Ancient One

That night, darkness fell.

After arguing with Nick Fury all day, Shimizu sat wearily in the car, holding the Mind Stone Scepter.

Beside him, Dr. Banner was wrapped in an overcoat, drowsing.

Current Destiny Value: 37%

The moment the Avengers had been established, Shimizu’s Destiny Value had begun to rise.

His most important objective in joining the team had been achieved.

The matter of the scepter’s ownership had also been settled.

Without question, Black Egghead had wanted to claim the scepter for S.H.I.E.L.D.

What left Shimizu somewhat puzzled was that Brother Egghead seemed wary of him.

What did I do to warrant that kind of reaction from you?

But Nick Fury was even more wary of forces within S.H.I.E.L.D. that were beyond his control.

Previously, Nick Fury had been confident he could keep the scepter under control. But now, he had discovered that the forces under his command were not entirely within his grasp.

If the scepter were targeted, he might not be able to hold on to it.

But if it were placed in Wade’s hands, then as long as Wade was kept under watch, the scepter would remain under control.

Even keeping Wade under watch would not be easy, but it was still better than an unknown risk.

As for what he needed to secure, Nick Fury had also done everything he could to haggle with Shimizu and exchange benefits in other areas.

As Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury had no shortage of official resources at his disposal.

Technology, policy, connections, funding—he had all of them, and they were often things others could not access.

The ownership of the Mind Stone Scepter had now been divided into three portions. Shimizu held 50.1 percent, while Captain America held 19.9 percent, since he had also contributed directly in the battle to seize the scepter from Loki.

Of the remaining 30 percent, S.H.I.E.L.D. held only 5 percent. The other 25 percent belonged to the Avengers, while S.H.I.E.L.D.’s portion would be exercised by Captain America on its behalf.

In other words, should Shimizu no longer be around one day, custody and basic usage rights over the scepter would automatically transfer to Captain America.

Furthermore, all research findings concerning the scepter had to be disclosed within the Avengers.

Of course, as for the actual research results, Shimizu would have the final say.

Tony also wanted to take part in the research. Shimizu did not refuse, since they were now considered to be on the same side.

In terms of influence in the business world and personal wealth, Stark was actually a level above him.

After all, Stark had inherited his father’s legacy and cultivated it for many years. Even without taking management too seriously, he was still far ahead of Shimizu.

The two of them joining forces would be enough to make the vast majority of factions and individuals with ulterior motives wary.

But Shimizu would definitely have to be present whenever Tony conducted research, to prevent another incident like Ultron.

Nick Fury would also find ways to do some work, such as downplaying the scepter’s importance through careful wording in the report submitted to the United Nations Security Council.

The extended Rolls-Royce slowly came to a stop before the gates of Wade Manor.

"George, arrange a room for Dr. Banner."

Shimizu pushed open the car door and spoke to the butler waiting at the entrance.

Wade Manor did not cover as much ground as the "Winter White House," Lake and Sea Manor. It was merely a medium-sized estate, but its grounds were still extensive, with facilities such as a swimming pool and golf course, not to mention its rooms.

Finding a spare room was no difficult matter.

"Yes, young master."

George bowed elegantly.

"Dr. Banner, please come with me."

"Oh, oh, all right."

The bleary-eyed Banner followed George away.

Shimizu swept his senses across the surrounding kilometer, then suddenly frowned.

Inside one particular room, his senses had failed.

Someone had come knocking this quickly?

And they had quite the methods.

Shimizu gestured to George, telling him to lead the others away from that area. Then he twisted his watch and donned Lightning. He gripped the Mind Stone Scepter in one hand while a high-voltage electric sword sprang from his other arm, silently gathering power.

Strike first!

Surging Chakra poured from Shimizu’s body into the Mind Stone Scepter, was enhanced within it, then flowed back into his body.

He had yet to figure out an efficient way to use the Mind Stone, so he could only resort to this most primitive method.

The Mind Stone’s energy level was extremely high, and it was fairly compatible with Chakra. During their fusion, it further strengthened Shimizu’s spiritual energy, nearly doubling the power of his Chakra.

"Separation Breathing: Second Form: Flowing Dance of Separation!"

A bright blue streak of light instantly crossed the entire golf course, sending grass clippings flying everywhere.

This was his own estate, after all, so Shimizu did not open with attacks that covered too wide an area.

His target was locked solely onto the room beyond his perception.

Bang!

The door exploded open, yet Shimizu’s charged strike was blocked.

"Oh, hey! You nearly scared this old man to death!"

An old white-bearded man whose beard hung to his chest sat in a reclining chair. He held a half-eaten hamburger in one hand and formed a hand seal with the other, holding it before himself.

What blocked Shimizu’s attack was a golden round shield the old man had summoned with his hand seal.

"You are…"

Shimizu looked at the old man before him, a suspicion forming in his mind.

"My surname is Yao. My clan generation name is Gu, and my given name is Yi, so the English-speaking magic world calls me Ancient One—Gu Yi. I imagine you know me. Though the versions of me you know from other worlds might not look like this. Maybe I’m a young man, maybe a woman, or perhaps my gender is even a Walmart shopping bag."

The white-haired old man took a bite of his hamburger and spoke to Shimizu.

Ancient One had seen through his origins?

No, not completely. Judging from his words, he probably believed Shimizu was connected to other parallel worlds.

For the Sorcerer Supreme who possessed the Time Stone, if the timeline changed, they could follow the major events of the future and trace the changes back to their source.

In that case, it was only natural that Ancient One would come looking for him.

"Master Ancient One, my apologies. You came to see me because…?"

"I’m not here to cause you trouble. I’m here to stop you from causing trouble for me."

Ancient One finished the last bite of his hamburger, then sucked his fingers clean.

This image of Ancient One…

Well, it really was quite different from what Shimizu had imagined.

He was rather lively.

"Although I don’t know how you obtained the memories and abilities of your parallel bodies in other worlds, as things stand, you won’t do anything bad in the future. That seems pretty good, doesn’t it?"

"Then what did you come to see me for?"