"Mr. Yondu, I already said—Xandar will pay 5 billion to Mr. Saitama. He is a true hero! As for your Ravagers' support, I'll give you 1 billion in compensation." Nova Prime steadied her breath, her eyes shining with awe. Too strong.
"Boss! That's a scam! Didn't she promise us 8 billion?"
"Yeah! Who are we afraid of? We're Ravagers!"
"Let's gut Xandar!"
The Ravagers roared restlessly. But the moment Yondu and Quill saw Saitama slowly descend, carrying the massive Dark Aster on his back and placing it gently before Xandar's capital—
Every Ravager fell silent.
Every Nova Corps soldier froze.
Yondu: "..."
Quill: "..."
The hall became eerily quiet.
"…I think 1 billion is fine," one Ravager muttered.
"Yeah, 200 million would be enough."
"Forget it, 100 million is plenty!"
Just seconds ago they were eager to extort the planet. Now they forced awkward smiles, cold sweat dripping.
Yondu: "..." Damn it. When did Xandar get this kind of monster?!
"Deal! A pleasure doing business! From today, the Ravagers and Xandar are eternal friends!" Yondu flipped his tone, grinning broadly like an old friend.
Nova Prime sighed in relief. Clearly, the 5 billion was well spent.
In front of the capital, the Dark Aster rested silently. Gamora, Nebula, and the others still felt as though they were dreaming. Rhomann Dey, beaming, escorted Nova Prime to meet their savior.
"Thank you, our hero!" Nova Prime placed her hand over her heart and bowed slightly. It was the highest honor of Xandar. Behind her, every Nova Corps soldier bowed as well.
Saitama—the prisoner they'd locked in Kyln just days ago—had saved Xandar.
"This is yours. Xandar will forever honor you, Lord Saitama," she said reverently.
"…Uh." Saitama scratched his head, uncomfortable. He hated this part.
He was just a shut-in. Fighting monsters was fine. Enduring the heat without turning on AC to save money was fine. Waking early to grab supermarket specials was fine. But socializing—especially being praised like this—was unbearable.
His dead-fish eyes glanced around until they landed on Rocket and Groot. "Talk to them. Rocket, Groot. They're my friends."
With that, Saitama turned to leave.
Rocket and Groot nearly fainted with joy.
5 billion! Jackpot!
"I'm Rocket Raccoon, pet of Lord Saitama! And Groot too!" Rocket shouted proudly.
"I am Groot."
"Yeah, Groot says he's the best bonsai!" Rocket translated, smug as ever.
[Ding! Congratulations, Saitama. You've gained two pets: Rocket Raccoon and Groot.]
Saitama sighed. He just wanted to stay low-profile. But his strength wouldn't let him.
Thanks to the raccoon and the tree, Nova Prime and the others no longer bothered him. Finally, he escaped the crowd.
"Wait!" Two shadows caught up to him. Gamora and Nebula.
Saitama stopped, puzzled. "…What is it?"
"I asked first!" Gamora snapped at Nebula.
Nebula ignored her. "Saitama, what will it take for you to kill Thanos?" Her voice trembled, eyes glistening with hate.
Gamora fell silent, staring intently at Saitama, waiting for his answer.
"Thanos? Not interested," Saitama muttered. He vaguely remembered the name, but it didn't matter. He fought monsters when he felt like it, not because some scary-looking girls asked him to.
"Master," the voice of Saturday Sale whispered in his ear. "We just received fragmented signals from JARVIS. It's very likely Tony and JARVIS are in trouble."
"…Seriously, Stark? Again?" Saitama groaned. That weakling always found trouble.
"Saitama! If you agree, I'll give you everything. I'll swear eternal loyalty!" Nebula cried, tears shining. She hated Thanos more than anything, wanted him destroyed.
But Saitama shook his head. "I don't have time for this. Ask Rocket and Groot. I'm leaving."
Lightning crackled at his feet. The power of thunder and space shimmered—and he vanished.
…
America. Stark Tower, the party floor.
Days earlier, Tony, Natasha, Steve, Clint, and Thor had destroyed a Hydra base, retrieving Loki's scepter. On the surface, Hydra was finished.
But during the raid, Scarlet Witch Wanda had invaded their minds, showing them their deepest fears, warping their decisions.
Because of that vision, Tony secretly kept the scepter, letting JARVIS analyze its intelligence—unaware he was sowing disaster.
Now, in the party hall, they laughed and drank. Thor showed off Mjolnir, daring the others to lift it. One by one, they failed.
"There's a trick, right? Some kind of fingerprint lock?" Tony teased.
Thor laughed, tossing Mjolnir lightly. "No. You simply lack worthiness."
The others groaned at his smug grin.
But before another round of drinks, a grating mechanical buzz filled the room.
"Worthy…?"
A ragged figure stumbled in through the doorway. A battered Mark armor—yet Tony hadn't activated it.
"You? Murderers. I must… silence the noise. I must… kill him. He was a good man…"
The broken machine muttered, its voice warped and disjointed.
Ultron had awakened.
(End of Chapter)
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