Negotiations Break Down, the Avengers Split

"An ultimatum?"

Jiang Li casually flipped open the thick Sokovia Accords, listening to the rustle of paper as a mocking curve formed at the corner of his lips.

The atmosphere in the conference room was so oppressive it was suffocating. Tony Stark lowered his head and rubbed his brow, seemingly unwilling to meet Jiang Li's gaze, while Steve Rogers stood with his arms crossed, his brows knotted tightly.

General Ross stared fixedly at Jiang Li, his fingers tapping against the table. "That's right. One hundred and seventeen countries have already signed the document. If you refuse to sign, you'll be an illegal armed force. Especially you, Jiang Li—or rather, 'Omni.'"

Ross's greedy gaze fell upon the Omnitrix on Jiang Li's wrist.

"The clauses targeting you are on page seventy-two. Given that you possess 'uncontrollable, high-risk alien technology,' the United Nations Security Council requires you to surrender the device for sealing and supervision. Until you prove that you are safe, you will be confined to—"

Smack!

A crisp sound interrupted Ross.

Jiang Li closed the agreement and casually tossed it back onto the table like trash, then lazily leaned against the back of his chair. "If I remember correctly, that so-called Security Council is the group that wanted to drop a nuclear bomb on Manhattan a few years ago?"

"That was a necessary sacrifice!" Ross's expression darkened.

"A necessary sacrifice?" Jiang Li sneered, his gaze turning sharp in an instant. "I was the one who closed the portal. I was the one who turned Sokovia's falling city into sand. And now, a group of politicians hiding in offices wants to confiscate the weapon that saved the world?"

"Watch your attitude!" Ross slammed a hand on the table, his voice rising sharply. "Do you think you're still heroes? Look outside! Because of your 'unlimited right to self-defense,' the public is terrified! Without oversight, what makes you any different from criminals?"

"Of course there's a difference."

Steve Rogers, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke. His voice was low but resolute. "The difference is that we won't point our weapons at innocent people, while politicians will. This agreement isn't oversight. It's a collar. Once we sign it, where we go and who we save will all depend on orders. What if they won't let us save people? What if they order us to start a war?"

"Cap's right." Sam immediately stepped up behind Steve. "I'm used to taking orders, but taking orders from people like this? No thanks."

"That's what I think too." Wanda glanced at Jiang Li and silently walked to his side.

The sides were instantly clear.

On the opposing side were Jiang Li, Steve, Sam, Wanda, and Gwen, who removed her mask to reveal her blonde hair.

Across the table, Tony Stark finally raised his head.

"Jiang, Steve... didn't you see that kid who died in Sokovia?" Tony's voice was hoarse, even carrying a trace of pleading. "Charlie Spencer. He was just a college student who wanted to build houses, but he was crushed to death by the aftermath of our battle. We need to be accountable. We need oversight. Otherwise, we're uncontrolled monsters."

"Tony."

Jiang Li looked at his friend, who was nearly breaking beneath the torment of guilt, and sighed. "Guilt is a good thing. It keeps you human. But if you turn that guilt into shackles, you'll lose your judgment."

He pointed at Ross. "Do you really believe this guy cares about justice? He just wants military authority, wants control, and even... wants my watch."

Having his intentions exposed, Ross flew into a rage. "Enough! I didn't come here to debate philosophy with you! If you don't sign, you're criminals! I'll use every means available—including freezing your assets, destroying you in the media, and even deploying special forces to enforce it!"

"Enforce it?"

Jiang Li smiled, and an icy chill seeped through that smile.

He slowly rose to his feet, raised his left hand, and gently turned the dial of the Omnitrix with his fingertips.

"Ross, have you forgotten who I am?"

"I know you're powerful, Jiang Li." Ross took a step back, one hand pressing against the signal transmitter at his waist. "But I have two squads of elite troops outside, equipped with sonic weapons. And Vision is on this side too... right?"

Ross looked toward Vision, who had been floating in the air the entire time.

Vision fell silent for a moment. His logical calculations inclined him toward the agreement. "If you refuse to sign, it will indeed escalate the conflict. Statistically speaking, oversight can reduce casualties."

"See?" Ross regained his confidence. "Now, hand over your watch, or—"

Bzzzt!

A blinding pink light instantly illuminated the entire conference room.

Jiang Li did not transform. He merely activated Chromastone's energy projection mode.

A precise energy beam shot from the dial and instantly struck the Sokovia Accords on the table.

Boom!

The five-hundred-page document did not even have time to burn before the high-temperature energy reduced it directly to ash, which drifted down in a flurry over General Ross's terrified face.

"This... is my answer."

Through the swirling ash, Jiang Li looked coldly at Ross. "You can call your special forces in and give it a try. But I guarantee that before they fire a shot, I can turn the Pentagon's servers into a brick—and send every piece of dirt on your corruption, bribery, and illegal experiments to every phone in the world."

As his words fell, every screen in the conference room suddenly flickered and instantly changed into a green electronic ghost face—the symbol of Upgrade.

"This is a warning, Ross." Jiang Li's voice seemed to carry an electronic echo. "Get out."

Ross's face turned from red to white, then from white to green. He looked into Jiang Li's utterly fearless eyes, then at Tony and Vision beside him. Though they stood on a different side, they clearly would not let him harm Jiang Li. In the end, he clenched his teeth hard.

"Fine... very well."

Ross awkwardly straightened his ash-covered suit and viciously pointed at everyone. "You'll regret this. From this moment on, you are wanted criminals."

With that, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

The conference room returned to dead silence, but the fracture in the air could no longer be mended.

"Did you have to take it this far, Jiang?" Tony looked at the ashes scattered across the floor, pain in his eyes. "We could have negotiated."

"There's no room to negotiate with the devil, Tony."

Jiang Li turned and headed for the door with Gwen. Steve, Sam, and Wanda followed close behind.

At the doorway, Jiang Li stopped. He did not turn around, merely speaking to Tony with his back to him.

"Be careful, Tony. Your anxiety and guilt have made you vulnerable. And in this world, there are people hiding in the shadows who love using that vulnerability to bring down strong fortresses."

"What do you mean?" Tony frowned.

"I mean... don't keep counting someone else's money after they've sold you out."

With that, Jiang Li strode away with the others.

The Avengers had, at last, completely split apart.

In an inconspicuous apartment across from Avengers Tower, a bespectacled man removed the surveillance headphones from his ears.

Helmut Zemo watched the heroes part ways outside, a cold smile curling across his lips.

"Half the mission is complete. Next... it's time to light the fuse."

He looked at the calendar, where one date had been circled—the Vienna United Nations Special Conference.

[Ding! The Avengers split storyline has been achieved!]

[The host forcefully repelled government pressure. Worldline alteration rate: 15%!]

[Reward obtained: Omnitrix Ultimate Evolution function (Ultimatrix) trial card ×1! Duration: 10 minutes!]

[Emotion points obtained: 600,000!]

[Main quest updated: Go to Vienna, stop the bombing, and face the coming storm of civil war!]