Kankuro headed to Stark Tower to meet with Tony Stark.
Tony, lounging with one leg crossed, looked at Kankuro and said, "Kid, why not let Stark Industries handle the press conference? We can arrange the media coverage to spread this globally."
Kankuro shook his head, "Media arrangements aren't my responsibility. Your presence alone is more than enough."
Tony nodded, "I'll be there to support you."
Then, he asked, "Why have the ninjas been so interested in 084 objects lately? Did something happen in your world?"
Kankuro replied, "It's mainly because the Cloud Village is making such a big fuss about it. We don't want them to hoard all the energy items, so we're being forced to act."
Tony thoughtfully pointed to the arc reactor on his chest, "Would this count as an 084 item?"
Kankuro looked at the reactor seriously, "Yes, it does."
Tony chuckled, realizing Charles would likely want it.
As his new element allowed for an endless supply, it seemed he could easily trade it for a large amount of Physical Enhancement Serum.
"Also, nothing major has happened in our world," Kankuro added.
Tony thought for a moment, then asked, "What do you use these objects for, if you don't mind me asking?"
After a brief pause, Kankuro answered, "Crossing over from our world isn't easy. We use the energy from these items to stabilize the portal, making it safe for more of us to come through."
Tony said, "Didn't Charles take the Tesseract? That should open a portal without issue."
Tony knew the Tesseract had once allowed the Chitauri army to reach Earth freely, so it seemed reasonable that it could build a stable gateway between worlds.
Kankuro shrugged, "You have your powerful Mark series armors, yet the military budget for purchasing them only increases each year."
Tony quickly understood. What Charles possessed was Charles's alone—not accessible to each village, as the ninja world had its own political divisions.
"Alright, you've convinced me," Tony said.
"But if there's ever an opportunity, take me to the Land of Wind. I'd like to experience the ninja world's culture. I've already seen the wizarding world."
Kankuro smiled, a bit nostalgic for his homeland, "If I get the chance, I will."
…
Elsewhere-
In a predominantly Black neighborhood in New York, Pakura knocked on a door.
Knock, knock, knock!
T'Challa opened the door, his pupils shrinking slightly upon seeing Pakura, "You are…?"
Pakura smiled, "Little Panther."
Hearing the nickname, T'Challa immediately understood she knew his identity.
"What brings Lady Pakura from the Sand Village to my door?"
Pakura handed him an invitation, "You're invited as a special guest to the Sand Village's Physical Enhancement Serum press conference."
T'Challa looked at the invitation, surprised they were publicizing their product too.
"I'll be there."
Pakura nodded, and the next second, her body dissipated into smoke, instantly vanishing as she dismissed her shadow clone.
Seeing her disappear, T'Challa felt a bead of sweat run down his face, remembering her warning that if he ever deceived the Sand Village, they would find him anywhere in the world and make him pay.
It seemed she wasn't exaggerating; they truly had the means to make good on that promise.
He wondered, though, if the Sand Village could really be as relentless in tracking down the Akatsuki if commissioned a mission.
Closing the door, T'Challa held the invitation and returned to his room.
…
Meanwhile-
Both Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. had received invitations from Pakura as well. After confirming their authenticity, the leadership of both organizations decided to send representatives to attend the press conference.
…
Two days later-
Coulson's team returned to the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
Coulson glanced at the assignment in hand and said, "Fitz, Simmons, and Ward, head over to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy's technology department. They need your expertise for a task there."
He then handed them the intel about the frozen incident at the Academy.
Turning to May, he said, "May, I'll leave the plane's maintenance to you. I'm heading to Charles's base to see if I can negotiate Skye's return."
The team's expressions were somber; they had all grown accustomed to having Skye around, and her absence was unsettling.
"Yes, sir!" Simmons responded.
With that, Coulson left the command room and drove his car, Lola, toward Charles's base.
Watching him leave, Simmons murmured sadly, "Do you think he'll be able to bring Skye back?"
Ward shook his head, "No idea."
…
At Charles's base-
In the training area-
Charles sat with deep concentration, emptying his mind and spirit to try and merge with his surroundings. After a moment of inner silence, he attempted to sense the surrounding energy.
Despite his efforts, he felt no trace of natural energy.
Charles had studied some knowledge from the magical world and noted that Merlin's line of mages, as well as much of the magical world, focused on bloodline magic, relying on their inner magical sources and bloodline power.
There was little knowledge on drawing from external forces.
Realizing he was unsuccessful, Charles opened his eyes and thought, "Seems I'll need to visit Kamar-Taj and see if their library has any insights on manipulating natural energy. If that doesn't work, I might have to rely on card draws to acquire Sage Mode."
At that moment, Red Queen appeared before him.
"Master, Agent Phil Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D. is here to see you."
Hearing that Coulson had arrived, Charles immediately guessed the reason—it had to be about Daisy Johnson, also known as Skye.
"Direct him to the meeting room and have him wait for me."
"Yes, Master."
With a thought, Charles changed his training attire into a suit, then made his way to the meeting room.