"Hulk is still there?" Peter Parker's eyes lit up at the Martian Manhunter's words. Originally, Peter had gone to find Bruce Banner not to rescue him from S.H.I.E.L.D. but to challenge the Hulk for a rematch. However, after seeing the unjust treatment Bruce had endured, Peter chose to help him escape S.H.I.E.L.D. When Peter learned that Bruce could no longer transform into the Hulk, he felt a twinge of regret, but now it seemed that there might be a way to make up for that.
"Yes, he's still there, but it seems he's hiding from something, keeping himself well concealed. If I hadn't probed into Banner's core memories, the Hulk's consciousness wouldn't have appeared," Martian Manhunter explained with a gentle smile.
"Based on Hulk's previous battle with Peter, it's clear he's quite powerful. What's more important is his potential—he seems to have a Saiyan-like ability to increase his combat strength during fights. If harnessed properly, he could become a major asset to the Avengers, possibly surpassing me in pure combat ability."
"Let it go. There's no need to push it. Since he's not a S.H.I.E.L.D. spy, we should let him focus on the work he's good at…" Tony Stark waved dismissively. He wasn't too concerned about gaining another powerhouse for the Avengers, especially given Hulk's history of losing control. In Tony's view, a potentially uncontrollable Hulk was far less valuable than Bruce Banner's contributions to scientific research.
"No way! If Hulk doesn't come out, how am I supposed to settle the score?" Before Tony could finish, Venom, who had been repressed by Peter Parker, suddenly burst out, demanding loudly as he looked at Tony Stark.
"Settle the score? Wasn't the one you settled with Human Torch enough?" Tony squinted at Venom, clearly displeased. "Do you want to settle scores with everyone who's crossed you? Maybe I should call the Saiyan back and let you start with him first."
Tony noticed that Venom had become a bit cocky after overcoming his genetic weaknesses. And with Peter Parker and Venom becoming closer, Peter had become more lenient with Venom's antics, something he would never have tolerated when they first bonded. Tony felt it was time to knock Venom down a peg. After all, Venom was a powerful symbiote, and Tony was well aware of his potential after studying him for so long.
"That… that won't be necessary…" Venom shrank back at the mention of Robert's name, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes. Peter Parker then chimed in, "Even if we wake up the Hulk, can't Bruce still continue his research? It's better to wake him up now than risk him transforming at an unexpected moment. At least we can be prepared…"
"So that's what this is about—you want to settle the score too, huh?" Tony Stark nodded in realization before addressing Peter and Venom more seriously. "I get that you nearly died at the hands of the Hulk and that it left a bad taste in your mouth, but you have to understand that Hulk isn't Bruce Banner. Don't you see a bit of your own situation in theirs?"
"I looked up Banner's file when you brought him here. He gained the ability to transform into the Hulk through a lab accident. This Hulk clearly has a separate consciousness from Banner, who has always seen the Hulk as a monster and resents its presence within him."
"Right, Hulk's consciousness is entirely distinct from Banner's. They're forced to coexist in the same body," Martian Manhunter agreed, nodding. "If we used Saiyan techniques to expel their souls, Banner would likely manifest two entirely different souls."
"In that case, can't we separate their souls?" Peter Parker's curiosity was piqued by Martian Manhunter's words, and he began to wonder aloud, "If their souls can be separated, Banner wouldn't have to worry about the Hulk taking over his body anymore. He could focus on research, and Hulk could live independently, adding a strong fighter to the Avengers…"
"You just want a chance to settle the score with Hulk, don't you?" Tony Stark rolled his eyes at Peter's suggestion. "Besides, do you have any idea how difficult it would be to find a body compatible with a separate soul?"
"So what? Venom's research is complete. You're short one research project, so just add another and take your time…" Peter Parker shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unconcerned about the complexity of the task.
"No way! It's too much trouble, and we've already got plenty of research to handle…" Tony Stark shook his head. He had brought Bruce Banner on board to lighten his workload, not to add another burden by investigating the Banner-Hulk issue.
"But what if Banner suddenly transforms into the Hulk and wrecks your lab? I've fought Hulk before, and trust me, he won't spare anything in his path. If you can't suit up in time, you could be in real danger!" Peter Parker argued, trying to scare Tony into agreeing.
"I can still transform into the Hulk?" Just then, Bruce Banner appeared around the corner. Hearing Peter's words, he couldn't help but speak up. He had thought that after all he had been through without transforming, the Hulk was gone for good. But now it seemed that the monster within him still existed.
"See? Banner's back, and he should be the one to make this decision, don't you think?" Peter Parker quickly brought Banner over to Tony Stark and Martian Manhunter, urging them to discuss the situation.
"Well…" Tony frowned but didn't object. He turned to Bruce and asked, "So, Banner, what do you think?"
"That monster is really still inside me? What do you plan to do with us?" Bruce Banner hesitated for a moment before asking Tony Stark with a conflicted expression.
"The Hulk's consciousness is still present, but we don't have a perfect solution for your situation. The relationship between the two of you is complicated. You either absorb his consciousness and gain his power, or he absorbs yours and takes over your body entirely…" Tony didn't answer, instead letting Martian Manhunter explain, his gaze intense as he looked at Banner.
"Of course, that's if no external force intervenes. Spider-Man just suggested the idea of separating your souls and placing them in different bodies, or finding a suitable body for the Hulk. Which option sounds better to you?"
"He's really still there? Why hasn't he come out?" Bruce Banner initially felt a surge of fear at the thought of consuming the Hulk's soul but hesitated upon hearing that their souls could be separated. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Would it be difficult to separate us?"
"See! I knew he'd choose that!" Peter Parker exclaimed excitedly, with Venom's head emerging from his neck, also cheering wildly, making him seem a bit unhinged.
"It's very difficult. We have no experience with this kind of procedure, and it would require not just technological means but also some extraordinary methods…" Tony Stark explained, glancing at the now-childlike Peter with mild exasperation before turning back to Banner.
"Can you try to communicate with the Hulk? Honestly, we've never actually talked…" Bruce Banner asked after another moment of silence, looking at Martian Manhunter with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
"I'll try. Relax…" Martian Manhunter nodded, his voice soothing as he calmed Bruce Banner's mind. Soon, Bruce felt a familiar surge of agitation and anger—feelings he recognized from his transformations into the Hulk.
But just as Bruce thought he was about to change, the anger and agitation abruptly stopped. Confused, Bruce looked at Martian Manhunter, unsure of what had just happened.
"He's cut off communication with the outside world…" Martian Manhunter's expression showed a flash of embarrassment, but his alien features made it hard for anyone to notice. "Hulk has strong resistance to mental influences. He's not just refusing to communicate; he's even hiding his power. That's why you seem like a normal person now, and why your blood tests show nothing unusual."
"So what do we do now?" Bruce Banner didn't question Martian Manhunter's knowledge of these things. Instead, he looked to him for guidance.
"Call in backup," Martian Manhunter said simply, turning his gaze to Tony Stark.
"Jarvis, contact the Saiyan and ask him to come help." Tony Stark sighed, giving the order.
As Tony mentioned the Saiyan, likely knowing it referred to Robert, Bruce Banner's heart skipped a beat. This only further confirmed to Bruce that the Hulk was still within him, and he felt a sense of helplessness.
Bruce knew that as long as the Hulk's issue remained unresolved, he would never lead a peaceful life—not even as a member of the Avengers. The Hulk, who could emerge at any moment, was a constant threat.
"Swish!" As Bruce Banner was deep in thought, Robert suddenly appeared in the Avengers' base. The moment Robert arrived, Bruce Banner's body began trembling uncontrollably, though he had no idea why.
"Hmm? It's you. Where's that guy inside you? Why is his energy so faint?" Robert noticed the unfamiliar face but quickly recognized the Hulk's presence within Bruce Banner. He immediately asked about it.
"HULK!" As soon as Robert spoke, Bruce's clothes ripped apart as he transformed into the green giant, letting out a thunderous roar. The newly emerged Hulk immediately tried to run out of the Avengers' base.
"Where do you think you're going?" Robert frowned as he watched Hulk prepare to leap away.
"Boom!" Surprisingly, at Robert's command
, the Hulk stopped mid-leap and obediently landed on the ground, looking back at Robert with an innocent expression.
"What the…? He doesn't seem too bright," Robert muttered, scratching his head in bewilderment at Hulk's childlike gaze.
"According to Hulk's files, he's only been around for a few years. By human standards, he's still a child," Martian Manhunter observed quietly after analyzing Hulk.
"So, what did you need me for?" Robert asked, turning to Tony Stark and the others.
"We called you to see if you could bring Hulk out, but it seems just your presence was enough…" Tony Stark replied with a hint of exasperation, glancing at the now-docile Hulk before explaining their earlier discussion.
"I can extract their souls, but finding a body and placing the Hulk's soul in it isn't something I can do," Robert frowned as he looked at Hulk, then asked, "And have you consulted the other party involved, the Hulk?"
"That's what we were waiting for you to do!" Peter Parker replied with a grin.
"Can you talk?" Robert approached Hulk, studying him closely.
"Hulk… Hulk can talk…" Hulk stammered, struggling to form the words.
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