You Think I Care?

Tony had just been about to ask what it was, but the Helicarrier above had already descended.

So Tony could only put the question aside for the moment as the group returned to the Helicarrier.

Although the people aboard the Helicarrier could not hear the conversation between Tony, Dr. Banner, Thor, and Loki,

they had all witnessed Tony’s terrifying combat power, which surpassed human technology.

Most importantly, the invincible Hulk had actually been forced back by Tony Stark, allowing Dr. Banner to return to normal.

Steve was the most shaken of all. Though he had already learned from the videos that Tony was incredibly powerful, seeing and hearing it in person was far more shocking.

The sound of air being torn apart by their movements rang through the sky like thunder.

The battle between Tony and the Hulk looked like a fight between two monsters that did not belong on Earth.

Tony displayed extraordinary attack power and speed, while Hulk was equally astonishing.

Any normal living creature without protection would have been smashed into pulp after falling from nine thousand meters into the sea.

Yet Hulk had fallen without suffering so much as a scratch, then immediately started fighting Tony.

Although the vast gap in combat skill made it seem like Tony was beating Hulk one-sidedly,

satellite surveillance showed that Hulk had sustained nothing more than minor injuries throughout the fight.

There had been no broken bones or injuries severe enough to knock him unconscious. On the contrary, his strength had only continued to grow.

And Tony was not only technologically advanced; his physical strength was clearly beyond that of an ordinary person, and the combat skills he displayed were undoubtedly master-level.

Although Hulk had ultimately changed back into Banner, it was entirely because his fighting techniques were too weak, and he did not want to keep taking a beating without being able to fight back.

If Hulk had managed to land even one punch on Tony, he would probably have fought Tony to the bitter end.

But regardless of the outcome, both Tony and Hulk possessed power beyond common sense.

Steve had once thought that Tony would be powerless without his Iron Man armor. Now he realized that had been nothing but arrogance on his part.

Whether it was Tony’s technology or his raw physical strength, Tony’s abilities far surpassed his own.

Only then did Steve understand why Tony had previously said he was looking at the world from the bottom of a well.

Steve’s thoughts and beliefs were still stuck in the era when his body had been the strongest among humanity.

"First, get to know each other’s strengths. It would be best if you explain the abilities you’re most proficient in."

"As for your weaknesses, discuss those as you see fit. I’ll learn about them directly through the recordings afterward."

"I still have some things to take care of. We’ll talk in detail later."

"And Loki, bring Barton and Dr. Erik back."

"Afterward, Dr. Erik, Banner, and I will work together to study how to open and close the portal."

"In this battle, we need to hurt the Chitauri army badly enough to make them understand that Earth is not to be trifled with, not fight them to the death."

"So opening and closing it is of critical importance. If progress does not go smoothly enough, extend the time before opening it."

"All right, I still have something to do. We’ll talk later."

The moment Tony returned to the Helicarrier and entered the control room, he spoke directly.

Then Tony turned and left.

"What did he go to do?"

Seeing Tony ignore him, give a string of instructions, and leave, Nick Fury felt annoyed. Still, he suppressed his anger and asked.

"Tony went to find reinforcements."

Thor glanced at Nick Fury and replied.

"Does he think people can just come and go from this S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier whenever they please?"

Nick Fury became somewhat enraged when he heard Thor’s words.

"Isn’t that exactly what he just did?"

"Besides, if he does not find reinforcements, then with just the people here—"

"Even if we can truly frighten off the Chitauri army, who knows how many people will die?"

Seeing Nick Fury’s dark face, Loki crossed one leg over the other and spoke with a mocking look in his eyes.

"Watch your attitude, Loki."

"You killed so many people within two days. We should rightfully put you in confinement."

Loki’s utterly disrespectful words and mocking gaze made veins bulge on Nick Fury’s forehead as he spoke.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Do you think I truly care that much about humanity’s survival?"

"I am willing to cooperate with you not because of you, nor because I fear this trash warship of yours."

"It is because of Thor and Tony Stark."

"And neither of them needs to follow your command."

Loki’s expression turned cold as he replied.

Thor was his brother, while Tony Stark was a ruthless man. Both were stronger than him, which was why he was willing to behave himself.

But aside from Thor and Tony Stark, he did not regard anyone present—or this entire warship—as worthy of his attention.

Hulk looked incredibly powerful, but he had no brains. As long as Loki did not fight Hulk, there would be no problem.

"Loki, restrain yourself a little."

Seeing Loki’s infuriating remarks, Thor spoke up.

Though he said that, if a fight truly broke out, he would definitely side with Loki.

Loki had finally agreed to help, and they would return to Asgard together afterward. Thor would not fall out with Loki again because of this black bald egg.

"Of course, my brother."

Hearing Thor’s words, Loki understood what he meant and replied with a smile.

After that, he stopped speaking, but from beginning to end, Loki had not once given Nick Fury a proper look.

Nick Fury was so furious that he even considered contacting Captain Marvel.

But when he thought of God King Odin behind Loki and Thor, calling Captain Marvel back and forcibly suppressing Loki

might provoke God King Odin’s wrath. He did not know who would win if Captain Marvel fought God King Odin, but Earth, as the main battlefield, would certainly suffer an enormous catastrophe.

So after thinking it over, Nick Fury forcibly swallowed his anger.

"Dr. Banner, have you learned how long until the Chitauri army arrives?"

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Steve looked toward Banner and took the initiative to break the oppressive silence.

"Loki said that according to the original plan, it would be within a week."

"So the portal is expected to open in seven days at most."

"Otherwise, Loki will also draw the Chitauri’s suspicions."

"But judging by the situation, if the research does not go smoothly, then it would be better to be suspected than to be unable to close the passage reliably."

"So it may be delayed by a few more days."

Banner understood Steve’s intention and took the initiative to explain the situation.

Third update delivered.