Setup

Bang! This time, Acton really smashed the remote into the television. In his entire life, he had never seen anyone so shameless!

The Patriot Act had been his idea, damn it! That bastard had simply taken it and used it. Did he have no shame at all?

"If he had any shame, he wouldn’t be Iron Man’s dog."

Old General, standing beside Acton, snorted coldly. "Acton, you must win this election. If you lose, whether it’s you, our military, or America, we’ll all be doomed beyond redemption."

Acton wearily pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "I know. Lately, I’ve only been sleeping two hours a day. The rest of the time, I’ve been giving speeches and campaigning."

"The problem is, Richard’s approval rating keeps rising. Every place he goes, he makes people there grow hair, and then a huge crowd starts supporting him."

The old general said, "Damn it, is hair really that important? Those bastards are betraying America over hair!"

"The public is stupid, which is why America needs us," Acton said.

"The problem is, they’re too stupid. These people shouldn’t have voting rights at all."

Old General cursed, then continued, "Acton, smearing him hasn’t had much effect. For you to win, I think we should use some special methods. Richard’s heart has always been bad. We can make him suffer a heart attack."

"Absolutely not."

Acton was startled and hurriedly waved his hands. "If Richard dies unexpectedly, we’ll all die. Iron Man won’t let us off."

"Relax. Iron Man won’t do anything unless he wants America to fall into Civil War, or even collapse."

The old general said confidently, "At worst, we’ll take a step back and give him more benefits."

"General, that’s Iron Man, not Professor X. Professor X would compromise for the greater good. Iron Man won’t."

Acton sighed. "If we break the rules of the game, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do."

Old General did not believe him. "Isn’t he afraid America will collapse?"

"No, because America won’t collapse. General, what truly matters in America now is Iron Man, not us."

Seeing Old General about to argue, Acton continued, "General, don’t forget that the Evil Believers are raging right now. Only Iron Man can protect America and the world."

The old general frowned. "The Evil Believers?"

"Yes, the Evil Believers."

Acton said, "The Civil War you predicted simply can’t happen, because any city without Iron Man’s protection will definitely be destroyed by the Evil Believers.

"If Iron Man kills us, there might be some turmoil, but there won’t be any great chaos. Anyone with any sense will desperately maintain Iron Man’s position, lest he abandon America and its people.

"Iron Man is the greatest priority now. We’re the ones begging him, not the other way around."

"Is Iron Man really that important?"

Old General was stunned. He had always regarded Iron Man as an enemy who had to be eliminated. He had never considered what position the other man held now.

"Important? More accurately, we can’t do without him. Do you know how many countries want to invite him to be their guardian deity now? England’s Queen is even planning to grant him a knighthood."

Acton said, "Before we find a way to deal with the Evil Believers, nothing can happen to Iron Man. Also, his reputation must remain positive. Only then will he devote himself to protecting America."

Old General cursed unhappily, "Damn it."

"General, I know you’re uncomfortable with this, but it’s a fact that Iron Man matters more than we do."

Acton said, "We must defeat Richard within the rules. We can’t cross the line."

The old general sighed unwillingly. "The problem is, under the current circumstances, your chances against Richard are fifty-fifty. In other words, there’s a fifty percent chance you’ll lose."

"No, there’s a fifty percent chance I’ll win."

Acton smiled. "General, I have a way to improve the odds. I hope you can help me."

Old General agreed without hesitation. "What do you need me to do?"

"Haven’t those Baldness Supporters been mobilizing others to vote?"

Acton said coldly, "Create a massacre. Baldness Supporters force others to vote. The other side refuses, and a bloody conflict breaks out. The Baldness Supporters shoot more than a dozen people dead.

"Once that happens, neutral voters will definitely become disgusted with Richard. When that time comes, my odds of winning will rise considerably."

"It’s a good plan, but will Iron Man do anything?"

Acton said, "This obviously violates the rules."

"In fact, it doesn’t violate the rules. Elections are inherently filthy. Sigh, if time weren’t so short, I’d have plenty of ways to deal with Richard."

Acton said, "The only trouble is that Iron Man can make people tell the truth. So, General, that Baldness Supporter must be shot dead by the police."

"No problem. When do you need me to act?"

Old General agreed readily. As the military, finding a suicide squad could not have been easier.

"Wait a few days first. I’ll have people pretend to be Baldness Supporters and keep forcing people to vote for Richard on television, online, and in real life."

Acton said, "Simply put, we warm things up first, then strike. That’s how we get the best results."

"This sort of thing is what you politicians are good at," the old general said.

"I have what I’m good at, and you have what you’re good at."

Acton lowered his voice. "General, we must find a way to replace Iron Man. Otherwise, even if we have the Mutant Cure, I won’t dare use it. Without Iron Man, who will protect us?"

"I visited Trask Industries a few weeks ago. The Sentinel Robots are only a few steps away from completion, but they can’t be used yet. I’ll have them speed up their progress."

The old general said, "Also, I’ll create more mutants. One of them might just be capable of replacing Iron Man."

"The sooner, the better. I’ll also have Worthington speed up his research on the cure."

Acton said, "General, if we really lose, we must concede cleanly. Before the Sentinel Robots are complete, we absolutely cannot fall out with Iron Man.

"Besides, you don’t need to worry too much. Richard is an idiot. I can seize his power now, and I can do the same in the future."

"He really is an idiot."

The old general nodded. "God bless America. God bless ordinary people."

"God bless America. God bless ordinary people," Acton echoed.

Mutant Academy!

Professor X asked Bobby, "Bobby, do you hate Iron Man?"

"I don’t know."

Bobby said painfully, "Iron Man is a good person, and John did deserve to die, but I really didn’t want him to die. Professor, why are there so many disputes and conflicts? Why can’t everyone just live together peacefully?"

"Because that is how this world is, Bobby. You’re a good child. No one is to blame for this. If anyone is at fault, it’s only John himself for taking the wrong path."

Professor X sighed. "I’ll arrange a funeral for John. When the time comes, you and the other students can attend."

"Professor, I hope I can help you prepare it. It’s the only thing I can do for him."

"Alright."

Professor X nodded and watched Bobby leave. Bobby’s girlfriend, Rogue, had been waiting outside. Seeing Bobby’s pain, she stepped forward and gently hugged him, then immediately let go.

It was not that Rogue did not want to comfort Bobby better. The problem was that she could not touch others, or she would drain them to death.

This damned power. I can’t even comfort my boyfriend.

Rogue sighed inwardly. If she had a choice, she would not want this power at all.

After Bobby and Rogue left, Professor X turned to Jean and asked, "Jean, do you hate Iron Man?"

Jean’s feelings for the students were no less deep than Professor X’s. She said, "I don’t hate him, but I’m very dissatisfied. Professor, he killed John. Why are you still helping him so much?"

"Because he is the hope and future of mutants."

Professor X said, "He is the greatest priority for mutants. I cannot let everyone stand against him. That would not only be bad for everyone, but also for mutants."

"The greater good again. Professor, you defend the greater good every day. Aren’t you tired?"

Jean sighed. An impulse surged within her, an urge to tear apart all restraints and do whatever she pleased.

"In fact, I’m not tired at all now. Before, I couldn’t see any hope and was filled with confusion. But now, hope is right before my eyes."

Professor X shook his head. "Jean, with Bert’s abilities, it won’t be long before he realizes our dream of letting humans and mutants live together peacefully.

"Besides, Bert did nothing wrong in the Human Torch incident. If Human Torch were not our student, we might even have secretly applauded."

"The problem is, he is our student."

Jean shook her head and, as always, chose to restrain herself. "Professor, I’ll help you persuade everyone."

"I knew you would, Jean. You are my best student."

"I wish I weren’t."

Jean smiled bitterly. Deep within her eyes, a wisp of Pitch-Black Flame was slowly burning. It was Phoenix Fire.

Phoenix Jean Grey would not remain dormant much longer.

God’s City!

Greed and Wrath returned to the residence. Seeing the familiar surroundings, they both breathed a sigh of relief. They had finally escaped.

"Iron Man is truly formidable. Not only did he wipe out all our people, he even outmaneuvered God," Wrath said with emotion.

"Shut up! My God is omnipotent. He simply did not use His full strength," Greed shouted.

Wrath immediately shut up, but inwardly grumbled, If God were truly omnipotent, why hasn’t He struck that cheat Iron Man dead?

At that moment, Original Sin’s voice rang out in both Greed and Wrath’s minds. "Destroy God’s City as soon as possible. I can’t wait to tear Iron Man to pieces."

"Yes, My God."

Greed and Wrath nodded at the same time. Then, Greed said, "My God, we suffered severe losses in the previous battle. I need reinforcements."

"I will select some Evil Believers and send them to God’s City."

Original Sin said, "If you succeed this time, I can grant you anything you desire."

"My God, we will do everything in our power to destroy God’s City."

Greed and Wrath said excitedly in unison. Original Sin nodded and vanished from their consciousness.

Doomsday Master seems to be in a hurry.

Greed thought to himself. He was right. Original Sin truly was somewhat anxious—He had searched all of Hell but could not find the mark Wang Bert had left behind. In other words, the other party had completely locked onto His location.

As soon as Wang Bert became strong enough, he would immediately charge into Hell and chop off His head to use as a chamber pot.

He is a Creator God. His strength will rise quickly. I must deal with him in the shortest possible time.

Original Sin thought to himself. He had never dared underestimate Wang Bert. That was a Creator God!

The next day, Wang Bert, who had been busy all day yesterday, was watching interview news at Rebirth Group.

On the screen, a beautiful reporter was interviewing a man with a Mediterranean bald spot. She asked, "Sir, who are you planning to vote for?"

"Of course President Richard. Is that even a question?"

The man said as if it were only natural, "He is the Baldness Nemesis, the Hair-Loss Savior, the Mediterranean Cure, and the Wig Terminator. Who else would I vote for?"

Not only the reporter, but even the viewers were speechless. Since when had President Richard acquired so many titles?

The reporter composed herself and continued, "But he is very incompetent. He noticed nothing about Colonel Stryker, and he was even one of Colonel Stryker’s targets himself."

"He can make me grow hair."

"Also, he is very greedy. I heard his personal assets are worth hundreds of millions, and some congressmen are asking the Tax Bureau to investigate his taxes."

"He can make me grow hair."

"Furthermore, he bears direct responsibility for the Evil Believers Massacre. If it weren’t for him, the Guardians would have been established long ago."

"He can make me grow hair."

The reporter wanted to curse. Could they not have a proper conversation? At that moment, the man with the Mediterranean bald spot smiled. "As a reporter, you must have seen a lot. Let me ask you this: after American presidents take office, how many fulfill their campaign promises?"

The reporter sighed. "Not many. You could even say very few."

"But President Richard will definitely fulfill his promise."

The man said, "Besides, President Richard is incompet—uh, being mediocre is no big deal. Iron Man will support him anyway. With Iron Man around, America won’t have any major problems."

"That’s true."

The reporter deeply agreed. Smiling, she said, "I think you’re starting to convince me."

Some viewers in front of the screen had dark expressions. Whose side were you even on? At that moment, the reporter asked again, "Recently, supporters on television, in real life, and online have often been forcing people to vote for President Richard. What do you think about that?"

"They’re just worried they won’t grow hair."

The man answered, "It’s understandable. Everyone should endure it a little longer. The election will be here soon anyway."

At Rebirth Group, White Queen said to Wang Bert, "Boss, President Richard’s supporters are too radical. This will make many neutral voters disgusted."

Wang Bert smiled. "Those aren’t Richard’s supporters. They’re haters Acton found. Haven’t you heard? One fan is worth ten haters."

White Queen was stunned. "You mean Acton found those people to deliberately ruin President Richard’s reputation with ordinary people?"

"Yes. They will definitely have other methods up their sleeves next."

Wang Bert nodded. "In terms of ability, Acton is much stronger than Richard."