Chapter 71:
Everyone walked into the cabin and found seats. Deadpool plopped down on the wooden table, legs crossed, looking around curiously. He was just about to open his mouth for more trash talk when Natasha's cold glare shut him up. He could only pout and mime zipping his lips.
Banner stood by the window, brow furrowed, eyes warily scanning each person before finally stopping on Captain America.
"So what exactly is your purpose?"
His voice was low and tired.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.? Under the World Security Council? How do you prove you're not sent by the government?"
He gave a bitter laugh and sighed.
"I don't want to hurt you. You all know how violent the Hulk is—he's completely out of my control. If you're government agents here to capture me, you can leave right now."
Captain America leaned forward slightly, tone sincere.
"Bruce, we're not here to capture you. We sincerely invite you to join S.H.I.E.L.D. and work with us. Your high intelligence and scientific talent would bring us tremendous help."
Natasha picked up smoothly, voice gentle but firm.
"We offer the best treatment, a safe environment, and we can even help you research the Hulk problem. You wouldn't have to hide anymore."
Deadpool couldn't resist jumping in: "Yeah yeah! And our boss is super rich! Way higher salary than your old lab job! Room and board included, plus full benefits!"
Banner: "…?"
Hawkeye silently facepalmed, wondering how this guy ever passed S.H.I.E.L.D. screening.
Banner was silent for a while, then sighed and rubbed his temples wearily.
"If I had a choice, I'd want to return to a normal life too. But those government people only want to lock me up for research. I don't want to become a lab rat, so I had to fight back. And you see how that turned out."
He pointed out the window toward the distant forest, where several huge craters made by Hulk were still faintly visible.
"Besides, I don't want to join any organization. I just want to be left alone in peace."
Captain America looked at him steadily and spoke slowly:
"Bruce, the Hulk isn't your nightmare—he's your strength. You should learn to accept him."
Banner gave a bitter smile: "I've always tried to do that. But every time Hulk appears, he only destroys. I can't even communicate with him."
Hulk's power had plunged him into endless self-blame. Hulk protected him—but also trapped him in a difficult situation.
If Yang Jian were here, he would definitely tell him: if you can't solve the difficulty, then solve the person causing the difficulty.
Just then—
Bang!
Deadpool suddenly slammed the table and stood up, startling everyone.
"Doc! I disagree with your thinking." He put hands on hips, tone exaggerated.
"Hulk is violent? Maybe you just haven't seen our boss's methods! He can pin down zombie-universe Thanos! A mere Hulk is nothing!"
Banner froze: "Zombie universe? Thanos?"
Natasha immediately glared at Deadpool, but he completely ignored her and kept talking.
"That's right! Our boss said that as long as you join S.H.I.E.L.D., he can help you solve the Hulk problem! Let you transform whenever you want, retract whenever you want—even let you have a face-to-face conversation with Hulk!"
Banner's eyes wavered slightly: "Is that really possible?"
Captain America and Natasha exchanged a glance, realizing that even though Deadpool was being ridiculous, he had somehow accidentally hit the exact issue Banner cared about most.
Natasha seized the moment: "We do have that kind of technology. Don't you want to try?"
Banner lowered his head in silence, fingers trembling slightly.
He was struggling.
Finally, he looked up, a trace of hope in his eyes.
"If… if you can really do it, I'm willing to try."
Everyone exchanged glances, faces lighting up—negotiations successful!
He immediately started packing his belongings.
But Banner's brow furrowed again.
"Wait—you mentioned 'boss' earlier?"
He stopped packing and looked up at Natasha.
"Isn't S.H.I.E.L.D. under the World Security Council? Why is there a private boss? And…"
His gaze swept over the group, voice carrying caution.
"What exactly do you mean when you say you came looking for me?"
The atmosphere inside the cabin became subtly quiet for a few seconds.
Captain America's lips curved into a mysterious smile. He reached out and gently placed a hand on Banner's shoulder.
"You'll understand that question naturally once we get to headquarters."
He glanced at the darkening sky outside the window.
"Don't bother taking any of these old things. We'll prepare brand-new equipment for you."
Banner hesitantly looked around the simple wooden cabin.
A few faded, washed-out shirts, a stack of research notes, and that old coffee mug that had accompanied him for years.
In the end he took nothing—just silently followed the group toward the Quinjet.
"Whoa! Traveling light! Smart choice!" Deadpool bounced along behind them.
"But seriously, Doc—aren't you gonna bring that purple short-shorts? That's Hulk's signature fashion piece!"
Banner: "..."
Captain America gave a light cough and patted Banner on the back.
"Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D., Bruce."
Inside the Quinjet
Banner looked around the high-tech cabin in surprise, fingers lightly tracing the holographic control panel.
"These systems are very advanced," he said, his professional instincts kicking in as he began analyzing without realizing.
"Energy output efficiency is at least 30% higher than military versions, and this navigation system looks extremely efficient."
"Designed specifically for handling supernatural events."
Hawkeye leaned against the weapons rack with a proud eyebrow raise. "Can detect pretty much anything."
Deadpool suddenly poked his head out from behind a seat: "Wait—I just remembered, did you guys know Loki once turned into a woman? I mean in some parallel universe."
"Wade."
Natasha didn't even turn her head—she flicked a knife that embedded itself in the bulkhead right next to Deadpool's mask.
Banner watched this bizarre group dynamic and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. It had been a long time since he'd felt this kind of liveliness.
After takeoff.
Banner gazed at the rapidly shrinking forest outside the window and suddenly asked, "Where are we going now?"
Captain America adjusted his seatbelt. "Back to New York."
"New York?!" Banner sat bolt upright, face instantly paling.
"Are you crazy? General Ross's base is there! Every military surveillance system will detect me!"
"Relax, Doctor."
Natasha pulled up a holographic image. The invisible protective net over New York appeared in the air.
"We have the world's most advanced counter-surveillance systems. Besides…"
Her smile suddenly turned dangerous.
"This trip to New York is to deliver a big gift to General Ross."
Banner: "???"
Deadpool excitedly kicked his seat.
"That's right! We're air-dropping you straight into the old man's backyard! Like food delivery! Ding-dong! Your Hulk order has arrived!"
Banner's expression went from shock to blankness, finally settling into a strange kind of relief.
He remembered his girlfriend's betrayal, his father-in-law's cold indifference, the people who shot at him.
He slowly leaned back in his seat and suddenly let out a low laugh.
"Your S.H.I.E.L.D. really isn't normal."
Captain America smiled as he activated autopilot. After being "educated" by Hawkeye and the others, he was no longer the complete bleeding-heart he once was—at least he wouldn't let people who repeatedly shot at him keep living.
"Welcome to the new world, Doctor."
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