Wakandan Envoy

"Wakandan envoy? Could it be that King T’Chaka had finally been talked into submission by me and planned to take me to see the real Wakanda, maybe even pay respects to the Black Panther Goddess?"

Oaks was intrigued. Not long ago, Wakanda had lavishly praised his contributions to global environmental protection and food production at the United Nations Environmental Conference.

It was precisely the enormous influence wielded by Wakanda and other Third World countries that left the U.S. government no choice but to greet Oaks with a smile, even knowing that he was getting involved in the food industry—

Although they were accustomed to using food and energy as invisible diplomatic tools to control countries they believed needed controlling.

If they went against him, American food production would soon fall behind!

Once Oaks’ Benevolence Society began exerting itself across all five continents and its reputation instantly soared to the top… they would have no way to act rashly.

They had already been helpless against Stark Industries’ energy business, and now they were equally helpless against Oaks’ food and environmental businesses!

It was even countless times easier for them to find leverage against Tony than against Oaks.

Of course, the U.S. government also knew that without a legitimate excuse, moving against either of them would mean making enemies of the world.

When faced with targets they could not touch, the U.S. government knew enough to cooperate.

After all, Oaks had a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"It doesn’t seem to be that, Brother."

Malorne projected an image before Oaks. At the Africa Branch Hall in Wakanda, the one waiting anxiously was not an envoy sent by the Wakandan king, but Nakia, Prince T’Challa’s girlfriend and the person responsible for food cooperation with the Benevolence Society.

"Her?"

Oaks scratched his head.

"I haven’t heard anything about King T’Chaka of Wakanda having problems lately, have I?"

"No."

Malorne promptly replied.

"However, two nights ago in Busan, South Korea, His Highness Prince T’Challa of Wakanda took part in a major battle to capture a wanted criminal. The fugitive was Ulysses Klaue, who had once stolen Wakandan Vibranium.

"Because U.S. agents were involved, detailed information did not spread.

"But according to Gaia Mirror’s monitoring, an explosion severe enough to affect the surrounding environment occurred near the firefight. Heavy weaponry was suspected."

"Klaue, the Vibranium thief…"

Oaks frowned, feeling that something was off.

Even if T’Challa had failed to capture Klaue, with T’Chaka around, would his cousin still risk attacking Klaue and then return to Wakanda?

"Tell Nakia I’ll be there immediately."

Oaks rose to his feet as an Avalon passage appeared beside him.

"Something interesting may be happening… Malorne, keep monitoring Wakanda."

"Yes, Brother."

At the Africa Branch Hall, Nakia finally looked somewhat relieved after receiving word that Oaks would arrive shortly.

Before long, branch president Jack personally came over and led her into the reception room.

"President, Ms. Nakia has arrived."

"Mm, you can get back to work—

"Ms. Nakia, welcome."

Oaks stood and shook Nakia’s hand. Before he could speak again, Nakia confirmed that no one else was nearby and anxiously spoke first.

"President Oaks, I have come unannounced because something extremely important has happened—

"There are rumors that you have mastered the power of ‘resurrection.’ Is that true?"

"…"

Oaks opened his mouth, momentarily unsure how to answer.

He had never even used the power of resurrection on Earth. When he resurrected Shaun’s mother, Yingli, it had been in Ta Lo.

In theory, only the Avengers knew about that incident. It should not have been so easy for word to get out. Could one of those guys have gotten drunk and let it slip?

"President Oaks, Wakanda’s intelligence network… is actually quite capable."

When Nakia saw that Oaks did not deny it immediately, delight appeared on her face.

With something so inconceivable, not denying it was the same as admitting it!

"In fact, it was Dr. Helen Cho in Seoul who gave us the suggestion. If anyone in the world could perform the miracle of ‘resurrection,’ it would be you, President Oaks!"

Nakia’s explanation enlightened Oaks. Indeed, given Helen Cho’s intelligence, her cooperation in creating Xu Yingli’s body, and the Avengers’ mysterious behavior, it would have been impossible for her not to suspect something had happened.

"You went to see Dr. Helen Cho? Was someone gravely injured and near death? Or…"

Oaks looked at Nakia’s expression, which was mixed with grief, anger, regret, hope, and other complicated emotions, and frowned.

Malorne had just said that T’Challa’s attempt to capture Klaue had apparently involved heavy firepower. Combined with what Nakia had said…

"Our prince, His Highness T’Challa, died in battle… two days ago!"

"T’Challa died?!"

Even after hearing Nakia confirm it herself, Oaks could not help being shocked.

"How is that possible?"

Although T’Challa had not lost his father, King T’Chaka, he should have become the Black Panther long ago.

What kind of heavy firepower could attack the Black Panther in a Vibranium Battle Suit and leave even Wakandan technology unable to save him?

And Wakanda had the Heart-Shaped Herb!

As long as he still had a breath left, the Heart-Shaped Herb should have been able to save him. For Wakanda to fail to preserve even that last breath, what kind of blow had he suffered?

"The target was Ulysses Klaue, the man who once stole Wakandan Vibranium. We had actually captured him, but CIA personnel prevented us from interrogating him."

Nakia took a deep breath.

"T’Challa originally had protective measures… but Klaue’s accomplice directly blew up the entire building. He was buried under the rubble while protecting me!"

Oaks’ gaze sharpened.

That meant things had changed. Not only was the attacker’s firepower vastly stronger, but because T’Chaka had not been suddenly assassinated, Princess Shuri had not yet developed the necklace Battle Suit!

That explained it… T’Challa could not have been wearing his Battle Suit while interrogating a prisoner in front of the CIA. There was no way to hide his identity from veteran CIA agents like that—

Having never gone through the civil war, the Black Panther was still a hero who did not appear publicly at all!

And if he had been buried beneath an entire building without his Battle Suit, even with the Black Panther’s blessing, he would have been doomed without Vibranium armor!

"Actually, even after T’Challa died in battle, we never intended to defy the laws of nature and ask for your help, President Oaks."

Seeing Oaks remain silent, Nakia grew anxious.

She clenched her teeth and placed a hand over her chest in salute.

"As a spy and liaison, I participated in the mission two days ago from start to finish. During the operation, the criminals’ accomplices attacked us with heavy weaponry. I noticed something was wrong, but it was already too late!

"T’Challa pushed me out of the blast radius, but he himself could not escape.

"At that time, we thought of you, President Oaks, but T’Challa had already lost all signs of life, so we prepared to hold a state funeral for him—

"But then, a man claiming to be our king’s nephew appeared. He brought the corpse of the criminal we had been pursuing to Wakanda and said he wanted to take the prince’s place in showing filial devotion to His Majesty!"

"…"

Oaks’ mouth fell open. That move was just so…

A deep killing intent appeared on Nakia’s face.

"He said that when he captured that criminal, he recorded a confession. The criminal admitted that he had caused Prince T’Challa’s death, which was why he decided to reclaim his identity…

"But this is far too suspicious! I have every reason to suspect that T’Challa’s death had something to do with him!

"But I have no evidence…"

"You had already found Dr. Helen Cho and learned about my situation, but T’Challa did not hold on…

"Then you suspected that this person, who also had the right to inherit the throne, had killed T’Challa for Wakanda’s throne and intended to replace him himself…

"So you decided to disregard the laws of nature and hope that I could resurrect T’Challa. Is that right?"

Oaks asked sternly. After all, after his previous discussion with T’Challa and his father about the Black Panther faith, Oaks could tell that they truly held a devout belief in the laws of nature.

Otherwise, they could not have received the favor of the Black Panther Goddess.

"Exactly!"

Nakia nodded heavily, though confusion appeared on her face.

"But His Majesty has always been wise and clear-minded. This time, however, it is as though he has been bewitched. He has welcomed this N’Jadaka of unknown origins with open arms and directly called him family…

"But the Queen and Princess Shuri have also sensed that something is wrong, so I came in secret to ask for your help, President Oaks!"

"N’Jadaka?"

"He is His Majesty’s nephew, the son of His Majesty’s younger brother, who left Wakanda many years ago. N’Jadaka."

Nakia spoke in a deep voice.

"His name outside Wakanda is Erik Stevens. He earned a master’s degree from MIT, later joined the Navy SEALs, participated in the Afghanistan War, and earned a nickname—Killmonger!"

"…He doesn’t sound like a good person at all, and he fits the highly educated profile of a high-IQ criminal."

Oaks snorted. Wakanda’s intelligence network truly was impressive. In such a short time, they had already uncovered Prince N’Jadaka’s background.

"Malorne!"

"Yes, Brother."

Malorne’s holographic image appeared, making Nakia, who was seeing him for the first time, widen her eyes.

"Before leaving the military, Erik Stevens was still a member of the United States Joint Special Operations Command. As for the Afghanistan War he participated in, he was on a nearby battlefield when Mr. Stark was attacked.

"He is also a top-tier operative who helped the CIA overthrow the governments of multiple countries.

"Furthermore, after leaving the military, Erik and his girlfriend became internationally notorious as a criminal couple. A few days ago, African artifacts were stolen from the British Museum. He and Ulysses Klaue committed that theft together.

"Although he wore a mask, his physical parameters matched perfectly. He also appeared in Busan two days ago."

Malorne’s intelligence network was only more formidable…

"What!"

Nakia no longer had the time to study the strange deer-shaped AI.

"It really was him!"

"Then let’s talk about T’Challa. Resurrection is not as simple as you think."

Oaks waved a hand, signaling for Nakia to sit.

"I need to understand his current condition in detail."

"…As you wish."