She tugged off his cap, ruffled his hair, reached for his hand—then Banner froze.
"They're here. Look at me, Elizabeth—run, get clear!"
He shoved her away and sprinted in the opposite direction.
Chapter 12: 12. The Lively Bronski Jumps Up and Down! (Seeking Collection!)
At the entrance of the teaching building.
Eustass looked at the building in the distance.
Inside the building corridor, green figures quickly flashed past.
"Mr. Mora, Ms. Zhao, hello. Please hand over the items that Dr. Elizabeth just gave you.
If there are no issues, we will return them to you."
A plainclothes officer in a suit quickly approached, handing his identification to Eustass and Helen Cho.
Helen Cho hesitated for a moment.
Eustass took the documents from her hand and passed them to the officer.
If they should be given, then give them. If they don't return them later, he'll just take Helen Cho to find Elizabeth.
Not a big problem.
They were just performing routine duties, worried that Elizabeth or Banner might have deliberately hidden important documents.
"Thank you for your cooperation!"
The plainclothes officer took the documents. "For your safety, both of you should leave this place, the farther the better."
Eustass led the bewildered Helen Cho toward the entrance of the teaching building.
They got into the car, started the engine, and quickly drove away.
Although he really wanted to fight the Hulk and beat up Bronski.
But Helen Cho's safety was the most important thing in his heart.
He drove all the way out of the campus.
On the wide lawn.
A large number of soldiers rushed forward, forming an encirclement around Banner.
Numerous SUVs quickly drove toward the teaching building, spreading out one by one to complete the siege.
Eustass drove far, far away from the school.
He stopped at the edge of the school. Carver School was very large, and this location could barely be considered a safe zone.
Of course, the main reason was that Eustass was next to Helen Cho; he was her biggest safety guarantee.
After all, once the Hulk came out and jumped... forget the school, even the surrounding neighborhoods might be affected.
The fat yet flexible tank warrior—Hulk!
Eustass opened the sunroof, stood up, watched the situation in the distance, and took photos.
The existence of the Hulk would eventually be made public.
Taking photos now wasn't a huge problem.
They would be released sooner or later.
He could earn some pocket money easily; it was a no-brainer.
Before long.
Even tanks drove onto the campus.
The students who originally wanted to watch were frightened.
They obediently retreated far away.
Helicopters were currently en route for support.
Bronski led the soldiers, constantly cornering Bannerinside the teaching building, eventually trapping him on the skybridge.
Two canisters of tear gas were fired, piercing the glass in an arc and landing next to Banner. A large amount of tear gas began to spread.
Eustass continuously zoomed in with his video camera, and his still camera clearly captured the scene.
"They are provoking that man."
Eustass said.
But in Eustass's view, this was a very unwise choice.
Although a small amount of tear gas substance, when inhaled, irritates the respiratory tract and can lead to asphyxiation in severe cases.
Its greater effect, however, is to cause people to lose resistance, displaying symptoms like tearing, sneezing, coughing, nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
In this way, using tear gas would only accelerate the provocation of the Hulk.
Thereby causing the Hulk to make a rapid appearance!
"That person seems to be the one next to Dr. Elizabethjust now. Why are they treating him like this!?"
Helen Cho climbed halfway out of the sunroof and said angrily.
"Who knows? Maybe that man has something they want,"
Eustass finished speaking, and Helen Cho fell silent.
The American side is very wicked.
People here in the country generally agree with this point.
A gigantic figure, a tall silhouette, rose amidst the hazy white mist of the tear gas.
The next instant.
"Roar—!"
A deep, massive roar echoed throughout the campus. The glass enclosure of the metal-framed skybridge was instantly smashed by his thick green arm.
Tear gas wafted out from the skybridge, and the metal framework of the walls snapped fragilely.
The Hulk's massive body leaped down from the skybridge, roaring and crashing heavily onto the ground.
The sharp clatter of gunfire was incessant.
Soldiers frantically fired at the Hulk.
But bullets hitting the Hulk were like throwing peanuts at a person.
It served no practical purpose, other than annoying the Hulk... "Sit back down."
Eustass patted Helen Cho and said.
Helen Cho nodded and quickly obediently sat back inside the car.
An SUV quickly charged toward the Hulk, its heavy machine gun firing rapidly.
The Hulk reached out and batted all the bullets away, then flipped the SUV with a single slap.
The barrel of the heavy machine gun hit by the Hulk's palm was instantly bent.
Eustass continuously took pictures of the scene.
Armored vehicles were as fragile as children's toys in front of the Hulk.
The Hulk dented an SUV with a kick, then treated it like a toy, smashing it to pieces, scattering debris everywhere.
He then grabbed the engine and threw it towards two armored vehicles in the distance.
"Boom! Boom—!"
The two armored vehicles instantly burst into flames, and the soldiers fled in terror.
"Oh my god!"
In the distance.
A bearded student ran over, stood behind a tree, and filmed with his phone.
A companion watched the scene in shock.
America is not short of people looking for trouble.
Many students were standing very close to get first-hand photos and videos. Eustass would have to give them a thumbs up and call them warriors.
Eustass glanced at the group and continued taking photos.
Bronski had been injected with a small amount of serum, and his entire demeanor became arrogant.
Holding a grenade launcher, he continuously fired at the Hulk. The grenade launcher's cylinder rapidly rotated, shot after shot.
The Hulk was blasted backward repeatedly.
Bronski ran out of grenades, tossed the launcher, and when the Hulk swung at him, he performed a beautiful somersault, landing on a piece of debris across the way. With one hand gripping the debris and the other pulling out a small pistol, he went "Biubiubiu" at the Hulk.
The Hulk struck, and the lively Bronski continuously dodged.
His maneuvers were fierce like a tiger, but his damage output was zero.
Bronski ran out of ammo, turned, and took off running.
The Hulk chased from behind, and Bronski ran ahead.
Two armored vehicles quickly drove up, equipped with two Sonic Weapons, operated by Taxi Soldiers wearing soundproof helmets.
Bronski leaped sideways, angled himself perfectly, and was propelled to the side by the intense sonic blast.
The Hulk, however, was struck by two powerful sonic waves and fell to the ground in pain.
This move was like Tang Sanzang chanting the Tightening-Head Spell in front of the Monkey King.
If it weren't for the subsequent plot development, the Monkey King, enduring the headache, could probably have killed Jin Chanzi with one blow and ended the story early~
The large piece of scrap metal the Hulk held was truly the best damage dealer on the field. He hurled it fiercely, instantly splitting the armored SUV in half, sending sparks flying.
With one large sonic device destroyed, the Hulk's pressure rapidly decreased, and his fury rapidly increased.
The Hulk leaped up and immediately flattened the armored vehicle.
Bronski stood opposite the Hulk, rifle in hand, and fired a volley of shots at the Hulk.
Although the bullets were clearly just tickling the Hulk, Bronski was likely experiencing an amplification of his deep-seated soldier's arrogance due to the serum.
He provocatively stood opposite him and continued shooting, refusing to leave, acting completely insane.
"Vroom, vroom, vroom—!"
In the sky above.
An Armed Helicopter flew in quickly, its mounted machine gun began to spin, and it opened fire immediately.
Chapter 13: Hammering Bronski! (Please collect!)
"Retreat! Bronski, retreat immediately, or you'll face a court-martial!"
In the distance,
General Ross barked into his walkie-talkie, face grave.
Watching the helicopter open fire and hearing Ross's order, Bronski spun and sprinted.
Bronski was a special specimen created with a small dose of serum—valuable for research.
General Ross had no intention of losing this subordinate.
The helicopter swept across the campus, strafing indiscriminately, raking the ground with bullets.
Just then Elizabeth ran toward the Hulk, shouting Banner's name over and over.
"Pew-pew-pew!"
Bullets chewed up the lawn, kicking up clouds of dust taller than a man—proof of the gunship's terrifying power.
"Professor Elizabeth!"
Inside the SUV, Helen Cho cried out.
Perched on the sunroof, Eustass sent out countless threads.
Invisible to the naked eye, the threads raced into the distance, weaving together into a towering figure.
Thread Clone!
A Thread Clone in the likeness of Donquixote Doflamingowas tethered by an unseen thread to Eustass.
Armament Haki flowed along the line, coating the thread.
It finished by cloaking the Thread Clone in Armament Haki.
A single strand shot out, snagging part of the gunship.
The Thread Clone leapt, kicking the helicopter.
Several razor-sharp threads wrapped his leg, Armament Haki reinforcing them, and the strike's power skyrocketed.
One kick split the chopper open.
On the scene,
soldiers, General Ross, and students hiding with cameras were all caught off guard by the sudden arrival.
No one had expected the situation to take such a turn.
Doffy descended from the sky, his pink feather coat billowing.
The moment he landed,
the cracked helicopter came smoking down onto the lawn.
With a boom, flames erupted and black smoke billowed.
Standing on the grass, Doflamingo faced the Hulk, Elizabeth, and a swarm of Taxi Soldiers.
One hand in his pocket, he looked down at them, grinning wildly behind a pair of outrageous, Belial-style shades.
"Fufufufufu~"
The low, sinister laugh reached everyone's ears. Doffyglanced at a nearby Taxi Soldier raising his rifle and sneered in contempt.
"Idiot—guns? Against me? Pitiful weaklings."
Doffy said coldly.
Bronski's face darkened; he fired straight at Doffy.
Rat-tat-tat!
Bullets flew in a steady stream.
Doffy stood still, sparks dancing off his body as the rounds struck.
A dead silence fell.
General Ross felt the pressure mount.
Why had the man who'd beaten Iron Man and Iron Monger shown up here?
In the distance,
Eustass remotely controlled the Thread Clone, eyeing Bronski.
Thread Clones could speak.
Bronski kept firing at Doflamingo, then grabbed a grenade launcher from a soldier and blasted a grenade at Doffy.
"Bang!"
"Boom!"
The grenade shot out and exploded.
Flames leapt, black smoke drifting.
A tall figure burst from the fire, reached Bronski in a flash, grabbed his head, and slammed it into the ground.
"Bang!"
"Crack!"
Bronski's skull hit the turf; blood gushed and he passed out.
Crouching beside him, Doffy extended an Armament Haki-clad fist and punched an onrushing armored car.
"Boom—!"
The car's nose caved; half the vehicle reared up, hurling the soldier inside through the air to lie motionless in the dirt.
"Oh my God!"
General Ross was stunned speechless.
How he wished he had a Taxi Soldier like that!
A man wrecking an armored car with his bare fists—was that even human?
The Hulk, wary, glanced at Doffy. Before the man could strike, he scooped up Professor Elizabeth, bounded high, and vanished from campus in a few leaps.
Even this Hulk, not yet merged with Banner's personality, felt affection for Elizabeth.
He wasn't afraid of the bird-dress freak—only that Elizabeth might be hurt.
A savage Beast, yet tender on the line.
[host defeated Bronski!]
[Reward: 2× training acceleration!]
Eustass stared at the ruined Bronski in surprise—not bad.
Bronski, enhanced by a scarce serum, counted as "superhuman."
So beating him earned a reward.
A handy reward—Eustass had started late; he was years behind the Pirate World's top tiers.
With training acceleration, he could make up the gap.
In the Pirate World, power isn't just Devil Fruits.
Any ability user is strong because of monstrous physique and martial skill fused with fruit power.
Combine both and you have a true powerhouse.
Bronski was down for the count.
The Hulk had fled with his lady, off to play beauty and the Beast.
Nothing left to see here.
Eustass drove off, located a local media company,
and sold his photos for a tidy sum.
Every shot was crystal clear: the Hulk's entrance, Bronskiprovoking him, Joker's grand kick that split the chopper, one-shotting Bronski... Soon
"I say we hang around a couple more days."
Counting cash, Eustass told Helen Cho.
"Sure—by 'hang around' you mean more gym time..."
Helen sighed.
"Hey, life's more than lifting—there's leisure too."
Eustass protested.
Back in New York he'd practically lived in the gym... but training needs balance; sometimes you relax.
The next few days,
Eustasse cruised in a rental with Helen, sightseeing for days and even giving a press interview about the Carver University incident.
A secret Base.
General Ross led his men to a hospital bed, looked at the prone Bronski, and asked the Doctor,
"How is he—can he still fight?"
"Severe concussion; when—or if—he wakes is anyone's guess."
the Doctor said grimly.
Ross merely nodded.
Bronski waking or not suited him fine.
If he stayed under, Ross could study the serum subject in peace.
If he woke, Bronski would fight for him and hunt Banner.
Days later,
Bronski awoke—but with amnesia. "Where am I? Who are you? Damn, my head!" He tumbled from the bed, staggered, and yanked the curtain aside.
Hearing the noise, General Ross brightened and hurried toward Bronski... Virginia.
On a stretch of highway,
Eustass sat at the wheel while Helen Cho fed him chocolate.
The pair were all lovey-dovey, shamelessly affectionate.
He glanced ahead; traffic was still jammed. A checkpoint had appeared up the road, officers inspecting every car.
A car crept up and stopped beside them.
The driver peeked forward, looked back, and found himself boxed in by the cars behind.
"Oh, damn!"
Banner couldn't help cursing.
Chapter 14: Abomination Appears on Broadway! (Please Collect!)
Eustass heard the sound and looked back.
Well, it's Banner. What a coincidence.
Banner and Dr. Elizabeth quickly got out of the car, abandoned the used Pica, and left against the traffic flow.
Elizabeth just happened to see Eustass and quickly gestured to him to keep quiet.
Eustass nodded and waved.
Elizabeth held Banner's hand and quickly ran away.
The next day.
Someone found Eustass and Helen Cho and returned the documents to Helen Cho.
The two bought plane tickets and immediately returned to New York.
"Beep beep beep!"
"F*ck, can you even drive!"
New York, Upper District.
Eustass was driving an SUV, having just dropped off Helen Cho at school.
He then drove back to the city center, merging into the traffic. Every now and then, a yellow taxi would zip past recklessly.
Occasionally, a road rager would curse loudly and honk their horn.
He was already used to this.
New York is a fast-paced metropolis.
People scramble to make money, and rent and prices are very high.
Taxi drivers are among those who race against time to earn money.
Detours, overtaking, and speeding are all commonplace.
It is indeed glorious here, but there are far more bankrupt people and homeless folks.
Suddenly.
Another "Little Yellow Car" (taxi) kept overtaking and weaving, eventually zooming past Eustass.
Eustass glanced over and thought he saw Banner sitting in the back seat.
Hmm?
Banner!
May God bless the taxi driver.
"Chāo, lěi gè pū gài, yào xì la lěi!"
Nearby.
A fellow from Eustass's hometown was driving, sticking his head out the window and cursing loudly.
'Chāo, what a warm greeting.'
Eustass glanced over and thought to himself.
That taxi driver was too aggressive.
He drove the passenger all the way to their destination.
Hulk was almost provoked out of Banner.
Elizabeth, furious, kicked the taxi and cursed, startling Banner for a moment.
"Bastard!"
Banner listened to his girlfriend's angry roar, feeling that Elizabeth's heart rate was higher than his own... He tried to say something, but his girlfriend glared at him, "Shut up, let's go!"
"OK..."
...Eustass drove all the way back to the school.
He asked his teacher for leave and returned to the city center.
He found a gym and resumed his terrifying training regimen.
Hulk would appear in the city soon enough.
He wanted to try if he could defeat the Hulk and get a new reward.
Eustass held a barbell weighing over two hundred pounds in one hand, continuously swinging it like a small dumbbell.
The strong coaches at the gym were dumbfounded.
The burly fitness enthusiasts working out were also dumbfounded.
There were one or two veterans in the crowd.
They were also stunned.
Are you kidding me!
Swinging a two-hundred-plus-pound barbell in each hand like a toy—not even a World Champion would be this outrageous!
Doesn't he care about his arms?
"H-Hey, buddy, are you alright?"
The fitness coach quickly asked, worriedly.
"It's fine. Can you help me add a bit more? The pressure isn't enough."
Eustass said while swinging, "Pirate People" are like this.
Later on in training, there are swordsmen who can cleave meteorites into hundreds of pieces with a single strike.
There are even cranky old men who use mountains as punching bags, leveling several of them.
His current level can only be considered that of a newcomer.
"Woah, take it easy. It wouldn't be good if something happened to you..."
The boss pushed through the crowd and quickly said.
They were truly terrified.
Honestly, once Eustass's gym membership expires, the boss really doesn't want to renew it... It's scary!
Eustass sighed.
He definitely needed to save money to buy a Big House.
Otherwise, just doing a normal workout would cause so many people to be shocked, constantly disturbing his weightlifting.
What could he say? He was still poor~
Financial Freedom! (X)
New York Pauper! (√)
If he only lived in the small house left by his parents, using the money from selling his Stark Industries stock,
he could indeed live comfortably for the rest of his life.
But if he wanted to buy a Big House with a gym here, his money was just a drop in the bucket.
After training all day, Eustass went out onto the street, found a decent restaurant, ordered a huge table of food, and ate heartily.
A characteristic of strong Pirate People: those who can eat a lot aren't necessarily strong, but those who are strong definitely eat a lot.
Because he consumed so much energy, he needed to replenish even more.
Eustass ate ravenously.
While he was Eating, he suddenly heard a loud explosion in the distance.
He looked up and glanced out the window, but didn't see anything.
It must have been an explosion that occurred nearby in the block.
He shook his head indifferently and continued to focus on Eating.
Nearby.
Other people were also used to these kinds of incidents in New York.
Since it was just in the next block, they were too lazy to run.
One by one, they picked up their phones and started recording videos of Eustass.
There was no way around it; even those fake Eatingcontestants who induce vomiting couldn't hold a candle to someone who could eat this much.
The key was that Eustass ate without his stomach swelling or throwing up... People truly admired this Competitive Eater.
Even the monsters in the NBA couldn't eat this much, right?
"Hey, handsome~"
A female customer held up her phone and called out to Eustass.
"Hi~"
Eustass flashed her a "V" sign and swallowed a hamburger in one bite.
"Whoa~"
The female customer was shocked. That big mouth was ridiculous, she loved it... "Boom—!"
Suddenly.
A bright light flashed outside.
A car exploded.
The sound was too close. Hearing it, the customers were frightened and scrambled to run outside.
Eustass glanced aside, then continued to focus on Eating.
Nothing could stop the great cause of the Serious Eater!
Outside.
Abomination punched a car, causing it to explode, sending flames soaring and smoke billowing.
He repeatedly grabbed cars and violently smashed them onto the ground.
Explosions occurred one after another.
The firelight continuously illuminated the surroundings.
People were terrified and abandoned their cars to flee.
Military green jeeps quickly moved through the streets, rushing toward the monster. Soldiers cursed the creature while aiming heavy machine guns at it and opening fire.
"Da da da!"
The sound of the heavy machine gun echoed outside.
Eustass continued Eating.
Screams, explosions, gunfire, beast roars... 121st Street, Broadway, was in chaos.
A large piece of car chassis shrapnel was thrown by Abomination with a whoosh, moving extremely fast. In the blink of an eye, it struck a person and sent them flying into a Western restaurant.
"Crash!"
All sorts of debris and gasoline splattered everywhere.
Eustass stared blankly at the tenth of the food that remained.
He was just about to finish that last bit and fully replenish his stamina!
In the end, only one fried chicken drumstick remained perfectly intact and clean.
The other food was either destroyed by shrapnel or contaminated by gasoline.
The food lover was enraged!
Eustass shoved the drumstick into his mouth, crunching and swallowing the meat and bone entirely.
He suddenly turned his head, his face full of rage, like a road rager who had been angered by a wrong-way driver hitting their car.
The chef and owner had long since vanished.
Eustass ran from the kitchen to the alley behind.
Clad in the Doffy suit, he instantly used Soru, one of the Rokushiki techniques. His feet stomped the ground dozens of times in a flash, and he vanished from the spot, rushing out of the alley at high speed. Armament Hakiwrapped around his foot, and he kicked toward Abomination's head.
Chapter 15 – 15. Beating Up Abomination! You're So Strong~ (Please Favorite!)
In the sky.
An armed helicopter sped toward Broadway.
"Let me see the situation down there!"
General Ross grabbed the radio and shouted.
Broadway.
A Jeep raced forward on the street.
A soldier stood on the vehicle:
"Yes, Officer!"
He activated the miniature camera on his helmet, transmitted the feed—and the picture was relayed to the helicopter.
Inside the frame.
A figure draped in a pink-fur coat suddenly appeared, viciously kicking the gray-green giant in the head; the gray-green brute flew off and crashed into a store.
"What the hell is that thing!"
The soldier pointed at the flying gray-green monster and screamed.
The next instant.
Debris burst from the shop; Abomination roared and charged out, his gray-green fist clenched as he hurled a punch straight at Eustass.
Eustass swung to meet him, his fist wrapped in Armament Haki.
"Bang!"
The two figures—one huge, one small—collided; Eustasswas forced several steps back.
A crack sounded from Abomination's fist. He howled in pain, staring at his hand in disbelief.
He—Abomination!
The other—a mere insect!
And he'd lost the clash!?
One of his fingers had even been shattered by the tiny guy!
Abomination simply couldn't believe it.
Across from him, Eustass stood firm.
His feet blurred, stomping the ground dozens of times—Soru, the high-speed movement of Rokushiki—and he vanished, reappearing in front of Abomination.
Countless threads coiled around his arm, forming a long spear that whipped toward the monster.
"Bang!"
Abomination couldn't react to such speed.
Eustass appeared at his flank, slammed the spear across Abomination's face, and sent him flying.
A nearby motorcycle was crushed as Abominationcrashed into it; flames erupted with a boom.
Inside the helicopter cabin.
General Ross stared in shock: the gray-green monster's power—and that Joker's reappearance—gave him a splitting headache.
Banner looked at Ross:
"Is he one of yours?"
"Oh my God, what exactly have you done?"
Elizabeth glared angrily at her father.
Ross felt utterly wronged.
He had never created Abomination.
They'd only given Bronski a diluted dose of serum.
How Abomination came to be—only Bronski himself could answer that.
"Open fire!"
General Ross lifted the radio and ordered.
"Which target?"
The ground soldier asked.
"All of them!"
General Ross replied.
To him, Hulk, Abomination, or Joker—every one of them should be captured.
Capture them, study them, then arm his Taxi Soldiers.
"Understood, sir!"
The soldier answered.
On the ground.
"Bang bang bang!"
Soldiers fired at both Eustass and Abomination.
On the Jeeps, two troopers opened weapon crates, readying bazookas.
"Clink-clink-clink~"
Bullets rained onto Eustass; Armament Haki deflected them, sparks flying in all directions.
He turned back, displeased.
"Roar—!"
Abomination bellowed at him.
Eustass launched a mass of threads that twisted into a thick whip—Surpassing Strangling Whip—straight at the monster.
The whip cracked, smashing Abomination away again.
Then Eustass strode toward the soldiers, step by step.
"Cling-clang-cling~"
They kept shooting.
Eustass raised a finger, aiming at one soldier.
Finger Pistol!
A white air-bullet shot from his fingertip, piercing the man's body with a soft thud.
The trooper grunted and collapsed.
Eustass aimed again—another target.
"Thud-thud-thud!"
Repeated Finger Pistol shots took down every attacker.
"Hup!"
One soldier hoisted a Rocket Launcher and, with a battle cry, fired a Rocket straight at Eustass.
The Rocket streaked in; Eustass's threads wove into an impenetrable web in front of him.
Armament Haki coated the web.
"Boom—!"
The Rocket exploded.
The web dispersed.
Eustass used Soru to flash in front of the soldier and punched, sending him flying, facial bones cracking.
He was no mild-tempered superhero.
Fire on him—he fires back!
Vent the anger, never bottle it up.
"Roar!"
In the distance.
Abomination howled, striding faster and faster toward Eustass.
His gray-green hands flipped cars out of the way.
Car alarms wailed nonstop.
He picked up speed, sending more vehicles flying.
Just as he closed in, a taxi pulled out from a side street.
The muscular Abomination stepped onto its hood, grabbed the cab, and swatted it at Eustass.
Eustass slashed with Surpassing Strangling Whip, slicing the taxi in half; the whip's tail cracked across the monster's body.
Out of the wrecked cab, the terrified taxi driver scrambled and sprinted away.
"Die, die, you little bug!"
Abomination roared, hurling another punch.
Eustass snapped a high roundhouse; Abomination swung again, and Eustass followed with another kick before the first leg even landed.
"Bang-bang-bang!"
Fists fell like mountains, each blow terrifying—enough to punch through walls and dent cars.
Legs whipped like lashes; Eustass blocked every strike, unscathed.
Up in the sky.
Inside the helicopter cabin.
General Ross, Dr. Banner, and Dr. Elizabeth were all stunned!
This Joker was simply too terrifying!
He actually traded blow for blow with that monstrous giant.
The clash between Eustass and Abomination grew fiercer and more dangerous by the second.
Inside the cabin.
The soldiers watching the feed fell silent.
None of them dared claim they could go toe-to-toe with Abomination—or the Hulk.
"Boom!"
On the ground.
A gray-green figure shot backward, smashing a Fire Hydrant; water gushed like a local rainfall.
Abomination slammed into a wall, shattering it.
"Joker!"
Abomination lifted his head, staring at the tiny insect standing over him.
"You're pretty strong."
Eustass looked down—then, as Abomination tried to rise, Eustass's fist, coated in Armament Haki, smashed into the monster's forehead.
"Boom!"
"So strong~"
"Boom!"
"Way too dangerous~"
"Boom!"
"Stand up and fight me!"
Eustass poured all his strength into Armament Haki-wrapped fists, pounding Abomination's forehead again and again.
The monster reeled, his skull thudding against the ground, rubble spraying as a small crater formed.
Chapter 16: Smashing the Abomination and Awakening Conqueror's Haki! (Please Favorite!)
A long moment passed.
The ground had been punched into a crater.
The Abomination's head was buried in it, his body sticking out above.
Eustass shook his head, bored.
"The Abomination isn't much."
He backed far away, sat cross-legged on a car hood, and watched the monster, waiting for him to recover.
Eustass actually wanted the Abomination to give him some pressure.
Everyone knows that in the Pirate World, apart from basic training, most people grow stronger through high-pressure battles.
And the Abomination was tanky enough.
He wondered if he could sharpen himself—and maybe develop his Devil Fruit Ability—by fighting the monster.
"Roar—!"
The Abomination yanked his head from the pit, stood, and bellowed at Eustass.
In the next instant countless threads coalesced into a thick line-whip and lashed at him.
The Abomination shot out a hand, caught the whip, and gave Eustass a savage grin.
Just as he tried to yank the threads, Eustass made them snap under his control.
Abomination:???
Eustass used Soru, blinking behind the monster in high-speed motion, re-formed the line-whip, and slashed him across the back.
"Grah!"
Howling, the Abomination spun and swung—only to hit empty air.
Eustass Soru-stepped behind him again and whipped him once more.
"Crack!"
"Roar!"
The whip stung; Armament Haki coated the threads, making every blow brutal.
Even the Abomination's thick hide couldn't take it.
He whirled and punched again.
Eustass switched to Moonwalk, kicked off the air, zipped above the monster, and smashed the whip straight onto his skull.
"Agh!"
Clutching his head, the Abomination reeled—why did this guy keep hitting his—huh?
Memories flooded back; he whirled and glared at Eustasswith blazing hatred.
Hatred gauge maxed out!
He remembered everything Eustass had done to him before.
"Brave Abomination fears no Joker!"
The monster was furious now.
How dare this human keep smacking his head?
He charged, swinging a haymaker.
The next instant—
Eustass stepped on the Abomination's forehead, flipped clean over him.
Eustass landed; the Abomination spun with a back-fist.
A thread-whip cracked across his face.
"Ow!"
Before he could counter, Eustass chained Soru and Moonwalk—vanishing and reappearing in front, behind, left, right, above—lashes raining down from every angle.
Armament-coated threads slapped the Abominationagain and again, leaving him howling.
General Ross and his men fell silent.
Banner said nothing.
Even the thrill-seeking reporters in the distance shut up.
The Abomination was on the verge of depression.
He'd turned himself into a monster to become unstoppable.
Yet this tiny human was playing him like a toy.
Eustass attacked at will, toying with him.
The Abomination raged.
"Why is this human so strong without any transformation?"
"When I was human I couldn't beat him."
"Now that I'm no longer human—I still can't beat him!?"
"Then what was the point of all this!"
"Smack!"
Eustass punched the Abomination in the face, sending him skidding across the ground.
Eustass walked up and looked down at the fallen monster.
"Get up."
Up—and take more hits!
The Abomination lifted his head and glared.
Eustass swung a palm, Armament Haki cloaking his hand.
"Slap!"
"Up!"
"You've angered the abbot—think you can just run?"
Be my free sparring partner!
The Abomination kicked out with thick legs, aiming for Eustass.
Thread-whips snaked around his ankles.
Eustass braced like a horse-stance, heaved, and swung the monster into the air.
The Abomination spun in widening circles, then lifted off the ground entirely.
He flailed for a lamp-post, missed, and kept whirling.
Round and round—his skull rang against a pole, DUANG, and still the ride went on.
Hours later.
The soldiers dared not interfere.
General Ross watched from a helicopter as Eustass"played" with his new "little" friend.
Banner felt a chill down his spine.
The Abomination's forehead kept going DUANG-DUANG against walls, his brain buzzing.
"Thud!"
Eustass tossed the monster aside and panted.
"So damn tired… h—"
The Abomination tried to roar, wobbled, and face-planted into a pole, unable to stand.
The world spun, stars burst before his eyes.
The gray-green giant looked drunk.
His limbs ignored his brain; his knees buckled and he crashed onto a sedan, flattening it.
Eustass sat across the street, gasping for breath.
Not long after.
Ross was still waiting—waiting for Eustass to collapse and the Abomination to revert to human form.
The monster suddenly stood, roared at Eustass, hoisted a car, and charged.
He hurled the vehicle.
"God Thread: Execution!"
Eustass crouched; the ground beneath him turned into endless threads that spiraled into sixteen huge white spears, all densely wrapped in Armament Haki.
One after another the spears slammed the Abomination, breaking bones and snapping sinew.
The final thread pierced him clean and nailed him to a wall.
"Huff… huff…"
Eustass knelt, drenched in sweat.
At last his Devil Fruit Ability had awakened.
With the Pirate World's top-tier physique, awakening mid-battle made perfect sense~
God Thread Execution could only be used after awakening.
[host has defeated the Abomination!]
[Reward: Observation Haki! Conqueror's Haki! Conqueror's Coating!]
Eustass glanced warily at the helicopter overhead.
He'd saved a sliver of stamina in case General Ross tried something.
He had no wish to be dragged off for experiments.
Even if it was just blood and gene samples—not dissection—
he still didn't want his genes studied.
The Abomination hung on the wall, half-dead, completely helpless.
Inside the helicopter cabin—
"Move in—capture them!"
General Ross spoke into the radio.
"Yes, Officer!"
On the ground.
Soldiers raised their rifles and closed in on Eustass.
On a rooftop, a sniper chambered a tranquilizer round and aimed.
In the aircraft.
Banner frowned at the screen.
He despised General Ross's underhanded tactics.
He wanted to cause a distraction and help the kid escape.
Banner didn't hate Joker's earlier actions; the soldiers had fired first.
Watching Ross, Banner quietly edged toward the cabin door.
Chapter 17 – 17. Hulk Defeated! (Please Collect!)
Swoosh~
Bang—!
A silhouette plummeted from the sky and slammed into the ground.
Cement shards flew; Banner's body punched a man-shaped crater into the asphalt.
Beside the road, firelight lit up the thick night, dancing with the wind.
Eustass sat on the ground, speechless as he stared at the sudden crater.
Abomination was half-dead—why had Banner jumped again?
Before transmigrating, he'd read fan-fics where Bannerjumped countless times.
The next instant.
A green hand burst through the dirt, slapped the ground, and Hulk hauled himself out, the earth swelling.
The pit was Banner's small crater; Hulk transformed the instant Banner's life was at risk, the ground bulging.
Hulk tossed aside shredded rags, faced Abominy on the wall, arms spread, body leaning forward, and roared loud enough to shake ears.
ROAR—!
Powerful, knotted muscles taut, Hulk clenched a fist, ready to strike.
Abominy glanced at Hulk, closed his eyes, and lost consciousness.
Hulk tilted his head, stared at Abominy, confused.
Across the way.
Eustass stood, walked into a barely intact shop, placed some food on the counter with money, then sat on the hood of a whole car.
He looked around, annoyed.
Not far off, his SUV sat there.
The windows were smashed, doors gone.
Still, better than the cars split in half or blown up on the street.
In the distance.
Thud!
Thud-thud-thud!
Footsteps approached.
Hulk stormed out, but his opponent lay down.
So he came out for nothing?
Where would his rage go?
Besides Elizabeth, later Black Widow, few could calm Hulk.
Hulk himself easily lost control.
Everyone on scene fled.
Only one arrogant guy stayed, eating; Hulk naturally targeted him.
Hulk strode over, pinched thumb and middle finger, aiming a brain-bounce at Eustass.
Cheeky~
The next instant, Hulk's giant finger flicked at Eustass's tiny head.
A flick like that could bend rebar.
The next instant.
Eustass, one hand holding a sandwich, raised the other, Armament Haki wrapping his palm, blocking Hulk's strike.
Oh~
So scary~ such strength~
Eustass laughed; even Admiral Borsalino would wonder when he'd taken a student.
So monkey-like.
ROAR!
Hulk roared, spittle landing on the sandwich.
Eustass looked at the sandwich, then at Hulk.
Damn—ruining his meal!
Armament Haki instantly wrapped Eustass, swirling like cherry blossoms, concentrating on his fist as he punched Hulk.
Hulk swung; Eustass tapped the ground dozens of times, using Soru to flash behind Hulk, hammering the back of his head.
Hulk's head slammed into the car, smashed sandwich smeared across his face.
Hulk turned.
Eustass appeared on the other side, leg wrapped in Haoshoku, kicking Hulk.
Haoshoku just for show?
Times have changed, My Lord!
Haoshoku hits hard!
Hulk flew, mind blank, crashing through a shop, rubble flying, rolling into the next block before stopping.
Eustass pulled another sandwich from the bag, took a fierce bite.
Then, swish, he looked up.
General Ross's heart raced, nervous.
Eustass below kept refueling.
Ross thought he'd run out of stamina and could catch him?
He had Life Return, could control any organ, even body fat or hair; when stamina ran out, he ate, then redirected nutrients.
The only thing he couldn't handle was mental fatigue.
But Zoro's physique was top-tier in the Pirate World.
Before he collapsed, he could fight hard for ages—wolfing down food while recovering stamina.
The next instant.
A green figure leaped from the next block, roar shaking the area.
ROAR—!
Hulk soared, thick arm back, then swung a steel fist, breaking the wind.
Eustass tossed the bag over his shoulder, arms at his sides, fists clenched.
Countless threads extended, wrapping a giant white arm, like Luffy's move.
Haoshoku wrapped the white fist, punching Hulk.
BOOM—!
Fist met fist, ground cracked, scene stunning.
Hulk howled, bones broken; another white fist swung, smashing his cheek, sending him flying into a hydrant.
Hulk fell, water spraying his face.
She forced her eyes open, gasping.
He seemed to understand why Abominy lost—not they weren't strong enough, but the enemy cheated!
The angrier Hulk got, the stronger.
If Avengers One Hulk, he wouldn't be so weak.
Avengers One Hulk flipped a giant Chitauri transport creature with one punch.
The next instant.
Countless Parasite Threads wrapped in Haoshoku, shot through Hulk, piercing his panel, controlling him.
Hulk roared at Eustass.
Smack!
Pain flashed on his face; he turned—his right hand.
Hulk stared, bewildered.
His right hand rebelled?
[host defeated Hulk!]
[Reward: Stamina ×2!]
Whew~
Eustass smiled at Hulk, glancing around casually.
On the rooftop.
Thread Clone squatted, camera in hand.
Thread Clone now looked like him; he played Joker, Thread Clone played himself.
How to deal with him?
Eustass watched Hulk with wicked amusement.
In the sky.
Inside the armed helicopter, General Ross watched below, tense, unsure what fate awaited Hulk.
Elizabeth stood beside her father, worried, fists clenched for Banner.
Chapter 18: 18. Hulk, you're famous! (Please collect!)
Soon, everyone, whether in the sky, on the ground, or lying on the ground, fell silent.
Hulk started dancing... street dance?
Countless people were utterly bewildered.
It was supposed to be an incredibly shocking battle, full of explosive power and collision.
But did Hulk lose his mind?
Was he sure he didn't drink fake alcohol before setting off?
Eustass sat on the ground, took a piece of bread from his bag, toasted it over the flames of a nearby ruin, and watched Hulk perform a group street dance by himself.
Some group street dances are very neat and cool, and they look good performed solo too.
But some are only suitable for groups; dancing them alone makes them look messy and silly... He controlled Hulk with threads, making him dance a routine that a certain U.S. youth dance troupe won a championship with in Arizona in the future.
The result was so awkward, so incredibly awkward... so awkward it was unbearable to watch.
Hulk will probably become the most famous person in the entire U.S. tomorrow.
Ah, no, it should be Eustass.
Because he recorded and posted the video.
YouTube and other social platforms already existed. He never expected that he would make money online by filming Superheroes doing awkward dances.
Hulk danced for a while, his rage flaring up.
But it was useless... Not long after.
Eustass made Hulk dance another routine performed by a future dance troupe abbreviated as JJ. Unfortunately, there were no suits and top hats, nor the amusing atmosphere of effeminate teammates.
In the distance.
The reporter Doris, who was livestreaming at great risk, was depressed.
She didn't know what kind of foolishness she was committing, risking being smashed to death by a monster just to livestream.
Her assistant Jon was also depressed, was this big green guy crazy!?
He could tell that the first one should have been a group dance, which looked very awkward and out of place performed solo. The second one should have been a very cool dance.
The original footwork was very dashing.
Hulk stomping the ground furiously with a thud, thud, thud, was grotesque, and the street kept shaking.
The ground was cracking!
The Thread Clone finished filming and put away the camera.
Eustass also finished eating, patting his stomach contentedly.
He turned and left.
Threads shot into the sky, connecting to a skyscraper, and Eustass quickly flew upwards.
He severed the Parasite Threads.
Hulk roared at him incessantly, furiously pounding the ground over and over.
In the sky.
Inside the helicopter.
"Which one to chase?"
The pilot asked.
"Send another helicopter to keep an eye on Joker, we'll go after Hulk."
General Ross said.
"Understood, Officer!"
The pilot looked at the helplessly raging Hulk below, picked up the communicator, and contacted the other helicopter.
Under the night sky.
Among the buildings, neon lights sparkled brightly.
A figure wearing a pink furry coat quickly swept past.
"Whirring!"
The sound of high-speed rotating propellers rang out, and a helicopter followed closely.
This time, they wouldn't lose him again.
Wherever Eustass went, they would fly.
Under the glow of the neon lights, Eustass suddenly severed the threads in his hand, stepped on the air with both feet, turned around, and pointed his finger at the helicopter.
A large amount of threads condensed in his hand, wrapped in Armament Haki.
"Whoosh~!"
The indestructible threads instantly flew behind him, shattering the helicopter glass. The shattered fragments sparkled with various neon lights and scattered, then the threads passed through the pilot, and a magenta flower bloomed in the cockpit.
The helicopter lost control, tilted, and crashed into the side.
"Boom—!"
A huge fireball erupted on the skyscraper, and the propeller, like a sharp sword, spun at high speed, quickly fell, and then fiercely plunged into a wall.
The next moment, Eustass continued to shoot threads and swung away.
He could walk in the air with Moonwalk, but Moonwalkwas not as energy-efficient as shooting a thread, so he usually used threads for travel.
The US Military failed to track him again.
In America, people have extremely high demands for privacy and security, which leads to an extremely awkward situation.
There are too few cameras... It was still dark, and after the helicopter crashed, it became very, very difficult to track where Eustass went.
Eustass returned home smoothly.
The Thread Clone handed him the camera and then dispersed.
Eustass went to the computer, uploaded the video, edited it, added a watermark, then logged into his YouTube and other social media accounts, uploaded them one by one, performing the usual operations of future bloggers and content creators.
The Thread Clone had also recorded a part of the battle, and then Hulk's awkward dance.
As soon as it was uploaded, Helen Cho was the first to comment:
"I heard about Broadway, it was so dangerous, please don't take such risks again, dear!"
Eustass smiled and called Helen Cho on his phone.
Then he went downstairs, went to Broadway, found his dilapidated SUV, and drove directly to Helen Cho's school to pick her up from her dorm.
He took her home to discuss the profoundness of foreign languages... The ocean of knowledge is indeed infinite.
The two discussed for a long time.
They didn't rest until two in the morning, when they were both utterly exhausted.
The next day.
The morning sun rose, and the inky night receded.
The alarm clock on the desk kept ringing, and Eustassslapped it away.
Then he and Helen Cho continued to doze.
The alarm clock went peacefully, finally no longer protesting.
Past eight o'clock.
By this time, those who should be up are up.
Those who shouldn't be up don't need to be, and are probably already fired by their boss.
Eustass doesn't have to go to work, and he learns quickly in school, so he has a lot of free time.
On weekdays, he either lifts weights or lifts weights.
Occasionally, when he and his girlfriend sleep in and enjoy the warm morning light shining on them, facing each other, it is the most beautiful moment of the entire day.
"It's eight o'clock..."
Helen Cho mumbled, resting her head on his arm.
"Oh."
Eustass said indifferently.
Unfortunately, Helen Cho didn't understand his native language.
She didn't give him a morning gift.
"It's not good to be hungry, let me make you breakfast."
Helen Cho kissed him on the cheek and smiled sweetly.
"Alright."
Eustass responded to her profound statement with a nod.
Helen Cho let out a surprised sound, pinched him, got up, and ran out.
Eustass smiled, sat up, and went to wash up.
Then it got awkward.
Helen Cho needed to use the restroom.
Eustass needed to brush his teeth.
She sat on the toilet, awkwardly watching Eustassholding his toothpaste and toothbrush.
Soon after.
Eustass was kicked out.
"Hey!"
Eustass held a small basin, standing by the window brushing his teeth, spitting into the basin for a while. "I just want to enjoy the beautiful scenery in the morning, but someone isn't willing."
"Ptooey~"
Brushed his teeth, rinsed, spat.
Just then, Helen Cho walked out.
Eustass looked back.
Helen Cho, wearing pink pajamas, with her beautiful hair falling by her cheeks, looked at Eustass with a slight blush, glared at him, hummed, and then trotted to the kitchen.
Eustass called out to her.
Helen Cho turned back, gave him an angry glare, and ran over.
She slapped him somewhere.
"Will this make you happy?"
"If it's you, I'm quite happy."
Helen Cho's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple. She looked up at him, unable to speak.
This candy is quite sweet.
But why did she also feel a hint of the sea?
How strange!
Chapter 19 – Partnerships Pour In, Wilson! (Please Favorite!)
At the dining table.
Eustass ate breakfast while Helen Cho sat beside him, occasionally glancing at the news on TV.
"I'm heading back in a bit. You should go back early too—we're still students, so skipping class isn't a good idea."
Helen Cho said as she ate.
"I'm not skipping."
Eustass hurriedly replied.
"Then who's the one always yelling 'lift, lift'?"
Helen looked at him suspiciously.
"I just finished most of the coursework ahead of time, so I came out to train a bit."
Eustass quickly answered.
With a Pirate World physique, it'd be a waste not to train.
"You've learned it all?"
Helen narrowed her eyes.
"Every bit."
Eustass nodded.
"Fine. I'll brush up on Information Engineering when I'm free and quiz you."
After saying that, she finished her milk and wiped her mouth.
Eustass was speechless.
Sure enough, the gap between a genius and an ordinary top student is still huge.
In his previous life he'd majored in Information Engineering—he'd dared to boast because of that.
Yet Helen claimed she could simply "review a bit" and then test him.
It was like Stark staying up one night to cram some tech and then saying, "Isn't this stuff simple?"
Soul-crushing!
"Alright, will you walk me out?"
Helen tidied up, put on her shoes, and looked at him.
Eustass tossed the food into his mouth, crunching loudly.
Helen:???
She glanced at the table—there had been a chicken drumstick just now, hadn't there?
Eustass's appetite was one thing, but he'd even chewed the bone to bits?
"Still a bit hungry—wait a sec."
He pulled a huge bag of sliced bread from the fridge, half an arm tall, stuffed with layers of bread.
Several slices at a bite, he polished it off in no time.
Then he took out another big bag of cookies before walking over to put on his shoes.
"Let's go."
"Fine. I'm used to your appetite; it's just the bones… sigh."
Helen helplessly rubbed her forehead—she still couldn't get used to her boyfriend having "steel teeth."
He could crush bones effortlessly; even a golden retriever would feel inferior.
Outside, Eustass glanced at the beat-up car downstairs.
The driver-side door was gone, and so were the windows.
"Hold on, I'll borrow a car."
He'd just taken out his phone when a call came in.
"Hello?"
He didn't recognize the number.
"Good morning, is this Mr. Eustass? We're from Hasbro Toys. Is the Joker trademark in your hands?"
"Correct."
Eustass thought for a second; Hasbro sounded familiar.
Before he transmigrated, it had been one of America's biggest toy companies—Hasbro.
It held merchandising rights to many famous franchises.
For instance, the famous Transformers and Star Wars.
But in this World many of those properties didn't exist, and Hasbro was merely a mid-sized toy maker barely noticeable in the Marvel Universe.
"Could we schedule a meeting to discuss licensing the Joker merchandise?"
"Sure."
Eustass nodded—easy money while lying down sounded great.
"Tomorrow then; I've got plans today."
"Certainly. You decide the time and place tomorrow, and just text us."
"Will do."
Eustass ended the call.
Helen looked at him suspiciously:
"Your 'plans' wouldn't be lifting weights, would they?"
"Of course not—I was thinking of auditing a class at your university. Am I welcome?"
Eustass grinned.
"Sure."
Helen happily nodded… Manhattan.
Columbia University.
Together they entered campus. Helen found her advisor, chatted briefly, and was told that Professor Elizabeth was currently in New York and suggested she seek her out.
Helen said she'd think about it, then took Eustass to sit in on a lecture.
In truth, she had no intention of approaching Elizabethright now.
The Professor had just lost her boyfriend; it was better not to disturb her.
Halfway through the class, Eustass slipped out to take a call.
Helen shook her head helplessly—keeping him here would only torture him, so she didn't stop him.
Quietly stepping outside, he answered the phone.
"Eustass, you brat, did you get last night's photos?"
It was Mr. J. Jonah Jameson from The Daily Bugle.
"Got them."
Eustass replied readily—he'd just grab a few frames from the footage tonight.
"Oh, thank God—get over here fast and I'll give you seven hundred bucks!"
"Forget it, not interested."
Hearing the overtime pay was still that low instantly killed his interest.
His motto: life doesn't do overtime.
Overtime? Impossible. He'd rather spend time with his girlfriend.
The one he'd marry is his wife, not overtime… "Bye-bye. Spend that seven hundred on diapers for your kid!"
"Hey, you—"
Eustass hung up, dialed another number, and said he had last night's footage.
The other party offered a good price and arranged to pick up the flash drive shortly.
Eustass quietly returned to the classroom and sat beside Helen again.
Surprised, Helen thought he'd left for good.
The lecturer spoke on the podium.
Below, Eustass could barely follow—classes had just started, so the material was still simple.
While listening, he started playing with Helen's hand.
Helen had already finished the semester's work and was reading Dr. Elizabeth's notes on the desk.
She glanced at Eustass in resignation and let him be.
His phone vibrated.
He slipped out quietly again and gently closed the door.
Helen exhaled in relief.
They'd agreed on just hand-holding… yet he'd started studying her "big ideas."
A short while later.
Eustass returned—the footage was sold, netting him another profit.
Even after fixing the car he'd still have plenty left.
Afternoon.
Walking back with Helen, he received another call before leaving campus.
"Good afternoon, is this Mr. Eustass?"
"Who's speaking?"
"George Wilson, official staff from YouTube. Your video is impressive—how about we discuss a partnership?"
"Sure."
Eustass nodded.
A little later.
Originally planning to get the car fixed, Eustass instead took Helen to a café near campus.
As they entered, he scanned the room; a suit-clad, balding man waved at him.
Eustass:???
Seriously—George Wilson?!
Chapter 20: S.H.I.E.L.D. in Action! (Please collect! Please recommend! Please subscribe!)
Phil Coulson, in a brand new suit, stood up from by the window and said with a smile:
"Are you Mr. Eustass Mola?"
"I am..."
Eustass nodded and walked over.
He would counter whatever came his way... He recognized Coulson.
"You can take a look at my work ID."
Coulson saw the hesitation in Eustass's eyes.
After all, he was a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, extremely professional at observing people's expressions and demeanor.
Coulson took out his YouTube work ID and handed it to Eustass.
Eustass looked at the ID in surprise.
"Name: George Wilson.
Age: 30 years old.
Position: Operations Manager..."
Eustass glanced at Coulson's receding hairline and was speechless.
You call that thirty years old?
"Is something wrong?"
Coulson chuckled.
"You look so young."
Eustass praised him.
"Haha, my colleagues all say that about me."
Coulson nodded happily.
"Please sit, it's on me."
With that, Coulson, Eustass, and Helen Cho sat down. Then he looked at Eustass, "As far as we know, you've been making a living by taking photos and videos of Joker. Would you be willing to sign a contract with us? We can increase your video revenue.
However, before that, we'd like to understand how exactly you've been taking these photos and videos..."
After Coulson finished speaking, he looked at Eustassseriously.
Their agency found that every time Joker did something big, Eustass was present and could capture the best photos and videos.
They suspected this kid had special means or some connection with Joker.
Of course, they didn't think Eustass was Joker.
The reason was simple: the two appeared simultaneously.
Eustass looked at Coulson; this guy was investigating him.
But this was also to be expected.
However, as long as Joker ≠ Eustass, then he would have no problems.
"I'm a Joker fan. Being able to take pictures of him and earn some money at the same time, I think it's pretty good..."
Eustass began to talk about his situation, and Coulsonnodded.
After a while, Coulson looked at him speechlessly.
He finally understood the readers of a Certain Website.
Some people, when they talk nonsense, are captivating yet also verbose!
The ocean, it's all water!
Eustass talked to Coulson for a long time, all about meaningless things.
For example, where he went to play, where he went to eat, and he just happened to run into Joker, and since he loves taking photos and videos, he just took some pictures of Joker... "Stop, stop, stop, please say something useful."
Coulson quickly waved his hand, "Do you have contact with Joker? Otherwise, how could you capture first-hand photos so promptly?"
"As a YouTube employee, do you have the right to ask these questions?"
Eustass smiled at him.
Coulson was taken aback, then nodded; his disguised identity indeed shouldn't be doing that.
"I can tell you, no. After all, such an arrogant guy must be very bad. I don't want to be killed by such a capricious person at a young age."
Eustass said.
Coulson nodded, feeling the same way.
He had seen it with his own eyes; Joker was truly capricious.
First, he killed Obadiah.
Then he defeated Stark, but didn't kill him.
Whenever people thought he was a hero, he would personally show everyone with his actions, 'Don't be silly, he just wants to fight...' "Well then, the rest of the matters will be discussed in detail with you by other personnel from our company."
After Coulson finished speaking, he stood up to leave.
He had no intention of revealing his identity to the other party.
After all, the agency's confidentiality work still needed to be done, and these two were too ordinary to warrant revealing his identity.
Eustass watched him leave. Had he bluffed his way through?
Of course, he wasn't afraid of S.H.I.E.L.D.; he just felt that these people would disturb his life.
"How can he ask questions like that? He can't be a fake YouTube employee, asking about people's money-making methods is too much."
Helen Cho watched Coulson leave the coffee shop and said angrily.
"It's nothing."
Eustass said with a smile, but Helen Cho's intuition was really accurate.
Coulson being a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent made perfect sense.
"It's getting late today. Tomorrow, I'll meet with the Hasbro people, then I'll get the car repaired. How about we go shopping?"
Eustass said with a smile.
Helen Cho nodded happily.
Her boyfriend was finally not just lifting weights, lifting weights, lifting weights... But then.
Soon after.
Back at Eustass's place, she went to take a shower first.
When she came back, wow!
Eustass was doing push-ups on the balcony.
While she was showering, he had already done hundreds of sets.
Helen Cho:???
Even Koutarou Amon would go crazy for Eustass.
"I'll go cook."
Helen Cho said helplessly, turning to the kitchen.
Soon after.
Helen Cho stood at the balcony door, holding a food tray, looking at him speechlessly.
"700..."
"701..."
"702..."
Eustass continued his push-up warm-up, looking up at Helen Cho in confusion.
Oh, it's time to eat.
He stood up, clapped his hands, and went to the bathroom to wash them.
It was only a little over seven hundred sets.
That's just a warm-up.
Those who know would know that the Marine Academy's training for Marine elites is far more than this amount.
Eustass was truly just warming up; after all, after auditing classes all day, he could barely sit still.
After dinner.
Helen Cho was about to ask him what kind of silk looked good.
But in an instant, Eustass ran to the balcony again.
With a large barbell plate on his back and wearing a weighted vest, he continuously did push-ups.
At first, Helen Cho found it quite enjoyable watching him exercise shirtless on the balcony.
Just like men enjoy admiring beautiful scenery on the beach.
The opposite also had similar hobbies... Seeing Eustass's muscles, it was truly a sight to behold.
But after Eustass reached over a thousand sets, she started to get bored.
When Eustass reached over three thousand sets, Helen Cho was almost falling asleep.
But he kept going, and Helen Cho even forgot to count.
"Keep training, train by yourself."
Helen Cho snorted and left the house directly; she planned to go back to school.
Eustass heard the door close, stood up, looked at the threads on his palm, and a gleam flashed... "Action."
Nearby building.
A sniper lay in a room, watching Eustass's house through a sniper scope, and spoke into his walkie-talkie.
Helen Cho had just left.
A group of fully armed team members went upstairs one by one, arriving on both sides of Eustass's house, ready to break in at any moment.
Inside the house.
Eustass, covered in Armament Haki, looked at the invisible threads on his hand.
HYDRA?