Because of the attack, S.H.I.E.L.D. decided to bring Banner in early.
The person sent to collect Banner was a beautiful, sexy woman—this was probably the Natasha that Kosuke had mentioned. She gave the three of them a polite smile, sat down across from them, and explained the reason for her visit.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is really going all out, sending a beautiful woman like this." Peter nudged Saiki Kusuo, whispering.
A miscalculation. S.H.I.E.L.D. was planning to use the honey trap on Banner!
Saiki Kusuo assessed the dangerously alluring, viper-like beauty.
(No, Peter. Don't be fooled by her appearance. The way her muscles are distributed... she's a trained fighter.)
Peter couldn't help but retort, "Is your X-ray vision just for looking at people's muscles?"
(It's a passive ability. And stop saying things that could be misunderstood.)
And if he didn't blink to deactivate his X-ray vision, Saiki Kusuo could also see through to her bones.
(Her bones are unexpectedly aged. Although something is slowing down her aging process, she's essentially an elderly woman.)
Peter: "That's so rude, Kusuo. You shouldn't say a woman's age out loud, even if it's true."
Even though they were whispering, the woman across from them heard every word. Natasha's—muscle-toned, elderly—mouth twitched. She broke off their increasingly off-topic conversation.
She raised a finger to her red lips, looking playful and alluring, signaling the two teenagers to be quiet.
Unlike the two youths who couldn't appreciate the charms of a mature woman, Banner seemed completely entranced by this idyllic situation. Natasha, with just a few words, easily persuaded him, and he obediently followed her.
Watching Banner leave without a shred of reluctance, Peter complained, dissatisfied. "We spent a whole day with him, he could have at least said goodbye. What a guy, prioritizing romance over friendship."
(Don't take credit for things you didn't do. And you should go home, Peter.)
Saiki Kusuo didn't tell Peter that Banner, before leaving, had asked him to monitor his emotions and, if he started to lose control, to throw him onto a deserted island. Saiki Kusuo had no intention of getting involved in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s affairs, but in consideration of Banner offering him a year's supply of coffee jelly, he reluctantly agreed to keep an eye on things.
Loki, after taking a beating, laid low for a few days before making his comeback.
However, before he could even begin his melodramatic declaration, S.H.I.E.L.D., having discovered his whereabouts, intercepted him. He not only suffered a combined assault from Captain America and Iron Man but was also nearly beaten to death by his brother, Thor, who had rushed all the way from Asgard.
"Dr. Banner, this is your lab. I hope you'll like it." Natasha winked at him. Banner scratched his head and gave her a bashful smile. On the surface, he seemed unfazed by her beauty, but inside, he was screaming with excitement.
[Did you see that, Kusuo? She winked at me. She's definitely interested in me!]
After several minutes of silence, Saiki Kusuo's impatient voice finally sounded in Banner's mind.
(I'm monitoring your emotions, not acting as your love counselor, Doctor.)
[Kusuo, you're just an 18-year-old student. Stop acting like a grumpy old man all the time.]
(If there's nothing important, I'm going to sleep.)
"Wait." Banner suddenly called out to Saiki Kusuo, who was yawning.
[I think there's something wrong with S.H.I.E.L.D. Their director clearly has ulterior motives for the Tesseract. I suspect he's planning to create devastating weapons or trying to control the Earth like Loki.]
(Are you sure about this?) Saiki Kusuo had a pretty good idea of why Banner was contacting him and suddenly felt a little reluctant to respond.
[It's just a guess, that's why I wanted to ask for your help. Peter told me your powers are limitless.] Although Banner initially thought Peter was exaggerating, after spending a day with him, Banner completely believed it.
Saiki Kusuo mentally added another mark against Peter's name.
Although he internally complained about how troublesome it was and how he didn't want to get involved, he thought about it. If S.H.I.E.L.D. really did use the Tesseract to rule the world, it would eventually affect his parents, which would be even more troublesome to deal with. So, he had Banner transmit images of S.H.I.E.L.D., and then used his Clairvoyance to monitor the director.
(Although he does intend to use the Tesseract, the director doesn't have any plans to rule the world.)
Saiki Kusuo reached this conclusion after monitoring him for an entire morning. Banner wasn't satisfied with his conclusion.
[Kusuo, I don't think you understand the power of the Tesseract. That thing is...]
(Didn't Peter tell you about my powers?) Saiki Kusuo interrupted Banner, bringing up something unrelated.
Banner frowned in confusion. [What do you mean?]
(I have telepathic abilities. That means, all of your inner thoughts, when you're near me, are automatically transmitted to me. I haven't heard the director or any of his close confidants expressing any intention to rule humanity, so relax.)
However, this didn't comfort Banner. He seemed to realize something, and exclaimed in alarm, [Wait, you said you can hear everyone's inner thoughts? Does that mean you know everything about me...?]
(That's right, I know everything. Whether it's your fear of the dark, or the fact that you write a little diary in your head. Oh, and by the way, Natasha isn't interested in you. She was just flirting with you to try and control you.)
Banner felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. The thought of his embarrassing secrets being known by someone else made him want to call out the Hulk in shame.
With a bit of mortified anger, Banner unilaterally cut off his connection with Saiki Kusuo.
Downstairs, Saiki Kurumi had finished making dinner. Receiving her inner thoughts, Saiki Kusuo went downstairs.
However, his eating came to an abrupt halt. A wave of malice emanating from Peter's house made Saiki Kusuo frown.
"Kusuo, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with the food?" Saiki Kurumi asked, seeing him frozen.
Saiki Kusuo put down his chopsticks. (Mom, I have something to take care of. I'll be right back.)
Although she was puzzled, Saiki Kurumi, who trusted her family implicitly, nodded without question.
Saiki Kusuo teleported to Peter's house.
Clang.
He caught Loki's scepter, which was about to reach Aunt May, with his hand. His strengthened hand was indestructible, and the contact produced a metallic clang.
"You!" Loki recognized Saiki Kusuo.
"I was planning to deal with that brat first, and then come after you. I didn't expect you to deliver yourself to me!" Loki issued an arrogant declaration. After deceiving his brother and successfully escaping, the first thing he wanted to do was come and settle the score with them.
It seemed he still didn't know that Banner was the Hulk, who had humiliated him in front of the entire world.
Three minutes passed. Before Aunt May could notice anything, Saiki Kusuo took Loki outside.
Looking at the suddenly changed location, Loki dropped his disdain for weak humans and narrowed his eyes, assessing the teenager who looked as foolish as his brother.
"An impressive ability, but do you really think this can stop me?"
Saiki Kusuo ignored Loki's provocation and instead contacted Banner: (Hey, Doctor, I need a favor.)
Banner seemed to be arguing with someone, and his emotions were unstable. The Hulk was itching to come out and smash everyone in front of him.
[Sorry, I'm a little busy right now, I can't get away. Don't bother me!]
Two completely different tones; he was already half-Hulked out.
Before he could be completely provoked, Saiki Kusuo quickly told Banner his plan.
(Don't worry, if you turn into the Hulk, I'll send you to the island immediately. But before you transform, could you ask the Thor beside you if Asgard has a place to imprison criminals? If so, could he give me a picture?)
Banner: [???]
Although he was confused, Banner, who listened very well to Saiki Kusuo, did as he was asked.
He approached Thor, who was currently insulting Stark.
"Excuse me, does Asgard have a prison?"
The future Avengers: "..."
Thor: [???]
The tall, imposing, but surprisingly approachable Thor answered honestly, [Yes, Asgard has a dungeon specifically for holding serious criminals.]
Banner asked again, [Do you have a picture?]
Thor: [I don't have a picture, but I have a video. I recorded it because Loki's tearful, pathetic appearance when he was locked up was so funny.]
Thor played the video of the dungeon. Banner said thank you, and then confirmed with Saiki Kusuo.
[Did you get it?]
(Okay.)
Thor asked, puzzled, [What do you need a picture of the dungeon for?]
Banner smiled at Thor. [Didn't you come to Earth to find your brother? Now I'm returning your brother to his rightful place.]
Thor: [???]
On Saiki Kusuo's end, Loki was getting impatient to deal with him, but then he saw Saiki Kusuo remove the strange hair clip from his head.
"Although handing you over to S.H.I.E.L.D. would be the best option, given your cunning and what you're holding, dealing with you would likely cost not only S.H.I.E.L.D. but all of New York dearly. It's better to send you back the way you came. "
"Send me back?" Loki seemed to have heard the biggest joke. He approached Saiki Kusuo, pointing the scepter at Saiki Kusuo's chest. The scepter had the power to control minds. He envisioned the scene of Saiki Kusuo, manipulated by him, killing his companions and his family, and finally, after regaining his senses, committing suicide in despair.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." Saiki Kusuo grabbed the scepter. (The three minutes are up.)
Loki only saw a blur, then let out a yelp, and disappeared from Saiki Kusuo's sight. Another three minutes later, Saiki Kusuo delivered the scepter to S.H.I.E.L.D.
Banner was overwhelmed by Thor's relentless questioning, feeling the urge to transform into the Hulk and smash Thor's head in.
"Your brother has been sent back to Asgard." Banner explained patiently, not wanting to be thrown onto the island.
"Loki was sent back? How is that possible?" Thor, who knew his brother very well, didn't believe Loki would obediently return to Asgard.
"Of course, he tried to resist, but my friend subdued him. If you don't believe me, you can check."
Thor raised an eyebrow and contacted his subordinates in Asgard. He received confirmation that Loki had indeed suddenly appeared in the dungeon, and his gaze towards Banner changed instantly.
So, the person they had been racking their brains to deal with was so easily resolved?
Under everyone's strange gazes, Banner stepped aside to reveal the desk behind him. The gem-encrusted scepter lay quietly on the table.
Banner spread his hands. "And by the way, my friend also sent this back."
The Avengers: "..."
Stark couldn't hold back any longer: "Is this friend you're talking about...you?"