"Buddy, just like you predicted, Scott came to his daughter's birthday party. Doesn't look like he's very welcome, though."
"Got it. Thanks for your help, Tartaglia."
"Don't mention it. No big deal."
After hanging up, Lin Ze confirmed once again that the plot had begun. In the movies, Scott, who had already become Ant-Man, had taken part in the Avengers' civil war and played a considerable role in the final showdown against the big boss, that purple potato.
Ever since Lin Ze had learned how future events might unfold, a powerful sense of impending danger had hung over him. It was as though a guillotine blade dangled above his head while he stood beneath it, able to see it perfectly clearly.
Lin Ze knew the blade would fall eventually, but when it would fall, and whether its path and timing would change, were all unknown.
That feeling unsettled him, so he made a decision.
I'm going to get the team together before Thanos arrives. And infighting? I'll avoid it wherever I can. Time is precious. Whatever grudges my friends have against each other can wait until we've dealt with Thanos and his lackeys.
With his goal reaffirmed, Lin Ze turned to Arataki Itto, who was so bored that he had his rear stuck up in the air as he hunted for bugs to play with in the cracks between the rocks.
"Bro Itto."
"Huh!?"
Arataki Itto stood up and dusted off his hands. "My friend, what'd you just call me?"
"Ahem, well..."
Lin Ze rubbed the tip of his nose. "Nothing. Itto, to be honest, I asked you here because I wanted your help."
"What? Well, would you look at that! Never thought I'd see the day when you, the Traveler, actually asked for help. Aren't you usually pretty good