Charles's Abilities Are Crippled

"Rorschach, we're planning to leave immediately to apprehend Shaw."

"What I need you to know is that this operation no longer has the CIA's support. Agent Moira is still suspended, so this is a private operation for us."

"Whether you decide to participate or not, I felt it was necessary to inform you beforehand."

Charles's voice rang out, his expression grave as he looked at Rorschach.

Of course, there was also a hint of anticipation in his eyes. While Charles wouldn't force Rorschach, he would be very disappointed if Rorschach faltered at such a critical moment.

After all, he and Erik had always placed great expectations on Rorschach.

"I understand. So, when do we leave?" Rorschach asked, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

This was a golden opportunity to refresh his mission objectives, how could Rorschach possibly refuse?

Moreover, he'd been eating, drinking, and living at Charles's place for free all this time. Now that Charles needed him, Rorschach pretending he had nothing to do with it would be truly unconscionable.

Then Rorschach saw an almost imperceptible hint of joy appear on both Charles's and Erik's faces.

"Get the others too!"

Erik added from the side at this moment.

"Erik, they aren't ready yet," Charles hesitated.

Admittedly, everyone's training had been fruitful during this period, and their strength had improved significantly compared to before.

But in Charles's eyes, they hadn't reached the level of "graduates."

Even Erik could only blindly rely on his rage to trigger his potential, and in his normal state, he could only withstand bullets, nothing more!

Not to mention the others.

"Charles, when Shaw attacked the CIA, he didn't consider whether they were ready or not. Reality is cruel. Can you guarantee they'll be prepared for every difficulty and setback in the future?"

"In my opinion, they are prepared enough!"

Erik stated forcefully.

"Charles, Erik is right."

Moira agreed with Erik on this point. "You can't protect them forever, and besides, we need them."

Charles fell silent.

A moment later, he finally nodded. "Fine!"

Next, Charles gathered all the mutants together and told them about the plan to find Shaw.

"I believe you all know who Shaw is. If you wish to stay out of this operation, I will completely understand. You have every reason to do so."

Charles said to everyone with a serious expression.

The atmosphere in the room visibly began to turn oppressive. Shaw's previous attack on the CIA had left too deep a psychological scar on everyone.

"Go, of course, we'll go. I've been waiting for this day for a long time!"

Wrecker Alex's voice was the first to ring out, his response loud and clear.

"Count me in! I'm no longer a weakling to be protected." Mystique Raven spoke second.

People are prone to follow the crowd. With Wrecker and Mystique taking the lead, the other mutants, despite feeling nervous, hesitant, and worried, all joined in without exception.

Charles and Erik couldn't help but exchange glances, seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes.

The painstaking training they had undergone recently had not been in vain.

"OK! Everyone go back and get ready. We'll gather on the training grounds in twenty minutes!"

Erik clapped his hands and said to everyone.

The mutants left with various expressions on their faces.

Only then did Moira glance at Charles, Erik, and Rorschach, and ask with little confidence, "Do you think we can actually catch Shaw this time?"

"There's no 'can' or 'cannot.' I must catch him!" Magneto stated decisively.

Two hours later.

A plane took off from New York and landed in Manhattan. The group of mutants walked out along the corridor.

"Damn, the weather in Manhattan is really cold!"

Siren pulled at her sleeve, trying to trap more body heat. "By the way, was Shaw in Manhattan? I wonder if he's planning to invade Wall Street."

"That's a question you can ask him once we catch him," Wrecker chimed in from the side.

"Of course, we'll have to 'ask' him properly." Darwin added, raising his fist.

It was clear that his definition of "asking" involved using his fists.

After the emotional dilution from the long journey, the mutants had adjusted quite a bit and were no longer as tense as before.

This was a good thing.

Outside the airport, Moira had already prepared a car.

The group got into the car and, following Moira, made countless turns through various streets before finally stopping on a somewhat desolate street.

Not far from where everyone had parked, there was an ordinary hotel.

"Wait for me here for a bit!"

Moira called out to the people in the car and then got out.

She walked about three hundred meters forward and sat down on a public wooden bench in front of a crooked-necked tree.

It looked like she was just finding a place to rest because she was tired.

Before long, a middle-aged man walked past Moira.

He didn't stop by Moira but instead made a gesture to her very subtly.

Moira understood. Not long after the middle-aged man disappeared from sight, she got back into the car.

"I've confirmed with my informant, Shaw is inside!"

Moira said, pointing at the hotel.

"Charles!"

Erik's spirits lifted, and he immediately said to Charles.

Charles wasted no words. He immediately placed his hand on his temple and began to sense the interior of the hotel ahead.

Soon, his expression turned grim. "I have some bad news. My abilities are being restricted to outside the hotel."

"Well."

Erik let out a cold laugh. "That's good news for me!"

Charles's abilities were being blocked. What did that mean?

They hadn't come to the wrong place!

"How could this be? Do they have another telepath?" Moira asked Charles, frowning.

This wasn't good news for her, as they would have no idea what the situation was like inside the hotel.

"Perhaps, I can't be sure. But I'm sorry, I might not be able to help much with the upcoming action."

Charles shook his head, saying with a bit of dejection.

His entire skillset revolved around manipulating minds and playing with consciousness. Once those abilities were restricted, he was completely useless.