The Challenge of Becoming the Black Panther

While Nick Fury was still burning with rage over who would dare rob S.H.I.E.L.D., far away in Antarctica, Peter had already started a new round of construction.

The ice cave, originally only a few dozen square meters in size, had been expanded hundreds of times over under his immense strength and searing Heat Vision.

Beneath the entire ice peak, he had nearly hollowed it out completely, like a sprawling rat's nest, with over a dozen tunnels connecting several vast areas.

Those areas had now been transformed into various different laboratories.

After that, Peter scrounged up high-strength steel from all over the world, along with plenty of high-tech lab equipment.

Some of it came from a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. lab he had paid a visit to.

Once he handed over all the advanced experimental gear to the professional scientists to handle, Peter started a new round of construction.

The building process was just as simple and brutal.

First, Peter turned into a master metalworker, using his Heat Vision to cut through high-strength alloy steel plates several centimeters thick.

Along the edges of the hollowed-out mountain area, he covered them piece by piece with the high-strength alloy.

Then, he instantly switched to being a welding technician, fusing the steel plates firmly together with his Heat Vision.

At this point, Peter alone could rival an entire construction crew known for their insane building speed.

Under everyone's utterly incredulous gazes, in less than half a day, the crude ice cave had been completely transformed.

The silver-white metal walls alone gave the impression of being incredibly sturdy and durable.

"Now we don't have to worry about this place collapsing," they all breathed a sigh of relief as they looked at the fortress-like metal walls.

"But now we also have no chance of escaping."

Aside from the necessary ventilation holes, the place was almost entirely covered in silver-white high-strength alloy, like a giant cage trapping them in for good.

"In that case, to get out of this damn place as soon as possible, it seems we have no choice but to follow his orders and do our best to make the suit he wants."

Though they were deeply resistant inside, for now, they had to do as Peter demanded.

"I hope that over the next while, we can work together, finish that guy's request quickly, and get out of here as soon as possible."

Tony looked at the others, his eyes full of resolve.

Some of these people he had heard of before; others he was meeting for the first time today.

But from this moment on, they would fight together, giving their all for their freedom.

"So, I hope that during this time, none of you hold back, and we fully unleash our brilliant minds."

"What's so special about a Nano-Suit? If we put our heads together, building a spaceship to fly out of here wouldn't be that hard either..."

Seeing the others trapped here, their faces tinged with negativity, Tony spoke with fervor to motivate them.

"A spaceship? If we had enough materials, I could build one by myself..."

As the princess of Wakanda, Shuri said she had already figured out how to build a spaceship a couple of years ago.

But nanotechnology was still a field she was researching and exploring.

"Heh, I hope they bring me a satisfying result soon."

Slowly closing the only exit, made of alloy at the top, Peter shot straight into the sky the next moment, flying toward his home.

He didn't have much time to stick around with them, because the holidays were almost over.

And even though he was now Superman, he still had to go to class.

Meanwhile, in the Wakanda Tribe in Africa, a highly important ceremony was taking place.

T'Challa, son of King T'Chaka of Wakanda, was about to undergo the baptism of the Heart-Shaped Herb, receiving the blessing and protection of the Panther God, and awakening the power of the Black Panther.

This was a day second only to the selection of Wakanda's new king.

At that moment, countless Wakandan subjects gathered before the cave where the Heart-Shaped Herb grew.

Standing on the rocks around the waterfall with its rushing waters, they looked at their king with eyes full of respect and admiration—the true leader who had guided them toward prosperity.

"People of Wakanda, as you all know, we deeply cherish peace. That is the true reason we have always remained hidden here."

"But yesterday, an intruder broke into Wakanda and took away the princess, my only daughter."

Facing all the people of Wakanda, the old king, standing in the swift currents, spoke slowly, his voice unable to hide the grief of his daughter's kidnapping.

"At this moment, it's not just for my daughter, but for all of Wakanda, for every citizen of Wakanda."

As he spoke, the old king's gaze gradually grew resolute.

"The people of Wakanda despise war, but they do not fear it."

"When friends come, we prepare the most lavish feast and the grandest welcome ceremony."

"But when a powerful enemy invades, what awaits them are Wakanda's most fearless warriors, their sharpest spears, which will pierce the enemy's heart with ruthless force!"

"The people of Wakanda are invincible!"

The old king's expression grew more and more impassioned, and finally he raised the scepter in his hand—the symbol of power and supreme authority.

"Wakanda forever!"

"Wakanda forever!"

In an instant, a roar like crashing waves and rolling thunder echoed throughout all of Wakanda.

Even the swiftly flowing waterfalls around them were stirred by the immense clamor.

As all the people of Wakanda seethed with fervor, the old king continued, "And so now, my most courageous and fearless son, T'Challa..."

The old king's gaze turned in time toward his son, who had long been waiting at the side.

"Shall challenge Wakanda's bravest warrior. If he succeeds, he will, following the guidance of our ancestors, consume the precious Heart-Shaped Herb and receive the blessing and grace of the great Panther God."

"And he will succeed me as Wakanda's new protector—the Black Panther!"

At this moment, before all the people of Wakanda, the old king announced this shocking news.

"Father, I will not let you down!"

Stepping into the flowing river, T'Challa came before his father, his face filled with determination.

"Now, I declare the challenge begins immediately!"

"Hu... ha!"

Thump, thump, thump!

The moment the old king declared the start of the challenge, all the people of Wakanda erupted in excited cheers, and a unique drumbeat began to sound, stirring everyone's spirits.

At the same time, several of Wakanda's most fearless warriors, holding sharp spears, surrounded T'Challa in the river.

A warrior wearing a fierce mask, his build far more massive than T'Challa's, stood face to face with him.

"Hah!"

With a roar, the challenge began instantly.

The burly Wakandan warrior was the first to strike, thrusting the spear in his hand fiercely toward T'Challa before him.