In the East, there were also superpowered individuals.
Some of them had once been affiliated with the S.M.P.A. (Superhuman Management and Protection Agency), but they had since broken away from the organization.
These individuals eventually formed a rogue group known as "Altar."
Since then, they had repeatedly interfered with S.M.P.A. operations, ambushing and killing several of its agents.
Because some of their members possessed teleportation abilities, S.M.P.A. had been unable to capture them.
On this particular night, one of Altar's members happened to be walking through the same street where Peter, Pietro, Yelena, and Juggernaut were wandering.
He immediately noticed something unusual.
Several S.M.P.A. agents were stationed nearby, quietly observing the area.
They appeared to be secretly protecting someone.
The man quickly reported this discovery to the Altar organization.
Within minutes, the group responded.
Their decision was immediate.
If S.M.P.A. was protecting someone important, they would kill that target as a warning.
Soon after, all sixty members of Altar were mobilized.
Using the ability of their teleportation specialist, they quickly arrived in the district where Peter and the others were located.
The moment they appeared, however, S.M.P.A. headquarters detected them.
After analyzing their sudden concentration in one location, Director Zheng Xian quickly realized the danger.
Their likely target—
Was Karl's group.
Zheng Xian's expression changed instantly.
If anything happened to those people—
The consequences would be unimaginable.
Karl alone was already powerful enough to devastate entire nations.
And among the group with him were individuals whose powers rivaled or even surpassed his.
If even one of them began retaliating recklessly across the East—
The results would be catastrophic.
Not to mention the diplomatic disaster.
Many global financial powers were already desperate to curry favor with Karl.
If they were given an opportunity to pressure the East with sanctions or trade restrictions, the country's development could suffer greatly.
Zheng Xian immediately issued emergency orders.
All available S.M.P.A. agents in nearby districts were redirected to the location.
Several powerful operatives, including Weather Witch, were dispatched as well.
At the same time, the situation was reported directly to higher authorities.
Meanwhile, Peter and Pietro remained completely unaware of the danger.
They were still happily wandering through the night market.
Only Yelena sensed something wrong.
She noticed that many unfamiliar people had suddenly appeared nearby.
More importantly—
They were all looking directly at them.
Yelena's instincts immediately went on high alert.
Meanwhile, Juggernaut continued eating the snacks Peter and Pietro had bought him without the slightest concern.
"Peter!"
Pietro said excitedly while holding a bowl of stinky tofu.
"The snacks here are way better than burgers!"
"Look at this tofu!"
"Okay… it looks a little scary, but it tastes amazing!"
Peter immediately leaned away.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it."
"It's delicious."
"But could you please not stand so close to me while holding that thing?"
"I think honey cake smells much better."
"Your tofu smells like—"
Peter coughed dramatically.
"—like a chemical weapon."
BOOM—!
An explosion suddenly erupted nearby.
"Shit!"
Pietro jumped in surprise.
"My stinky tofu!"
The bowl slipped from his hand and smashed onto the ground.
At the same time, Yelena instantly moved in front of Peter and Pietro, shielding them.
Her suspicion had been correct.
These people were here for them.
"Pietro," Yelena said sharply.
"They're targeting us."
"Be careful."
Then she glanced at Juggernaut.
"Tank."
"Stop eating."
"We have enemies."
Yelena, Peter, and Pietro quickly activated their Vibranium nano-suits.
Metallic armor spread across their bodies instantly.
They cautiously scanned the surrounding black-clad figures.
Juggernaut reluctantly tossed aside the snack he had been eating and walked forward with an irritated expression.
He had been enjoying his meal.
At the same moment—
Dozens of Shadow Ninjas emerged from the surrounding shadows.
Nearly two hundred of them appeared.
Several stepped forward and gestured urgently.
They were clearly signaling that the group should retreat immediately.
But before Yelena could respond—
Pietro shook his head.
"No way!"
"We've been training for this!"
"It's finally time for a real fight!"
He grinned wildly.
"Woohoo!"
"Peter, let's go!"
Before anyone could stop him, Pietro turned into a silver blur and dashed straight toward the attackers.
Peter sighed but quickly followed.
Using his telekinesis, he lifted nearby objects—trash cans, street signs, loose debris—and launched them toward the enemies.
Yelena rubbed her forehead in frustration.
But she didn't stop them.
They were wearing Vibranium armor after all.
They should be able to handle the situation.
Fortunately, when the explosion occurred, the surrounding civilians had already fled.
The area was now completely empty.
The S.M.P.A. agents were still on their way.
BANG!
BOOM!
"Damn it!"
"That kid is too fast!"
"I can't even see him!"
One of the black-clad attackers shouted angrily.
"Da Jie!"
"Get over here!"
"I'll help you catch him!"
Pietro's incredible speed had already knocked several attackers flying.
The man shouting had been one of the victims.
The man called Da Jie nodded calmly.
Suddenly, green energy spread across the surrounding area.
The entire environment seemed to slow down.
Everything—
The air.
The debris.
Even Pietro himself.
Time around him felt like it was moving through thick syrup.
The hooded man immediately raised his hand.
Dark green energy flashed.
Plant roots suddenly burst from the ground.
They wrapped around Pietro's body and bound him tightly.
BANG!
When Da Jie released his ability, normal time resumed.
Pietro slammed violently into a nearby wall.
Fortunately, the Vibranium armor absorbed most of the impact.
Otherwise, the collision would have been fatal.
Da Jie's ability was extremely dangerous.
He could temporarily slow the flow of time within a localized area.
Seeing Pietro captured, Peter immediately reacted.
Using his telekinesis, he hurled a nearby metal object toward the attackers.
He was trying to buy Pietro time.
But before Pietro could break free—
Another black-clad man stepped forward.
Blue energy surged from his hands.
The ground beneath Pietro's feet instantly froze.
A thick layer of ice locked him in place.
Fortunately, the Vibranium suit prevented serious injury.
But Pietro could no longer move.
"Damn it!"
Yelena shouted.
"Tank!"
"Go save Pietro!"
She watched in disbelief.
Pietro had been defeated in less than five minutes.
Juggernaut immediately turned around.
Seeing Pietro trapped beneath vines and ice, he charged forward.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Each step shook the ground.
His unstoppable momentum smashed every attacker in his path aside.
But just as he was about to reach Pietro—
A blue energy portal suddenly opened directly in front of him.
Juggernaut was moving too fast to stop.
He ran straight into the portal.
And disappeared.
The portal instantly closed behind him.
Juggernaut was gone.
Yelena stared in shock.
A massive powerhouse like Juggernaut had vanished in seconds.
Her instincts screamed danger.
Without hesitation, she shouted to the Shadow Ninjas beside her.
"Take us back!"
"Now!"
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