Transformation!

On television, beneath the dome of the Washington District Federal Court, camera flashes poured down like a torrential rain.

Steve Rogers, dressed in a deep blue suit, slowly walked toward the witness stand. His steps were steady, but the white marks his knuckles left against the edge of the documents betrayed his inner tension.

Natasha Romanoff sat beside him, her red hair tied into a neat bun. Her dark green suit made her resemble a dagger drawn from its sheath. When Steve sat down, she gave an almost imperceptible nod—a tacit understanding unique to S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

"Captain Rogers." The chief judge struck the gavel. "As the primary author of the 'S.H.I.E.L.D. Infiltration Incident Investigation Report,' please present your findings to the court."

Steve opened the heavy file. The gilded word "Hydra" on the title page had been slashed through with a blood-red line, and beneath it were startling figures:

4,782 undercover agents

37 manipulated global projects

12 secret bases

The television broadcast suddenly switched, turning to the chaotic scene before the Capitol Building. Several congressmen were escorted out by agents, their ties crooked, their suits rumpled, their faces filled with terror and resentment.

"This is a CNN special report," the anchor said solemnly. "Following Captain America's revelation of shocking evidence of Hydra infiltration, the FBI has launched large-scale arrests."

The footage shifted to a set of archived records, showing that the arrested Senator Richard Morrison had used his position over the past decade to arrange twenty-seven key government posts for Hydra agents.

"According to encrypted documents provided by the superhero organization, Arbitrators," the anchor continued, "World Security Council Vice Chair Emma Zhang repeatedly altered United Nations peacekeeping deployment plans, providing cover for Hydra's secret bases in Africa."

The camera swept over the New York Stock Exchange, where dozens of financial elites were being handcuffed. The anchor added, "These Wall Street bankers are suspected of laundering more than twelve billion dollars for Hydra's 'Hydra Protocol' project through a complex financial network."

Suddenly, the footage switched to the Euro Continent, where the press secretary of Country D's prime minister was being taken away by police. "Latest reports indicate that this spokesperson helped Hydra scientists obtain European Union research funds to develop the control system for the Soul Forge."

The camera returned to the studio, where the anchor's expression was grave. "Even more shocking, some of these arrested high-ranking officials had been embedded in political circles for over thirty years. Using the Cold War-era Project Paperclip as cover, they gradually infiltrated the centers of power in various nations."

The television image flickered and switched to a blurry surveillance recording. A World Security Council member stood in a secret conference room and saluted several shadowy figures on the other end of a video call. "Hail Hydra."

"This video evidence provided by Captain America," the anchor said, his voice trembling, "confirms that Hydra, this terrorist organization, is still attempting to subvert the world from the shadows."

The television feed abruptly returned to the federal court. Steve Rogers stood before the witness stand, determination blazing in his blue eyes. Behind him, a holographic projection displayed the emblem of the Arbitrator Organization—a sharp sword.

"Everyone, history has already taught us painful lessons." Steve's voice was calm and powerful. "When S.H.I.E.L.D. was infiltrated by Hydra, we lost our strongest line of defense. When governments around the world were secretly manipulated, we nearly lost the entire planet."

The camera swept across the gallery, where representatives from every nation wore grim expressions. Natasha stood beside Steve, rapidly swiping across her tablet and bringing up a set of data charts.

The scene switched to a holographic image of the Battle of Washington District, showing Arbitrators fighting the Chitauri army.

"What we need is not another bureaucratic institution that can be infiltrated," Steve said, clenching his fist. "We need a truly transparent, non-governmental global defense system. The Arbitrators have proven through action that they can become the core of that system."

"This is not about weakening national sovereignty." Natasha took over, a cold smile curving her red lips. "It is about building an 'immune system' that even Hydra cannot corrupt. Just think—if we had such a system..."

The screen suddenly showed the devastation of Washington District's fall: Chitauri forces massacring civilians and demolishing skyscrapers. Suppressed gasps rose from the audience.

In the studio, the anchor's voice became excited. "Captain Rogers is calling for the establishment of a Superhero League that transcends national borders! This will be the most significant transformation of humanity's security framework in history!"

"One last thing." Steve removed the stars-and-stripes badge from his chest and gently placed it on the witness stand. "This symbol represents my beliefs, not any political entity. Today, I choose to believe in humanity's shared future."

He turned toward the camera, his gaze blazing. "Hydra has taught us one truth: the strongest fortresses are often breached from within. The Arbitrators are the 'external oversight' we need, guardians who will never be corrupted."

The television signal suddenly flickered, switching to anti-Hydra demonstrations erupting simultaneously across the world. Crowds held signs reading "Believe in the Arbitrators," gathering into vast seas of people on streets across Europe and America.

At the top-floor command center of Arbitrator Tower, moonlight from the Pacific Ocean intertwined with the blue glow of holographic projections beyond the 270-degree curved floor-to-ceiling windows, forming a flowing curtain of light.

With a system beep, the live broadcast abruptly ended, leaving only the sound of waves striking the shore echoing through the room.

Tony Stark leaned against the quantum data terminal, lifting a mug as cold coffee slid down his throat. "For now," he said to Chen Tian, who was adjusting the holographic tactical sandbox, his voice carrying a long-lost ease, "your plan succeeded."

Chen Tian's slender fingers brushed through the floating stream of tactical data. He turned around as the command center's intelligent lighting system cast uneven shadows across his face. "At least—"

The corner of his mouth lifted. "We will not have to apply to certain governments for permission to launch rescue operations whenever people in crisis need us."

Tony set down the ceramic cup, its base making a soft sound against the Vibranium tabletop. "You know," he said, suddenly pointing at the dark sea outside, "while we were fighting the Chitauri army, those people at the Pentagon were still worried the Arbitrators would take away their toy soldiers."

Chen Tian walked toward the curved floor-to-ceiling windows. At the touch of his fingertips, the smart glass transformed into a tactical display. Thirty-seven global security alerts shifting from red to green cast scattered points of light across his irises.

"Now they should understand," he said calmly. "Some tsunamis require breakwaters spanning continents to withstand."

Tony paced to the window, the miniature reactor in his chest casting a deep blue reflection on the glass. "JARVIS ran a global public opinion scan." With a casual wave, streams of social media data bloomed like fireworks above the Pacific Ocean. "Support is eighteen percentage points higher than expected—not gonna lie, Dongjin's approval curve is as beautiful as a perfect sine wave."

"The truth has always been the sharpest weapon." Chen Tian watched footage of Berlin streets flash through the data stream, where Arbitrators' rescue mechs were assisting the police in maintaining order.

Tony suddenly burst out laughing. "Seriously, when that old judge's robe revealed a Hydra tattoo—"

He exaggerated the World Security Council Secretary-General's instantly frozen expression. "JARVIS, pull up the 4K holographic recording. That is absolutely worth turning into the opening animation for the next global summit."

Chen Tian shook his head with a smile, his gaze shifting to the holographic Earth at the center of the command center. Blue pulse signals representing Arbitrator bases were flashing across every continent, while the light pillar from the Malibu headquarters shot into the sky. "But the real battle has only just begun." His smile faded. "The Higgs Field Stabilizer for the Quantum Defense Network still needs—"

"Hey." Tony set down his coffee and picked up a crystal glass filled with liquor, cutting him off. "Tonight, to hell with protocols and contingency plans."

He winked. "Think about it. Captain America took off that badge he treasured for eighty years in front of seven billion viewers. That is definitely worth opening a forty-five-year-old Macallan."

Chen Tian lifted the crystal glass from the control console, and the containers in their hands lightly clinked beneath the moonlight of the Pacific Ocean.

Amid the crisp sound of crystal striking crystal, the entire command center's lighting system suddenly switched into celebration mode. JARVIS's British voice rang out. "Would the gentlemen like me to play Beethoven's Ninth Symphony?"

"Are you kidding, JARVIS?" Tony nearly spat out his drink. "Do Chen Tian and I look like the kind of people who enjoy that stuff? Play my favorite victory rock!"

At Tony's command, dazzling laser beams suddenly projected from the command center ceiling, and AC/DC's iconic electric guitar intro to "Back in Black" exploded like thunder. Tony raised his crystal glass high and swayed with the rhythm, his arm drawing a gleaming arc through the air.

"Now this is celebration music!" Tony shouted at the smart system, his voice nearly drowned out by the deafening drumbeats. He turned to Chen Tian. "Come on, move! Stop putting on airs!"

Chen Tian laughed loudly, his laughter like fireworks exploding over the Pacific as it echoed through the command center. He yanked off his deep blue tie, the silk tracing an elegant arc through the air before being precisely caught by a mechanical arm descending from the ceiling.

"Are you kidding, Tony? Who do you think I am? I have been ready for this!"

"JARVIS." Tony snapped his fingers, and nano-armor instantly covered his right arm, transforming into a gleaming DJ controller. "Let's turn this place into Malibu's hottest nightclub!"

In an instant, the entire command center began transforming. The tactical holographic projectors retracted, replaced by an array of surrounding laser lights. The data terminals sank away, revealing hidden champagne coolers. Even the bulletproof glass walls switched to holographic starfield mode.

With a burst of electric static, the signature glowing helmet of top DJ champion Deadmau5 appeared on the central stage—an artificial DJ created by Tony using holographic projection technology. The classic riff of "Back in Black" was remixed with heavier electronic beats, making even the glasses on the bar tremble slightly.

"Boss, the party supplies you ordered are here!" Happy Hogan barged in, pushing a floating catering cart loaded with premium champagne. His "Stark's Party Provisions" T-shirt gleamed under ultraviolet light. Behind him followed a group of supermodels in futuristic gowns, their glowing cocktails carving dazzling trails of light through the darkness.

Behind him, Banner adjusted his glasses and walked in somewhat awkwardly. Barton entered whistling, already holding a glass of champagne. Natasha's red hair burned like fire beneath the lights as she blew Tony a kiss.

Steve Rogers came in last, still wearing that deep blue suit, though his tie had already been loosened. He hesitated at the doorway for one second before Barton grabbed him and pulled him inside.

"Relax, old popsicle!" Barton laughed, shoving a glass of whiskey into his hand. "Tonight, there is no Captain America—only Steve Rogers!"

At some point, 2B had already appeared beside Chen Tian. She had changed out of her combat attire and now wore a silver sequined mini dress, her slender arm naturally hooked around Chen Tian's. Her eyes gleamed with unusual light beneath the flashing lights.

"Looks like I missed quite a show." 2B tilted her head and whispered beside Chen Tian's ear. "Master, you need to relax. I prepared the uniform you like."

Chen Tian looked at 2B with bright eyes, making her feel a little embarrassed.

Tony raised his glass high, champagne bubbles cheerfully rising inside it. "To our great victory! To Steve's wonderful speech! To—"

"To Hydra's stupidity!" Barton suddenly cut in, triggering a burst of laughter.

"To Hydra's stupidity!" everyone echoed, their glasses clinking crisply in the air.

Steve stood in the corner, watching the lively scene as the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose. Tony walked over holding two drinks and handed him one.

"What? Not used to this?" Tony asked with a raised brow.

Steve shook his head and accepted the glass. "It is just... it has been a long time since I relaxed like this."

"Then enjoy it!" Tony patted his shoulder. "Starting tomorrow, you are going to be busy." As he spoke, he gave Chen Tian a meaningful glance.

Steve fell silent. He knew that the matter of privately letting Bucky go had not yet been resolved.

2B pulled Chen Tian onto the dance floor. Her dancing was elegant yet carried the precision unique to a machine, and she matched Chen Tian perfectly. Happy whistled from the side while the models cheered in waves.

The ceiling's holographic projection suddenly transformed into fireworks filling the sky, and JARVIS's voice sounded during a break in the music. "Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy this specially prepared victory fireworks display."

Colorful fireworks bloomed in the virtual night sky, each turning into the emblem of an Arbitrator member. The final image was a sword—the Arbitrators' insignia—shining brilliantly above everyone's heads.

Tony jumped onto the bar and raised a bottle. "To the new era!"

"To the new era!" Cheers resounded through the command center, drowning even the crashing waves of the Pacific. On this sleepless night, a celebration belonging to heroes was reaching its peak at Malibu's Arbitrator Tower.

At six in the morning, Arbitrator Tower atop the Malibu cliffs was still shrouded in thin mist. Steve Rogers pushed open the titanium alloy door to the training room, only to find Chen Tian already sitting inside.

The training room's smart glass walls had just switched to sunrise mode. The Pacific's first rays of morning light passed through nano-scale filtering layers, casting mottled shadows over Chen Tian's face.

He wore a loose hoodie and sat sunk into the sofa, yawning, faint dark circles hanging beneath his eyes.

2B stood behind him, her slender mechanical fingers precisely pressing his temples. The lace trim of her maid outfit shone pearly white beneath the morning light.

"Morning, Captain." Chen Tian's voice was still sleepy as he gestured toward the coffee machine by the wall. "Freshly brewed Guatemalan. Ninety-degree extraction."

Steve raised a brow. As he walked toward the coffee machine, his gaze swept over the holographic projection in the center of the training room—it was a 3D recording of last night's party, frozen on the moment Tony had jumped onto the bar and raised his bottle.

"I thought you would sleep longer." Steve pressed the cup-size button. "After all, last night..."

"2B is more punctual than an alarm clock." Chen Tian accepted the coffee 2B handed him and took a sip, then suddenly raised a hand to interrupt Steve. "Do not be surprised. I was waiting here for you."

Steve paused slightly. Seeing the holographic clock on the training room wall displaying 06:02, he could not help but sigh. Morning light spilled through the smart glass onto Chen Tian's sharply defined profile, but there was no trace of sleepiness in those keen eyes.

"So... you got up before six?" Steve's fingers unconsciously rubbed the rim of his coffee cup.

A meaningful smile curled across Chen Tian's lips. He set down his cup, and his smart-fiber training suit tightened slightly with the movement. "Captain, why do you think I specifically chose this time to appear in the training room?"

Steve slowly nodded, morning light casting deep shadows into his azure eyes. "Is this about stopping 2B from hurting Bucky in Washington District and interfering, which led to Bucky escaping with the Mind Scepter?"

Chen Tian lightly tapped the edge of his coffee cup with a finger, producing a crisp sound.

The training room's smart glass suddenly switched to tactical mode, displaying a holographic projection of the ruins of Trident Building. 2B silently swiped her fingers, enlarging the image to a certain underground laboratory. Inside a shattered container, a scepter set with a blue gemstone lay quietly in a pool of blood.

"Does the Captain know the power of that scepter?" Chen Tian's voice suddenly became serious.

Steve stared at the flashing scepter in the projection, his brows tightly furrowed. "The scepter can unleash enormous energy waves. I felt its destructive power in Washington District."

"No." Chen Tian suddenly stood, waving up another set of images—former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Pierce standing beside Loki, strange blue light glowing in his eyes; Crossbones Rumlow in Trident Building, also shrouded in blue light. "The truly terrifying thing about this scepter is that it can control people's minds."

"Pierce and Rumlow were both controlled by the scepter." Chen Tian's voice was low as thunder. "That was why Hydra launched the rebellion at Trident Building, opened the wormhole, and let in the Chitauri army."

"Otherwise, there would have been no need for them to risk starting a war. They had already obtained the Tesseract. They only needed to hide underground and research powerful weapons." Chen Tian stared at Steve, fury flashing in his eyes. "Now do you understand how much destruction letting Bucky go will cause from this point on?!"

Chen Tian's voice was deafening. "We finally uncovered Hydra agents hidden throughout every government department and recovered the Tesseract! And now you have handed them an energy weapon equal to the Tesseract! An even more terrifying one!"

Chen Tian panted heavily with rage. "This energy weapon can control people's minds! Can you imagine what comes next? Countless people turning into Hydra puppets!"

"Could it be that, in your heart, the safety of your brainwashed best friend matters more than the lives of the people of this world?!"

Steve's pupils suddenly constricted. The coffee cup in his hand smashed to the ground with a sharp crack. Scalding liquid splashed onto his boots, but he did not notice. His lips trembled, yet he could not form a complete syllable. All color instantly drained from his face, even his lips turning pale.

In the morning light, his figure swayed slightly, as if all strength had suddenly been pulled from his body. Those blue eyes that had always been so resolute were now bloodshot, fixed upon the scepter in the holographic projection as it emitted its cold blue glow.

"I... I did not know..." His voice was horribly hoarse. His fingers unconsciously clutched the fabric over his chest, his knuckles whitening with excessive force. The training room was set to a constant twenty-two degrees, yet beads of cold sweat formed across his forehead.

Chen Tian's furious accusations struck his heart like heavy hammers. Steve collapsed onto the sofa, his vision beginning to blur, his ears ringing as though he had returned to that cold laboratory seventy years ago, watching Erskine fall before him.

"Master, Captain Rogers's blood pressure and heart rate are showing abnormal fluctuations." 2B's mechanical voice suddenly sounded. At some point, she had pulled up Steve's physiological monitoring data. "Immediate sedation is recommended."

But Steve could no longer hear her. His world spun as images repeatedly flashed through his mind: Bucky falling from the train, the explosion at Trident Building, the enormous wormhole over Washington District... and now, because of his choice, all of it might happen again.

"I... what have I done..." he muttered, his broken voice nearly inaudible. A drop of cold sweat slid down his temple, lingered at his chin for a moment, then finally struck the cold training room floor.

Chen Tian's anger eased slightly, but his gaze remained cold. He grabbed a glass of ice water from the table and, without hesitation, splashed it over Steve's face.

"Are you awake now, Captain?" His voice was low, as sharp as the blade energy he wielded. "Breaking down will not solve anything."

Cold water ran down Steve's cheeks and dripped onto his uniform. His breathing quickened for a moment before slowly settling. When he raised his head again, a trace of sharpness had finally returned to his blue eyes, though the pain and self-blame deep within them had only become more apparent.

"I will take responsibility." He wiped the water from his face, his voice firm. "I will bring Bucky back myself."

Chen Tian stared at Steve for a moment before finally nodding. He turned toward the holographic projection table and rapidly swiped through the air, bringing up a set of satellite images.

"Sokovia." Chen Tian's voice had returned to calm. "Our reconnaissance aircraft in Eastern Europe detected abnormal energy readings three days ago." The image enlarged, revealing an ancient castle hidden among snowy mountains.

2B silently handed over an encrypted file. Chen Tian projected it into the air. "According to intelligence, Bucky and the scepter have most likely both been transferred here." He pointed to a cross-sectional diagram of the castle's underground structure. "There is a Quantum Laboratory on the third underground level. Hydra is conducting some kind of energy weapon experiment there."

Steve stood up, water droplets falling from his blond hair. He carefully examined every detail in the projection, his gaze gradually regaining its usual sharpness. "I need a team."

"This time, 2B and I will personally join the operation."

"Listen, Rogers." Chen Tian looked straight into Captain America's eyes, his voice low like Death's whisper. "I am giving you one last chance. If you can awaken Bucky... I will not interfere."

The temperature in the training room seemed to suddenly drop. "But if he is still Hydra's weapon..." His voice was saturated with killing intent. "I will end him myself. To stop the power of the scepter from spreading, that is a necessary sacrifice."

Steve clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "I understand your position. But I will use every possible method..."

"No. Not every possible method. You must succeed." Chen Tian's pupils turned azure blue. "Otherwise, I will not let you repeat your mistake in Washington District. If necessary, you will be sacrificed as well!"