"Alien, you are definitely not human. Laying your hands on a servant of the Celestials, you will eventually face judgment. Mmm mmm mmm."
Before Sprite could finish her words, she found she could no longer speak. She was now placed on an experimental table, feeling like a test subject from the movie "The Mad Scientist," except this laboratory was very bright, completely unlike the gloominess in the film.
But Sprite was acutely aware of the fact that she was about to be dissected. After venting her useless shock and anger for a short while, her throat was blocked.
"If you weren't an enemy, I might have spared you this once. But you had to target my tree, of all things. Tsk tsk. Even if the Celestials targeted my tree, I'd still fight them over it."
After preparing all the equipment, Hyuga Mirai split off a clone and continued,
"Perhaps I can find traces of Celestial creations from you, and thus discover their weaknesses."
After saying this, Hyuga Mirai's original body vanished instantly, leaving the comparatively silent clone to begin the experiment on Sprite directly.
When Hyuga Mirai returned, he found only Wanda on the top floor.
Hyuga Mirai asked curiously, "What about Tsunade and Peter?"
"The captain said Peter's hand-to-hand combat skills were too weak, so she took him down a few floors for training."
"Oh, you could go too, Wanda. Safety is always the priority during missions. You don't need to focus solely on training your physical skills, but at least combine your superpowers with evasion. Perhaps I'll prepare a witch's robe with built-in evasion for you too."
Hyuga Mirai said, looking at Wanda. With Tsunade not showing herself much, Wanda was the flagship member of the Super Seven team.
Although Peter still had the highest popularity, he didn't show his face. Most of his fans were women and children, with some men also being Spider-Man fans, though not very devoted.
Since Wanda debuted in her witch attire, she had instantly attracted a huge fan base. Her features were naturally pleasing, and the dark red witch robes accentuated her fair skin. Though only fifteen, she was already more popular than any movie star.
Now, in America and across the world, no one was interested in Hollywood anymore. The real-life pursuit of superheroes was the best superhero movie.
Several film companies had considered buying the film adaptation rights for Wanda to make a movie starring her, but all were rejected by the management behind the Super Seven team. No actress could capture the essence of Wanda.
"A witch's robe with built-in evasion?" Wanda's eyes lit up. She asked curiously, "Sir, do you think I should focus mainly on superhero activities or on my studies?"
"Well... Peter asked me the same question. My answer to him was 'whatever,' either is fine."
Hyuga Mirai thought for a moment before answering. While responding to Wanda, he also pulled up a holographic projection and randomly selected one from a pile of Scarlet Witch costume designs to modify its style and functionality.
"Peter went to university partly because he liked it and partly because of his aunt and uncle's expectations. In fact, his life now is entirely his own choice; I hardly gave him any advice. It's the same for you. Just live the life you enjoy."
"You're only a few years older than my daughter. If Future Biopharmaceutical Company can't allow you to live freely and happily, then it's no different from HYDRA. Do you like this style of clothes?"
After speaking, Hyuga Mirai pushed the virtual screen in front of Wanda.
Seeing the witch robe Hyuga Mirai had chosen for her, Wanda felt quite resistant inside, but thinking she shouldn't hurt his feelings, she tactfully said, "Sir, isn't the style a bit old-fashioned?"
It had many functions, but seeing the medieval-style corseted outfit, Wanda felt reluctant to wear it. If given a choice, she'd rather wear jeans.
"Not good style-wise? But it has many functions, especially the magnetic field control on the chest. Wearing this battle suit, even the Hulk could be engaged in close combat... Well, it seems you really don't like it. I'll just modify your previous witch robe a bit."
Uncertain about Hyuga Mirai's taste, Wanda came closer to offer guidance. She had recently seen a type of clothing she really liked, and hoped the witch robe could be altered to resemble that style if possible.
The tripartite hearings lasted five days, and finally, the parties involved made a decision.
A thorough investigation of S.H.I.E.L.D. was ordered. Personnel from the military, FBI, CIA, and the International Security Council would jointly station within S.H.I.E.L.D. to eradicate the HYDRA cells embedded within.
Their initial plan was to suspend or even disband S.H.I.E.L.D., but faced opposition. S.H.I.E.L.D. had existed for decades and had made significant contributions to protecting world and global peace in the past.
Moreover, many had witnessed the power of the Avengers, and it would be a shame to disband them. S.H.I.E.L.D. also possessed many experienced agents and protocols for handling emergencies.
Without S.H.I.E.L.D., the FBI and CIA lacked confidence in handling another alien incident like the one involving Thor.
Therefore, some argued that identifying and arresting all HYDRA members would suffice. Even if a few escaped, HYDRA would remain S.H.I.E.L.D.'s primary target for the coming years.
Previously, they were unaware the organization still existed. Now, recognizing the danger of HYDRA, no one in America would ignore them. Coupled with the data gathered by Tony Stark, they managed to convince others to preserve S.H.I.E.L.D.
However, it would take several years for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s strength to recover.
This matter had little to do with Hyuga Mirai. Even if S.H.I.E.L.D.'s size doubled, it wouldn't threaten him. Having Peter Parker, Wanda, and the others engage the Avengers was to give them experience dealing with superpowered individuals.
Now all three were aware of their shortcomings. Pietro was practicing high-speed cornering evasion, Peter Parker was honing his combat skills, and even Wanda had set aside part of her magazine-reading time daily to train her telekinesis. Hyuga Mirai felt reassured by their progress.
However, the superhero team still had two vacancies. Not having a full team of seven felt incomplete to Hyuga Mirai.
But recruiting superheroes was complicated. Hyuga Mirai had no intention of taking on those with impure intentions. Besides, Peter and the others were sufficient for now, so he temporarily put the matter aside.
The Divine Tree area seemed to have no further visitors. Sprite had been dissected and preserved by Hyuga Mirai as a specimen. From the deepest parts of her genes, he discovered some secrets regarding the Eternals' power.
The Eternals' abilities stemmed from cosmic energy, representing the most superficial aspects of universal laws. Hyuga Mirai regretted not discovering the secrets of the Celestials, though it was possible he had found them but lacked the understanding of the Celestials themselves.
As for the illusion techniques, after deciphering the source of Sprite's abilities, Hyuga Mirai learned a little. He could use cosmic energy to realize his ideas, similar to some applications of illusion techniques, yet different.
After organizing Sprite's methods, Hyuga Mirai passed them on to Kurenai Yuhi.
Kurenai was quite interested in these 'illusion' techniques. They were very similar to manipulating the five senses but utilized entirely different energy.
However, over a month after Sprite was captured by Hyuga Mirai for study,
the remaining Eternals were gathered by Sersi, Ajak, and Ikaris. Contacting S.H.I.E.L.D. on Earth had been Sprite's idea, and Sersi hadn't discouraged it much.
Sprite had coincidentally learned about the Divine Tree and started investigating. She had even consulted Ajak, the only Eternal who could communicate with the Celestial Arishem. Regarding the Divine Tree, Ajak had asked Arishem but received little response, only a statement that the Emergence had been delayed.
Ajak didn't know what Tiamut's emergence signified then. She still considered it her duty to facilitate the birth of the new Celestial.
But right after asking about the Divine Tree, she received news from Arishem that the Emergence was postponed. Ajak felt this was likely related to the Divine Tree and thus agreed to Sprite's investigation.
Sprite's abilities could deceive even mutants, so Ajak felt relatively confident about her safety.
But unexpectedly, Sprite also encountered trouble. There was no contact, no news. Sensing something wrong, Ajak immediately had Sersi sever all connections with Sprite. She then went to the spaceship and contacted the other Eternals, informing them of the situation.
"Ajak, what should we do? Can Sprite still be rescued?"
Sersi was worried about Sprite's safety. She had spent the most time with Sprite. After losing contact, Sersi had considered going to rescue her.
But Ajak had dissuaded her, knowing Sprite was likely dead, and Sersi going would be sending herself to her death.
"The enemy is too powerful. Before we gather more intelligence, it's best not to act rashly. The enemy is likely even stronger than Ikaris."
Ajak said. She only had limited information, as Sprite had been the one investigating. Thus, Ajak didn't know much.
However, she knew Sprite's investigation centered on an American company called Future Biopharmaceutical. That company also had five superheroes. While Wanda's full power hadn't been displayed, Spider-Man's weapons were already formidable, and with Quicksilver's abilities, it was like having another Makkari.
There were no records of 18 or the Princess of Strength in action, but they were certainly not easy opponents.
"Sprite made a suggestion. We could ally with humans against this company."
Ajak told the other Eternals. "Although I didn't receive a clear response from Arishem, I have a feeling that the Emergence delay is likely related to this tree."
"After the Emergence, our mission might end..."
Ikaris said. They had been on Earth so long they sometimes questioned what home was like.
"Should I make contact? My technology would greatly appeal to them. Perhaps I could convince them?"
Phastos suggested, but received no response from the others.
Whether to ally with humanity was undecided, and ultimately, guidance would come from Ajak.
"This is dangerous. Sprite's fate tells us not to approach without absolute certainty. Druig, please gather intelligence. Makkari will accompany you. If discovered, leave immediately."
Druig and Makkari nodded. Ajak had led them for over a thousand years, and the Eternals generally trusted her judgment.
One could use mental control, minimizing personal risk. The other was fastest. If Druig were accidentally exposed, she could evacuate him quickly.
"Then it's settled. Phastos, you come with me..."
Ajak concluded, ending the meeting. The connection between the Emergence and the tree was unconfirmed, but Sprite had been certain, so Ajak would need to verify thoroughly.
A few months after the HYDRA incident, Hyuga Mirai suddenly noticed an unusual fluctuation from the Space Stone.
The Space Stone was crucial for the second Divine Tree's growth and for connecting to the Naruto universe. Sensing the anomaly, Hyuga Mirai told Tsunade and reluctantly left the comfort of warmth and softness.
"Is someone calling out? Using magic on the other end to summon the Space Stone's power..."
After observing for a while, Hyuga Mirai noticed a distinct power on the Space Stone, drawing on its energy as if to open a portal.
"Is Loki coming?"
Hyuga Mirai suddenly recalled that Loki's first visit to Earth involved the Space Stone. He was banished from Asgard, so he couldn't use the Bifrost to reach Earth under Asgard's protection.
That would surely alert others in Asgard, jeopardizing his plans.
"Finally here. Let me give you a hand, Loki."
Hyuga Mirai chuckled softly, then channeled the Space Stone's power, accelerating the response to the other end.
As the Space Stone's power reached a threshold, a surge of energy erupted. Hyuga Mirai flicked the Stone, redirecting the energy outward.
This energy opened a portal. Soon, a curly-haired man emerged, holding a strange scepter.
"Loki?"
Hyuga Mirai put away the Space Stone and appeared before Loki in an instant.
Loki's face showed surprise. He hadn't expected to be recognized immediately upon arriving on Earth.
(End of Chapter)