Heisenberg paid no mind to how the Ancient One and Shou-Lao the Undying communicated.
No matter what they discussed, so long as Danny Rand hadn't reclaimed the power of the Iron Fist, Heisenberg couldn't care less.
He never shied away from the consequences of any decision he chose to take part in.
Sure, he was a bit lazy, a bit carefree, a bit unrestrained, a bit easygoing.
In short, while he hated trouble, the only thing he hated was trouble itself.
Still, considering the Ancient One had taken matters into her own hands—and that plenty of people in K'un-Lun were already unhappy about a foreigner holding the Iron Fist—
Heisenberg figured he'd never live to see the day Danny Rand got the Iron Fist back.
As for the scene in the park, some of the onlookers watching the game had been startled by Heisenberg's actions.
Loki, for example, asked in confusion,
"What was that just now...?"
"That guy? Some brat who doesn't know his place."
Heisenberg answered offhandedly, and Loki dropped the subject at once. The media nearby who had been filming also unanimously decided to cut that whole segment.
The spectators collectively drew a sharp breath, then turned their attention back to the court.
Just days ago, most of the people here had never seen Heisenberg in person.
They hadn't known if the street rumors about him were true.
But after what just happened...
Everyone exchanged glances.
All they could do was say a quick prayer for that poor young man—and make a mental note not to cross Boss Hai themselves.
The little commotion, however, had gone unnoticed by those focused on the game.
So our Power Man, Luke Cage, didn't jump up to voice his displeasure on the spot.
But just because he didn't jump up, did that mean Heisenberg would let him off?
Heisenberg narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Luke Cage as the man constantly collided with Volstagg. Then he lightly beckoned to Bullseye in the distance.
Bullseye immediately let go of the girl at his side and jogged over to Heisenberg's position.
When he reached Heisenberg, Heisenberg pointed at Luke Cage and instructed quietly,
"That black guy—I don't want to see him anymore."
"OK, boss. I'll make him disappear tonight!"
Bullseye agreed with exceptional crispness, and his eagerness made Heisenberg shake his head slightly.
Waving Bullseye closer, Heisenberg explained softly, "He's actually a decent enough guy. Invent some distant relative overseas for him, forge a modest inheritance, and get him out of the country."
"Ah, got it. Rest easy, boss!"
Bullseye nodded even more crisply. This was a job they'd done far too many times already.
In the past three months, Bullseye had used this exact method to send over twenty people out of New York.
Otherwise, how could the Nuke Gang's rise and Daredevil's ascent have been so smooth?
Seeing that Bullseye had it in hand, Heisenberg nodded and waved him back to his own business.
Bullseye turned and left immediately, returning to the model he'd been holding earlier.
But this time, even as he kept stroking the model's hand, the cold gleam in his eyes was firmly locked onto Luke Cage.
As for what Luke Cage had done wrong?
If Heisenberg hadn't gotten involved, he would have ended up as Jessica's boyfriend!
Wasn't that damn well reason enough?!
Even just thinking about it made Heisenberg want to straight-up kill the guy. Pity he was just too kind-hearted.
Heaving a lazy sigh, Heisenberg beckoned to Jessica, who had just shoved Sif aside.
After receiving a smile from Jessica and a glare of displeasure from Sif, Heisenberg left the basketball court area.
As he walked, a group of people came forward to meet him.
Heisenberg glanced at them—tsk tsk, he knew these faces very well indeed.
Who were the basketball big shots in 2012?
Whoever they were, they were all standing right in front of Heisenberg now.
Jordan, at the front, extended his hand. Heisenberg nodded and gave it a light shake.
Then he bypassed Jordan and casually patted Kobe on the shoulder nearby.
"Why just watch them play? Why not go and have a go at the Asgardians?"
"Uh..."
Kobe froze for a second, a barely noticeable flicker of excitement crossing his cool face.
At the same time, he quickly added,
"I've been teaching your warriors how to play the past few days, and they only just got the hang of it today.
Those of us who play every day shouldn't use our profession to steal their fun.
Besides, the physical gap is way too big. It... it would probably be an ugly scene..."
"You've got a point. Forget it then.
Oh, I just remembered—I have to give you a piece of advice!"
Heisenberg nodded with satisfaction, then said seriously to Kobe,
"If you're willing to trust me, and also willing to respect my advice,
then remember this: from now on, don't get on any aircraft, Bryant!"
"This...?!" Kobe was stunned, but he still quickly nodded. "Understood, sir!"
"Mm." Heisenberg smiled.
After that, Heisenberg chatted for a while with the active superstars and the enthusiastic basketball legends, then moved past them and headed toward the main banquet area.
Even from over eight hundred meters away, you could hear the clamor surging like ocean waves.
New Yorkers and Asgardians had long forgotten their identities. By now, they were all mingling together, seated side by side.
Whether the so-called upper class, lower class, or the middle class stuck between—
nobody had the right to put on airs in front of aliens, right?
And as Heisenberg passed each long table, he'd exchange a few words with the people seated there.
Every single table he passed, it was the same.
While countless people felt excited and honored, Heisenberg also reaped boundless joy and satisfaction from them.
"Mr. Heisenberg! Mr. Heisenberg! There's a little friend you know over here!"
From far off, Heisenberg—who was receiving toasts from New Yorkers—heard someone shout.
He drained his drink, then smashed his cup the Asgardian way and looked toward the person who had called out.
In the distance, Heisenberg spotted a middle-aged man. His clothes looked ordinary, but they were exceptionally clean and neat.
Following the man's gaze, Heisenberg saw a kid gnawing on a steak.
"Aha, Peter!"
Heisenberg broke into a grin immediately. He left the people offering toasts and made his way to little Spider's side.
Before he even arrived, more than a dozen people at the long table where little Spider sat rose to offer Heisenberg a seat.
Heisenberg sat down next to little Spider, giving a light pat to the person who had given up his seat.
"Thanks, buddy."
"Ha, no need to thank me! You're too kind. My son—your men helped him kick his drug habit. Now he's got a job at a factory, turned from a junkie into a hardworking young man. I can't thank you enough!"
The man expressed his gratitude with an excited face, then shakily sat down on the grass nearby.
Heisenberg could tell this was a genuinely good man, because even after giving up his seat, he didn't try to take someone else's spot because of it.
He made a mental note of this man. Good people deserved good rewards—and if God wouldn't provide them, then he, Heisenberg, would.
Beside him, little Spider was stunned, still gnawing his steak in a daze. Uncle Ben's action had been too sudden, and Heisenberg's response was just as sudden!
Looking at the other kids seated at the same table, Peter's vanity was completely off the charts. This was Superman, Heisenberg himself!
And not only did he have his autograph, Heisenberg actually called him by name!
Splat!
Excited, little Spider threw himself right into Heisenberg's arms, and the grease stains now on Heisenberg's God King attire made Uncle Ben show him an apologetic smile.
Heisenberg didn't mind little Spider's actions one bit. On the contrary, he was delighted that children liked him!
Because if kids liked him, it meant the adults in their families liked him too.
Otherwise, a child's simple affection could be easily swayed by the adults' judgment.
Heisenberg ruffled little Spider's hair.
"No school today, you little brat?"
Hearing his idol's question, little Spider scrambled up from Heisenberg's embrace and tried his best to swallow the meat in his mouth.
Then he quickly shook his head.
"Mr. Heisenberg, they canceled classes all across New York yesterday! The teachers said there's no activity more educational than meeting aliens face-to-face!"
"Haha, alright, alright. The teacher who proposed that is pretty bold, but he's absolutely right. Earthlings need to broaden their horizons. Our vision has to get bigger—even bigger!"
Laughing, Heisenberg ruffled little Spider's hair again.
"I don't know if you usually skip class, but if you still see me as your idol,
then you have to keep respecting knowledge. You can achieve far more than you imagine. I can see your talent, kid!"
"Mm! I definitely will! I'm going to Harvard, so my scholarship will save Uncle Ben and Aunt May a ton of money!"
Hearing this, Uncle Ben smiled wryly and shook his head. Heisenberg laughed and said to Uncle Ben,
"Well, bringing that up on an occasion like this really makes us adults feel awkward.
But he's a good kid. His future will fulfill every expectation you have for him—trust me!"
"Of course. I've always believed in him. Peter is the best!"
Uncle Ben nodded to Heisenberg and smiled as he ruffled little Spider's hair.
Seizing the opportunity, Heisenberg asked Uncle Ben,
"By the way, may I ask where you're working these days?"
"Uh, no reason not to say. I'm currently a delivery driver at the KFC on 306th Street in Queens."
"That's a real shame. Honestly, I've run into a bit of trouble lately, Ben.
A supermarket I own in Brooklyn is short a suitable manager—someone with enough life experience.
It's been bothering me quite a bit, because not everyone is worthy of my trust.
You're someone I trust, but you already have a job.
So I have to extend this invitation: could you look after my supermarket for me? It needs you, and so do I!"
"This...?!!"
Ben's eyes suddenly blurred. He stared at Heisenberg in shock, then looked at little Spider with deep emotion.
After a moment, he nodded, full of gratitude.
"Thank you, sir. I may not have any experience in this area, but I figure I can at least make sure this supermarket doesn't lose a thing!"
"That's wonderful, my friend. My supermarket would be honored to have a good man like you managing it. You deserve a better life."
At that, Heisenberg turned to the man seated on the grass beside him.
"And you, sir? Would you be willing to come help Peter's uncle shoulder some of the load?"
"I...!!!"
The man who was asked was utterly stunned. He trembled for a long moment before nodding with deep gratitude.
"I don't know, but I... I'll work hard, sir!"
"Mm-hmm, that's just fine. Because some of my requirements can only be fulfilled by people like you."
Saying this, Heisenberg extended his right hand and shook gently with Mr. Ben.
"Let me tell you about my requirements for the supermarket, Manager!
I don't need the supermarket's performance to go up. I only need you to regularly distribute the clothes, food, and supplies—stuff that hasn't expired but has been on the shelves a little too long—to the people who truly need them.
I trust you know better than me, and better than any of my subordinates, who truly needs them!"
"Of course!!!"
If the job offer just now had only made Uncle Ben feel like he'd received a gift, then Heisenberg's current request truly filled him with warmth!
He gripped Heisenberg's hand tightly, shaking it up and down nonstop.
Heisenberg smiled, reassured Uncle Ben, then ruffled little Spider's head one last time.
Feeling the big hand on his head, little Spider asked Heisenberg excitedly,
"Mr. Superman, can I become a hero like you when I grow up?"
Hearing little Spider's question clearly, Heisenberg gave him a surprised look and patted his head.
"Why become me? You just need to become yourself.
Trust me—listen more to your uncle and aunt, do everything you're supposed to do well, and one day you'll become a hero. A hero like yourself!"
At that moment, Hill walked over from who knows where.
She first joined in ruffling little Spider's hair, then leaned close to Heisenberg's ear and whispered softly,
"Someone wants to see you. It's the Skrulls."
/-\
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