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"What to do…" Tony gradually fell into deep contemplation.
Now, after the first shock and rage when he heard the news, and with the hope of his parents' resurrection planted in his heart, his emotions had cooled into rationality.
Moreover, Shen He's words made it clear — he didn't want to see infighting among allies.
Just imagining Bucky killing his parents... imagining their despair at that moment... still made Tony's fists clench tightly, despite himself.
"Steve… how important is he?" Tony finally asked, his voice low.
He wasn't familiar with Steve yet, nor had they fought side by side — but Shen He clearly valued him greatly.
"He's a hero who would sacrifice himself to protect strangers," Shen He answered simply.
At this point, Tony himself was no different. Heroes had that frustrating, shameful charm.
"Understood." Tony exhaled slowly. "I don't want to see Bucky in front of me — that's my only condition."
For him, this was already a huge concession — and entirely because it was Shen He asking.
Shen He's willingness to consult him showed a deep respect for his emotions.
"Thank you," Shen He said sincerely.
Relief washed over him. Though he didn't know how the relationship between Tony and Steve would unfold in the future, for now, this was the best possible outcome.
Unexpectedly, Shen He also found some pride in playing middleman between Iron Man and Captain America. He touched his chin thoughtfully — not bad at all.
"By the way, there's something else," Tony said, shifting the topic away from painful memories, his tone lighter. "A congressman came to me yesterday. They were asking about your 'Special Population Foundation.' They want us to share information about the people who joined."
"Wow," Shen He raised an eyebrow. "Do I look stupid?"
The true purpose of the Special Population Foundation was to preemptively replace the Superhero Registration Act.
By letting Chaldea manage superheroes' identities, it reassured civilians while protecting heroes from having their information leaked — avoiding threats to their families. The only real hurdle was solidifying Chaldea's authority in the eyes of the heroes.
"That's why I rejected them." Tony shrugged. "But they pulled the 'national security' card."
In this so-called free land, 'national security' had basically evolved into the ultimate threat to individual freedom.
"Next time they come, send them to me." Shen He sneered. "I want to hear how they'll talk to an 'alien' about national security."
Frankly, after the Forbidden World experienced that chaotic Time War, Shen He no longer took national governments seriously.
No matter how huge a system appeared, it was still just a puppet — a tool of the Magic Side, especially manipulated by Right Seat members like the Fire on the Right.
If it came to it, Shen He wouldn't hesitate to unleash Lelouch — and let them know true terror.
"A good friend of mine said that ever since S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsed, various factions are scrambling for the power it left behind," Tony added. "If Chaldea becomes stronger and the World Council realizes these people can't be trusted, Fury might get reinstated."
"I see."
Shen He took the suggestion seriously.
It wasn't surprising that Tony had connections with senators. In this country, climbing into office cost ridiculous sums of money. With Stark Industries' influence, having political allies was inevitable.
And honestly, reinstating Nick Fury sounded… beneficial.
The one-eyed man was irritating, sure, but his dedication to protecting Earth was real — and above all, he was firmly on their side.
Plus, Fury's skills made him the perfect buffer. Shen He had no desire to truly clash with the authorities of this world.
"Alright, we'll do it that way." Shen He finally decided.
Once the decision was made, it was enough to keep moving forward.
He and Tony then discussed many other topics — including the alien invasion looming ever closer. With Lelouch's help, Tony's Iron Corps factories were now operating at full tilt. There was real hope of evacuating civilians when the time came.
With preparations so thorough, even Shen He started to feel some anticipation.
When he returned to the base, he had already received news: Accelerator had completed the mission.
There were no significant obstacles. They had found a Hydra storage base, staffed only by a skeleton crew maintaining equipment. When Accelerator charged in with the field agents, the supervisor didn't even have time to activate the frozen Winter Soldiers. They simply seized the entire cryogenic unit.
"Any survivors?" Shen He asked, raising an eyebrow.
The field agent captain looked awkwardly at Accelerator.
"You didn't say we needed prisoners," Accelerator answered coolly.
Upon discovering the base was manned only by weaklings, Accelerator had simply crushed them. Literally.
"Well, good work anyway." Shen He waved it off, directing the agents. "Move the freezer to the villa. Also, call Steve over."
He wondered whether Dr. Gutai had made any progress on anti-brainwashing methods.
When Steve arrived, he was already in full uniform, ready for today's Guardian Mission.
The moment he entered, his eyes locked onto the figure inside the freezer.
"Bucky…"
Steve lowered his shield, stepping closer, his voice barely a whisper.
Although Shen He had promised to help, he hadn't dared to hope for something this immediate — to have Bucky right in front of him again.
It was a massive, beautiful shock.
"Come on." Shen He patted him on the shoulder. "Take him to the castle. I have the world's best doctor. I'll return you a normal Bucky. Also… there's something else I need to tell you."
"Thank you! Really — thank you so much!"
Steve threw his arms around Shen He in a bear hug.
"Ugh."
Shen He's face froze instantly.
Maybe it was all the time spent online, but he couldn't shake the deep, almost philosophical trauma caused by being embraced by such a heavily muscled man.
He felt spiritually wounded.
Luckily, Steve quickly focused back on Bucky — lifting the freezer effortlessly and carrying it to the castle's medical room. Only after seeing Dr. Gutai begin examinations did he relax a bit.
The rest of the Guardians had already moved ahead on their missions.
"I'll keep this short." Shen He said, choosing his words carefully. "Bucky… killed Tony's parents."
The joy and excitement immediately drained from Steve's face.
He didn't even ask if it was true. Coming from Shen He, it had to be.
Now that he thought about it — when he first wanted to find Bucky, Shen He had specifically asked how he intended to deal with Bucky's victims.
"Tony's father, Howard, helped design the Super Soldier Project." Shen He met his eyes. "In a way, he's part of why you're here today. You owe him too."
Steve's throat felt dry. "I'll… go talk to Tony."
He didn't specify what he would say — but he had already made up his mind. He intended to offer himself, somehow, to atone.
"I already handled it."
Somehow, Shen He felt like the designated 'good guy' here, and it made him grumble internally. Shaking it off, he continued:
"Tony has one condition — he doesn't want to see Bucky again. After Bucky's mind is healed, I'll help you settle him in New York. Open a small shop or something. Let him live an ordinary life. It's the best ending possible for him. Do you have any objections?"
Steve didn't even hesitate.
Rather, he was thankful. He might be able to protect Bucky from Tony, but there was no way he could shield him from Shen He's judgment.
Shen He was right — for a broken soldier like Bucky, this was mercy.
"Thank you, Shen He."
Steve said it again — and Shen He immediately jumped several meters back.
"Alright." Shen He gave him a wary look, just in case Steve tried another 'bear hug.' "As Chaldea's leader, it's my job to calm internal conflicts. Steve, back in the Virtual World tests, I realized — you're not a soldier who blindly obeys. You've never truly belonged to any system."
He paused.
"And now, in an era where everything's changed… I hope you find your faith again."
In the past, Steve fought for his country, for peace.
Now, after betrayal and battles against Hydra — his old comrades — it was clear he fought more out of habit than conviction.
"I don't know if this counts…" Steve lifted his shield, smiling lightly, "But I enjoy what I'm doing now."
"Really…" Shen He shook his head with a helpless chuckle. "Then hurry up — don't keep the people you're protecting waiting."
Heroes like Tony and Steve… perhaps their true happiness came only from helping others.
As for Shen He himself…
He urgently needed Jeanne d'Arc's holy light to heal his wounded soul.
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