The next day, Darian appeared once again in the room where T'Chaka was being held.
At this moment, the exhaustion on T'Chaka's face was visible to the naked eye; he hadn't slept for an entire night.
It wasn't that there was no bed in the room, but rather that he didn't have the habit of sleeping naked.
That bastard who kidnapped him hadn't given him a single piece of clothing yet. With a chilly draft below, it was impossible to sleep.
When Darian entered, he still wore that cheerful expression: "Good morning, King T'Chaka. I'm here to negotiate. After a night of consideration, have your thoughts changed?"
"I've said it before, we have nothing to talk about."
T'Chaka's voice was slightly raspy from fatigue, but his tone remained firm.
"Fine then."
Upon hearing this, Darian didn't try to persuade him further, nor did he show any disappointment; he decisively turned and left the room.
On the third day, the door opened again.
"King T'Chaka, I'm here to negotiate."
Darian's figure appeared punctually, with the same expression and the same lines.
T'Chaka gritted his teeth: "No matter how many times you ask, my answer will be the same!"
Darian shrugged and turned to leave without a care in the World.
The fourth day.
"King T'Chaka, I'm here to negotiate."
"I..."
Before T'Chaka could even finish his sentence, Darian turned and left.
T'Chaka: "???"
In the days that followed, Darian came to T'Chaka's room at almost the same time every day, just like punching a time clock, stating he wanted to negotiate.
But he became increasingly perfunctory as time went on, even leaving the room before T'Chaka could respond.
T'Chaka was extremely frustrated.
He had prepared himself for severe torture, but the other party didn't touch him; instead, they served him good food and drink.
After these few days, T'Chaka's weight had increased rather than decreased; his already somewhat plump figure had actually become a bit more rounded.
T'Chaka couldn't guess Darian's intentions at all. He said he wanted Vibranium, but after kidnapping him, there hadn't been any movement.
If Darian had tortured him, T'Chaka might actually have felt more at ease.
Unlike now, it was terrifyingly calm, giving one an ominous premonition.
T'Chaka pondered hard but couldn't make heads or tails of it.
Forget it, since things have come to this, I'll eat first.
The capital of Wakanda, Birnin Zana!
Looking from a distance, this place looked no different from any other primitive jungle on the African continent.
However, if someone could penetrate that layer of carefully maintained holographic energy camouflage, they would witness a completely different scene: a futuristic city rising from the ground, with silent aerial tracks crisscrossing—its advancement far exceeding any city in the outside World.
At this moment, inside the core council hall in the city center, the atmosphere was solemn.
Several tribal nobles of Wakanda were gathered together, with strong light shining down from above, reflecting on their faces.
It couldn't be helped; if there wasn't enough light, it would look like a bunch of invisible people were talking in the room.
"Is there still no word on His Majesty's whereabouts?" a tribal Elder asked with a deep frown.
Another tribal Elder shook his head: "No. The search teams have expanded their range to a hundred kilometers beyond the border, using all ground and aerial detection methods, but we still haven't found any clues regarding His Highness the King."
Sitting in the main seat of the hall was King T'Chaka's son, Crown Prince T'Challa.
At this moment, his face was shrouded in an unmistakable layer of unease and anxiety.
Just over ten days ago, the King of Wakanda, his father T'Chaka, had vanished into thin air right under the noses of the Royal Guard. Following the last tracking signal from T'Chaka, they only found discarded clothing and a pair of yellowed briefs on the roadside.
Clearly, this was a kidnapping case, and one of an extremely vile nature.
Not only did they want to steal wealth, but they might also want to steal his dignity!
After T'Challa learned the news, he was anxious and immediately used all of Wakanda's means to find T'Chaka, fearing that if he were a step too late, T'Chaka's life and integrity would be threatened.
But after so many days, they still had nothing; they didn't even know if he was alive or dead.
Furthermore, the unknown force that kidnapped T'Chaka hadn't contacted them, so they had no idea what the other party's goal actually was.
"But we cannot wait like this any longer."
A female tribal Elder spoke up: "The news of His Highness the King's disappearance cannot be kept secret forever. The citizens will soon notice something is wrong, and by then, the situation will spiral completely out of control."
"Yes, a country cannot go a day without a ruler. We must have someone take charge as soon as possible to maintain Wakanda's order and balance."
Other tribal Elders chimed in agreement.
This was the reality they had to face. Now that T'Chaka's whereabouts were unknown and his life or death uncertain, if they prepared for the worst-case scenario, perhaps T'Chaka would never return.
Wakanda could not remain in a leaderless state for long; they had to choose a new person in charge.
"According to tradition and law, if the King is unable to perform his duties for a long time and his life or death is unknown, the Crown Prince shall succeed him."
"Currently, only Prince T'Challa and Princess Shuri are eligible to take over. So, who should serve as the new King of Wakanda?"
"I choose Prince T'Challa. He has already inherited the power of the Black Panther; it is only right that he leads Wakanda."
"I agree."
T'Challa: "..."
Weren't we just discussing my father?
Everything was fine just a moment ago, how did they suddenly drape the King's robes over me?
But he soon snapped out of it and quickly refused: "No! We haven't found my father yet. I absolutely cannot succeed the throne at a time like this!"
A tribal Elder persuaded him: "Prince T'Challa, preventing internal turmoil is the top priority. We will continue to investigate His Highness the King's whereabouts, but Wakanda needs stability right now. If His Highness returns safely, he will surely understand our predicament."
"Yes, Prince T'Challa, everything must be for the greater good."
The tribal Elders continued to persuade T'Challa.
A look of struggle appeared on T'Challa's face.
These tribal Elders were indeed not wrong. Now that his father's whereabouts were unknown, Wakanda had been without a leader for many days. It might hold up in the short term, but if it went on for long, various troubles would inevitably occur in Wakanda.
At this point, T'Challa's younger sister, Shuri, suddenly spoke: "Brother, just inherit the throne. Treat it as getting used to it in advance."
She had never been interested in the throne; instead, she had a great interest in scientific research.
How could being King be as fun as doing research!
Hearing even his sister say this, T'Challa remained silent for a long time before finally taking a deep breath.
"Alright, let's do as you say."
As his voice fell, the heavy atmosphere in the hall lightened slightly, and a tribal Elder from the border mountain region slowly stood up.
"In that case, we must follow ancient tradition. Anyone who ascends the throne must undergo the Ritual Combat."
Ritual Combat was a path every King of Wakanda had to pass through.
Only the legitimate Crown Prince could initiate the ritual, and he must ingest a potion that nullifies the Black Panther's power—that is, the effects of the Heart-Shaped Herb—to face challenges with an ordinary human body witnessed by all tribes.
During this period, royal family members from all tribes could challenge the Crown Prince.
"No problem."
T'Challa nodded seriously.
The tribal Elder continued: "Then we will arrange the Ritual Combat as soon as possible. The time is set for three days from now."
The news of the start of the Ritual Combat quickly spread throughout all of Wakanda.
The common people were confused by the sudden ritual, but the high-level personnel of each tribe were well aware of the situation.
Now that the old King T'Chaka's whereabouts were unknown, the kingdom needed a new leader.
And this news reached Doom's ears at almost the same time.
"It's finally coming."
Doom narrowed his eyes and ordered someone to bring Killmonger over.
Killmonger soon walked over and asked in confusion, "Mr. Doom, why did you call for me?"
Doom smiled slightly: "The Ritual Combat is about to begin. The person holding the ritual is T'Chaka's son, T'Challa. Your opportunity has come."
Killmonger's spirits immediately lifted upon hearing this.
As the son of the old King's younger brother, Killmonger naturally knew what the Ritual Combat was.
With his identity, he was also eligible to challenge T'Challa. As long as he could defeat T'Challa, he could become the King of Wakanda in one fell swoop.
Killmonger was full of confidence: "Leave the rest to me. I can definitely knock that T'Challa down easily."
"Are you sure?"
Doom cast an undisguised look of doubt.
Killmonger felt a blow to his ego and immediately patted his chest in guarantee: "Of course! I'm from the U.S. Special Forces, after all. I might not be as good as your soldiers, but dealing with others is definitely not a problem!"
But Doom still wasn't completely at ease.
Although he didn't know T'Challa's specific strength, the other party was, after all, the superhero Black Panther. Even if the Ritual Combat required taking a potion to nullify the Heart-Shaped Herb's enhancement, his strength was not to be underestimated. It might not be that simple for Killmonger to defeat him.
"Forget it, to be safe, I'll give you a power-up."
Doom signaled his subordinates to quickly send Killmonger's personal information to Sokovia to complete his national registration at the fastest speed.
The next moment, Killmonger suddenly felt his body become light, as if a warm current flowed through his limbs and bones; his strength seemed to have significantly improved.
"What is this!?"
Doom explained: "A type of magical means that can improve your physical fitness."
"Ma... magic?"
Killmonger was dumbfounded.
Was this still the World he knew? How did magic even pop up?
"Also, eat these before you go on stage; they can also temporarily boost your body's various functions."
Several skewers of grilled meat appeared out of thin air in Doom's hand, which he handed to Killmonger.
After that wave of enhancement just now, Killmonger didn't doubt the effects of these skewers at all.
His mouth twitched: "Isn't this a bit unfair?"
Before being challenged, T'Challa had to nullify his own Heart-Shaped Herb effects, while he himself had added so many BUFFs; this was clearly bullying.
Doom glanced at Killmonger: "You don't like it?"
"Of course I... love it!"
Killmonger grinned.
He loved bullying people, especially since the other party was T'Chaka's own son.
Doom didn't forget to remind him: "Remember not to kill him. The old King's lineage has deep roots and is well-loved by the people of Wakanda. If you kill T'Challa, even if you become the King of Wakanda, no one will follow your orders."
"Then what about beating him half-dead?"
"Well, injuries are inevitable in battle."
"I understand, hehehe."
"Your laugh is too evil. Someone who didn't know would think we're bad people. You should laugh like me, jie jie jie..."
Three days passed in a flash.
Today was the day T'Challa was set to ascend the throne of Wakanda.
The waterfall located on the edge of Wakanda was split in half by instruments, revealing the ritual site inside.
On the natural stone steps of the ritual site, Wakandans from various tribes had already gathered, wearing traditional costumes of various colors, each very distinctive.
T'Challa rode a Wakandan ship, holding a shield and a short spear as he stepped out from the rear hatch, wearing only a pair of large trunks, and came to the platform at the very bottom.
An Elder dressed in purple robes with his face covered in paint shouted loudly: "I present to you, Prince T'Challa, the current Black Panther. The Black Panther's power within the Prince's body will now be stripped away."
T'Challa knelt on one knee, took the ceramic bowl handed to him by the man, and drank the potion inside in one gulp.
Immediately, he let out a muffled cry of pain, his eyes bloodshot as if some power rooted in his bloodline was being quietly drawn out, followed by a surge of weakness.
T'Challa steadied himself and smashed the ceramic bowl heavily on a rock.
The crisp sound of the shards flying signaled the start of the Ritual Combat.
The Purple-Robed Elder shouted: "The ritual begins! Any tribe may nominate a warrior to take the stage and challenge Prince T'Challa. But there are only two outcomes to the ritual: either surrender or fight to the death!"
As his voice fell, the field fell into silence.
The tribes one after another indicated they were giving up the challenge. T'Challa was already the kingly successor everyone hoped for, and several of the large tribes had close relations with the royal family.
Those royal family members eligible to challenge were either T'Challa's future wife or his good brothers; naturally, they would not proactively challenge T'Challa.
Even the Purple-Robed Elder acting as the referee was T'Challa's father's most trusted confidant.
With even the referee being one of T'Challa's people, the final winner of this battle was obvious. How could anyone be foolish enough to go up and throw their life away?
As it turned out, there really was someone.
A low, deep shout rang out from the periphery of the crowd.
A group of exceptionally tall men with white mud patterns painted on their skin strode forward.
The leader was none other than the leader of the Jabari tribe, M'Baku.
Their Jabari tribe worshipped the Great Ape, the Ape God, which was opposed to the Black Panther totem!
As the Ape-worshipping... Ape people, their personality was always straightforward and they valued martial prowess, which led to them being isolated by the other tribes.
But they were also a force in Wakanda, so they also had the right to challenge.
"M'Baku, what are you doing here?" the Purple-Robed Elder frowned.
M'Baku said as a matter of course: "Isn't today the day of challenge? I've long found this guy disagreeable; shouldn't I take this opportunity to give him a beating?"
Everyone: "..."
As expected of the Ape people, their heads really are full of muscles.
This is the future King of Wakanda. Offending the other party now, aren't they afraid of having their lives made difficult later?