An hour after the incident, the police quickly ordered the city to be locked down. Luckily, Logan managed to slip out before the border perimeter was established. Las Vegas was no longer an option, and he didn't plan on stopping along the way. He intended to head to North Dakota that very night, where Laura's friends at the border had a way to enter Canada illegally.
The newcomer, Victor, did not object to the suggestion.
It was a very long journey, but Victor's arrival made it less tedious. Perhaps due to his advanced age, Victor had gradually become a talkative old man. Furthermore, while working as Notland's henchman, he had no suitable people to talk to; so, when he met Logan and the others, he poured out his heart and shared anecdotes from the past.
In his more than ten years of harsh survival, there were always many interesting stories worth sharing. From mercenary work to being a low-level thug, Victor talked a lot until the subject turned to Notland. Victor felt only rage toward his former boss; even knowing Logan had killed him, the hatred still burned inside.
Seeing Victor's growing anger, Logan knew his brother was back—that he no longer bowed to anyone. Perhaps starting that night, the reputation of the Sabretooth would rise again.
The long night finally passed. The sky began to clear, and the morning light shone through the car windows as birdsong echoed from the surrounding woods. Logan, seeing the gas tank nearly empty, pulled into a nearby gas station. While refueling, he also restocked their supplies at a nearby 24-hour convenience store before continuing the trip.
However, what worried Logan now wasn't the long flight or the relentless pursuers, but the Professor's medication. Before fleeing Santa Fe, he hadn't had time to buy enough medicine, and now the bottles were almost empty. Without the medication, the Professor's health was visibly deteriorating.
But he was helpless. Although he had nearly two hundred thousand dollars in reserves, he had no other way to buy medicine outside of Santa Fe. Given their identities, it was unlikely they could openly enter a city to register and buy them.
Victor, seeing the Professor's aged appearance, couldn't help but sigh. That once-brilliant mind had become so desolate in its final years. It reminded him of himself—the once-famous Sabretooth reduced to a casino lackey at the mercy of others.
However, the Professor was clearly in worse shape. He couldn't even control his own abilities and was constantly on the verge of losing control. Logan, looking at the Professor, sighed deeply. Helping him recover was of the utmost importance; otherwise, if he lost control one day, it would be an unimaginable disaster.
But aging is irreversible. Of course, recovery wasn't impossible—if they could get the super serum, the Professor's condition might improve, and he would no longer need medication. But clearly, that was improbable at the moment. They could only take it one step at a time.
The building was surrounded by police tape, and two bodies covered with white sheets were being carried out.
Steve Rogers motioned for the officers carrying the bodies to stop, then lifted the sheets to reveal gruesome claw marks. One body had a pierced chest, the heart destroyed instantly, blood staining the suit completely red; the terror on the face before death was clearly visible. The other was even more ghastly—decapitated, the severed ends smooth and sharp.
Steve frowned as he looked at the horrific state of the two bodies. An officer beside him handed him a tablet. "Captain Rogers, this is the surveillance footage of the suspect."
Steve took it and immediately recognized the person in the recording as Wolverine. He murmured, "Why would he do this?"
While Wolverine was known for his ferocity, he was not a bloodthirsty man who would kill ordinary people without a reason. After thinking for a moment, the officer replied, "He was probably rescuing someone."
"What?" Steve asked, puzzled. He had just arrived and was unaware of the details, including that there were mutants at the auction, so he didn't immediately understand what the officer meant.
The officer was about to explain further when a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent interrupted him.
"Captain Rogers, I have received orders from Director Fury to take full control of this case. No one can participate without his consent." The agent, dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, stepped between Steve and the officer.
Steve frowned. "I believe I have the right to participate in any criminal case involving mutants." If it were a normal case, he wouldn't be interested in getting involved, but this matter concerned his old comrade Logan, and he still had many questions.
"I'm sorry, Captain." The agent pulled out his badge and shook his head. "My appointment was given personally by Director Fury. I hope you won't interfere."
Steve looked at the badge. A Level 7 agent—that was, indeed, a high-ranking member of S.H.I.E.L.D. Furthermore, it was Fury's personal appointment, making it difficult for Steve to object. He could only nod helplessly. "You can handle this case, but send a copy of the report to my office after you've investigated."
Before leaving, at the request of the officers present, Steve posed for a photo with them. After the Battle of New York, the image of Captain America was even more ingrained in the public mind. However, he simply couldn't smile; his mind was entirely on the case.
After the photo, his phone rang. It was Nick Fury.
"Steve, Hydra has appeared," Fury's voice came through the phone, grave. "Those guys seem to be plotting something again. I need you to return immediately."
Hearing about Hydra, Steve perked up instantly. "I'm coming back now."
The Hunters
No one noticed a van parked in the distance.
"Just as I thought, Logan did come looking for Victor. They are brothers, after all." Dr. Rice, in the passenger seat, watched the cordoned-off building intently.
"Doctor, they killed someone; they probably won't stay in Las Vegas any longer," a mercenary at the wheel turned to Rice and analyzed the situation.
Rice nodded. "Let's go to North Dakota right now. They'll surely head to the so-called Eden. That damn Gabriella always tells children's stories about Eden. X-23 will surely make Logan take them there."
Bang!
Just as he finished speaking, a violent thud suddenly came from the back of the car, which shook as if a wild beast were trying to escape its cage.
"Don't rush," Rice patted the car gently, whispering soothingly. "Your turn will come soon."
Snikt!Bang!
A metal claw suddenly punched through the side of the black van, reflecting a blinding silver light.