Motherf*cker… that damn The Daily Bugle!"
At S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Nick Fury, who had been ordered to take charge in the crisis, angrily slammed down the phone.
He had just intended to threaten John Jameson into deleting the relevant news.
But who would have thought that the other party not only refused his request,
but also spoke to him with extreme arrogance and venom.
Nick Fury, who usually considered himself the "King of Words,"
was completely suppressed throughout the entire confrontation.
He was verbally torn to shreds.
If anyone else dared to make such a move, Nick Fury would have probably used underhanded tactics to throw them into a black prison long ago.
But he was helpless against John Jameson.
Because the other party not only had extensive connections but also had several friends who were congressmen holding important positions.
Therefore, Nick Fury did not dare to use his usual coercive and manipulative tactics.
Nor did he dare to make any secret moves.
Just as Nick Fury was at a loss, his aide, Maria Hill, provided him with an excellent breakthrough.
"Officer, since public opinion is difficult to sway right now, why don't we take this opportunity to shift their focus?"
Nick Fury squinted at her and said impatiently, "Speak directly! Don't you know I hate riddles?!"
Maria Hill wasn't angry; instead, she directly selected a segment of Karl's battle with Hydra on the large screen.
"Officer, if I'm not mistaken, these six Hydra superpowered individuals should not be Mutants.
Instead, they all used the newly developed Temporary Compound V from Vought Corporation…"
"Hmm?!"
Nick Fury immediately perked up upon hearing this.
After carefully watching the video, a hint of joy appeared on his dark face, and he praised with a slight nod of approval, "Hill, you did very well."
"That's right, it's almost impossible to help the Security Council completely clear themselves of responsibility right now.
But as long as we can find a scapegoat of sufficient weight, the public's attention will quickly be successfully diverted to them."
"This way, we not only solve our immediate urgent problem but also take the opportunity to suppress Vought Corporation. It's killing two birds with one stone!"
Nick Fury would never miss any opportunity to suppress Vought Corporation.
"Additionally, Natasha has already obtained the identity information of the superpowered individual in the video from Sokovia.
His name is Karl Mara, 19 years old, born into an ordinary family in Sokovia, and was not a superpowered individual before.
Until a little over a week ago, he was taken away by Hydra on the street to participate in a secret human experiment…"
Maria Hill continued, "When he reappeared, he already possessed a superpower similar to energy projection. Preliminary estimates suggest his ability is related to Hydra's secret human experiment!"
"It's just that Natasha is currently unable to approach Hydra's Mountain Top Base. It has extremely strict security measures, and ordinary people cannot get close."
"Did Hydra find a way to create superpowered individuals?!"
Nick Fury's eyebrows shot up, and he said in a very firm tone:
"Tell Natasha, no matter what method she uses, she must quickly figure out the specific content of that human experiment.
If Karl Mara's superpower truly originates from the experiment, then S.H.I.E.L.D. must master this technology, no matter the cost…"
"Dangerous things like this are safest only when they are in our hands!"
"If necessary, I can use the power of the Security Council to pressure Sokovia!"
"As for Karl Mara… send someone to find his whereabouts as soon as possible. I want to meet him personally."
"His ability is very powerful. If he can't be used by me, then it would truly be a great pity!"
Maria Hill nodded in response, "Yes, Officer."
Just like that, a "war" deliberately guiding public opinion quietly began!
… … … …
… …
At the same time.
Vought Corporation, which had unknowingly become the scapegoat,
was organizing a fan meet-and-greet with its "star performer," Homelander, in a second-tier city in the west.
"Hey, my friends, how are you all doing?"
"It's truly great to see everyone!!"
A blonde man dressed very much like Superman descended from the sky amidst the cheers and adoration of the citizens.
"Hey, please do me a favor, please tell me who the real heroes are?"
Homelander put his hands to his ears and answered his own question, "Is it me? Or those guys who call themselves the Avengers?"
"No, neither of them… The real heroes are all of you!!!"
The citizens below the stage immediately erupted in a burst of enthusiastic cheers.
As if they truly were heroes.
After a pause, Homelander put on a slightly somber expression and continued, "Today, before I begin my official speech, there's something I must make clear."
"I, Homelander, absolutely, absolutely cannot tolerate the tragedy of the New York War happening again, and I will absolutely not allow this beautiful city to suffer such an attack."
"I will not allow those utterly inhuman alien Invaders to invade our borders, then disrupt our beautiful lives, and drag us into the quagmire of war."
"How should I evaluate the Avengers' pathetic performance in the New York War… a group of third-rate heroes?!"
"No, in my opinion, they don't even deserve to be called heroes. Instead, they're like a group of waiters tickling the alien Invaders."
"Actually, I once tried to stop those alien Invaders that day, but I was ruthlessly rejected by the authorities!!"
"That's right, those in power didn't want to diligently protect their compatriots; they just wanted that group of incompetent Avengers to have their debut… This caused many innocent people to lose their lives and homes."
"Please imagine, if the country could relax controls, pass the "Superpowered Individual Leasing Act," and allow more people to have Temporary Compound V.
Then, when facing those alien Invaders, hundreds and thousands of superpowered individuals would stand up and strike down those damned alien bugs!!"
The crowd below the stage immediately erupted.
"That's right, we need more superpowered individuals to deal with the crisis."
"Support the Compound V Legalization Act…"
"Only more superhumans can save America and fight for our freedom!!"
Homelander surveyed the crowd, which was gradually becoming fanatic due to his words, feeling an inexpressible sense of exhilaration and satisfaction.
He thoroughly enjoyed being worshipped by the world.
This made him feel like he was God, a deity who could control the lives and deaths of these ants!
But the emergence of the Avengers severely threatened his status.
At the same time, they also stole a large number of his fans and the opportunities for him to show off that originally belonged to him.
As a result, the high and mighty Homelander now had to personally come to such a remote city for lobbying and promotion.
"Avengers… just you wait, one day I will personally destroy you all!!"
However.
Just then.
A commotion erupted in the crowd.
A large number of news pushes suddenly flooded many people's phones.
There was text, pictures, and even videos…
And the content of these news stories was almost identical.
They were all about Vought Corporation's evil deeds of secretly colluding with Hydra and sending superpowered individuals to invade the Kingdom of Sokovia.
Even the Security Council's official media personally stepped in.
Announcing that an emergency investigation into Vought Corporation had been launched.
And demanding that they cease the production and research and development of Temporary Compound V, otherwise they would face the most severe sanctions in history!
This outrageous move was practically indirectly confirming Vought Corporation's crimes.
"Liars!!"
"That's right, Vought Corporation is no different from those alien Invaders…"
"Compound V will only bring endless war."
Under the media's deliberate guidance, the undiscerning public quickly turned their spearhead against Homelander and Vought Corporation.
As praised as he was just moments ago, he was now cursed just as terribly!
Homelander, who was utterly bewildered by the insults, suppressed the urge to activate his Cyclops and go on a killing spree.
After forcing a stiff smile at everyone, he brought his legs together → bent them → pushed off the ground, soaring into the sky in one fluid motion.
Flying towards Vought Corporation Headquarters.
He needed to know what had happened.
If no one could provide a reasonable explanation,
then today was destined to be a bloodbath!!!