After the battle ended, Karl recalled all of the Shadow Ninjas back into the Shadow World.
He then released May, Raven, Gwen, Helen Cho, and the others.
The moment they appeared—
They rushed toward him.
As soon as they touched Karl, the Sagittarius Gold Cloth began to disassemble.
Golden fragments separated from his body and floated into the air.
A golden box appeared.
All the armor pieces reorganized themselves, forming the image of a centaur drawing a bow and arrow.
Then the golden box closed.
Karl stored it back inside his system space.
"Do you know how scared I was?!"
"Thank goodness you're alright!"
May was the first to throw herself into Karl's arms.
Immediately afterward, Raven and Gwen also rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
Behind him, Helen Cho wrapped her arms around Karl's waist.
Karl said nothing.
He simply held them tightly.
All four women clung to him as if afraid he might disappear.
Finally, Karl smiled softly.
"Alright, alright."
"I'm fine."
"Aren't I standing here?"
"It's okay now."
He kissed each of them gently on the forehead to reassure them.
Only then did he look around.
His manor had been reduced to ruins.
Karl rubbed his forehead.
Perhaps it was finally time to begin building his island base.
Meanwhile, Pepper had rushed straight to Tony.
The two of them embraced tightly.
Their reunion scene was so intimate that Thor, Loki, Natasha, and Yelena all watched with amused expressions.
It was blatant public affection.
Speed, meanwhile, returned directly to its warehouse.
Fortunately, the warehouse had survived the battle.
The machine had intentionally protected that structure during the fight.
"Karl," Tony said as he walked over with Pepper.
"It looks like you don't have anywhere to stay now."
"How about using my vacant villa for a few days?"
"This estate is completely destroyed."
"Rebuilding it will take time."
Karl shrugged.
"That's probably the best option."
"I suppose it's time to begin preparing construction for my island."
He really had no other residence available.
Unless he stayed at a hotel, Tony's villa was the only practical choice.
Buying a new estate immediately would take too long because of legal procedures.
And after everything that had just happened—
Everyone needed a safe place to settle down quickly.
Just then—
VROOM—
A convoy of Rolls-Royce cars drove into the ruins of Karl's manor.
Tony looked at Karl.
Assuming it was his arrangement.
But Karl simply shook his head.
He looked equally confused.
Soon, one of the cars stopped.
A well-dressed man in a black suit stepped out.
White gloves covered his hands.
He approached Karl respectfully.
"Mr. Carl."
"Hello."
"I am an employee of Madame Gao."
"Madame Gao considered that you might need a temporary residence."
"So we have prepared a manor for you."
"It has already been cleaned and prepared for immediate occupancy."
The man opened the suitcase he was carrying.
Inside were stacks of documents.
Property deeds.
Legal ownership papers.
All of them already registered under Karl's name.
And every document was dated today.
Karl raised an eyebrow slightly.
Their efficiency was impressive.
Even he had not expected the Hand to move so quickly.
His mood improved slightly.
"Alright."
Karl nodded.
Then he turned to Tony.
"Come on."
"Let's go take a look at my new estate."
But before leaving—
Karl walked toward the battlefield.
Captain Marvel still lay on the ground.
Unconscious.
Barely alive.
Karl raised the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
Then he threw it downward.
BOOM—!
The golden cudgel pierced straight through Carol Danvers' heart.
Golden energy erupted.
Captain Marvel died instantly.
Her body was then absorbed into Karl's Shadow World.
Afterward, Tony removed his armor.
The suit floated behind him, following automatically.
He helped Pepper into one of the Rolls-Royces.
Wanda, Pietro, and Peter entered another vehicle.
Yelena, Natasha, and Clint Barton got into a different car.
Natasha had personally brought Barton along.
She had overheard Tony's earlier statement about taking control of the Avengers.
It was clear that Tony intended to rebuild the team.
Keeping Barton alive would be useful.
More importantly—
Tony might lead the Avengers.
But everyone knew who stood behind him.
Karl.
And following Karl clearly came with many benefits.
Earlier during the battle, Natasha had used the Ice Card Karl had given her during the Lunar New Year.
When she activated it—
Several agents and mutants had been instantly frozen solid.
Once everyone had entered the vehicles, Karl made one last stop.
He visited Speed's warehouse.
All the machines, materials, and equipment inside were stored directly into his system space.
Only then did Karl return to the convoy.
He entered a Rolls-Royce together with May, Raven, Gwen, and Helen Cho.
Meanwhile, Juggernaut stared at his massive off-road vehicle.
The vehicle still had a frozen Hulk strapped onto it.
After transforming into a Lamborghini, Speed joined the convoy as well.
Soon—
The entire procession began moving.
Once they exited the ruins of Karl's estate—
Several police vehicles appeared ahead of them.
They escorted the convoy.
This had been arranged by the U.S. government.
After analyzing the battle footage, government officials had reached an unavoidable conclusion.
Karl could not be controlled.
He could not be threatened.
He could not even be confronted.
Psychologists had also conducted a rapid behavioral analysis.
Their conclusion was surprisingly reassuring.
Karl showed no desire to dominate the world.
He only seemed to want a peaceful life.
Even now, the government did not fully understand why Nick Fury had attacked Karl in the first place.
After intense discussion, the President, senior generals, and members of Congress reached a unanimous decision.
If Karl had no intention of conquering the world—
Then the United States would treat him with maximum tolerance.
They even sent General Thaddeus Ross, who had previously interacted with Karl indirectly, to speak with Tony.
The government wanted to know one thing.
Did Karl intend to dominate the world?
Did the United States want to study him?
Control him?
Of course they did.
But they didn't dare.
Karl had pierced Mars with a single attack.
What exactly could they threaten him with?
According to their calculations—
Karl Auguston Zhang could destroy the entire Earth within ten minutes.
He could also appear anywhere on the planet almost instantly.
Compared to him—
Even Superman from comic books seemed reasonable.
At least Superman had a weakness.
Kryptonite.
But Karl?
What weakness did he have?
During the battle, he remained at peak condition the entire time.
Even after releasing the devastating attack that pierced Mars—
He was weakened for only half a second before returning to full power.
Therefore, the conclusion was simple.
As long as Karl did not destroy the Earth…
As long as he did not begin indiscriminate killing…
Then the United States would simply leave him alone.
Target the people around him?
That was even more impossible.
The Shadow Ninjas could appear from any shadow.
Every important person near Karl possessed vibranium armor.
If anything happened to them—
Karl could appear instantly and eliminate everyone responsible.
As for nuclear weapons?
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