Naruto: I Reign Supreme with Templates Across the Multiverse. Chapter 194: 194: Joining The Avengers

"I see. So his goal is to beco a hero, motivated by personal interest? That... makes sense."

"Natasha, do you think he's being sincere?"

After receiving Natasha's report, Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., asked her for her assessnt of Zenkichi's true intentions.

"I believe he's telling the truth," Natasha replied. "But I'll need to stay close to observe him a while longer."

"I see. Fine. Once you're sure he poses no threat, report back to . I plan to extend him an invitation—to join the Avengers."

Fury ended the call.

anwhile, Whiplash, now imprisoned following his defeat by Tony and arrest by the authorities, was about to encounter a dramatic twist in his fate.

While delivering lunch, a prison guard left a tray of food in his cell—seemingly ordinary until Whiplash noticed sothing unusual. The potatoes on the tray were fake; they were cleverly disguised ti bombs.

He wasn't surprised.

As Whiplash quietly removed the bomb and examined it, he also noticed a note tucked beneath the plate: "These are your tools. Use them well."

With a dangerous grin, Whiplash activated the bomb and used it to destroy his cell door. Before the smoke even cleared, he'd overpowered the nearest guards in a blur of violent precision.

Not long after escaping, a transport arrived and took him to a secret underground base.

There, two familiar figures were waiting—Justin Hamr, CEO of Hamr Industries, and Obadiah Stane, the disgraced forr executive of Stark Industries who had survived in hiding after the events surrounding the Iron Monger.

Obadiah had once been a key figure inside Stark Industries and retained intimate knowledge of its inner workings. anwhile, Hamr Industries had long been a struggling competitor to Stark's empire—perpetually outmatched by Tony Stark's genius.

But now, things had changed. Together, Obadiah and Hamr saw a rare opportunity.

After Tony Stark refused to share the Iron Man armor designs with the military, both n realized they could strike back. If they could reverse-engineer similar tech, or better yet, weaponize Whiplash, they'd gain massive influence—and wealth—by supplying their own suits to the governnt.

Unfortunately, neither company had engineers capable of replicating Stark's armor.

But Whiplash was different. His arc whip tech, crude as it was, had potential. Between Obadiah's insider knowledge and Hamr's funding, Whiplash could be shaped into sothing dangerous enough to rival Iron Man.

Originally, Hamr and Stane had no reason to work together. But after witnessing not just Tony Stark's power, but the ergence of Zenkichi, they felt the pressure of real power bearing down on them.

Faced with a mutual enemy, they ford an uneasy alliance.

Zenkichi, for his part, was well aware of these developnts. Having knowledge of the original tiline, he suspected Hamr Industries would intervene and free Whiplash.

He let it happen.

It served his purposes. Whiplash and the people backing him would eventually beco another set of enemies to test his strength. More importantly, stepping in without a valid reason could create unnecessary political trouble.

After spending a few days with Natasha Romanoff, Zenkichi's quiet life was interrupted by a visit from soone important.

Nick Fury himself arrived.

Natasha had inford him that Zenkichi might be soone worth recruiting. And so, Fury ca in person—to see if the man could beco a core part of his dream project.

If Zenkichi agreed to join the Avengers, then the foundation of the team would be solid. With soone of his power at the center, they could build around him with agents like Natasha and Clint Barton.

"First ti eting," Fury said, stepping forward. "I'm Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Zenkichi raised a hand, cutting him off.

"I'm not interested in S.H.I.E.L.D.," he said calmly. "Just tell why you're here."

Fury didn't flinch. He got straight to the point.

"The Earth is facing threats—bigger and more unpredictable ones every year. We need a response team. Not under the UN. Not bound by politics. I'm forming an independent group of elite individuals to protect the planet."

"A free organization?" Zenkichi asked, arching a brow.

"Exactly," Fury said. "It's called the Avengers. No one gives you orders. You act freely—just be there when the world needs saving."

Zenkichi gave a faint smile.

"I like the idea," he said. "I'll join—on one condition."

"You contact when there's a situation, and I choose whether to get involved."

Fury grinned. "A hero motivated by interest. That's very on-brand for you."

Zenkichi nodded.

"If that's settled, then we're done here. Natasha… you can stay if you want. Or go."

Natasha gave a wry smile. "As much as I'd like to stay, I'll head back. I wouldn't want to be a burden."

She could tell Zenkichi wasn't interested in her in that way—and she was smart enough not to overstay her welco.

It stung. Her usual charms had no effect on him. That didn't happen often.

"Understood," Fury said, nodding. "We'll take our leave."

The visit was over. Zenkichi had accepted the invitation to join the Avengers, even if on his own terms.

And for Nick Fury, that was more than enough.

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