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Malibu Mansion
Nick Fury and his team arrived quickly, taking the elevator straight down to Tony's underground training room.
As the metal doors slid open, they found Tony Stark casually standing in the center of a boxing ring, lightly tapping the ropes with his fingers.
"Right on time," Tony grinned, arms wide open."Who wants to warm up first?"
Without a word, Natasha jumped into the ring, her black combat suit showing off her flawless figure.
"Ladies first?" she raised an eyebrow, already dropping into a fighting stance.
Tony gave a little bow."Of course. Beauty before brawn."
Natasha struck fast—a high roundhouse kick straight for Tony's temple.
But Tony merely tilted his head and casually caught her ankle with one hand.
"Nice speed," he said. "But you're lacking power."
Natasha's eyes narrowed. She used his grip to flip backward and landed neatly, launching a flurry of attacks right after.
Each blow was sharp and precise—but Tony blocked them effortlessly.
What shocked Fury most was that Tony only used one hand. The other stayed tucked in his pocket.
"This isn't possible…" Hawkeye muttered, his fingers tightening unconsciously.
When Natasha threw a straight punch, Tony finally moved.
He caught her fist with ease and gave a light push.
Black Widow staggered back several steps, hitting the ropes hard.
The room fell dead silent.
"If you were a guy," Tony tilted his head, "you'd be embedded in that wall right now."
Dr. Banner and Adam exchanged a look. The scientist was already analyzing."Muscle reflexes beyond human. Strength too. Something's off."
Pepper sat calmly on the couch in the corner, scrolling through her phone like this was all normal.
Natasha glanced at Clint.
Hawkeye leaped into the ring, forming a pincer attack with her.
Even working together with perfect coordination, the two couldn't land a hit. Tony danced through it all, even taking a moment to adjust his sunglasses mid-fight.
"That's enough!"
Fury finally snapped."Stark, when the hell did this happen?"
Tony spread his arms dramatically."What, even the mighty Director Fury can't know everything?"
Fury took a deep breath, his eye narrowing."We need you to contact Jiro. Right now."
"Oh?" Tony raised an eyebrow."Now you're being polite?"
Adam stepped forward."Tony, we just want to talk. The world needs someone like him."
Banner nodded."We're here in good faith."
Tony looked at them for a few seconds—then snapped his fingers."JARVIS, patch me through to Jiro."
At the same time — Long Island Mansion
In the living room, Jiro and Wanda were watching everything through a holographic projection.
Turing's robotic voice spoke up:"Sir, incoming call from Mr. Stark."
Jiro patted Wanda's shoulder and motioned for her to wait."Take it."
"Hey, Jiro!" Tony's voice came through."We've got a few lost agents here dying to meet you. Wanna come say hi?"
Jiro glanced at Wanda, who gave a soft nod.
"Let them wait."
He hung up.
Back in the training room, a golden portal bloomed open in the middle of the ring. Instinctively, Nick took half a step back.
Jiro stepped through wearing just a black shirt and shorts. Wanda followed right behind him.
"So," Jiro looked around calmly,"someone looking for me?"
The mood shifted instantly. Fury stared at Jiro, knowing full well—
The real negotiations were just beginning.
Hawkeye and Natasha quickly stepped back. Dr. Banner pushed up his glasses, expression complicated.
Adam stood still, his calm eyes seeming to pierce right through Jiro, like he was trying to see the man's true nature.
Tony let out a whistle and jumped down from the boxing ring."Jiro, finally! These guys insisted on meeting you—trying to get me to join some Superboy Club."
Jiro gave everyone in the training room a quick glance."Alright, say what you came to say. You've been bothering me over and over again—clearly, you people don't understand what 'no' means."
Nick Fury stepped forward, voice low and serious." Jiro, we need to talk."
"About what?"
"If it's to ask me to join your Avengers Initiative, don't waste your breath." Jiro said flatly.
Nick's brows furrowed. "The world is facing threats like never before. We need someone with your power."
Jiro chuckled. "And then what? You want me to follow your orders?"
"It's not about orders," Banner cut in sincerely. "It's cooperation. We just want to keep the world safe."
Wanda stood beside Jiro, scarlet energy subtly flickering around her. She watched the others warily."That's not what it looked like just now. We all saw it."
Natasha shot her a glance."It was just a test. No harm meant."
Tony scoffed."Oh really? That two-on-one ambush earlier was just a test too?"
Hawkeye shrugged."Call it tactical evaluation."
Jiro shook his head."Fury, you're always like this. First test, then negotiate, and finally threaten. Problem is, that crap doesn't work on me."
Nick's expression darkened."You really think you can stay out of this forever?"
Jiro's gaze turned icy."I protect this world not because you tell me to, but because I choose to."
Adam suddenly spoke." Jiro, we're not your enemies."
"Then quit bothering me," Jiro replied coolly.
Nick Fury took a deep breath, clearly holding back anger."And what if one day, your power goes out of control? Who's going to stop you then?"
A dangerous gleam flickered in Jiro's eyes."You're welcome to try."
The room instantly dropped to freezing temperatures, tension thick in the air.
Nick looked around at everyone, then locked his single eye back on Jiro."The world is changing. We need people like you to keep the balance."
Jiro laughed lightly."Balance? Fury, be honest. You just want a weapon you can point and shoot."
Fury didn't flinch."Weapon or ally, the goal's the same—protecting this world."
Jiro slowly scanned the room, his gaze finally landing on Adam.
"And you? You believe that too?"
Adam paused for a second, then said,"Power needs restraint. Without it, there's only chaos."
Jiro raised an eyebrow."My power is mine to control."
Fury couldn't hold back any longer. He stared blankly at Jiro and said,"Then I guess this negotiation is over?"
Tony sighed."Alright, if you're gonna fight, take it outside. Don't wreck my house."
Jiro didn't respond. He just waved his hand, opening a portal that led outside Tony's villa.
Adam was the first to walk through. The rest followed after exchanging looks.
Outside Tony's VillaCliffside open ground
The sea wind howled, waves crashed against the cliffs, and the whole area buzzed with tension like a powder keg about to blow.
Jiro stood in the center, already suited up in his sleek black nano-suit, golden patterns glowing across it.His gaze remained calm, while S.H.I.E.L.D.'s team looked on with growing concern.
Across from him, Adam stepped forward slowly, surrounded by swirling blue anti-matter energy, his eyes sharp and focused.
Fury stood further back, his eye locked onto Jiro. Behind him were Banner, Natasha, and Clint, all wearing different shades of unease.
Wanda stood on the villa balcony, red hair fluttering in the sea breeze. Scarlet energy glowed faintly at her fingertips, ready to strike.
Tony stood leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, clearly here for the show.
"Jiro," Adam called out calmly, "we're not trying to fight you."
Jiro gave a small nod."Then get out of my way."
Fury snapped,"You're too arrogant, Jiro. You really think you can ignore every rule?"
Jiro smirked."Rules? Fury, your rules only work on people willing to follow them."
Adam took a deep breath and slowly raised his hands. Blue energy gathered in his palms."Then let's see just how strong you are."
Jiro didn't move. He just flicked his left hand—and in an instant, the scenery warped, pulling everyone into a flipped version of the world: a mirror dimension.
Fury's eye widened in shock, but years of experience let him recover quickly.
"Alright then," Jiro said quietly.
Adam scanned the new surroundings, then launched the first move without hesitation.
BOOM!
A beam of blue anti-matter energy ripped through the air, blasting straight at Jiro Han!
Jiro didn't flinch. Didn't even blink.
BANG!
The beam exploded half a meter from Jiro, like it had hit an invisible wall. Energy burst in all directions, but Jiro remained completely untouched.
Adam's eyes narrowed."What the hell was that?!"
Jiro calmly raised his right hand and clenched his fist."My turn."
In the blink of an eye, Jiro vanished.
Adam had no time to react—Jiro appeared right in front of him and threw a punch!
THUD!
Adam barely raised his arms in time to block, but the force sent him flying into a cliffside, rocks blasting everywhere.
That exchange was just a warm-up—neither had gone all out.
"....."