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*****
Bruce joined the Avengers after Nick Fury assured him that he would no longer be hunted and could live a normal life.
And so, the Hulk—who could go berserk at any moment and pummel everyone in sight—the star-spangled Captain America wearing a blue "diaper" on his head, and the brilliant, charming, ridiculously handsome, genius billionaire playboy Iron Man all became members of the same team. The Avengers now had a solid three members to celebrate!
In response, Nick Fury stated that he had two more backup candidates ready to join at any time.
In other words, the Avengers could expand to a staggering five members, forming a truly massive organization!
Nick Fury's eye twitched as he stared at Tony, who wouldn't stop narrating. Taking a deep breath, he spoke with an expression of shame he could barely conceal, "Tony, can you stop embellishing everything we just said and reading it out like a narrator?"
Tony blinked. "What? I'm just stating the facts."
Nick Fury sighed, "Well… I suppose what you're saying isn't technically wrong, but—"
"Hold on a second!"
"Not wrong"? Seriously?
Steve pointed at himself, face darkening. "Why am I the one with the blue diaper on his head?"
Tony smirked and pointed to the mask Steve was holding.
Everyone turned to look…
Well, to be fair, it did kind of look like that.
Steve took a deep breath. Even with his good temper, he was feeling the urge to throw a punch.
"I go berserk and beat everyone up?"
Bruce looked at Tony, paused in thought, then nodded solemnly. "That's a good summary."
Tony gave him a respectful nod, clearly pleased to be acknowledged.
Clark, watching the four of them, quietly shook his head.
Thank goodness he hadn't joined this team.
It didn't exactly inspire confidence…
At that moment, Thor walked out carrying two dishes, his face sporting the kind of polite smile typical of restaurant servers. "Yu Xiang eggplant, dry-fried—"
Wait, why was he being so nice?
Mike did say they were here just to freeload. Why was he treating them so kindly?
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Thor set the plates on the coffee table and turned to head back into the kitchen.
Nick Fury stopped him. "Hey, you're Thor, right?"
Thor crossed his arms and replied coolly, "Yeah, so what?"
Did Clark tell them he was the God of Thunder?
He shot a glance at Clark.
Clark shook his head.
They wouldn't reveal Thor's identity without his permission.
Seeing Clark's response, Thor immediately understood.
"I heard from Coulson that you're quite attached to that hammer. Do you know where it came from?"
Nick Fury's eyes narrowed slightly.
After some investigation, they were almost certain the hammer was the legendary Mjölnir. And this guy's name was Thor—could he actually be that Thor?
More importantly, he was living in Mike's house…
Considering the kind of people Mike surrounded himself with, this guy couldn't be ordinary either.
Nick Fury felt like he had just stumbled upon something big.
Thor shook his head and replied bluntly, "No idea."
If it had been before, he would've shouted his identity with pride. But after witnessing tonight's battle, and realizing that he was just a mortal now…
He felt embarrassed to even call himself the God of Thunder.
Compared to them, they were more like gods.
"You don't know? That's fine too." Nick Fury straightened up and said seriously, "What do you say? Are you interested in joining the Avengers as a reserve member?"
Recruiting someone who might be a powerhouse, and only giving them a cancelable reserve status? That was a win-win deal!
Yes—Nick Fury was still that sharp.
"The Avengers?" Thor asked with a puzzled look. "What's the point?"
"It's a team," Steve explained. "When someone encounters a crisis they can't handle alone, others step in to help. Together, we overcome challenges."
Thor paused, then pointed at Clark. "Then I'd rather not join for now. I wouldn't be much help to you."
Right now, he was just a mortal.
Nick Fury declared righteously, "No! You simply haven't tapped into your true potential. You're capable of more than you can imagine!"
Thor looked at Nick Fury with surprise and said excitedly, "You really think so?"
Someone who could see through his mortal shell and recognize his divine essence?
This man was no ordinary person!
Seeing the gleam in Thor's eyes, Nick Fury smiled inwardly and responded solemnly, "Of course!"
"So? Will you join as a reserve member?"
Thor stood tall and began, "I—"
"Hey!"
Just then, Mike came out of the kitchen carrying two dishes. He shot a cold glare at Nick Fury. "Don't go recruiting my shop's employee."
This silly kid Thor—if Nick Fury bought him, he'd probably cheerfully help count the money, and maybe even throw in his own brother as a bonus.
Nick Fury said helplessly, "This is a mutual agreement—how can you call it deception?"
"Pfft!"
Mike set down the dish in his hands, gave Thor a light push, and said, "Don't act on impulse. Go peel a potato and calm down. Then make your decision."
"Okay!"
Thor dashed into the kitchen.
Peel a potato?
What kind of method for calming down is that?
Mike put down the rest of the dishes and said, "Clark, come help carry the food."
"Sure."
Clark got up and headed into the kitchen.
Soon, the father and son duo came back out carrying two more plates. By then, Thor—who had peeled two potatoes and successfully calmed himself down—gave Nick Fury a serious answer.
"I'll think about it carefully."
He had been about to agree earlier, but now he felt it was better to leave himself a bit of wiggle room.
That way, if things didn't work out, he could always back out later.
"You're welcome to join anytime," Nick Fury replied calmly, then turned to Mike. "Can we eat now?"
He'd been running around all night and hadn't even had a sip of water.
Mike's gaze swept over Nick Fury, Steve, and Tony. He suddenly shook his head and clicked his tongue as he headed upstairs.
For some reason, watching Mike's reaction made the three of them feel like they'd just been thoroughly humiliated.
Soon, Mike called Gwen down from upstairs. She greeted everyone, tied her hair back into a ponytail, served the remaining dishes, and—with her stomach growling loudly—launched into her meal.
After a dinner that resembled a whirlwind feast…
Steve and Tony grabbed their gear and headed home to sleep—
Yes, home as in the house next door.
Bruce and Nick Fury left together.
Just before leaving, Nick Fury pulled Mike aside and said sternly, "Where's the thing?"
"What thing?"
"You know, that thing!"
"Oh, right! Wait a sec."
Realization dawned on Mike. He quickly ran upstairs and came back down holding a box, which he handed over to Nick Fury.
Nick Fury nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.
(End of Chapter)