New York, Manhattan.
The morning sun shone on the top floor of the Stark Industries building.
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Luca held a cup of coffee, quietly looking down at New York, who had just woken up.
Wakanda.
A small East Africa country that has long been labeled on the United Nations' list as relying on agricultural aid for survival.
But what is the reality?
According to the lateral data JARVIS retrieved overnight, and the report analyzing the abnormal fluctuations in the local magnetic field.
That place definitely hides some kind of enormous energy source.
Their charade as an agricultural nation demonstrates their extreme xenophobia and deep fear of external greed.
The fact that they were able to hide for so many years under the noses of the whole world proves that they possess advanced technology.
And the root of all this is the Vibranium mine!
Vibranium, the hardest metal on Earth.
Thinking of this, Luca narrowed his eyes slightly.
For a country that thinks so highly of itself, all talk of business negotiations and diplomatic rhetoric is just nonsense.
If you knock on their door politely, they'll just kick you out and continue hiding in their shells, laughing at the outside world.
Therefore, Luca's objective was very clear.
He went to harvest.
To deal with an arrogant hedgehog, you must ruthlessly tear apart its shell!
We'll completely crush their technology and defenses, utterly defeating them!
Once they recognize reality and understand who the true masters of this planet are, then...
Then, sitting down as the victor, we force them to sign all sorts of humiliating and unequal agreements.
This is what Stark- style business acquisitions are all about!
" JARVIS." Luca put down his coffee, his tone decisive.
"Notify Peter, Gwen Stacy, Wanda, and Pietro to meet at the rooftop helipad in one hour."
"Yes, sir. Should we notify Captain Steve and Master Wong?"
"No need," Luca waved his hand.
"We don't need them for this operation; consider it a team-building exercise for the Justice League's new members."
One hour later.
Helipad.
The Justice, a stealth transport aircraft with a highly futuristic design, has started its engines.
Peter stood in front of the boarding stairs with his backpack on, his face full of conflict.
Although I was persuaded by Luca last night.
But after going back to sleep, Spider-Man's moral bottom line, as a good neighbor, began to ache again.
" Mr. Luca..."
Peter grabbed Luca, who was about to board the plane, and stammered.
"I... I still don't think it's a good idea. Wakanda is, after all, a sovereign nation. If we go there fully armed like this, wouldn't it seem a bit... a bit like invaders?"
Upon hearing Peter's question, Pietro, who was following behind, rolled his eyes.
"Can't you see things clearly? Luca said he's going to offer help, so he's going to offer help. Why are you talking so much nonsense?"
Luca wasn't angry; instead, he stopped walking.
He then turned around, placed his hands on Peter's shoulders, and his gaze became incredibly sincere.
" Peter, you're still too kind."
Do you think that a sovereign state represents justice?
"Look at this world! How many people are starving because of the energy crisis? How many are dying painfully from terminal illnesses? And what about Wakanda?"
"They possess Vibranium and technology capable of changing the fate of all humanity, yet they hold it tightly in their hands!"
"They live like God, hiding inside energy shields, watching people outside bleed and weep, yet they won't even lift a finger to help!"
Luca's tone grew increasingly forceful, as if he were genuinely angry.
"This is not sovereignty, it's selfishness! It's an obstacle to the progress of all humankind! It's a crime against the world!"
"We are not going to invade, Peter."
Luca looked directly into Peter's eyes, as if conveying a sacred mission.
"We're going to break down technological barriers! We're going to conduct antitrust investigations! We're going to bring Stark Industries ' advanced management experience to that backward world, and we're going to bring warmth to all of humanity!"
"If their stubbornness hinders humanity's future, then it is our responsibility to use our power to awaken them!"
With great power comes great responsibility. Have you forgotten that?
It has to be said that, coming from Luca's mouth, this distorted logic sounded incredibly righteous and noble!
Peter was stunned.
The saying "With great power comes great responsibility" once again inspired him.
yes!
Wakanda is being incredibly selfish by keeping its life-saving technology hidden away!
Mr. Luca is working for the future of all humanity!
"I understand, Mr. Luca!"
The hesitation in Peter's eyes vanished instantly.
"We're going to break the monopoly and bring warmth to the world! I'm ready!"
Gwen Stacy and Wanda, who were standing nearby, listened in stunned silence.
Although they had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
But looking at Luca's handsome, righteous face, I actually found what he said to make a lot of sense.
"Set off!"
Luca patted Peter on the shoulder with satisfaction, then turned and walked into the cabin.
As the hatch closed, Justice soared into the sky, speeding towards the Africa continent.
Inside the cabin.
Natasha and Jessica, who were responsible for serving tea and water, stood shivering in the corner, carrying trays full of red wine and fruit platters.
Today, they were forced to change into classic black and white maid outfits, with short skirts and white aprons that accentuated their slender waists.
But that's not what worries them.
Last night, the two of them each sent the intelligence back to headquarters.
This morning, they both received a message from their former employer.
S.H.I.E.L.D.. and Hydra have engaged in a full-scale firefight on the streets of Washington, D. C.!
Fury is being hunted by Hydra assassins in the sewers.
Pierce was on guard against assassination attempts by Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in his secret hideout.
The top officials on both sides were so engrossed in their work that they had no time to care about them.
When gods fight, the little devils suffer...
Natasha and Jessica exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
Their former employers are embroiled in a civil Civil War, and now they are completely orphans without a mother.
On this plane full of monsters.
Besides dutifully serving Luca his dishes and pouring his drinks, there was really nothing else they could do.
On the other side.
United States, Washington, D.C.., United States.
Deep inside a dark, damp sewer.
An abandoned air-raid shelter was temporarily converted into a safe house for S.H.I.E.L.D..
Nick Fury was covered in mud, and his black trench coat was stained with rat droppings from who-knows-where.
At this moment, his head was wrapped in bandages, his only remaining eye was bloodshot, and he was leaning against the corner of the wall, panting heavily.
Coulson was equally disheveled, holding a submachine gun and warily watching the entrance to the sewer.
Last night, they were assassinated by Hydra and nearly died on the street.
If Fury hadn't reacted quickly, the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.. would be a corpse by now.
"OMG Fuck!!"
Enraged, Fury punched a nearby iron pipe, causing rust to flake off.
"We were being chased like dogs by Hydra in the mud, we couldn't even get a good night's sleep!"
"And that damn Luca Stark actually flew his private jet, taking beautiful women to Africa to rob the world's richest country?!"
Fury had just received Natasha's last message from the plane, informing him that Luca had already departed.
This stark contrast drove the king of spies to despair and filled him with jealousy.
On what grounds?!
I'm drinking dirty sewer water here, and you're drinking Romanée-Conti on a plane?!
But I'm Director of S.H.I.E.L.D..!
Although Fury was extremely envious of Wakanda's Vibranium mines.
After all, if they could get their hands on it, S.H.I.E.L.D..'s firepower would absolutely overwhelm Hydra.
But they are struggling to survive themselves and cannot spare even a single agent to go to Africa to get a share of the profits.
"Chief, what do we do now? Should we contact the military...?" Coulson asked anxiously.
"Contact me my ass!" Fury interrupted him through gritted teeth.
" Wakanda was able to hide for so long, even fooling our satellites; it must be a terrifying place!"
"Let Stark, that madman, kick this steel plate!"
"I want to see how he gets humiliated in the Africa jungle!"
At this moment.
The other side of Washington.
Inside Alexander Pierce's secret command post.
The faint sounds of intense gunfire could be heard from the streets outside.
That was a Hydra commando team engaged in urban warfare with S.H.I.E.L.D.. agents.
Pierce sat behind the glass window, his eyes reddening as he looked at the intelligence Jessica was sending back.
Vibranium!
This is a strategic resource that Hydra has been dreaming of!
With Vibranium, Dr. Zola's ultimate weapon could be completed decades earlier!
What a pity!
Now, he could only watch helplessly as Luca devoured this piece of fat meat!
"Bang!"
Pierce, enraged, grabbed the teacup and smashed it against the wall.
"That damn cotton machine! If he hadn't gone mad, I would have already sent men to infiltrate Wakanda!"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Pierce's chest heaved violently, and he took several deep breaths before he could barely suppress his anger.
"We have to give up on Vibranium for now."
Pierce closed his eyes and gave a self-comforting, cold laugh.
" Luca is strong, but Wakanda isn't to be underestimated. Wait until they fight to the death in the jungle..."
"Let's take care of Nick Fury first and seize full control of S.H.I.E.L.D..'s resources. Then we can clean up the mess!"