Uehara Naraku paid no attention to whether there were traps behind this Gate of Space, lifted his head, and stepped into the Gate of Space, entering the other side.
Strange shook his head helplessly, and along with other Future Warriors, stepped into the Gate of Space to meet his teacher.
The Supreme Mage of this era.
Ancient One.
New York Temple.
The other side of the Gate of Space was the rooftop of the New York Temple. From here, one could see the aerial battle of the New York war, and the Master Ancient One was waiting for them here.
The Supreme Mage was a dual-personality Celt.
Now, the Master Ancient One showed more of her feminine side, although there was not a single hair on her head, and she only wore an ancient brown-yellow robe.
"Nice view."
The Ancient One smiled and praised the battle between the Akatsuki and the Chitauri, slowly turned her head, looked at the group of visitors, and snapped her fingers crisply.
A teapot and several teacups floated in the air and slowly landed on the table on the rooftop. This was the most usual way of showing off for the mages.
The Ancient One glanced at everyone present, extended her hand to invite everyone to sit by the table, and smiled, following her way of hospitality: "Coffee? Tea? Drinks? Beer?"
"Orange juice."
Uehara Naraku casually ordered a drink.
Hearing Uehara Naraku's words, everyone present couldn't help but twitch their eyes.
The Ancient One didn't mind Uehara Naraku's request, nodded with a smile, and slowly poured orange juice into the cup in front of Uehara Naraku from the teapot in her hand.
After pouring the orange juice, the Ancient One looked at the others present and continued to smile and ask, "What about you?"
"Coffee."
"Coff…"
"The same, give them a glass of orange juice."
Uehara Naraku interrupted them, nonchalantly picked up the glass of orange juice and drank it all in one gulp, and continued in a low voice: "They come from the future, they should have already recognized the truth of this world, the one with the bigger fists rules."
"..."
Future Steve Rogers couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Even if the one with the bigger fists can rule, someone who decides even what people drink controls too much...
"That's true."
The Ancient One nodded gently and slowly raised the teapot in her hand, pouring a glass of orange juice into everyone's cups.
This Supreme Mage…
Had a tolerance beyond ordinary people's imagination.
"I know what you are here for…"
The Master Ancient One slowly sat beside them, her eyes softening: "You want to borrow the Infinity Stones of this era, the Time Gem can actually be lent to you… but…"
"..."
The Future Warriors unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
If Uehara Naraku wasn't here, their mood would probably be much more relaxed; at least the important matter wasn't delayed now.
"But when it's time to return…"
The smile of the Master Ancient One became somewhat meaningful, her gaze slowly landed on Uehara Naraku: "Perhaps it will be Mr. Uehara's people who will return it, right?"
This sentence directly pierced through the truth.
"How could that be?"
Uehara Naraku slowly shook his head.
All right, the Master Ancient One guessed everything correctly.
For Uehara Naraku, these Future Warriors borrowing the Time Gem in this era was indeed inconsequential.
No matter if these people with the Time Gem never return, or if they want to do something else, as long as they borrow the Time Gem, the Time Gem has not left his control…
Hmm…
Because he has his pieces.
Moreover, he can also allow himself a bit more amusement.
"For the safety of the gem, I cannot lend it to you all…"
The Ancient One's eyes gazed at Uehara Naraku, her voice gradually becoming deeper: "I haven't fully foreseen the future yet, but amid countless variations, there are still areas I cannot observe…"
Ever since the Ancient One saw the Akatsuki army descend upon New York, she instantly became alert, probing the direction of the future hidden within the New York Temple.
Simply borrowing the power of the Time Gem allowed the Ancient One to investigate tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of future possibilities within just a few minutes… The problem was, this group of Akatsuki members had no future at all.
The Time Gem could not probe the future of the Akatsuki, nor could it investigate their past, leaving the Ancient One feeling that the Time Gem must have some kind of issue…
The Ancient One could only probe her own future.
And then…
She discovered the troublesome truth.
Every possible future of hers was problematic.
The one that troubled the Ancient One the most was undoubtedly the inevitable meeting with Uehara Naraku, a man that leaves people unable to live or die…
Leaving anyone unable to live or die.
Even though the Ancient One had envisioned many futures, like warning people to be cautious of Uehara Naraku with her future results…
Yet…
The outcome didn't change.
No, it should be said the outcome got even worse.
The Ancient One couldn't help but fall into contemplation while looking at Uehara Naraku.
If she could use the Time Gem to investigate Uehara Naraku's past or future direction, perhaps she could find a way to change the future, but unfortunately, the power of the Time Gem cannot affect Uehara Naraku, who is more troublesome than the dark forces of other dimensions…
Clearly, hundreds of years ago, she learned to use the Time Gem and began exploring her future, allowing her to move towards a more perfect ending…
As a result…
The future inadvertently changed again.
How did time make a detour unintentionally?
Why did this universe appear with such a troublesome person as Uehara Naraku, when clearly there was no trace of such a person a few hundred years ago…
"Sorry."
The Ancient One slowly shook her head, an apologetic look on her face as she glanced at Dr. Strange, then at all the others present: "I cannot lend the Time Gem until I have truly investigated all future changes…"
"You can lend it to them."
Uehara Naraku raised his eyebrows, heavily placing down the cup in his hand: "The Future Supreme Mage Strange came personally to borrow the Time Gem, and he is one of the finest among your mages, don't you trust him?"
"I trust him."
The Master Ancient One slowly nodded, then resolutely and slowly shook her head, her gaze moving slowly from Strange to Uehara Naraku.
This actually had another sentence following it.
The Master Ancient One, however, wasn't willing to say it in front of Uehara Naraku, did she have to directly say that she trusted Strange but didn't dare trust Uehara?
The Master Ancient One indeed trusted Strange.
This Future Supreme Mage was handpicked by her.
However, this Uehara Naraku…
Really did not dare to make the Ancient One trust him…
"Let me speak some fairness…"
Uehara Naraku's face became more serious than ever, he continued in a deep voice: "Dr. Strange was handpicked by your excellency, then trust your own choice…"
"It's fine…"
Strange didn't understand the Ancient One's thoughts; he glanced at his teacher, then at Uehara Naraku, and his face had a faintly strange expression.
What exactly is going on?
Have these two exchanged roles?
His teacher, the Supreme Mage Ancient One, refused to lend them the Time Gem, and their enemy, Uehara Naraku, was urging the Ancient One to lend them the Time Gem…
Here…
There seems to be a conspiracy.
"Master Ancient One."
Steve Rogers slowly lifted his head, his gaze locking onto Uehara Naraku, and calmly continued, "Is it because our enemy is present…"
"Even if he were not present, I still couldn't lend it to you…"
The Ancient One furrowed her brow, softly continued: "I'm sorry to waste your time; there are many hidden factors that cannot be explained in detail…"
"I understand."
Strange nodded, glanced at their only enemy, then at his companions around him: "Let's go, to another place…"
"Wait…"
Uehara Naraku stopped them from leaving.
Uehara's palm gently rested on the table, his gaze on the Ancient One, and his eyes gradually became a bit dangerous: "Please lend the Time Gem to them, Master Ancient One! It's not easy to come all this way…"
"Also… It's rare for me to be in a good mood…"