After reviewing Banner's research report, Richard activated his Flying Thunder God technique—not to leave his study, but to sense Kaguya's location. During his time in the Naruto universe, he had marked her with the jutsu as a precautionary measure.
The familiar chakra signature registered almost immediately, and Richard's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
England? What's she doing there?
Since bringing Kaguya to the Marvel Universe, he'd given her considerable freedom with only two simple rules: don't kill people indiscriminately, and don't cause unnecessary chaos. While few people on Earth could pose a genuine threat to someone of Kaguya's caliber, Richard didn't want her running wild based purely on her overwhelming power. After all, he was the one who'd brought her here—making him responsible for keeping her out of trouble.
Still, rather than immediately teleporting to her location, Richard decided to simply confirm her whereabouts for now. He could check on her later if needed.
Dismissing the technique, Richard teleported from his study directly to Banner's laboratory. The scientist stood hunched over a precision instrument, his white lab coat pristine as he analyzed the Hashirama cell samples Richard had provided.
"Perfect timing," Banner said without looking up. "Did you need something?"
"I've read through your report from a few days ago and came up with some research approaches. Thought we should discuss them."
While Richard wasn't a traditionally trained scientist, he understood Hashirama cells better than almost anyone. During his final year in the Naruto world, he'd met with Orochimaru multiple times, trading vibranium for every scrap of research the snake Sannin had conducted on the First Hokage's genetic material.
He hadn't immediately shared Orochimaru's data with Banner—not out of distrust, but because he didn't want the serpentine scientist's morally questionable methods to influence Banner's approach.
"What kind of research solutions?" Banner asked, finally looking up and adjusting his glasses.
Richard outlined several theoretical approaches that Orochimaru had conceived but never implemented due to limitations in time, technology, and equipment. As he spoke, Banner's expression grew increasingly troubled.
"How exactly did you come up with these plans?" Banner's voice carried a note of concern.
"Is there a problem with the methodology?"
"It's not just problematic—it's deeply disturbing." Banner set down his instruments and faced Richard directly. "Don't you think these research proposals are excessively brutal? Conducting human experiments without understanding the potential consequences is fundamentally unethical."
Despite Banner's own complicated relationship with scientific ethics—given his transformation into the Hulk—he remained, at his core, a principled researcher rather than a morally bankrupt mad scientist.
"Of course I understand your concerns," Richard replied calmly. "That's why I'm not asking you to jump straight into human trials. Start with lab mice and work through the methodology step by step. Only consider human subjects once we can guarantee a reasonable level of safety."
Richard knew that human experimentation would eventually become necessary—it was an unavoidable aspect of medical research. Drug development provided a perfect example: every medication required clinical trials with human volunteers to test efficacy and safety. The key was minimizing risk and maximizing benefit.
"Alright, I'll begin with mouse models," Banner conceded. "But prepare yourself for a lengthy process. These cells are unlike anything I've encountered, and conventional experimental approaches may prove inadequate."
"Take all the time you need—I'm not in any rush." Richard headed toward the door. "If you need additional materials or support, contact Tifa or Emma directly."
"Understood."
Without further discussion, Richard teleported back to his palace in Silver City.
The days blended together in comfortable routine. Before he realized it, more than two weeks had passed since his conversation with Banner. After spending over a month enjoying the luxurious comforts of his palace, Richard finally decided it was time to begin his interstellar journey.
While he wasn't sure when he'd return from this expedition, Silver City would remain secure under the protection of the White Queen, Magneto, and Phoenix. The night before departure, Richard spent considerable time with his companions in the palace, knowing it might be quite a while before he saw them again.
The next morning, he brought Kaguya aboard the Fantasy, his personal starship waiting in Earth's orbit.
For this particular voyage, Richard had decided to travel light. Apart from Kaguya—who possessed both immense power and practical immortality—he wouldn't be taking anyone else. While Tsunade and the others were formidable fighters on Earth, interstellar travel presented entirely different challenges. Beyond the possibility of encountering overwhelmingly powerful alien species, his Earth-based companions lacked the ability to survive in the vacuum of space without technological assistance.
Once aboard the Fantasy, Richard immediately ordered Aerith—the ship's AI captain—to set course for Knowhere.
His interstellar itinerary remained deliberately flexible. Beyond Knowhere, controlled by the enigmatic Collector, Richard's knowledge of alien civilizations was limited to a handful of notable locations: Xandar, headquarters of the Nova Corps; Hala, homeworld of the Kree Empire; Sakaar, the chaotic planet ruled by the Grandmaster; Titan, Thanos's devastated homeworld; and the various realms connected to Asgard, including Jotunheim, Muspelheim, and Nidavellir.
Kaguya, who had never seen the Fantasy's interior, examined the bridge with obvious fascination. "Where exactly are you taking me?" she asked.
"Sightseeing on other planets."
"Oh." Her response carried casual acceptance. Despite Richard's vague answer, she didn't press for details.
"Destination confirmed, sir," Aerith's synthesized voice announced through the bridge speakers.
Under the AI's control, the Fantasy's engines ignited, producing brilliant blue-white exhaust flames as the ship accelerated toward the nearest jump point. The sleek, silver vessel—with its streamlined luxury design resembling a cosmic cruise ship—reached the jump coordinates within minutes before vanishing into hyperspace.
The Fantasy's navigation database contained Knowhere's cosmic coordinates, inherited from the original owners: a group of interstellar mercenaries who had unsuccessfully attempted to capture the Hulk. Their vessel had contained detailed stellar cartography for numerous worlds across the galaxy.
The hyperspace journey concluded quickly, depositing them in the space surrounding Knowhere. Just as Richard remembered from his knowledge of the comics and films, the infamous location was actually the severed head of a deceased Celestial—a cosmic being of unimaginable size and power.
While Richard had expected this sight, Kaguya's reaction was one of pure astonishment. Despite the Otsutsuki clan's history of interplanetary travel for Sacred Tree cultivation, she had never encountered anything remotely comparable to a planetary-sized skull.
"What kind of creature had a head that enormous?" she asked, staring at the massive installation.
"A Celestial."
Kaguya's forehead creased in concentration. Though unfamiliar with the Celestials specifically, she recognized that any being with such colossal proportions was far from ordinary.
"What killed it?"
"Unknown." Richard shook his head. He would have loved to know the answer to that question himself.
"I thought you knew everything," Kaguya said with an eye roll.
"I'm human, not an omniscient deity."
"Deity? Who's that?"
Kaguya's curiosity was piqued. Despite living on Earth for over a month, she hadn't absorbed general knowledge about human culture, religion, or society the way Tsunade and the others had. Concepts like God, mutants, superheroes, and supervillains remained mysteries to her.
"Mythological divine beings," Richard explained briefly. "Ask Aerith later if you want detailed explanations."
He instructed Aerith to pilot the Fantasy into Knowhere's interior. Unlike most civilized planets, Knowhere required no entry permits or customs reviews—though visitors were still expected to follow local regulations, particularly regarding structural damage to the station.
The current Knowhere operated under the control of the Tivan Group, founded by the Collector himself. Mining operations throughout the skull harvested organic matter, bone fragments, brain tissue, and spinal fluid—all rare and valuable commodities on the galactic black market. These resources funded the Collector's legendary acquisitions, including his obsessive pursuit of Infinity Stones.
Taneleer Tivan, despite being one of the Elders of the Universe with abilities including immortality, precognition, and dimensional travel, was notably poor in direct combat situations. Ironically, his immortality resulted from losing a wager with Death herself—one of Marvel's fundamental cosmic entities. The terms of his defeat prevented him from ever entering Death's realm, making his loss functionally equivalent to victory over mortality itself.
Aerith guided the Fantasy through the massive right eye socket that served as Knowhere's primary entrance. Inside, Richard observed countless mining robots and factory-like installations scattered throughout the cavernous interior. While the industrial operations were impressive from a distance, he knew the real character of Knowhere would become apparent once they docked and encountered the local population.
The Fantasy settled smoothly at one of the docking ports. As Richard and Kaguya disembarked, he used his enhanced vision to survey their surroundings and locate the "downtown" district nearest to the port area. Despite never having visited Knowhere before, his superhuman senses made navigation straightforward.
Kaguya followed silently as they made their way through the station. While her distinctive third eye would have drawn considerable attention on Earth, here among Knowhere's diverse alien population, she blended in perfectly. However, both she and Richard still attracted notice—not for their appearance, but for their obvious lack of weapons and their relatively non-threatening demeanor.
Several unsavory-looking aliens of different species approached them, blocking their path. The group's leader—a scarred humanoid with mottled purple skin—began speaking in what was clearly an aggressive tone.
"&&%...￥%（...%￥..."
Neither Richard nor Kaguya understood the alien languages, having never bothered with universal translators during their interstellar preparations.
"I'm guessing they want to rob us," Richard said casually to Kaguya.
"No need to guess," she replied, observing the energy weapons now being brandished by their would-be assailants. "Their intentions are obvious enough."
The leader became more agitated when they ignored his demands, drawing a beam pistol and aiming it at them while shouting more incomprehensible threats.
"%￥#&...￥+*@@#￥..."
"Your turn or mine?" Richard asked, showing no concern for the weapons pointed in their direction.
"Let me handle this," Kaguya said, flexing her fingers. "I've been feeling restless anyway."
The moment she finished speaking, Kaguya channeled her chakra and vanished from sight, reappearing instantly in front of the alien criminals with murderous intent gleaming in her pale eyes.