As promised, I sent the remaining food supplies to Sokovia and started looking for a site to build a factory that required simple labor. The person who ca as a guide from Sokovia was "Colonel Helmut Zemo."
"Nice to et you. I'm Colonel Helmut Zemo."
"Nice to et you. I'm Jin."
"Let show you the factory sites we've prepared. I'm sure you'll like them."
"I see. Let's take a look."
Inside the moving vehicle, Zemo explained various aspects of investing in Sokovia. He actively pushed the low labor costs, hoping for more investnt. For an ordinary investor, it would definitely be tempting. Seeing this, he really was a smart guy.
"Hmm... Those are certainly good conditions. But it's also true that the political situation is still unstable, so let's build one factory first, operate it, and keep an eye on the political situation."
Realizing I wasn't easily persuaded, Zemo didn't push further.
"I see. Understood."
But I could feel genuine desperation in Zemo's words to sohow revive his dying country.
We looked at several factory sites. Sokovia, being in Eastern Europe, was a beautiful country surrounded by many mountains, and since flat land was rare, offering such land seed proof of how important this investnt was to Sokovia.
"I like this place. It's a bit far from the city, but the site is large and there's a big road, so it'll be easy to transport materials."
"But won't the commute for workers take a lot of ti?"
There was a reason I chose a location far from the city. I wasn't sure how the future would unfold, but I picked this site with Ultron's future destruction of Sokovia in mind.
"That's true, but it's close to other countries, which is advantageous for exports, and we'll be free from noise issues, so it might actually be better. As for the commute, our company will solve that by operating buses."
"Alright."
When I explained, Zemo didn't say much else. After finishing up in Sokovia, I returned to New York.
Thor, perhaps because of my comnt about Loki wanting to see him, said he'd visit Asgard in a few days. Since Hydra matters were mostly settled, we decided to have a party at Avengers Tower before Thor left.
Jane, Darcy, Helen, and Hansen didn't seem to have many dresses since they'd only recently arrived, so I decided to buy them as gifts. I took them, along with Natasha, to a luxury boutique. Since I bought so much there, I'd told them in advance, so the store owner ca out from the entrance to greet and guide us. Darcy was impressed.
"Wow... I guess being the world's richest man really gets you different treatnt."
Hansen was used to it, but Darcy, Jane, and Helen were experiencing a new world. Seeing them, Natasha laughed and said.
"Right? Jin is amazing."
They chatted while taking nearly four hours to pick out five dresses each and place the order. After having a late lunch at a nearby pizza place, we went to a jewelry store, and I gifted them a few accessories that weren't too flashy to match their dresses. Natasha, excited, also bought so for herself. With my money, of course.
Next, I also gifted them two pairs of shoes and two bags each. Again, Natasha happily picked out her bags. Again, with my money.
"Natasha, didn't you buy a lot last ti too?"
"So what if I buy a bit more? Let enjoy having a rich boyfriend."
Natasha was rather unapologetic.
'Honestly... Where's the Natasha who used to tremble buying five luxury dresses...'
It was a little absurd, but I hadn't given her any gifts lately, so I just let it slide.
After finishing shopping, it was already evening, so we ate at a restaurant and I dropped them off at headquarters. This was the first ti I'd spent a whole day shopping. The funny thing was that the bodyguards, who just rode in the car, were more exhausted than the won who enjoyed shopping.
'Won are sothing else, really.'
Anyway, a few days passed, and on the day of the party, everyone moved to Avengers Tower. Many people ca. Uncle Motherf— I an, Fury couldn't make it due to work, so Maria Hill ca instead. Plus, Tony had also invited war veterans to enjoy the party, and among them was Stan Lee. Curious if he was the creator, the One Above All, I decided to speak with him.
"Are you that one?"
When I spoke quietly, he took a drink and said to .
"I am that one."
"I see. It's an honor to et you."
"So? Do you find the world I created interesting?"
Stan Lee asked how his world was. I answered honestly.
"It's wonderful. An exciting and magnificent world. I consider myself truly lucky to be able to take part in this world."
Pleased with my answer, he smiled gently and continued.
"That's good. I'm very grateful that you enjoy my world this much. The originally set history has changed, so I'm watching with interest too. Honestly, knowing everything isn't very pleasant. And it's you who gave it that change."
"Then you're saying you don't know how the future will change from now on?"
I was a bit surprised. That even the creator god didn't know how the future would flow because of my involvent.
"Right, because the variable called you is so big. I can predict, but that's not the fixed future."
"I see."
"Now go enjoy the party. Continue to enjoy this world in the future."
"I will."
I had more questions, but I didn't ask further. Sohow, it felt like the right thing to do. But one thing was clear: the One Above All didn't seem to mind my enjoying the Marvel universe.
'That's a relief.'
I saw Thor loitering near Jane, agonizing over how to start a conversation, so I subtly took Thor and slipped him in among Jane and the won, helping them talk naturally.
"Hi, Jane. Congratulations on being nominated for the Nobel Prize."
Jane had been nominated for the Nobel Prize for her previous research on the Convergence phenonon.
"Thanks. But I'm thinking of declining. I don't deserve it."
Jane seed inclined to decline the Nobel Prize too, feeling guilty about that incident.
"Jane, like I said before, what happened then couldn't be helped. The Dark Elves would have invaded even if it wasn't you. So don't feel so guilty about it."
I also helped Thor out.
"Jane, Thor is right. The Dark Elves invaded places other than Earth too. Even if that incident hadn't happened, Earth would have been invaded."
"Jane, you heard him? Even Jin says so."
Jane looked at us gratefully.
"Thank you for saying that."
Thor complinted Jane, who had dressed up nicely, and continued the conversation. Their mood seed to be improving, so I slipped away.
I went over to where Captain, Sam, Tony, and Vulture were gathered, had a drink, and chatted.
"I'm thinking of buying a house nearby, but I'm not sure where's good."
Captain seed to be thinking of buying a house in Manhattan. Captain, who in the original couldn't even find a place in Brooklyn due to lack of money, was now looking to buy a house in expensive Manhattan. It made feel the hero business was worthwhile.
'This is right. They deserve to be treated well.'
Tony, hearing this, recomnded a few places to Captain.
"How about near the Gundam Park next to Central Park? So penthouses there have been newly built and look really nice."
I agreed and recomnded it too.
"Right, it's good for jogging in the morning there. I used to live near there myself. Plus, there are good restaurants a little ways down, so it's convenient for daily life."
"Really? I should look into it. My current place is too far from HQ and the Tower."
"Sam, why don't you co too?"
When I suggested it to Sam, he shook his head.
"I need to help my sister and her family, so I'll probably join a bit later."
That seed to be because in the black community, there's a culture of taking care of your siblings once you beco successful.
"And about the Avengers fund we've been saving up. I've added Tony, myself, and Captain as administrators, so use it when you need to."
"Got it."
"I hope it never happens, but we're only human, so we can make mistakes. I set this up as a precaution for that. It includes civilian support, compensation, and legal dispute costs, so use it wisely."
"I see."
"That said, don't just let it sit there. If you think civilian support is needed during operations, feel free to use about 10% of the fund."
Hearing that, Tony looked at and asked.
"10%? Isn't that too little?"
"That's true, but I think we need to prepare for tis when multiple incidents happen at once or sothing big occurs."
"I suppose that makes sense."
"Besides, even 10% is a considerable amount, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem."
I showed them the signature fund I'd been building. They seed quite surprised by the amount.
"Wow~ That's enough to run a whole company."
"Support for civilians who suffered in Greenwich and during the Hydra incidents has already been paid out from that, so you don't need to worry about that."
"I see."
I talked about the plan I'd been thinking about.
"You see, I want the Avengers to have a system in place where they can be completely self-sufficient even without support from Tony or . That's why I'm doing these kinds of projects. Not just for current mbers, but for future recruits too."
Captain agreed with my opinion.
"That's a good idea. We definitely need sothing like that."
Rhodey, who had been listening to us, expressed regret.
"That's too bad. If I weren't in the military, I'd join you."
Hearing that, Tony said.
"Just say the word if you want in. I'll make a spot for you. But you'll have to go through initiation."
Hahaha~
The mbers laughed at Tony's playful remark.
We enjoyed the party, and as the night grew late, those who had to leave went ho. Only the mbers remained, gathered around a large central table, drinking beer and chatting lightly. At one point, the topic of Mjolnir, which was on the table, ca up. Hawkeye, Clint, brought it up.
"The whole 'whosoever is worthy' thing, isn't the criteria a bit vague? Isn't it a trick?"
Thor answered.
"No, not at all."
"'Whosoever holds this hamr, if he be worthy.' Don't be ridiculous. It's all a trick!"
"Then try lifting it yourself."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Clint stood up and grabbed Mjolnir's handle. The mbers watched with interest.
"Alright! Hup!"
Clint strained to lift Mjolnir, but it didn't budge. A bit embarrassed, Clint laughed and said.
"Haha~ I don't get how anyone could lift it."
Then Tony spoke.
"Now you know why I've been quiet."
"Then Tony, you try."
Tony stood up confidently.
"I can't resist a challenge. It's all just physics."
He then grabbed Mjolnir.
"If I lift this, do I get to rule Asgard?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll have to establish polygamy. Hup!!"
Tony strained, but it didn't move either.
"Hold on."
He then went sowhere, ca back wearing an Iron Man gauntlet on his arm, and tried again.
Weeeng~
Tony even used boosters to try and lift it, but still nothing. He then asked Rhodey next to him to help.
"Are you pulling?"
"We're a team, right?"
"Put so muscle into it!"
"Alright, pull!"
"Hnngh!!"
"Damn... I give up."
When Rhodey gave up, Tony finally gave up too and sat down. Next, Banner tried.
"Raaaahhh!!"
Banner roared like the Hulk and strained, but still nothing. However, everyone seed tense, worried Banner might transform. Next, Jessie tried. All the won cheered for Jessie.
"Jessie, you can do it! The pride of the female mbers is at stake!"
"Fighting, Jessie!"
"You've got this~!"
"Why do I feel like it'll be a problem if I can't? Anyway, Hup!!"
Jessie also couldn't lift it.
"Sorry, no good."
When Jessie gave up, the won looked very disappointed. Next, Vulture and Sam also tried, but still couldn't lift it. This ti, Captain tried. Captain rolled up his sleeve, grabbed Mjolnir, and strained.
"No pressure, Steve."
"Go for it, Cap!"
"Hup!!"
Creeeak~
Mjolnir moved slightly, and Thor's expression changed as he panicked. But Captain gave up after trying for a while.
"Hah... Not moving."
"Right?"
Thor looked very relieved. Just then, Natasha looked at and said.
"Jin! You try."
I stood up, lifted Mjolnir effortlessly, and handed it to Thor. Everyone seed very surprised.
"Wow~ How did you do that?"
"Amazing! So Jin, does that an you rule Asgard?"
Then Thor explained.
"Jin has lifted Mjolnir before. But he just returned it to Asgard. He's a worthy friend."
"Well, if it's Jin..."
"Right, that figures."
Everyone seed to agree, which made rather embarrassed.
'Hmm... Embarrassing. Why does everyone have to agree...'
Just then, Tony said.
"There's definitely so device we don't know about. Fingerprint recognition or sothing."
Clint agreed.
"Hard agree."
Then Maria Hill tattled to Captain.
"Steve, Clint said a bad word."
Then Captain scolded us.
"Really... How long are you going to keep milking that. I'm starting to understand Nick Fury."
"You an the Motherf— guy? That's a term of endearnt. Anyway, there's a fingerprint scanner on the handle, right?"
Thor stood up, lifted Mjolnir, and explained.
"Interesting theory, but the answer is simple. Except for Jin and , none of you are worthy."
Everyone booed Thor.
Boo~~
"Ridiculous, seriously!"
"I'm telling you, there's a device."
Tony still didn't seem convinced. Just then, the lights in Avengers Tower flickered on and off, and the speakers that played music began emitting an unpleasant, high-pitched tone.
Keeeeeeng!!!
Everyone looked around to see what was happening.
[Worthy... Worthy... What makes you worthy? You're all murderers, after all.]
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