The moment Hill finished speaking, everyone in the room looked at one another.
Tony and Rogers actually believed her, to the point that both of them were a little moved.
As for Captain America and Iron Man, the two people who knew the truth, they simply wanted to laugh.
Even Heisenberg could not help turning his head and giving the Ancient One a helpless, half-amused look.
Only Banner let out a resigned sigh.
"You're praising me too early. I'm not dead yet!"
"Uh..."
Hill's brows instantly furrowed.
She had originally intended to use Banner as a breakthrough point, shifting the conversation toward revealing future events.
For example, she could have asked why Hulk was in New York while Banner was here, why his body and soul were separated, where Banner had died, and what kind of battle had killed him.
That way, she would not only gain information about certain enemies, but also clues about future events, and perhaps even a method to kill Banner!
But her plan collapsed in an instant.
At the same time, the Ancient One pursed her lips helplessly.
She released her teacup and let it float in the air.
Then she raised a hand and drew a circle toward the ceiling.
Boom!
Hulk's massive body immediately dropped into the middle of the room.
"Oh my God!!!"
Pepper was so frightened by that enormous body that she nearly went weak at the knees. Luckily, she saw that Heisenberg was still there, and her husband was there to steady her as well.
She had only just barely calmed herself when the Ancient One clapped her hands again.
Before Banner's soul could even react, it shot straight back into Hulk's body.
A moment later, the green giant clumsily climbed to his feet and gave everyone an awkward smile.
It would have been better if he had not smiled.
Because the moment he did...
"God!"
Bang!
Thud!
In that brief instant, Pepper fired a palm repulsor shot that blasted Banner right back onto the sofa.
Fortunately, Tony grabbed Pepper in time, stopping the one-sided beating from escalating any further.
But even after sitting down, Pepper was still wary. Ever since seeing those videos of Hulk destroying cities, it had become very difficult for her to let down her guard around the big green monster.
Seeing how tense she was, Heisenberg lightly raised his hand and patted the air.
Everyone immediately looked at him, including Pepper.
Heisenberg nodded at her and said softly, "Stay calm. He won't become a problem."
"All right... I understand."
Pepper answered with some difficulty, then leaned against Tony.
Strangely enough, after Heisenberg said that, she truly was not as afraid anymore.
It had to be because... because she had seen the footage of Heisenberg smashing Banner apart with three punches. That had to be it.
Once Pepper calmed down, Banner smiled at everyone helplessly.
"It's fine!"
His deep voice rumbled through the living room.
"I'm already used to it. And I'll use time to prove that my current form is safe."
That finally put Pepper completely at ease.
He could communicate, he could reason, he was not roaring wildly, and most importantly, Superman was right there beside them.
There definitely would not be any problem.
For a moment, the room fell into brief silence.
After thinking for a while, Tony finally spoke.
"Before we officially start discussing the future, I want to ask something, Heisenberg.
Why exactly can your incredibly elegant female friend state their identities with such certainty?"
"Mm."
Heisenberg nodded, then glanced at the Ancient One.
The Ancient One smiled back at him before turning to explain to everyone.
"I am the current Sorcerer Supreme of the Ancient Order. For nearly two thousand years, the Ancient Order and Asgard have jointly guarded the Earth.
Asgard is responsible for responding to invasions from outer space, while the Ancient Order is responsible for dealing with incursions from other dimensions and multiversal demon gods.
I inherited the will of the previous Sorcerer Supreme, Agamotto, and I have served as Sorcerer Supreme for six hundred and forty-two years. That is who I am, and that is the basis on which I can guarantee their identities."
"The Ancient Order? Sorcerer Supreme? Sorcerer as in actual magic?!!"
Tony's jaw nearly hit the floor.
The Iron Man sitting to one side saw the dumbfounded look on Tony's face and could not help scoffing.
"The world is a lot bigger than you think, younger me.
But now isn't the time for that!
Cap, get to the point."
After saying that, Iron Man gave Captain America a reminder.
Captain America immediately grew serious. He straightened his back and spoke with difficulty.
"That's right. In any case, now that our identities have been recognized by two Infinity Stone holders, then questions about the secrets behind Tony and me, or what the Infinity Stones are, please set them aside for now.
We came here with very limited Pym Particles. We have to cherish every minute.
So, Mr. Heisenberg, Ms. Ancient One, I would like to ask to borrow the Mind Stone and the Time Stone. I hope the two of you will agree."
As soon as Captain America finished speaking, the Ancient One smiled at Heisenberg, took off the Eye of Agamotto, and placed it in his hand with complete trust.
"You decide," the Ancient One said gently.
With those words, Captain America's group of four all turned to Heisenberg at once.
Even Hill's group, though they did not fully grasp everything, could feel the tension in the room and also looked toward Heisenberg.
Under the incomparably hopeful gazes of Captain America's group, Heisenberg slowly shook his head.
"Absolutely impossible."
In an instant, Captain America's face fell, while Iron Man frowned deeply.
Banner clenched his teeth.
Ant-Man directly glared at Heisenberg.
Looking at the weaklings in front of him, all growing so agitated they looked ready to kill him, Heisenberg casually spread his hands.
"All of you are superheroes, huh.
When facing unexpected situations, don't be so quick to anger like this, or you'll die very quickly.
More importantly, up until now, all you've done is ask me for the Stones, yet you haven't listened to a single one of my thoughts!
No issue should ever be considered solely from your own perspective, so let me tell you this..."
At that, he exchanged a glance with the Ancient One.
A moment later, the Ancient One suddenly thrust her right hand forward, directly opening a portal.
On the other side of that portal stood the Mind Scepter Heisenberg had placed in the theater, and...
"Holy crap, what the hell is that?!!"
And a young Billy, who had been diligently cleaning and was startled out of his wits by the portal.
"Quiet, Billy."
Heisenberg rolled his eyes helplessly.
Hearing the boss's voice, Billy finally saw who was sitting on the other side of the portal.
"Boss?!!"
"Mm. Go back to what you were doing."
Heisenberg nodded, then raised his right hand. The Mind Scepter on the other side of the portal immediately flew into his grasp.
The next second, the portal vanished.
Heisenberg and the Ancient One exchanged a knowing look.
He had to admit, that feeling where he did not even need to say anything, yet she still understood exactly what he meant, was incredibly comfortable.
As expected of someone who had lived for over six hundred years.
Turning back around, Heisenberg looked once more at Captain America and Iron Man.
He lightly weighed the Mind Scepter in his hand and continued.
"All you've done is talk to me about your needs, and the conviction supporting those needs.
It almost seems like you think that as long as you have conviction, then you are naturally entitled to fulfill it, and I am naturally obligated to support you!
From the perspective of a deal, you are asking me to give, but have offered me no return.
From the perspective of planning, all you've talked about is how you'll return the Stones if you succeed, but not about what I stand to lose if you fail, namely the risk of losing an Infinity Stone!"
Heisenberg slowly rose from the sofa.
With the scepter in hand, he walked over to Captain America's group and asked three of them from above,
"Do you know what the Mind Stone means to me?"
The group of four silently shook their heads.
Heisenberg smiled indifferently.
"You only know what it means to you, but you've never considered what it means to me. That is a form of disrespect toward me, wouldn't you say?"
The moment he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.
Heisenberg was in no hurry.
He simply stood there, quietly waiting for the four of them to answer.
After a full seven or eight seconds, Captain America finally stood and spoke to Heisenberg.
"I'm very sorry. I truly don't know what I can promise you, and I also can't guarantee that we will succeed.
Everything you've said is true. This deal is destined to be unfair to you.
But that doesn't mean we're asking for your help for free!
Whatever it is you need, as long as we can do it, we will do our utmost to fulfill your request.
Even if we must give our lives in the process...
we will not hesitate!"
It was as though blazing fire had ignited in Captain America's eyes.
Even Hill, Tony, and the others who were merely watching had already been stirred by his words.
Even Tony was just about to speak on behalf of the four of them.
Who would have thought Heisenberg would suddenly laugh.
"Heh..."
Still laughing, he lifted the Mind Scepter and held it before Captain America's chest.
"I just asked you a question. Do you know what this Mind Stone means to me?"
"I don't. Please explain. We're all ears," Captain America answered without either humility or arrogance.
But Heisenberg casually tossed the scepter onto the ground not far away.
Then he spread his hands indifferently.
"The answer is this. It means nothing to me at all!"
At that, Heisenberg lightly patted Captain America on the shoulder.
"If even the Infinity Stones are of no help to me, then what exactly do you think you can offer me?"
...
At that point, Captain America's group of four completely gave up on the idea of borrowing the scepter from Heisenberg.
Of course, that did not mean they were giving up entirely.
Their eyes rapidly exchanged silent messages, each of them analyzing the current situation and coming up with their own plan!
Banner wanted to find an opportunity to kill Heisenberg, or at the very least snatch away the Stone. It seemed he was still influenced by Hulk, or perhaps the two of them influenced each other.
Ant-Man wanted to return to his old trade and find a way to steal the scepter!
Captain America was planning to find a way to time-travel once more, going back to before Heisenberg fought Loki, and directly taking the Stone from Loki's hands!
And as for Iron Man...
He suddenly stood up, first placing a hand on Captain America's shoulder, then smiling at Ant-Man and Banner.
Finally, he looked at Heisenberg, his eyes full of amusement.
"Guys, don't let His Lordship scare you too much.
He may have said a lot of cold and merciless things to us, but do you really think he's the kind of person who would toy with us just for fun?"
He pointed toward the door and continued.
"From outside to inside this room, you only said one thing to the four of us when others were around!
In front of outsiders, you're not actually a talkative person, Your Lordship!
But now you've said all this to us, which means you definitely have a purpose.
Wouldn't you agree?"
After saying that, Iron Man raised the wine glass in his other hand toward Heisenberg.
Seeing him like this, Heisenberg smiled.
He truly was worthy of being Iron Man.
This guy might be arrogant, conceited, self-centered, and full of flaws that could infuriate anyone around him.
But if one only spoke of the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
then he really was the smartest and most charismatic one of them all.
/-\
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