Convergence

"Your world isn’t safe at all."

Tony looked disdainful. He projected a holographic screen and said, "Look at our world. The Earth Federation is about to be established, the Space Fleet protects the Solar System, and we have the Moon Inhumans Base, Space Stations, Xandar and Sovereign as allies, plus Resource Stars.

"Oh, and we occupied a small star system of the Kree Empire. Massive amounts of energy are shipped back every day. Before long, everyone on Earth will be able to live like Americans."

Future Tony stared dumbfounded at the information on the holographic screen. Earth in this timeline was far too powerful, wasn’t it? They had actually expanded outward?

By comparison, their Earth had been treading water with barely any changes. After Thanos snapped his fingers, Earth’s strength had plummeted even further.

"Leading the world forward?"

Future Tony sighed. At that moment, he completely admitted defeat. It was not just his strength that fell short; his vision and perspective were far inferior as well.

Seeing Future Tony’s expression, Tony became even more smug. He continued, "That war between you and Thanos? In my eyes, it was practically a Village-Level Battle. The fate of half the universe’s population was decided by such a tiny war. Honestly, it’s a little ridiculous."

Future Tony retorted unhappily, "That war wasn’t small at all. There were at least over a hundred thousand monsters."

"Over a hundred thousand? A year ago, we fought a dimension invasion war on the scale of a million."

Tony displayed footage of the battle between New York and the Ten Thousand Snakes Dimension, saying, "Honestly, if this world’s Thanos is like the one in your world, then he’s nothing to fear."

Watching the densely packed armies on the holographic screen, along with warships filling the sky, Angels, and aliens, Future Tony was deeply shaken. Compared to that, the Wakanda war really did seem like child’s play.

Shocked as he was, Future Tony was greatly annoyed by Tony’s smug expression. He mocked, "All of this should be that Blood God’s achievement, right? At most, you’re just an employee."

"I’m not an employee. I’m a partner."

Tony snorted unhappily, though he knew in his heart that all these changes had happened because of Wang Bert. Without Wang Bert, this Earth might have ended up just like the future.

Tony thought of something and looked at Future Tony. "Wait, could the guy in Bert’s prophecy be you?"

Future Tony asked in confusion, "What prophecy?"

"Mr. Wang once predicted that Mr. Stark would die in battle, and then Pepper would remarry his driver with his daughter."

Jarvis said from the side, "Based on the current evidence, I have every reason to suspect that Mr. Wang knows everything about your world."

Wang Bert had barely hidden anything when it came to spoilers, so it was perfectly normal for Jarvis and Tony to figure it out. In fact, plenty of people had long suspected this, such as Nick Fury, who had always been searching for Wang Bert’s secrets.

By now, the secret of crossing worlds no longer mattered to Wang Bert. Even if he admitted it outright, so what?

"What? I’ll die in battle? Pepper will remarry Happy?"

Future Tony was stunned at first, then burst into curses. "No wonder that bastard Happy kept my engagement ring in his pocket for years. So he had feelings for Pepper himself. Damn it, when I get back, I’m going to make Happy pay."

"So that happened too? Looks like Bert’s prophecy was right."

Tony became even more certain of his judgment. "Those who travel through time suffer backlash from time itself. Future me, if you really get the Six Infinity Stones and save half the life in the universe, you’ll probably die."

Future Tony sighed. "Maybe that really is how it happens. Before that magician died, the way he looked at me was strange. Thinking back, that was probably guilt."

Jarvis suddenly asked, "Future Mr. Stark, would you sacrifice yourself for half the life in the universe?"

Future Tony fell silent. Tony shook his head. "Definitely not. We were never great heroes like Steve."

Future Tony said nothing, his expression complicated. Even he did not know whether he would be willing.

Jarvis glanced at Future Tony. This one was clearly more mature and had a greater sense of responsibility than Tony.

Seeing Future Tony hesitate, Tony could not help being stunned. He had once despised those righteous, shining great heroes the most. He had never expected that one day, he himself might become that sort of person.

Had I become the kind of person I hated most?

Tony gave a bitter smile and said, "We’re on the same side. I’ll help you as much as I can, but don’t get your hopes up too high. Bert thinks much like his Master, Ancient One. If the Ancient One stops you, that means Bert will stop you too."

"Now it’s your turn to introduce things. Start with Blood God Bert."

Future Tony let out a breath. "I’m very interested in him."

"Simply put, he’s a bastard. Even though he’s saved a lot of people and saved the world many times, he’s still a bastard."

Tony said, "Back then, every girl in America was mine for the taking. After he came along, they all became his. Take the cover girls from Motto, for example—he hasn’t missed a single issue this year. He’s practically an animal…"

Future Tony nodded in deep agreement. "That really is animal behavior. I even missed one."

Jarvis complained, "Aren’t you two the real bastards here?"

"Shut up."

Tony cursed, then continued, "Though Bert is a god, he’s no different from an ordinary person. He really likes screwing people over…"

At the plaza outside the headquarters of New York’s S.W.O.R.D., Future Steve, dressed in a Captain America uniform with a shield on his back, stared speechlessly at the statue before him—a statue of himself.

The me from this world is way too vain, isn’t he? I’m not even dead, and he already built himself such a huge statue?

Captain America complained inwardly. It was worth mentioning that he had appeared here after emerging from the Quantum Realm; he had not come here deliberately.

"Director."

The passing agents all saluted Captain America. Their gazes were somewhat puzzled. Why was the Director wearing that old uniform? Still, it really showed off his figure.

"Director?"

Captain America nodded awkwardly. Fortunately, the agents were merely greeting him and did not say anything else.

Captain America thought to himself, The situation is still unclear. I might as well talk to Steve Rogers from this world. He seems to be doing better than me.

At that moment, a somewhat familiar voice sounded from behind him. "Director, why are you here? And why are you dressed like that?"

Captain America turned around and discovered it was Coulson. He cried out in surprise, "Coulson, you’re not dead?"

"Dead? When was I ever dead?"

Coulson looked somewhat astonished. He looked Captain America over, then suddenly drew his gun and aimed it at him. "You’re not the Director. Who are you, and why are you impersonating the Director?"

The nearby agents were shocked. The Deputy Director was aiming a gun at the Director? Was he planning a rebellion?

Captain America spread his hands. "I really am Steve Rogers."

"You do resemble the Director, but you’re not him. First, your physique is slightly worse than the Director’s. The Director has better muscles than you. Second, the Director’s hair is thicker, his skin is better, and he looks much younger than you."

Coulson said confidently, "Also, the Director has a small scar on his face. He got it over a year ago from a Six-Armed Serpent God. You don’t have it.

"You’re a fake. Put your hands up, or don’t blame me for getting rough."

The agents stared at Coulson in shock. Everyone knew Coulson was the Director’s obsessive fan, but they had never expected him to observe such minute details. Wasn’t this guy a little too much of a pervert?

Captain America’s scalp tingled as well. He said, "How does Steve in this world put up with the way you look at him?"

"This world?"

Coulson was stunned. At that moment, two figures walked out of S.W.O.R.D.’s entrance. They were Steve and Carter.

"Carter!"

Seeing the young and beautiful Carter, Captain America’s eyes widened. Steve smiled and said, "Buddy, she’s my wife, not yours."

Captain America asked in disbelief, "How is that possible? Even if Carter were alive, she should be over ninety by now, right?"

"Let’s go inside and talk. Coulson, you come too."

Steve shook his head. He had already received a message from Dr. Banner and knew what Captain America’s situation was.

Inside the S.W.O.R.D. office, after hearing Steve’s explanation, Coulson’s eyes lit up. Double Captain America, double the happiness.

Steve said to Captain America, "Hulk and Ant-Man are on their way here. You’ll see them soon. As for the others, we’ll help look for them."

"Thank you."

Captain America nodded, but his gaze never left Carter. He asked, "Carter, why are you so young?"

"That’s a long story. Steve, I have a question for you."

Carter looked at Captain America and asked, "In your world, after I died, did you immediately make out wildly with my niece Sharon?"

Steve hurriedly said, "Carter, how could I possibly do something like that?"

Captain America said awkwardly, "How did you know?"

"You actually did it?"

Steve was dumbfounded. Coulson also stared at Captain America in shock. So he had not understood Captain America well enough after all. Captain America was actually a scumbag.

"Hmph. Men."

Carter snorted twice and stormed out of the office in her high heels.

Steve sighed. "Buddy, you’ve really made things hard for me. I’m probably going to be sleeping on the couch for a month."

"If Carter were still alive, forget one month on the couch. I’d do a year."

Captain America sighed. "Steve, you’re much luckier than I am."

"That’s thanks to Bert. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to reunite with Carter."

Steve smiled, then asked curiously, "By the way, how did things develop between you and Sharon afterward?"

Coulson complained, "Director, why do you sound so happy?"

Steve said, "Curious. Just curious."

Captain America was a little embarrassed. "Not long after I kissed Sharon, I became wanted. I never saw her again after that. I heard she became wanted too because she helped me."

"You’re such a scumbag."

Steve said disdainfully. Captain America became even more embarrassed. In truth, he did not love Sharon. Carter had only just died at the time, and he had been emotionally vulnerable. By a strange twist of fate, he had kissed Sharon, who somewhat resembled Carter.

At a New York Stinky Tofu Shop, Hela, with messy hair, pajamas, heavy dark circles, and the appearance of a shut-in woman, casually picked up a plate of stinky tofu. Then she tossed a cup of water into the fryer.

Bang! The fryer exploded, and hot oil splattered everywhere. Odin had been prepared and had already retreated far away. He laughed heartily. "Hela, you’ve used that trick too many times."

Just then, the little wolf Fenrir leaped up and damaged the fire suppression system. The overhead sprinklers sprayed out a large amount of water, instantly turning Odin into a drenched rat.

Hela tossed a piece of stinky tofu to Fenrir and said smugly, "Fenrir, well done. This is your reward."

Fenrir caught the stinky tofu and swallowed it happily.

"Hela."

Odin sighed. It seemed they would not be able to open for business again today. At this rate, they might have to take out a bank loan.

At that moment, Odin sensed something and suddenly turned his head. Outside, a big blond man was staring at him in utter disbelief.

It was Future Thor. To be honest, he was completely bewildered. What was going on? Odin was selling stinky tofu, and Hela was living with him? That was completely impossible, wasn’t it? Odin walked outside, touched Thor’s face, and asked painfully, "My child, what happened to you? Not only have you lost an eye, you’ve become like this?"

"I… Father!"

Thor had wanted to make up an excuse, but the moment the words left his mouth, he could not hold back his tears. With a thud, he dropped to his knees before Odin and cried out guiltily, "Father, I’m sorry. I failed to protect Asgard."

Odin helped Thor up and said, "Get up. We’ll talk slowly. Hela, go call Frigga. Tell her Future Thor has arrived."

"Future Thor? No wonder you’re as fat as a pig."

Hela gave Thor a contemptuous look, then carried her plate away while eating stinky tofu and went to find Frigga.

Thor watched Hela’s retreating figure and asked in confusion, "Father, how can Hela be with you? Doesn’t she hate you to the bone?"

"It’s a long story. I’ll explain it slowly later."

Odin gave a bitter smile. Before long, Frigga hurried over and embraced Thor tenderly. Thor was overwhelmed upon seeing Frigga, and tears flowed again.

Hela looked at him with utter disdain. Only useless people cried.

Afterward, everyone returned to the backyard, and Thor explained everything from beginning to end. Once Hela finished listening, she slapped the table and cursed, "What the hell is wrong with you? You actually took the initiative to help Surtur destroy Asgard?

"Odin, this is the heir you chose? Do you still dare say he’s better than me?"

Odin said, "He is better than you. At the very least, he preserved the people of Asgard. If it were you, every Asgardian would have died."

Hela exploded in anger. "You call that preserving them? First, Thanos killed half of them. Then the snap wiped out another half. In the end, all that remained was a group of people fishing on Earth.

"Asgardians fishing on Earth? You might not find that embarrassing, but I certainly do. Odin, give me the throne. I’ll deal with that Thanos. He’s no match for me."

Thor said dejectedly, "I’m sorry, Father. I failed your expectations."

"You did not fail me. I failed you by leaving Hela for you to deal with."

Odin shook his head and said, "Other than those five years when you gave up on yourself, you did nothing wrong, Thor. The one you truly let down was yourself."

Thor gave a miserable laugh. "I’m completely useless."

"You’re not useless. You simply couldn’t endure one blow after another."

Odin sighed. Just as he was about to say something, Hela’s phone rang. She answered it, and Jarvis’s voice came through. "Future Thor, please come to S.W.O.R.D. to join the others. Everyone else is here. You’re the only one missing."

Jarvis had discovered Thor’s whereabouts through surveillance.