Transformation!

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

Steve Rogers, dressed in a dark blue suit, slowly walked toward the witness stand. His steps were steady, but the white marks his fingers pressed into the edge of the documents revealed his inner tension.

Natasha Romanoff sat beside him, her red hair tied into a neat bun. Her dark green suit made her look like a dagger drawn from its sheath. When Steve took his seat, 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 'Investigation Report on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Infiltration Incident,' please present your findings to the court."

Steve opened the heavy dossier. The gilded word "Hydra" on the title page had been crossed out with a blood-red slash, and beneath it were shocking figures:

‌4,782 undercover agents‌

‌37 manipulated global projects‌

‌12 secret bases

The television broadcast suddenly switched, the camera turning to the chaotic scene outside the Capitol Building. Several members of Congress were being escorted out by agents, their ties crooked, their suits disheveled, their faces filled with terror and unwillingness.

"This is a CNN special report," the anchor said solemnly. "Following the stunning evidence of Hydra infiltration exposed by Captain America, the FBI has launched a large-scale arrest operation."

The footage switched to a set of archival files 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, the Arbitrator Organization," the anchor continued, "Vice Chair Emma Zhang of the World Security Council repeatedly altered United Nations peacekeeping deployment plans, providing cover for Hydra's secret bases in Africa."

The camera swept across 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 complex financial networks."

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

The camera returned to the studio, and the anchor's expression was grave. "Even more shocking is that 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 core of power in nations around the world."

The television screen flickered and switched to a blurry surveillance video. A United Nations Security Council member could be seen saluting several shadowy figures on the other end of a video call inside a secret meeting room. "Hail Hydra."

"This video evidence provided by Captain America," the anchor said in a trembling voice, "confirms that Hydra, this terrorist organization, is still trying to overthrow the world from behind the scenes."

The broadcast suddenly 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 sword.

"Everyone, history has taught us a painful lesson." Steve's voice was calm and forceful. "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 various nations wore grave expressions. Natasha stood beside Steve, her fingers rapidly swiping across a tablet as she brought up a series of data charts.

The footage switched to a holographic image of the Battle of Washington District, showing Arbitrator members 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 their actions 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. Think about it—if such a system existed..."

The footage abruptly changed to the horrific fall of Washington District, with the Chitauri army slaughtering civilians and destroying skyscrapers. A suppressed gasp rose from the audience.

In the studio, the anchor's voice grew excited. "Captain Rogers is calling for a superhero alliance that transcends national boundaries! This will be the greatest transformation in humanity's security structure!"

"One last thing." Steve removed the star-spangled 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 taught us one truth: the strongest fortress is often breached from within. The Arbitrators are the 'external oversight' we need—the guardians who will never be corrupted."

The television signal flickered again, switching to anti-Hydra demonstrations erupting across the world at the same time. Crowds held signs reading 'Trust the Arbitrators,' gathering into vast seas across the streets of Europe and America.

At the top-floor command center of Arbitrator Tower, the moonlight over 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 chime, the live broadcast abruptly ended, leaving only the sound of waves crashing against the shore echoing through the room.

Tony Stark leaned casually against a quantum data terminal. He lifted a mug and swallowed the cold coffee. "So far," he said to Chen Tian, who was adjusting the holographic tactical sandbox, his voice carrying a long-lost ease, "your plan worked."

Chen Tian's slender fingers swept through the floating tactical data streams. He turned around, and the command center's intelligent lighting system cast uneven shadows across his face. "At least,"

the corner of his mouth rose slightly, "we no longer have to apply to certain governments for permission to launch rescue operations when people in crisis need us."

Tony set down the ceramic mug, its base making a soft sound against the Vibranium counter. "You know," he said, suddenly pointing toward the dark ocean beyond the window, "while we were fighting the Chitauri army, those people at the Pentagon were still worried that the Arbitrators would steal their toy soldiers."

Chen Tian walked to the curved window and lightly touched the smart glass with his fingertips. The entire wall instantly transformed into a tactical display, with thirty-seven global security alerts shifting from red to green and casting specks of light across his irises.

"Now they should understand," he said calmly. "Some tsunamis can only be held back by breakwaters spanning continents."

Tony paced to the window, the miniature reactor in his chest casting a deep-blue reflection over the glass. "JARVIS ran a global public opinion scan." With a casual wave, social media data streams burst like fireworks over the Pacific Ocean. "Support is eighteen percentage points higher than expected—have to say, the support curve in Dongjin is as pretty as a perfect sine wave."

"The truth is always the sharpest weapon." Chen Tian watched footage of Berlin streets flash through the data streams, where Arbitrator rescue mechs were helping police maintain order.

Tony suddenly laughed. "Seriously, when that old judge's Hydra tattoo showed beneath his robes—"

He exaggerated the World Security Council secretary-general's frozen expression. "JARVIS, pull up the 4K holographic recording. That absolutely deserves to be the opening animation at the next global summit."

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

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

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

Chen Tian picked up a crystal glass from the console, and the containers in their hands lightly clinked beneath the moonlight over the Pacific Ocean.

Amid the crisp sound of crystal striking crystal, the command center's entire lighting system suddenly switched to celebration mode, and 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 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, swaying to the rhythm as his arm traced a shining arc through the air.

"Now that's celebration music!" Tony shouted at the intelligent system, his voice nearly drowned out by the deafening drumbeat. He turned to Chen Tian. "Come on, move! Stop putting on airs!"

Chen Tian burst into laughter, the sound like fireworks exploding over the Pacific as it echoed through the command center. He yanked off his dark blue tie in one motion, 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've been ready!"

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

In an instant, the entire command center began to transform. The tactical holographic projectors retracted, replaced by arrays of surrounding laser lights; the data terminals sank down, revealing hidden champagne coolers; even the bulletproof glass curtain walls switched to holographic starry-sky mode.

With a burst of electrical static, the iconic glowing helmet of top DJ champion Deadmau5 appeared on the central stage—a virtual 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 wanted have arrived!" Happy Hogun barged in, pushing a hovering cart loaded with top-shelf champagne. His "Stark's Party Provisions" T-shirt gleamed beneath the ultraviolet lights. Behind him followed a group of supermodels in futuristic gowns, their glowing cocktails tracing dazzling streaks through the darkness.

Behind him, Banner pushed up his glasses and walked in with a slightly restrained air; 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 entered last, still wearing that dark blue suit, though his tie had already been loosened. He hesitated at the doorway for a second before Barton grabbed him and pulled him inside.

"Relax, old ice pop!" Barton laughed, stuffing a glass of whiskey into his hand. "Tonight, there's no Captain America—only Steve Rogers!"

At some point, 2B had already appeared beside Chen Tian. She had changed out of her combat uniform and was wearing a silver sequined mini dress, her slender arm naturally wrapped around Chen Tian's. Her eyes shimmered with an unusual light beneath the illumination.

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

Chen Tian looked at 2B with shining eyes, making her slightly embarrassed.

Tony raised his glass high, champagne bubbling cheerfully within it. "To our great victory! To Steve's brilliant speech! To—"

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

"To Hydra's stupidity!" everyone echoed, their glasses colliding in the air with crisp chimes.

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

"What? Not used to it?" Tony asked, raising an eyebrow.

Steve shook his head and accepted the drink. "It's just... it's been a long time since I've felt this relaxed."

"Then enjoy it!" Tony patted his shoulder. "Starting tomorrow, you'll have plenty to keep you busy." As he spoke, he gave Chen Tian a meaningful look.

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

2B pulled Chen Tian onto the dance floor. Her dancing was elegant yet carried the unique precision of a machine, and she moved with Chen Tian in perfect harmony. Happy whistled from the side while the models let out waves of cheers.

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

Brilliant fireworks blossomed in the virtual night sky, each one transforming 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 high. "To a new era!"

"To a new era!" Cheers resounded throughout the command center, drowning out even the roar of the Pacific waves. 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 on the Malibu cliffs was still shrouded in thin mist. Steve Rogers pushed open the titanium-alloy door to the training room, only to unexpectedly find Chen Tian already sitting inside.

The training room's intelligent glass wall had just switched to sunrise mode. The first rays of dawn over the Pacific passed through the nanoscale filter layer, casting mottled light and shadow across Chen Tian's face.

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

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

"Morning, Captain." Chen Tian's voice still carried sleepiness as he raised a hand toward the coffee machine by the wall. "Freshly brewed Guatemalan, extracted at ninety degrees."

Steve raised an eyebrow. As he walked toward the coffee machine, his eyes 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 jumped onto the bar and raised his bottle.

"I thought you'd 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. "Don't be surprised. I was waiting for you here."

Steve paused slightly. Seeing the holographic clock on the training room wall read 06:02, he could not help sighing. Morning light streamed through the intelligent glass onto Chen Tian's sharply defined profile, but there was not the slightest trace of sleepiness in those sharp eyes now.

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

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

Steve slowly nodded, dawn casting deep shadows into his azure eyes. "Is it about stopping 2B from hurting Bucky in Washington District, interfering with her, and letting Bucky escape with the Mind Scepter?"

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

The training room's intelligent glass suddenly switched into tactical mode, displaying a holographic projection of the ruins of the Trident Building. 2B silently slid her fingers through the interface, enlarging a certain underground laboratory—in a shattered container, a scepter embedded with a blue gemstone lay quietly in a pool of blood.

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

Steve stared at the flickering scepter in the projection, his brow deeply furrowed. "The scepter can release massive energy waves. I felt its destructive power in Washington District."

"No." Chen Tian suddenly stood and waved out another set of images—former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Pierce standing beside Loki, his eyes glowing with an eerie blue light; Crossbones Rumlow inside the Trident Building, likewise engulfed by blue light. "What is truly terrifying about that 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 its rebellion at the Trident Building, opened the wormhole, and let in the Chitauri army."

"Otherwise, they would never have needed to risk starting a war. They already had the Tesseract. They only needed to hide underground and research powerful weapons." Chen Tian stared at Steve, anger flashing in his eyes. "Now do you understand how much destruction letting Bucky go will cause from here on out?!"

Chen Tian's voice was deafening. "We worked so hard to identify the Hydra agents hidden in every government department and reclaim the Tesseract! And now you've given them another energy weapon on the level of the Tesseract! An even more terrifying one!"

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

"Could it be that, in your heart, the safety of that brainwashed buddy of yours matters more than the lives of people around the world?!"

Steve's pupils suddenly contracted. The coffee cup in his hand crashed to the floor with a sharp crack, and scalding liquid splashed across 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, leaving even his lips deathly pale.

In the morning light, his body swayed slightly, as if all his strength had suddenly been drained away. Those blue eyes that were always so resolute were now bloodshot, fixed on the scepter in the holographic projection that radiated a dim blue glow.

"I... I didn't know..." His voice was hoarse beyond recognition. His fingers unconsciously clutched the fabric of his uniform over his chest, his knuckles whitening from excessive force. The training room was kept at a constant twenty-two degrees, yet large beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead.

Chen Tian's furious questions struck his heart like a heavy hammer. Steve collapsed onto the sofa, his vision beginning to blur and his ears ringing. It was 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 rang out. At some point, she had pulled up Steve's vital monitoring data. "Immediate sedative treatment is recommended."

But Steve could no longer hear her. His world spun, and scenes kept flashing through his mind—Bucky falling from the train, the explosion at the Trident Building, the enormous wormhole above Washington District... and now, because of his choice, all of it might happen again.

"What... what have I done..." he muttered, his broken voice almost inaudible. A bead of cold sweat slid down from his temple, hung beneath his chin for a moment, then finally fell onto the training room's cold floor.

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

"Awake now, Captain?" His voice was low, sharp as the blade aura he wielded. "Breaking down will not solve anything."

Cold water ran down Steve's cheeks and dripped onto his uniform. His breathing hitched for a moment before gradually settling. When he raised his head again, a trace of sharpness had finally returned to his blue eyes, but the pain and guilt buried deep within them had become even more apparent.

"I'll take responsibility." He raised a hand to wipe the water from his face, his voice firm. "I'll bring Bucky back myself."

Chen Tian watched Steve for a moment before finally nodding. He turned toward the holographic projection table, his fingers rapidly sliding through the air as he brought up a series of satellite images.

"Sokovia." Chen Tian's voice 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 snow-covered mountains.

2B silently handed over an encrypted file. Chen Tian projected it into the air. "According to our intelligence, Bucky and the scepter were most likely both transferred here." He pointed to a cross-sectional map of the castle's underground structure. "There's 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 of the projection, and his gaze gradually regained its usual sharpness. "I need a small team."

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

"Listen, Rogers." Chen Tian stared directly into Captain America's eyes, his voice as low as Death's whisper. "I'm giving you one last chance. If you can wake Bucky... I won't interfere."

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

Steve clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "I understand your position. But I'll use every possible means..."

"No, not every possible means. You must." 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 too!"