New York.
Manhattan District.
The war was finally over.
The Akatsuki organization had just defeated the Chitauri mothership, ending the Chitauri invasion of Earth, and the mastermind behind this war, Loki, was captured by the Avengers.
"The current issue is shutting down the Tesseract…"
Steve Rogers looked up at the rooftop of Stark Industries Tower, turned to glance at his companions, and immediately furrowed his brow.
Steve Rogers pressed his earpiece, trying to connect with Naraku's signal: "Naraku, where are you?"
"I'm handling the Tesseract."
Naraku stood on the rooftop of Stark Industries Tower, looking troubled as he spoke: "I've encountered a bit of trouble shutting down the Tesseract here…"
"What trouble?"
Tony Stark's concerned voice immediately came through the earpiece channel.
Loki heard their exchange and smiled as he said, "I assume the problem is that you can't shut down the Tesseract's energy, right? It's the most abundant energy in this universe."
Loki looked at their grim faces and continued smiling: "No one can suppress the energy of the Tesseract… Hehe, if you help me retrieve the staff, perhaps I can help you shut it down."
Although this war was lost…
Loki seemed to be in a pretty good mood.
In fact, Loki had no choice but to blame himself for choosing the wrong allies. The Chitauri were so arrogant in front of him, but faced with Akatsuki's army, they were vulnerable…
What a bunch of useless teammates.
Now Loki also lost the Mind Staff.
That was something Thanos lent to the Chitauri leader for his use!
This war's defeat must have disappointed Thanos, and if Loki couldn't retrieve the Mind Staff, perhaps only Asgard would be able to shelter him in the universe?
Of course…
For Loki, this didn't matter much.
Because in this war, Loki knew he hadn't committed any mistakes; everything proceeded as planned, and it was the Chitauri, those pig teammates, who truly failed…
Dammit…
Throughout the war, the Chitauri were constantly suppressed by Akatsuki's forces, unable to leave the space portal entrance. Is this what they call a cosmic war race?
What a bunch of pig teammates…
Loki's heart was full of disdain for the Chitauri. This Asgardian prince's gaze gradually shifted up to the six Hollow Thrones floating in the sky…
If…
If now I could gain Akatsuki as an ally… not only Earth, perhaps even attacking Asgard would be hopeful, right?!
Apart from Loki…
Nick Fury was also watching the outcome of this war, concerned with the fate and ownership of the Tesseract, fearing that Akatsuki might try to seize the Tesseract.
Currently, the strongest force in New York is Akatsuki's army.
If Akatsuki were to try to seize the Tesseract, what could they do, have another interstellar war? Merely the Chitauri caused them considerable trouble; Akatsuki's army had crushed the Chitauri…
Loki slowly lifted his head, looking at the floating Hollow Thrones in the sky. His eyes flashed with light, and his mouth curled into a smile: "Aren't you worried that this group also wants to rule Earth?"
Definitely need to find an opportunity!
Loki was very clear about Earth's intelligence; they all knew nothing about the Akatsuki organization, and whether Earth and Akatsuki would be peaceful was still uncertain!
After all, the power disparity between them was so great that if Akatsuki were to attack Earth, there would be no force to resist!
Loki guessed correctly.
Both Nick Fury and members of the World Security Council had begun to worry about these matters, even though they received news about Akatsuki from the mysterious Masked Man, they were faintly concerned that Akatsuki could change their stance…
Because of the huge power gap, and fate not being in their control, it was truly uncomfortable when this reality appeared…
"Shut up, Loki!"
Thor helplessly looked at his brother.
Thor never thought about such matters. He directly pulled out a small mechanical device from his body and locked Loki's mouth.
"Let's deal with the Tesseract first!"
Thor glanced at everyone present and softly explained: "Without the Tesseract, I won't be able to return to Asgard. The Rainbow Bridge between Asgard and Earth has been broken, and only the Tesseract can repair it…"
"Okay."
Tony Stark observed those present and helplessly sighed: "Let's go see Naraku. There are still many troubles after the war…"
Tony Stark glanced up at the rooftop of his company's tower, about to ask Naraku what trouble he encountered, when he noticed six Hollow Thrones in the sky gradually drifting toward Naraku's location…
"Naraku, be careful."
Tony Stark quickly warned: "Six people floating in the sky are flying toward your location; we're coming right away!"
"You better not come over…"
Naraku's voice grew heavier.
"Hm?"
Tony Stark immediately understood something, raising his voice by eight octaves while rushing with the group to the rooftop: "Are you in danger? What's happening?"
"…Don't come over, goodbye."
After speaking, Naraku fell silent.
The Avengers Squad quickly reached the rooftop via the elevator.
They finally saw the trouble Naraku spoke of, and understood why Naraku didn't want them to be present here…
The Tesseract still gleamed with light.
Naraku's hand tightly grasped the Tesseract, but his body couldn't move because the Tesseract's energy was rapidly flowing into him…
The speed of this energy influx…
Naraku's body could explode at any moment; the Tesseract seemed to be turning Naraku into a human bomb with its energy!
Naraku's body gradually emitted a faint blue light, a signal of extreme danger indicating his body was changing!
The blue light from Naraku's body became increasingly intense, and the Tesseract in his hand subtly shrunk; he already absorbed considerable energy internally…
As the energy of the Tesseract slowly flowed back, the space portal in the sky lost its energy support and finally closed completely; yet the energy transfer between Naraku and the Tesseract continued!
If this continues…
His life will soon come to an end!
No one knows if Naraku might explode in the next second!
"Sorry."
Naraku's gaze swept over the Avengers, his eyes faintly dulling: "I couldn't find a better way to shut it down, quickly leave."
"Naraku…"
Natasha's voice was sorrowful.
The faces of other Avengers Squad members grew complicated; despite the war's conclusion, a sacrifice had occurred, unexpectedly after the war ended…
In the next second!
A dazzling blue light radiated from his body!
This light, in an instant, triggered a violent explosion shockwave!
The members of the Avengers Squad immediately dispersed in search of a safe spot, fortunate to have Thor and Bruce Banner reacting quickly!
"Six Red Sun Array…"
As the explosion shockwave swept across New York, red light screens quietly descended from the sky, wrapping around Stark Industries Tower!
A hexagonal red barrier appeared in New York City!
The explosion prompted by the Tesseract was instantly contained by the barrier!
New York's crisis quietly dissolved, but due to the concentrated explosion, Stark Industries Tower within the Six Red Sun Array became the sole victim…
Furthermore, Stark worked hard to transform Stark Industries Tower with new energy, having just been in use for less than three days, only to turn into a ruin…