Osborn’s Offensive

The Osborn family suffers from a genetic disease—a retrovirus—that becomes increasingly pronounced with age.

Once the disease manifests, the patient’s entire body turns green, their limbs become difficult to control, and they eventually lose their life.

Throughout history, no one in the Osborn family has ever died peacefully of old age.

This disease has plagued the Osborn family for generations.

Originally, Norman Osborn’s generation had a chance to solve the problem.

Norman found a genius biologist, Richard Parker, to lead the Super Spider project and conduct in-depth research into gene transplantation.

Richard Parker was a once-in-a-generation genius and soon achieved substantial results. With those findings, Norman could cultivate a Super Spider based on his own genes, then improve his genetic makeup and eliminate the Osborn family’s hidden threat once and for all.

But then an accident occurred. No one knew what Richard had been thinking, but he destroyed all the research data and most of the Super Spider samples, then fled with the research results.

With Norman’s way of thinking, he simply could not understand why Richard had done such a thing.

If Richard had wanted money, Norman would never have been stingy.

If he had wanted to blackmail Osborn Corporation, wasn’t he afraid of the corporation’s retaliation?

But Richard died on the run, and the research data disappeared with him. Even if Norman wanted to find out the reason now, it was impossible.

Fortunately, this world was full of miracles. Zhan Liu’s sudden emergence rekindled Norman’s hope.

Although Norman had learned from Peter that Ultimate Limit Qigong had a limit and could not produce the effect he wanted, humanity was always advancing, and technology advanced especially quickly.

He had Osborn Corporation and Stark Industries jointly research Ultimate Limit Qigong. He believed that with the two geniuses, Tony and Peter, working together, they would certainly achieve something.

Things went very well at first. The two worked together seamlessly and produced results quickly. Tony’s Strong Magnetic Armor could allow a magnetic-field martial artist at the First Heaven level to unleash the power of the Tenth Heaven.

But later, Norman had no idea what went wrong. Tony abandoned the Strong Magnetic Armor and went back to indulging in wine and women. Peter, meanwhile, stopped doing proper scientific research and began running around behind S.H.I.E.L.D., carrying out missions all over the place as Thor.

He had tried to persuade Peter to turn back, but it had not worked. Besides, Peter had S.H.I.E.L.D. supporting him, so Norman could only give up helplessly.

Just when he was feeling somewhat discouraged, he picked up the abandoned Lizard gene experiments again. But there was always a way out, and just when things seemed hopeless, Magneto suddenly emerged and went on a killing spree across Europe.

How formidable Magneto was had nothing to do with him. But once the matter was resolved, new information came out: Magneto had reached the Ninety-Seven Heavens of Magnetic Field Rotation.

Norman’s heart leaped!

That was why he had come to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters today.

As a successful businessman, he had thoroughly gathered intelligence before coming to the school. He had gained a comprehensive understanding of the Mutants’ current predicament and formulated a targeted solution.

Knowing yourself and knowing your enemy ensured victory in every battle.

His sincerity greatly satisfied Professor Charles, and both host and guest were delighted.

"Mr. Osborn, your generosity is deeply moving. I imagine Erik won’t refuse to become your friend either." Professor Charles smiled as he made his promise.

The moment Norman heard this, he knew the matter was settled. He immediately replied with a smile, "Humans and Mutants are family to begin with. We’re all brothers, and helping one another is only natural."

The deal was done. The two exchanged a smile, and Norman rose to leave.

Charles warmly urged him to stay and prepared a banquet in his honor.

The two chatted and laughed over drinks, and their relationship grew increasingly close.

Before they had even finished eating, Magneto arrived. It had to be said that Professor Charles’s ability was more discreet and convenient than any form of communication.

When Norman saw that the main player had arrived, he hurriedly rose to greet him, becoming even more enthusiastic.

Magneto was also very courteous toward this major patron who could help the Mutant Nation develop more successfully.

After taking their seats, they drank a few glasses and exchanged some pleasantries.

Magneto said, "My ability can indeed alter a person’s DNA and resolve your family’s hereditary disease. It shouldn’t be too difficult. But there is one problem."

Norman straightened and said seriously, "Mr. Lehnsherr, please give me your instructions. As long as it is within my power, I will never refuse!"

"I’m not trying to negotiate terms with you."

Erik shook his head and said:

"Rather, I don’t know much about genetic manipulation. I’ve never done it before, so I’m worried something might go wrong. After all, genes are extremely precise. If there is even the slightest deviation, the consequences could be disastrous."

"So I need some time to study the relevant genetic knowledge. You’ll need to prepare some related materials for me. I may also need some laboratory equipment and experimental animals."

"That won’t be a problem. Osborn Corporation has everything ready." Norman immediately agreed.

Erik shook his head and refused. "You know, Mr. Osborn, it would be inconvenient for me to appear in New York. Otherwise, it might cause misunderstandings."

Norman suddenly understood and nodded. "Ah, I didn’t consider that. In that case, I’ll send everything here to Xavier’s School. You can conduct your research here. How does that sound?"

"Good. Then I’ll trouble you."

"It is what I ought to do."

Once they had reached an agreement, the three drank their fill, and Norman left satisfied.

Only after watching Norman’s motorcade disappear into the distance did Erik turn and ask, "Charles, could he discover what we’re doing?"

"Don’t worry, Erik. Even if he figures it out, what can he do? You can resolve his family’s hereditary disease at any time. Is he going to turn against us?"

"Whether he discovers it or not, he’ll pretend he hasn’t. We’ve already given him a convenient way out, and he’ll cooperate with us and keep this act going. At least until he finds someone else who can resolve his family’s hereditary disease, he’ll continue this way."

"Businessmen are just like politicians—they cannot be trusted. He can support us wholeheartedly now, but once his family’s hereditary disease is resolved, will he continue supporting us?"

"Even if he doesn’t dare break his promise then, do you think the extent of his support will remain the same as it was at the beginning? Paying lip service and dragging one’s feet isn’t limited to employees of state-owned enterprises."

"Besides, we aren’t deceiving him. Once our Mutant Nation is on the right track, we will of course help him resolve his hereditary disease. We Mutants never mistreat our friends."

Professor X’s gaze crossed the vast distance and settled on Norman Osborn inside the private plane beyond his line of sight as he slowly spoke.