Black Panther leaped into the air and kicked several enemies flying, then grabbed a few multi-armed creatures and threw them away.
At that moment, he heard someone approaching through the wind. Captain America had arrived beside him.
Steve knocked a monster away with his shield before speaking.
"T'Challa."
With a grave expression, Captain America said, "Why did Shuri do that?"
"Why didn't she give the Mind Stone to Wanda to destroy, my friend?"
He put extra emphasis on the words "my friend."
Black Panther opened his helmet and shook his head, "Steve, my friend."
"From the very beginning, we never agreed to let you decide what to do with the Mind Stone."
"We only agreed to help Vision separate it from him."
"The Infinity Stones don't belong to anyone, so I don't believe you have the right to destroy it."
Steve kicked an enemy away and said in a deep voice, "T'Challa, I respect you."
"You're a warrior, and you're a good king."
"So I have to remind you one more time. Thanos is collecting the Infinity Stones. If the Mind Stone falls into his hands, think about what will happen to the universe."
Dodging a monster that lunged at him, T'Challa refused to back down, "Steve, your perspective is too narrow. In a universe this vast, Thanos isn't the only powerful being."
"Didn't I tell you before? It was a great lord who granted us knowledge, allowing Wakanda's technology to make breakthroughs in every field."
"We improved our defense systems, created the Black Iron Tide, and can even perform neural operations."
"On top of that, we've already gained the ability for interstellar travel. Before long, a spaceship will launch from here to explore the vast universe."
"And all of this came from that lord."
Steve suddenly looked toward the statue of the Conqueror in the distance.
"Him?"
T'Challa nodded.
"Lord Conqueror is also collecting the Infinity Stones. I believe that if the Mind Stone is entrusted to him, Thanos will never be able to get his hands on it."
"And Lord Conqueror possesses immense knowledge. The Mind Stone can serve a greater purpose in his hands."
"The world will become a better place."
"No!"
Steve shook his head, "My God, T'Challa, you have no idea what that man has done."
"Six years ago, he destroyed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier, causing countless deaths."
"One of my friends died in that incident."
"After that, he stole the Tesseract and the Mind Stone in New York."
"He's a devil. You've been deceived. He's nothing like you think he is!"
T'Challa smiled, "You've only seen one side of the Conqueror, yet you've already decided he's a devil. That's far too hasty."
Steve had no intention of arguing any further. He pressed the communicator in his ear, "Everyone, listen up. Shuri has taken the Mind Stone. Find her, recover the Stone, and give it to Wanda to destroy."
Falcon and War Machine immediately replied, ["We're on it."]
Black Widow asked, ["Captain, what's going on?"]
Dr. Banner's voice came over the channel as well, ["Yeah, Cap. Why would Princess Shuri take the Stone?"]
Steve looked at T'Challa, "Because Wakanda has already pledged loyalty to the Conqueror. They even erected a statue of him. I should have realized it sooner. I was careless."
At the same time, T'Challa gave his own orders.
"Wakandan warriors, protect Shuri. Shoot down Falcon and War Machine."
"Black Iron Tide guardians, by my command, no non-Wakandan personnel are to enter the laboratory building. You are authorized to attack."
Steve shook his head, "T'Challa, it looks like we can't be friends anymore."
T'Challa put his helmet back on, "That's unfortunate, Captain."
The two charged at each other at the same time and collided fiercely.
———
In the sky, Falcon and War Machine came under heavy attack from Wakanda's air force.
The upgraded fighters were smaller, but also more agile and faster.
They carried only a limited amount of conventional ammunition, but their beam weapons were extremely powerful, with an absurdly high rate of fire.
The fighters flew in groups of three. Ten groups in total pursued Colonel Rhodes and Falcon through the sky.
As skilled as the two were in aerial combat, Wakanda's air force kept them fully occupied. They had no chance to carry out their mission.
The Hulkbuster armor and Black Widow also headed toward the laboratory building.
Waiting for them was the Black Iron Tide's robot army.
Under the Black Iron Tide's fierce assault, Black Widow could only stay behind the Hulkbuster for cover.
Then a figure landed on top of an Annihilator.
The Winter Soldier, Bucky.
Using the mechanical arm Wakanda had given him, he extended a vibranium blade from the arm and sliced the Annihilator in half.
Seeing this while fighting Steve, Black Panther immediately activated a program.
Bucky's mechanical arm instantly stopped working and no longer obeyed his commands.
The Winter Soldier had no choice but to retreat behind the Hulkbuster as well.
Dr. Banner shouted, "This is bad! Their firepower is too intense. My armor's about to be torn apart!"
Hearing that, Steve anxiously glanced back.
Taking the opportunity, T'Challa knocked him to the ground, "Steve, hand the Stone over to us obediently, and I'll order the Black Iron Tide to stop attacking."
Grabbing T'Challa's arm, Steve said, "We never negotiate!"
He then threw T'Challa off and sprinted toward Banner and the others.
"Steve!", T'Challa shouted from behind him.
Sensing danger, Steve spun around and saw a kinetic energy beam shoot from Black Panther's eyes.
The upgraded Black Panther suit could now store kinetic energy and fire it through focusing devices in the eyes, making its attacks more precise and giving them greater range.
Steve reacted instantly. He leaped into the air, tucked himself in, and raised his shield in front of him.
Boom!
The kinetic beam exploded.
Captain America let out a muffled grunt as he was blasted away.
He rolled several times before landing on the ground.
Several multi-armed monsters seized the chance to pounce, intending to tear Steve to pieces.
But a sweeping kinetic beam blasted them apart.
"Steve, call your people off," T'Challa urged him.
Captain America looked toward Banner and the others.
The Hulkbuster could no longer fight back. It could only passively shield Black Widow and Bucky.
If this continued, Banner's armor would be scrapped in less than a minute.
"Why is this happening? Why is Wakanda attacking us?"
"Banner, get out of here. Leave us behind."
"T'Challa, weren't we friends?"
The voices of Banner and the other two came through his earpiece, forcing Steve to make a difficult decision.
"We..."
He was about to say, "We'll give up the Stone," when a brilliant seven-colored beam suddenly descended from the sky.
It landed on the battlefield.
Several figures emerged from it, led by Thor, holding his battle axe.
Beside him were Loki in a green robe, Rocket the raccoon, and Groot.
"Thanos! Where are you!"
The moment Thor stepped out of the Bifrost, he roared.
A smile appeared at the corner of Steve's mouth.
He stood up, looked at T'Challa, and said, "We can keep fighting for a few more rounds."