Chapter 127: It's You Who Have No Choice
"I can understand the previous points, but what is the Avengers Initiative?"
George pretended to be puzzled and asked.
Black Widow shook her head:
"I can't tell you the specifics of the plan, but by joining it, you can become a hero for humanity, somewhat similar to the X-Men of the past. I believe it aligns with your ideals."
"Is that all? Is there anything else?"
George did not delve further into the matter of the Avengers Initiative.
Black Widow calmly advised:
"That's all. If you agree, you won't have to live a life on the run anymore.
Otherwise, with your superpowers, no government in any country will feel at ease. They will keep hunting you down, and you'll have to keep fleeing, especially with a group of children.
I think the children also want to live a normal life, and you probably want to live like a normal person too."
She had done a detailed analysis and understanding of George, Professor X, Wolverine, and the mutant children during this period, knowing exactly what to say to persuade them.
Based on her experience, George should not refuse her.
"Sorry, I'm not interested in the so-called Avengers, and the children don't want to be adopted. Please don't bother us anymore!"
However, George's response was beyond her expectations.
"Mr. George, I hope you can—"
"No need to consider, that's the answer."
George raised his hand to cut her off directly.
After a moment of silence, Black Widow's expression turned serious.
"Mr. George, you should know that with so many mutants gathered together, if not regulated, it will become a highly unstable factor.
As an organization responsible for the safety of the entire world, we cannot stand by and do nothing. Do you really want to pit those children against the whole world?"
"What, threatening me? Is your butt not hurting anymore?"
George wasn't angry but instead teased Black Widow.
If he were just a lab-made experiment and Professor X hadn't recovered, with so many mutant children, he might have agreed to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s conditions.
But he wasn't. He had enough strength to refuse S.H.I.E.L.D. and wasn't afraid of their threats.
"Uh—"
Black Widow twitched her mouth upon hearing this. She had been on many dangerous missions, even brushed with death several times.
But having her butt spanked and being teased like this was a first.
"In that case, Mr. George, don't blame us for being impolite!"
At this point, she could only notify the prepared agents to forcibly take control of George and the others.
Professor X was already brain-dead and had no combat ability. Wolverine seemed to have regained his youth, but they had prepared elephant tranquilizer guns that could knock him out with one shot.
The children were still young and easy to control. Each could be fitted with a mutant power inhibitor, no problem.
The most troublesome might be George, with multiple mutant abilities and the ability to fly, making him hard to capture.
But as long as they captured the others, George would have no choice but to surrender.
"Begin the operation!"
With Black Widow's command, there was no response in her earpiece, which made her heart skip a beat.
"If you're waiting for the agents in the woods across the street, it's probably hopeless."
George's sarcastic voice rang in her ears.
"Was it you?"
Black Widow's body stiffened.
George wagged his index finger:
"Not me, but our lovely students at the school. Don't underestimate them."
As George finished speaking, the school gates opened. Led by Professor X and Wolverine, the students dragged in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s elite agents one by one.
The agents were tightly bound by green vines, some foaming at the mouth from electric shocks, others unconscious with big bumps on their foreheads. None were dead, but none had any ability to resist.
"How could this happen?"
Seeing the agents she had ambushed outside completely wiped out, Black Widow felt a chill in her heart. And when she saw the younger version of Professor X, her pupils contracted sharply.
What's going on?
Is this a clone of Professor X, or has he been cured and restored to youth through some method?
If it's the former, it's not a big deal. But if it's the latter, then things just got complicated.
The power of a Level 4 mutant like Professor X is truly terrifying.
"Headmaster, we've completed our mission. The two professors didn't intervene. We worked together to capture them."
Ricktor and the young wolf girl, who were leading the group, stepped forward to claim credit.
George nodded with satisfaction.
"You did well. Go back and check which amusement park you'd like to visit. In a few days, the two professors will take you there to play."
When he saved these children, it was said to be for their abilities, but more so because of his conscience.
But now, it seems that after a few years of proper training, they might indeed become a decent team of superpowered individuals. While they might not be able to handle enemies like Thanos, dealing with organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. or HYDRA on Earth doesn't seem to be a big problem.
The mutant children born through surrogacy by Mexican women under Sander Rice's direction actually have no difference in potential compared to real mutants, unlike those fully formed clones.
Moreover, when Sander Rice selected mutant genes, because they were intended to be cultivated as weapons of war, he chose genes that were advantageous for combat.
There wouldn't be any trash-tier mutant abilities like the Porcupine Man, which could only reach Level 2 at most.
Most were Level 3 or even top-tier Level 3 mutant abilities.
"What do you want to do?"
Black Widow asked with a somewhat grave expression.
George walked up to Black Widow:
"I should be asking what S.H.I.E.L.D. wants to do. We just want to live here peacefully, but you're the ones disturbing us."
"You should understand that when your mutant identities are exposed, it means you no longer have a choice—it's only a matter of time.
Even if you kill all of us now, the result won't change."
Black Widow continued to apply psychological pressure, hoping to change George's mind.
"I won't kill you. Throw them all out."
George stepped forward, hooked Black Widow's chin with his hand, then shook his head and had Wolverine throw all the agents outside the school gates.
"Tell your director, Nick Fury, to come here personally tomorrow at 2 PM. I have something to discuss with him, and it will concern the survival of S.H.I.E.L.D.
It's not us who have no choice—it's you."
"Zombie Drift!"
Black Widow was also forcibly sent outside the school by George's magic.
"If I hadn't let you in, you wouldn't have been able to enter at all. Don't overestimate your strength."
Standing at the school gates, George waved his hand, and the magical barrier once again enveloped the entire school.
(End of Chapter)