The Third Princess of Asgard?
What on earth is this title!
Isn't Loki a prince from Asgard?
Tony Stark scratched his cheek, his expression subtly tense: "Could it be that the mythological Loki... is a woman? And I just saw some Asgardian records, Loki seems to have only one brother who's been to Earth..."
"It's just a derogatory term for Loki."
The mysterious masked man's voice on the phone was unusually indifferent, yet the information he provided to Tony Stark was very effective.
"Loki, adopted son of the World Tree Nine Realms God King Odin.
Currently unknown why he was banished by God King Odin, rumored to have failed to seize the throne... According to our information, Loki has been on Chitauri territory recently. How did you guys find out about Loki?"
"Hmm..."
Tony Stark hesitated for a moment, recalling Steve Rogers' accusation against him for not trusting his allies, yet trusting aliens.
However, the matter of the Tesseract is of grave importance...
Tony Stark hesitated for a second, feeling that perhaps there was no need to hide this matter: "Alright, in fact, Loki has taken the Tesseract..."
"It's over."
The voice of the mysterious masked man suddenly dropped, and he solemnly spoke: "The Tesseract can open a space portal, allowing the Chitauri to descend on Earth... son of Howard Stark, perhaps this time we'll need to fight side by side on Earth."
"Huh?"
Tony Stark hadn't reacted yet, and the next moment, he instantly understood what the mysterious masked man meant: "That guy Loki took the Tesseract to open a space portal, so the Chitauri can invade Earth?"
"That's roughly it."
The mysterious masked man nodded quickly, solemnly continuing: "Please help convey to Earth's leaders... if the Chitauri descend on Earth, the Akatsuki army must descend on Earth to fight the Chitauri."
"Wait... an army?"
Tony Stark suddenly felt at a loss for words.
Once the so-called army is mentioned, it seems to be no easy task to resolve. How did it suddenly become necessary to assemble an army?
This Akatsuki organization...
Why are they so scared of one Loki?
Are Loki and the Chitauri really that terrifying?
"There's no time for too much explanation."
"The Tesseract is in Loki's hands, the Chitauri could arrive at any moment, we must quickly assemble the army and head to Earth... otherwise, the consequences are unimaginable!"
"Wait..."
Tony Stark remembered Nick Fury's request, softly saying: "I suggest you meet with a leader of a certain world peacekeeping organization on Earth, perhaps things aren't as bad as they seem, we're working on getting the Tesseract back..."
"..."
The other end of the phone fell silent.
The next moment, the mysterious masked man suddenly spoke: "In five minutes, I'll be at your location, if he's willing to talk... I'll give him ten minutes."
"..."
Tony Stark hung up the phone.
Tony Stark hurriedly left the lab and headed for the command cabin of the helicarrier, the faces of those present showing slight confusion, they felt a sense of disconnection.
It felt as if...
Tony Stark didn't want to associate with them.
Steve Rogers suddenly stood up, about to stop Tony Stark's actions, but Uehara Naraku raised his hand to stop Steve Rogers.
"I'll go talk to Mr. Stark!"
Uehara Naraku shook his head, signaling Steve Rogers to sit back down, and quickly caught up with Tony Stark.
"Mr. Stark."
Uehara Naraku caught up to Tony's pace, softly saying: "Is there anything I can help with now? If you need materials for an experiment..."
"No need."
Tony Stark shook his head, halted his steps, and looked at Uehara Naraku: "I just made a call, my friend agreed to see that one-eyed Black man... prepare a meeting room!"
"I'll notify Director Fury immediately."
Uehara Naraku nodded quickly, about to leave to make arrangements, he turned back to Tony Stark, his eyes subtly serious.
"Mr. Stark, maybe those dressed in Cloud Black Robes are what you call friends; but us humans born on Earth... are also your allies."
This was Uehara Naraku's earnest advice.
The meaning was very clear, Uehara Naraku and they are the real kin, Akatsuki are outsiders!
"..."
Tony Stark's expression instantly became conflicted.
What Uehara Naraku said was right...
In a sense, the Dawn of Akatsuki is a mercenary group in the universe, and as an Earthling, he certainly shouldn't overly trust this mercenary squad.
However, his father mentioned in a letter that this mercenary squad is a trusted friend to Earth, and they haven't done anything harmful to Earth...
What should he do now?
In the past, Tony Stark would definitely think he could handle everything on his own, but having witnessed the bizarre abilities of Akatsuki, he realized the universe is vast...
They need to rally more strength.
For Earth, the Akatsuki organization is actually a natural ally.
What he should do now is find a way to unite this mercenary organization with Earth, at least to reclaim the Tesseract or deal with the possible arrival of the Chitauri?
Five minutes later.
In the meeting room on the helicarrier.
Nick Fury and Tony Stark sat in the meeting room, both waiting for the arrival of a member of the Dawn of Akatsuki, Tony Stark occasionally providing some intel about the Dawn of Akatsuki.
"Akatsuki is a cosmic mercenary organization."
"The leader of Akatsuki arrived on Earth over thirty years ago while hunting down a fugitive named Igo, at that time he coincidentally befriended my father, they're friends, and even studied the Tesseract together."
"The enemy of Akatsuki is the Chitauri."
"Not long ago Akatsuki was still preparing to fight against the Chitauri, maybe they're somewhat weaker compared to the Chitauri, but they're friends of Earth, at least from my perspective, they can be considered our friends..."
"..."
Just as Tony Stark was endlessly talking, a space vortex quietly appeared, manifesting without any prior warning right in front of them!
This scene made Nick Fury's eyes narrow!
Such an eerie ability leaves people defenceless!
If members of Akatsuki possess such an eerie ability, does it mean they could infiltrate any corner of Earth at any time?
"You have ten minutes."
The silhouette of the mysterious masked man emerged quietly from the space vortex, and only one eye was revealed through his mask, yet it bore a tinge of crimson.
The two one-eyed men met each other's gazes.
Nick Fury was the first to extend his hand, his large hand landed with a pat: "Welcome to Earth, I hope we can talk more at length, Earth might not be as weak as you imagine..."
"Akatsuki has never underestimated Earth."
The mysterious masked man shook his head, softly continuing: "Decades ago, our leader learned the Kree wanted to destroy this planet, when we came to Earth's aid, we were told that someone on Earth single-handedly repelled the Kree fleet..."
"..."
The smile on Nick Fury's face froze for a second.
This matter has always been Nick Fury's greatest hidden secret and the beginning of the Avenger initiative, does Akatsuki know even this?
Before their meeting, Nick Fury had been carefully considering which card to play to achieve equal cooperation with Akatsuki and convince them Earth has the capability to handle the Tesseract issue.
The result...
Akatsuki bluntly pointed out the hidden card he never intended to play, that is Nick Fury's youthful ally, and the most powerful Superhero in Fury's heart, Captain Marvel Carol Danvers.
Damn...
This is truly unexpected!
"Oh?"
Tony Stark's eyes twitched instantly, surprised: "Do we have someone that powerful on our side? How come I didn't know..."
"Tony, she's the first Avenger hero!"
Nick Fury stopped Tony Stark, extending his hand, inviting the mysterious masked man to sit down, smiling as he spoke: "Since Akatsuki knows about this event on Earth, why not believe that Earth can handle this now?"
"We've never doubted Earth's strength."
The mysterious masked man slowly shook his head, solemnly continuing: "Earth has never realized how terrifying the forces beyond the universe can be... We must ensure one thing, that neither Earth nor the Tesseract falls into the hands of the Chitauri."