The World Security Council was wary of the power Lu Yifang had displayed, but they still trusted Fury fairly well. If Fury said that Lu Yifang was currently in S.H.I.E.L.D. and under complete control, then to them, it would be like a nuclear bomb that had been loose in the world being returned to storage. They would undoubtedly feel much more at ease.
"Protecting Lu Yifang is also protecting everyone else," Fury said honestly.
"But what are you planning to do next? You can't keep Yifang confined in S.H.I.E.L.D. forever. He's a person, not a strategic nuclear weapon." Professor X pressed him.
"I naturally know that. In fact, I've already arranged what comes next. Take a look at this." As he spoke, Fury handed Professor X another file.
Professor X accepted the file. The words Anti-Hulk Defense Plan were prominently written across it. Curious, Professor X opened the file with a thought.
"Professor X, Abomination is dead, but the even more terrifying Hulk still exists. Regarding Hulk, I believe you should have learned a fair amount by now. He's a monster that simply can't be killed by conventional means." Seeing Professor X begin to read through the file, Fury started explaining as well.
"Although, as far as I know, Doctor Banner, Hulk's host, is a good man, unfortunately, he can't control Hulk at all. We have no intention of provoking this monster, but that doesn't mean that certain people with ulterior motives won't. And who knows when he might transform again and become a menace rampaging through the city? S.H.I.E.L.D.'s duty is to protect world peace, so in preparation for this possible situation, I plan to form an emergency team specifically for dealing with Hulk."
"And the core of this emergency team's formation is Yifang." Professor X closed the file and looked up.
"That's right!" Fury nodded.
"Although Hulk possesses immense strength and is virtually indestructible, you've seen it yourself. In front of Lu Yifang, he was completely countered."
"So you believe this is the best solution." Professor X calmly looked at Fury.
"It's a win-win plan." Fury stated his thoughts. "This way, Hulk's danger will be reduced to a minimum. As for the World Security Council, if they see a powerful Mutant using his abilities to protect the world's security, they won't be worried sick anymore."
"What do you think?" Fury stared at Professor X, waiting for his reply.
"Before I answer, there's one more question I want to ask you." Professor X did not immediately state his position. Instead, his expression grew serious.
"You're just an ordinary human. Aren't you afraid of Yifang's power?" As he spoke, Professor X secretly mobilized his Mental power and monitored Fury's every movement. Before Professor X's powerful Mental power, no one could deceive him.
Hearing Professor X's question, Fury froze for a moment before laughing.
"I've been Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. for many years. Although I'm not as old as you, my experience is certainly no less than yours. I've seen the most evil ordinary humans, and I've also seen Mutants as kind as you. Therefore, I understand one thing deeply: power has never been inherently good or evil. Even a dangerous nuclear bomb can be used to kill Nazis and advance world peace if handled properly. That has always been my belief!
"That's why I'm willing to help Lu Yifang. I believe his power can be used to protect the world, and I also have the confidence to guide him." Fury spoke with confidence.
"I see." Hearing this, Professor X nodded in satisfaction, considering Fury's words acknowledged.
As for the plan itself, Professor X could not find any flaws in it. He had to admit that when it came to dealing with the World Security Council, Fury was truly skilled.
"Wait!" As this thought flashed through his mind, Professor X's expression suddenly changed. He seemed to have overlooked something.
"You want Lu Yifang to stay in S.H.I.E.L.D." Just now, Fury had bombarded Professor X with a mountain of information, then muddled him with talk of protecting world peace, slowing his reaction by a beat.
Now that he had come to his senses, Professor X realized: Damn it, wasn't this guy still trying to poach my people by taking the long way around?
"I refuse." Professor X rejected him decisively.
Seeing this, Fury could not help sighing inwardly. They said that being as clever as could be really was no exaggeration. This old bald man, bald for so many years, truly lived up to his reputation. He had caught on so quickly. This was going to be a difficult poaching attempt.
Although he thought that inwardly, Fury still kept a straight face and showed a puzzled expression. "Why?"
"Why? Clearly..." Professor X coughed twice. He had really wanted to say, "Obviously, I found him first, whether it was finding him or bringing him back to the school."
But in the end, Professor X forced himself to swallow the words. He was not some little girl, and naturally knew that saying such things would be useless.
But that did not mean he would compromise. Lu Yifang was a Level 5 mutant. Damn it, was it easy for Mutants to produce a Level 5 mutant? A Level 5 mutant with a sound mind was even harder. He was still counting on Yifang to shoulder the responsibility of Mutant revival in the future, to study for the rise of the Mutants!
Damn it, you thought you could just take him because you said so? Did you think Mutants were a vegetable garden where you could let your pigs in to root around whenever you pleased?
Fortunately, the one here was Professor X. If Old Magneto had been here, with his explosive temper, he probably would have turned around, walked out, and taken a left to bomb S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Sky Carrier.
World, feel the pain!! —by furious Old Magneto
Although Professor X now understood Nick Fury's intentions, when faced with Fury's so-called win-win excuse, he opened and closed his mouth, only to find that he could not come up with a good rebuttal.
This made Professor X's expression as he looked at Fury even more solemn. He had never expected this "Baldy" to have not only a dark face, but an even darker heart. Why was he so skilled at poaching people? Just how many times had he done this, damn it?
"I did this because..."
"Don't try to change the subject." Professor X interrupted Fury. He also knew that Fury had the moral high ground on the surface, so he could not be bothered to keep arguing with him. It was better to speak frankly with him.
"Yifang is... special. So the Mutants absolutely won't abandon that child."
Hearing Professor X's resolute words, Fury was not angry. Instead, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Of course I know how difficult you are, Professor X. But for this moment, this director spent all of last night making emergency preparations. After throwing out so many cards, I finally figured out your bottom line.
"From your position as Professor X, I can understand your argument. But I already made myself clear: S.H.I.E.L.D. absolutely won't abandon that young man either." As Fury spoke, he noticed that Professor X's gaze had grown increasingly cold.
The hairs on the back of Fury's neck rose involuntarily. Although he had become Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., his years as an agent made him keenly aware of danger. The person before him was a Psychic-type V4+ mutant. Professor X was merely exercising restraint at present; if he wished, he could invade and alter Fury's mind in an instant.
Fury understood this better than anyone. Now that he had figured out Professor X's bottom line, continuing to test it would truly be courting death.
Fury swallowed, then changed his tack. "That said, I do have a truly win-win idea that can satisfy both our demands. Professor, would you like to hear it?"
"Let's hear it!" Hearing Fury's words, Professor X smiled again. The sense of danger Fury had just felt vanished in an instant, as though it had never existed at all.
Nice try. Did you think you were the only one who knew how to play tricks?
Before you continue