An hour later, at the Principal's office of the Mutant School.
Professor X looked at Hawking, a surprised expression on his face.
"Hawking, weren't you on holiday, back home for the festival? Why are you suddenly back?"
"Professor, I have something important to tell you."
Hawking said with a serious expression.
Professor X heard this and put away his smile. Given Hawking's steady personality, if he said it was important, it definitely wasn't a small matter.
"Tell me."
"Last night, Magneto came to find me. He wanted me to cooperate with him to destroy S.H.I.E.L.D. because he discovered—"
Hawking told Professor X everything about his conversation with Magneto yesterday, but he didn't mention a single word about sending a Shadow Clone to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. today.
He didn't plan to tell anyone about the Ninjutsu of Shadow Clone unless absolutely necessary.
Because as long as no one knew about this Ninjutsu, he could use the Shadow Clone to impersonate various identities and do things that his current identity made inconvenient.
For example, if one day he wanted to kill the President, Hawking, the Chairman of Hero Alliance Company, Superhero Hawking, or X-Men Hawking, none of them could do it. But his Shadow Clone could freely change its appearance to do it.
Even if it was exposed and killed, it would just turn into a puff of smoke, making it impossible to trace back to him.
After listening to Hawking's narration, Professor X couldn't help but sigh:
"My old friend really isn't content. But Hawking, you don't need to worry about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s potions and weapons."
"Professor?"
Hawking noticed that Professor X didn't seem particularly surprised by the potions and weapons S.H.I.E.L.D. was researching.
Professor X explained with a smile:
"Actually, a few days ago, Nick Fury came to talk to me and told me about their development of potions and weapons. He has no ill will towards us and promised that as long as we don't cause trouble first, he will absolutely not use them.
He mainly wants to guard against Eric, because Eric's actions have become increasingly frequent in recent years, making him very uneasy.
Of course, I know that not everything he says can be fully trusted, but some things can still be trusted."
He knew what kind of person Nick Fury was. What Nick Fury said was just hoping that if Magneto started a war, he and Hawking would stand with S.H.I.E.L.D., or at least remain neutral.
In fact, if Nick Fury truly had enough power, he probably wouldn't mind doing exactly as Eric said. He was very clear about all of this.
But so what? He just hoped to maintain the current situation. As long as Hawking's Hero Alliance plan was completed, and the public increasingly recognized Mutants.
In the future, even Nick Fury wouldn't be able to openly deal with them.
"Nick Fury, that old fox, seems to have played his cards well."
Hearing Professor X's explanation, Hawking also raised his eyebrows. He naturally thought of what Professor X had considered.
To become the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and develop S.H.I.E.L.D. into the World's largest organization, Nick Fury not only possessed arrogance and a desire for control, but his abilities and calculations were also absolutely extraordinary.
"Yes, so as long as we remain still, it won't be so easy for the two of them to start a fight.
I have already warned Nick Fury that if he actively attacks the Brotherhood of Mutants, then we will side with the Brotherhood of Mutants.
You should also reply to Eric tomorrow: if he actively attacks S.H.I.E.L.D., then we will side with S.H.I.E.L.D."
Professor X said to Hawking.
"Okay, I understand."
Hawking nodded. This was indeed a good approach; at least it could maintain stability for a while longer.
The next day, still at the same coffee shop.
"Hawking, have you made up your mind yet?
I don't think you want to be caught by S.H.I.E.L.D. one day, leashed like a dog, then kept in a laboratory every day to be their guinea pig, or manipulated to become their executioner.
Even if you think you are strong enough, don't forget, you still have a younger sister and a younger brother. They are not as strong as you.
Join me, and we'll destroy S.H.I.E.L.D. together. By then, the matter will be a foregone conclusion, and Charles won't say much to you."
Meeting again, Magneto didn't procrastinate. He immediately launched into a series of enticing words.
Hawking, however, calmly sipped his coffee and replied unhurriedly:
"A week ago, Nick Fury already met with the Professor privately and told him about the potions and weapons. They have no intention of starting a war with Mutants.
So, I'm sorry, Mr. Eric, I can't agree to your request.
Also, the Professor asked me to tell you that if you actively start a war, then he will have no choice but to side with S.H.I.E.L.D."
"He actually proactively sought out Charles. Good. Very good!"
Hearing Hawking's reply, Magneto was first stunned, then a grim smile appeared on his face.
At this moment, Hawking added:
"However, that's just the Professor's point of view. I personally feel that if Mr. Eric has some powerful trump card, at least enough to deal with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Professor's X-Men.
Then it's not impossible for me to consider cooperating with you to make S.H.I.E.L.D. completely disappear from this World.
I don't like taking risks, nor do I like fighting battles I'm not confident about."
He didn't want Magneto to think he was completely on the Professor's side. This way, if Magneto had any schemes, he might be able to get information in advance and not be caught off guard.
Magneto looked at Hawking, silent for about five seconds, then finally smiled:
"I understand. If that day truly comes, I will come to you first for cooperation."
After speaking, he left the coffee shop with Mystique.
Watching Magneto and Mystique's retreating figures, Hawking murmured:
"I always feel like this old man is up to something."
His intuition told him that Magneto wouldn't just let it go.
However, after thinking about it carefully, it didn't really matter. He didn't want the current peace to be broken, but if it truly was broken, then he would take the opportunity to make an example, demonstrate his strength, and let all forces know that Hawking was not to be trifled with.
At the same time, he could take the opportunity to bring Little Spider and the others to once again raise the banner of Hero Alliance International Company.
If he was lucky and the incident spread widely, he might even gather a wave of Justice Points. All in all, it wouldn't be a loss.
So, after thinking about it, he decided not to delve deeper.
On the other side, Mystique, driving the car, asked Magneto beside her:
"Why didn't you reveal some of our plans to him just now? Maybe we could have truly pulled him over to our side."
"Don't be fooled by that little fox. What he said just now might not be true; he might just be trying to get information.
We can't risk telling him the plan. Since he's unwilling to join us, then don't blame me for being ruthless later."
A murderous glint flashed in Magneto's eyes.
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