"Buy one, get one free?"
Looking at the descending Scarlet Witch, Aiden Cross couldn't help but joke.
If this were the comic version—
Sure, troublesome.
But the movie version?
Buy one, get one free.
Buy two—
Get a pair.
"Let Pietro go!"
Wanda's voice was sharp.
"And if I say… no?"
"…Then I'll twist your head off."
She hesitated—
She didn't want to kill an innocent.
But—
The pressure from this black-haired, red-eyed man—
Was overwhelming.
Crimson energy surged.
Forming into a tangible force—
Gripping Aiden Cross's neck.
Trying—
To crush it.
Nothing happened.
No matter how much she increased her power—
It didn't move him.
Not even slightly.
Because the gap between them—
Was absolute.
Not even counting his various abilities—
His raw physical strength alone—
Could casually overpower beings like Thanos or Boros.
"…Stop wasting your energy."
Aiden Cross flicked a finger.
Wanda's body—
Lost control.
Pulled forward—
And dropped lightly onto the ground.
Compared to Pietro—
Her treatment was gentle.
Pietro, on the other hand—
Had been slammed face-first at high speed.
He was currently questioning his life choices.
"You should abandon HYDRA."
"They're meaningless."
"You don't understand HYDRA!"
"They exist everywhere!"
Clearly—
Both siblings had been heavily influenced.
Brainwashed, even.
But not completely beyond saving.
"…Let's think about this."
Aiden Cross spoke calmly.
"Remove you two."
"Remove the Winter Soldier."
"What's left of HYDRA?"
"Cut off one head, two more grow?"
"That's just a slogan for endless cannon fodder."
Silence.
They couldn't refute it.
"Even the entire HYDRA organization combined—"
"Isn't enough to beat a single A-Class hero."
"…We won't betray HYDRA."
"Yeah. We're not traitors."
Aiden Cross shrugged.
"That's not up to you."
Stubborn now—
But that would change.
A little "education"—
Would fix everything.
Invisible psychic restraints formed—
Binding both siblings tightly.
"Hey! Too tight!"
"Shut up. You're prisoners."
"Zero."
"Take Stella and Elena Frost back."
"…Mm."
Zero nodded.
Then gently handed Elena Frost a Hero Alliance bracelet.
A new member—
Was added.
As for Zero herself—
She still hadn't joined.
Until all Spirits were gathered—
She wouldn't.
Otherwise—
Her near-god-level power—
Would instantly push Aiden Cross into God-tier disaster level.
"…What a waste of a date."
Aiden Cross sighed.
HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D—
Each deserved half the blame.
"Hold tight."
BOOM—!
In an instant—
He accelerated.
200× the speed of sound.
The world blurred.
Within seconds—
They arrived at—
Hero Academy.
"Ugh… I think I'm gonna throw up…"
Pietro looked like he had just survived a car crash.
Meanwhile—
Wanda—
Was completely fine.
Pretty privilege.
"HEY! MOVE—!"
A beam—
Shot toward Aiden Cross.
Two fingers.
Stop.
The laser—
Frozen between them.
"…?!"
Scott—Cyclops—quickly put on his visor.
Sealing his out-of-control ability.
"…Control your power better."
"Are you even human?!"
"I can confirm—"
A lazy voice sounded.
"He is."
Leaning casually nearby—
Holding a… magazine—
Mirrorblade Sage.
Part-time—
People's Teacher.
"… Master Mirrorblade."
"…Why are you reading that again?!"
"Cough."
"This is… research into human nature."
Silence.
Judgmental stares.
Mirrorblade calmly closed the magazine.
"…Moving on."
Teaching life—
Was peaceful.
Relaxing.
Much better than war.
Though—
His chakra reserves were still limited.
Thanks to the always-active Sharingan.
But once improved—
Reaching B-Class hero level—
Would be easy.
"Is Professor X here?"
"And Professor Koro?"
The atmosphere shifted slightly.
Because—
This situation—
Was about to become… interesting.
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Read Chapters ahead: [email protected] / KaiOynx