Night had settled over New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty standing tall against the skyline.
Near the ferry docks, a group of frustrated tourists argued with security.
"Hey, we already booked tickets. Why aren't we allowed through?"
One of the guards raised his hands apologetically. "We're very sorry, but there's been an unexpected issue with the statue. It's temporarily closed for maintenance."
"To make up for the inconvenience, all tickets will be refunded at double the price. If you'd like, you can come back tomorrow—free of charge."
The crowd grumbled, but the compensation softened their frustration—until someone pointed toward the water.
"Wait… if it's closed, then what's that?"
Everyone turned.
A private ferry was cutting across the harbor, carrying a large group—men and women in wildly different styles of clothing—laughing and chatting as they boarded.
The guard didn't hesitate. "They're… special guests. I'm afraid we can't disclose more."
The base of the Statue of Liberty had transformed completely.
What was usually a quiet, historic site now looked like a lively outdoor festival. Portable grills smoked under the night sky, people lounged on blankets, music drifted through the air—it felt more like a late-night camping party than a national landmark.
Inside the island café, Noah Vale leaned back in his chair, idly resting his cheek on his hand.
With a casual flick of his fingers, he sent out a series of invitations.
The air shimmered.
A man in refined robes appeared first—middle-aged, composed, with the kind of presence that suggested authority and discipline. Then came a broad-shouldered fighter in simple attire, his arms lined with muscle. One by one, more figures materialized, each pulled from a different world.
Among them, Tony Stark blinked in surprise.
"So it works locally too?" he muttered, glancing around. "Interesting… wonder if I can cancel and pop right back."
As the group gathered, their attention quickly settled on Noah.
He looked no older than twenty—black hair, sharp features, an almost unreal composure. There was a quiet curiosity in his eyes as he studied them.
Aside from a few staff members, the café was empty.
Tony had already mentioned he wasn't exactly young, so the others quickly realized who they were looking at.
The administrator.
Deep Blue.
Master Ronin inhaled slowly, unable to hide his astonishment. That young…?
A refined man stepped forward first, offering a respectful nod. "I'm grateful for everything you've done. It's an honor to finally meet you."
The others followed suit.
Noah waved it off with a faint smile. "Relax. We're just friends here. If nothing goes wrong, we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
Across the room, Kana Kimishima stared at him.
The moment she saw Noah, something felt… wrong.
Or rather—overwhelming.
She had always been able to sense the difference between humans and other beings. But Noah didn't feel like either. Sitting there, he radiated something intense, like staring directly into the sun.
Blinking, she turned her head—and froze.
Through the window, the Statue of Liberty loomed in the distance, her torch glowing against the night sky.
"Wait… is that the Statue of Liberty?"
Noah nodded. "A friend pulled some strings. Feel free to explore the island however you want."
Explore? Kana's thoughts raced.
Then she noticed the grills, the music, the crowd outside.
People… are barbecuing under the Statue of Liberty? Is that even allowed?
"Alright, don't just stand there," Noah said, standing up. "Let's head out. I've got the night planned."
He waved toward the entrance.
A young man jogged over, smiling warmly. "Good evening, Mr. Vale, and guests. You can call me Willy. I'll be your guide tonight."
Despite the group's mismatched appearances—some looking like they'd stepped out of another century—Willy didn't bat an eye. Neither did anyone else on the island.
Everything had been… handled.
"This is the future, huh?" The Exorcist murmured, eyes wide as he took everything in.
Willy's narration was smooth and engaging. He led them through the interior of the statue, pointing out its structure and history, before guiding them back out toward a private ferry.
Next stop: Manhattan.
As they crossed the water, the skyline rose before them—glass towers, neon lights, the pulse of a modern city. For some of the older guests, it was nothing short of unbelievable.
Walking through the city streets, they drew curious glances—but no one questioned them.
"JARVIS mentioned something," Tony said casually as he walked beside Noah. "Apparently, the Kingpin bought out a bunch of major landmarks tonight. Shut them down to the public."
He smirked. "You don't do things halfway, do you?"
Noah shrugged. "It's the first gathering. Might as well make it memorable. What, you'd rather everyone sit around awkwardly, forcing conversation over drinks?"
Tony chuckled. "Fair point. That would've been painful."
They continued their tour—through landmarks, across districts—until eventually, they settled into a restaurant for dinner.
The atmosphere was relaxed. Food arrived. Conversations flowed.
And then—
"Hey… isn't that you?" Master Ronin suddenly pointed toward a television mounted on the wall.
Everyone turned.
On-screen, a crowd had gathered outside a massive building.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of people held up signs.
All of them displayed Noah's face.
They were shouting something, but before anyone could make out the words—
The channel abruptly switched.
Silence fell over the table.