Warm, happy.
Banner looked at this scene, his eyes somewhat complex.
Once upon a time, he also yearned for such a life: a lover, a family, a peaceful existence.
But the existence of Hulk turned all his fantasies into smoke.
He envied this man, even felt a little jealous.
But was he the living paradox Leon spoke of?
What a joke!
He looked more harmless than a scientist with seven Dr. degrees like himself.
"Adam Bernard…"
Leon's voice was very soft, as if confirming a fact.
He didn't release his divine power, nor did he make any outrageous moves; he just walked slowly forward like a lost tourist, gently pushing open the unlocked white picket fence gate.
Adam, who was laughing and talking with his wife, noticed Leon the moment he stepped into the yard.
His smile didn't disappear immediately, but the leisure and comfort in the depths of his eyes faded instantly.
His body didn't move, but his muscles weren't relaxed; his seemingly casual stance could erupt with terrifying power within a tenth of a second.
Decades of reclusive life had not dulled his vigilance.
Quite the opposite, to protect this hard-won peace, he was more acute than ever.
He subtly shielded his wife behind him, his gaze falling on the two uninvited guests who had walked in.
One was a thin man wearing glasses and a funny T-shirt, looking like an ordinary person who had lost his way, not to be feared.
But the other… Adam's pupils constricted.
This blond man in casual clothes, he was too calm.
As calm as a bottomless lake; you couldn't see ripples, nor could you fathom its depth.
Adam had met Presidents, met Generals, met the most powerful people in the World, but no one could give him this feeling.
He couldn't sense energy fluctuations from this guy, couldn't sense hostility, nor could he sense emotions.
It was like a perfect nothingness.
And this was the most dangerous sign.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen." Adam spoke first, his tone steady.
"May I ask what you need? If you're selling something, I don't think my wife would be interested."
His wife, Mrs. Kevin, also noticed the subtle change in atmosphere; she nervously tugged at Adam's sleeve, shielding their two children behind her.
Leon smiled slightly, a gentle smile that could make people lower their guard.
"We're not here to sell anything, Mr. Adam." His gaze passed over Adam, briefly lingering on Mrs. Kevin and the two children before returning to Adam's face.
"We were just passing by and were drawn in by the beautiful yard and happy family."
His words sounded like sincere praise, but Adam heard the hidden meaning.
The word "family" was deliberately emphasized.
This was a reminder to him that he had a weakness.
Adam's heart sank.
It seemed trouble had still found its way to his door.
"Thank you for the compliment." His tone became a little stiff.
"If there's nothing else, please leave. We're about to start our family barbecue and don't want to be disturbed by outsiders."
The order to leave was already very clear.
Banner stood by, feeling a little awkward.
He felt like they were two rude intruders in someone else's private residence.
He wanted to apologize.
But Leon clearly had no such intention.
His smile remained unchanged; he just gently shook his head.
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Adam."
His voice was still gentle, but his next sentence made Adam frown.
"After all, we came specifically for you, Blue Marvel."
The word Blue Marvel awakened long-sealed memories in Adam's mind.
The atmosphere became quiet.
The children's laughter in the yard abruptly stopped, Kevin's face turned pale, and she desperately clutched Adam's arm.
Adam's body stiffened, his gentle and friendly face instantly changed.
A terrifying aura emanated from within him.
The surrounding air began to tremble slightly, and the grass on the lawn moved without wind.
Banner felt his heart being squeezed, and breathing became difficult.
The Hulk inside him began to stir restlessly, letting out low warnings.
Danger! Very dangerous!
Banner's face turned pale; he looked at Adam in disbelief.
Damn it, what's going on? This guy was just fiddling with the barbecue grill.
What kind of monster is this?
Adam's heart, however, was churning with monstrous waves.
He hadn't heard that name in decades.
Ever since he accepted the government's agreement to disappear from public view and become a deceased legend, that codename, along with his glory, had been buried.
Who are they? How do they know that name?
"I don't understand what you're saying." Adam's voice deepened.
"You've got the wrong person."
"Wrong person?" Leon's smile became somewhat playful.
He took a step forward, ignoring the aura emanating from Adam.
"Adam Bernard Brashear, a favored guest of President Kennedy, the first, and only, openly active Black superhero."
"Inside your body, there is antimatter energy. Every heartbeat involves the annihilation and creation of matter and antimatter. You absorb cosmic rays and convert them into power."
Leon's words echoed in everyone's ears.
"People call you Blue Marvel because your power makes even the sky change color. They say you possess the power to destroy the World, but they don't know that's just the tip of the iceberg of your strength."
"So, are you still going to tell me I have the wrong person?"
Adam fell silent.
The other party's understanding of him exceeded the Military's top-secret files.
His disguise and past were as transparent as glass.
Kevin could no longer bear the pressure; she pulled her two terrified children and said to Adam with a trembling voice,
"Adam… take the children inside."
Adam took a deep breath, suppressing the energy within him that had begun to activate due to emotional fluctuations.
He turned around and spoke to his wife and children in the gentlest voice possible.
"It's alright, Kevin, take the children back to their room. I'll talk to these gentlemen about something."
Watching his wife and children run back into the house in fright and lock the door, Adam slowly turned around.
The warm family atmosphere in the courtyard had vanished.
Only a suppressed standoff remained.
"Who exactly are you? What do you want?" Adam's voice was icy.
His eyes, behind his glasses, now glowed with blue light, as if two Nebulae were forming and dissolving within them.
Seeing his wary demeanor, Leon nodded in satisfaction.
Good, the sleeping lion finally showed some signs of waking.
He disliked gentle, harmless faces; they were a disguise, a betrayal of one's own power.
"Who I am isn't important." Leon's tone was still relaxed.
"What's important is that I can give you what you want."
"I don't want anything." Adam flatly refused.
"I just want to live a peaceful life."
.....
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