Tearing into the United States government
Washington, D.C.., Congress Hill Building (actually, it's more like a resort).
Today, the United States. government will hold a major hearing on the actions of the Avengers during the special incident that occurred a few days ago at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
The United States. government attaches particular importance to today's hearing, with the Secretary of State, the Vice President who also serves as the Senate President, and military representatives all in attendance.
The hearing was scheduled to begin at nine o'clock in the morning, and government officials arrived twenty minutes early, setting up their positions to await Xia Yu and his group's arrival.
Besides government officials, a large number of media outlets from around the world also arrived early to wait.
Today's hearing has captured the world's attention.
The Avengers who attended the hearing were Xia Yu, Natasha, and Tony.
As Tony deliberately arranged, the three people's car did not slowly drive into the Congress Hill Building until 9:15.
Tony, as flamboyant as ever under the spotlight, basked in the cheers of numerous reporters while also posing with Xia Yu and Natasha at the entrance for several photos.
Completely disregarding that he was already late, he took the initiative to dominate the scene before even entering, challenging the government representatives who were already set up inside.
The three of them allowed the reporters to take enough photos outside before they slowly entered with smiles, like celebrities walking the red carpet.
"I want to remind everyone that this is the Congress Hill Building, this is a serious hearing, not a Hollywood star's red carpet show. You are a full fifteen minutes late, oh, it's already twenty-five minutes."
The three had barely sat down when the impatient Secretary of State launched his attack.
"I'd like to ask if there are any representatives from the Department of Transportation here today." Tony took off his sunglasses and looked around.
"Looks like no, we left half an hour early. What I want to say is that I have to complain about the damn traffic in Washington. If the government doesn't have the money to build more roads and overpasses, Stark Industries would be happy to provide a donation."
"That's not our topic today. Why didn't Captain America come to be questioned?" The Secretary of State didn't dwell on Tony's lateness and immediately changed the subject.
"Oh, Your Excellency Secretary of State, the three of us are here today representing the Avengers. If you insist on asking why Captain America isn't here, then I'd like to ask you why our President isn't at the United States government hearings."
Tony retorted without backing down.
"Mr. Stark, we represent the United States. government. I want to remind you that S.H.I.E.L.D.. has been disbanded. The Avengers are an emergency response team under S.H.I.E.L.D.. You are now an illegal organization, and you have no right to represent anyone else."
Before even getting to the main point, the Secretary of State launched a series of attacks from multiple angles.
"In fact, the Avengers is a registered business, and the three of us are shareholders, representing all members of the Avengers. Do you need to check our tax records?"
Tony was as sharp-tongued as ever.
"Alright, Your Excellency, let's get down to business. I'd like to ask Mr. Xia, as a former consultant to S.H.I.E.L.D.., a question I'd like to ask you..."
"Do you know that S.H.I.E.L.D.. has a dedicated intelligence system for the United States government? Now that S.H.I.E.L.D.. has been completely disbanded, how are we supposed to protect our national security?" a Congressman fired at Xia Yu.
"Your question is like a Mexico chef asking me how to make a Mexico. Protecting the security of this country is your government's important responsibility, not mine. Are you sure you need me to teach you how to do it?"
Xia Yu is in no way inferior to Tony.
"You destroyed S.H.I.E.L.D.., depriving us of our greatest source of intelligence and threatening the security of this nation."
Natasha continued Xia Yu's words, "S.H.I.E.L.D.. has been infiltrated by Hydra, and the intelligence it brings you is all lies."
"But some of the lies you told us yourselves, including yourselves, Agent Romanoff." The Congressman raised his voice.
"That's because you elected an excellent Department of Defense and granted him the right to interfere within S.H.I.E.L.D.. You elected a traitorous general, and now you're blaming a dutiful soldier for not defeating the enemy."
Xia Yu's voice was even louder, and he added some Internal Energy, making the ears of the government officials on the stage ring.
Xia Yu and Natasha's couple's double whammy was becoming increasingly aggressive.
The vice president, unable to stand it any longer, shifted his focus to Natasha.
"Dutiful and responsible. We held a meeting yesterday specifically to discuss this dutiful and responsible Agent Romanoff. She served this country and also betrayed it. We are considering whether to put her in prison for life instead of her arguing with us in the Congress Building."
Xia Yu slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "If you consider the classified documents she published online as treason, then I want to ask, how many laws did the government violate by launching three Helicarrier into Earth orbit and pointing guns at everyone? This plan was neither announced to the public nor subject to a referendum."
"If it weren't for our bloody battles, your wife and children, your mistress and illegitimate kids would all be dead in Hydra's purge. You should be funding the construction of a statue for us, bowing and thanking us every day, instead of hurling accusations at us in this damned hearing on Congress Hill."
Xia Yu unleashed his full power, hurling insults at everyone present. Even the reporters were so affected by the invisible pressure emanating from Xia Yu that they forgot to press the shutter button on their cameras.
Tony Stark stood up and continued Xia Yu's words.
"Even this small case of Alexander Pierce launching Missile at my property remains unsolved. I'm considering having the insurance company jointly claim compensation from the government for my private assets."