Hearing this, Steve Rogers—Captain America—felt uneasy. It wasn't that he hadn't considered the possibility; in fact, he had vaguely thought about it. Yet instinctively, he still wanted to defend his friend.
"But even if he's still alive, by now he should be very old. He couldn't possibly still have the strength to cause this kind of destruction," Steve argued.
"But what if it's actually connected to Hydra? Then you can't be so sure," Tony Stark replied. "Captain, have you ever thought… you survived because you were frozen. Isn't it possible that your friend could have survived using a similar method?"
"Impossible. Ordinary humans simply cannot survive being frozen," Steve answered firmly.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
In reality, the concept of freezing someone until future technology allows revival has always existed.
Well, technically, the freezing part exists, but revival… almost never works.
Steve Rogers is essentially the only one—at least publicly—the sole success.
The principle is complex, but in simple terms: human bodies contain too much water, which forms ice crystals when frozen, piercing cells. Essentially, the person is already dead by then.
"Maybe there's another technology?" Tony said. "I've checked some records. Hydra's tech, in many cases, could be called black tech. Take the Super Soldier Serum—it was developed by Hydra first. Later, Dr. Erskine defected to the U.S. and brought the technology over.
"And their energy weapon tech… we still can't replicate it today, but Hydra had it seventy years ago.
"Also, remember Dr. Zola? Seventy years ago, he uploaded his consciousness into a primitive computer. Can you imagine? Tech we can't do now. So we can't judge Hydra's technology by conventional standards."
Hearing this, everyone fell silent. Indeed, Hydra's tech could not be assessed in a normal way.
"But if he's alive, why hasn't he come back?" Steve muttered.
"There are many reasons. Maybe he's under control, brainwashed?" Tony suggested. "This is a man from seventy years ago. If Hydra captured him, they likely modified him, enhancing his combat abilities. Otherwise, as an ordinary man, he'd just be expendable. So he must have been enhanced in some way."
Everyone considered Tony's logic and found it quite reasonable.
An ordinary old man would not be preserved for seventy years. Even with Hydra's advanced technology, the cost would be huge.
From basic cost estimation, it was clear that Bucky Barnes was no ordinary man.
Hearing this, Steve's heart ached. His friend, lost and captured by Hydra, had likely endured inhumane modifications, perhaps even brainwashing, becoming a weapon for others.
"So, the key question isn't this civil war? Why would Winter Soldier Bucky be pivotal?" Bruce Banner asked, puzzled.
Over the past six months, Banner had left India and returned to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters to assist with research.
Fearing a Hulk rampage, Banner also avoided crowded places, choosing to stay at S.H.I.E.L.D., where professionals could manage him if necessary.
Moreover, S.H.I.E.L.D. could protect him from military capture.
"Yeah, why a civil war?" Barton asked.
Natasha, watching Tony and Steve, seemed to realize something. She spoke: "Could it be because of you two? Since Winter Soldier Bucky is the Captain's friend, the Captain would want to protect him. But if Bucky is involved in the UN bombing, Tony, what would you do? Could you not arrest him? Or even if you didn't, Fury, if higher-ups pressured you, would you ignore it? That would create the split."
Everyone's eyes lit up at this explanation.
Even Tony pondered. Everyone knew Tony, as a businessman, would not naturally side with the U.S. government.
If he did stand with the government, it would be out of necessity, not choice.
And this was exactly such a case. The UN bombing was a world-class terrorist event.
The Avengers, as a semi-official organization, couldn't simply refuse if ordered to act.
"But even if that's true, it's not his choice. He's just a brainwashed tool. He's still a national hero, having given his all for America. He fought Hydra, and this is the outcome," Steve said, desperately.
"I understand your feelings. Logically, you're right: he shouldn't be blamed. But the fact remains, he committed these acts," Nick Fury said.
Steve, growing emotional, shouted: "No, you don't understand! He did great for the country, he's a true hero. He cannot be treated this way. If someone kills with a knife, do you blame the knife or the person?"
Everyone fell silent. Indeed, the killer is the person, not the knife. No one seeks vengeance on a knife.
But the key point: Bucky isn't a knife; he's a person. People are legally responsible, even if controlled. And to high-ranking officials, details don't matter—they only want results.
Tony felt troubled. Emotionally, he sided with Steve; logically, he knew they couldn't ignore the matter.
"I think if Bucky's involved, he must be arrested. But I'll get him the best legal team to defend him. Then a judge can decide: innocent, or minor charges. Isn't that better?" Tony stroked his chin.
For Tony, with his vast legal resources, this was easy. In America, the law is a tool for the powerful.
Even if Bucky acted while brainwashed, or fully conscious, his lawyers could argue mental illness.
With evidence of mental illness, charges could be mitigated. Add in that Bucky fought for the country and was brainwashed by Hydra, the jury would sympathize.
Tony had an 80% chance to get Bucky acquitted.
This is capitalism in action.
Steve, grateful, said: "Thank you, Tony."
He knew that, given the analysis, his friend could not have acted completely of his own will. Avoiding prison would already be a huge relief.
"The key still lies with Hydra. That organization is truly despicable," Barton said.
Everyone nodded, especially Steve, now filled with boundless hatred for Hydra.
This villainous organization had caused chaos for decades, and had not changed one bit.
Before they could dwell further, a video appeared in the log:
[Captain America 3? (×) Avengers 2.5? (√)]
"The Avengers' civil war drew enough recruits to match the previous grand Avengers assembly. So rather than calling it Captain America 3, it's more like Avengers 2.5—a cataclysmic battle.
"Spider-Man (Holland) made his first appearance here. His father-son-like bond with Tony Stark formed during this chaos.
"His biggest difference from Tobey or Garfield Spider-Man? He has Tony Stark as a godfather.
"Having a rich godfather feels like this! But because of this protection, he's far less mature. Can you believe, after fighting Thanos, Holland's Spider-Man goes back to being a street hero?
"Sure, it's normal for the Spider-Man timeline, but it's ridiculous. He just saved the universe and now fights petty criminals?
"Considering his power, Kingpin and Daredevil could hold their own against him. Against Spider-Man, we can thank him for holding back—he didn't crush Kingpin with one punch. Peter Parker really is too kind.
"Speaking of the main universe Spider-Man… what a mess. MJ cheated on Peter for four years. Go check out Ultimate Spider-Man next door—same Spider-Man, but so different!"**
Lin Feng's daily rants and digressions left everyone a bit overwhelmed.
This wasn't the first time he had gone off-topic; it was a frequent habit.
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(End of Chapter)