Arriving in Denver, Heisenberg surveyed his surroundings and pinpointed the direction of the Asgardian army.
He wasn't Heimdall, after all, unable to see Earth directly from Asgard. So, he could only anchor the Bifröst in Denver.
But it wasn't far—just a dozen kilometers. In an instant, Heisenberg appeared at Lake Sherchack.
As he landed, the Asgardian warriors had only struck their breastplates three times.
Spotting Heisenberg, countless Asgardians gasped in unison.
Fortunately, they reacted quickly. Had they not risen in time, it would've been disrespectful to His Majesty!
If it were Odin, the warriors wouldn't have been so vigilant. After following him for over a millennium, they knew his temperament.
But with a new king, they had to be on their guard…
"All hail His Majesty!!!"
The Asgardians roared in unison, raising their weapons and cheering for Heisenberg!
Watching Heisenberg stand before the ranks of golden-armored warriors, accepting their praise, Bullseye envyingly licked his lips.
A true man should be like this!
But glancing at the BOSS's floating posture and recalling his terrifying power…
A true man should be like this, but I can't replace him…
Bullseye's heart sank. He grabbed his wine cup, raising it amidst the Asgardians' cheers.
"To the BOSS, cheers!!!"
"Ah, to His Majesty, cheers!"
"To Earth, cheers!"
"Hail Hydra!!!"
…
…
…
The Asgardians didn't understand what "Hydra" meant. Only a few dozen legion commanders had heard Hill's stories.
So, only the fewer than two hundred Earthlings turned to the Hydra members.
Heisenberg chuckled at the shout, spotting a familiar face.
Little Baldy Sitwell guzzled his wine, seemingly unconcerned about how his words affected the Earthlings.
After setting down his cup and noticing the SHIELD agents, led by Hill, glaring at him…
He shrugged nonchalantly.
"What're you looking at? As if you didn't know who I am already?
Whether SHIELD or Hydra, they're all the BOSS's now. What's the difference between shield and serpent?"
Not only did Sitwell not back down, his voice grew louder.
"I'm not just saying it; I'm saying it proudly!
Do you know how many years I've held back? Do you know how I've lived all these years?"
Saying this, Sitwell raised his hand and roared,
"I'm done pretending! I'm going all in! Hail Hydra!!!
I've wanted to do this for so long!!!"
His words ignited many Hydra members.
"Fuck, that's right! I've risked my life for SHIELD for years, even securing two 084s!
I've earned my dues, so why should I live in hiding?
I'm done pretending. Hail Hydra!!!"
"Well said! Look at my mechanical arm—it was shot off fighting Red Room agents for SHIELD.
Even disabled, I trained cadets at SHIELD Academy.
I've given my life to SHIELD. Can't I say one thing?
Hail Hydra!!!"
"Yeah, my stomach's only a third left, and two-thirds of my liver's been removed. If it weren't for rapid regeneration, I'd be liverless.
Look at my scars—all from carrying out Nick Fury's orders.
I'm not doing this for anything else but to proudly tell you all:
Hail Hydra!!!"
In an instant, over a hundred Hydra members emerged from the mere two hundred Earthlings!!!
The Justice League needed no mention—most elites were recruited by Rumlow, far superior to Kingpin's gangs.
But the Avengers…
Well, in this universe, the Avengers hadn't formed before Heisenberg's butterfly effect disbanded them. So, no Avengers.
As for SHIELD!
Hill stared in shock at her agents. After the Purple Man's Hydra rebellion, she'd rigorously screened and purged her team.
Yet, among the eighty-plus agents she'd brought to Lake Sherchack, over twenty were still Hydra!!!
Watching these traitors shout "Hail Hydra," Hill itched to gun them down.
But glancing at the laughing Heisenberg nearby…
"Sigh…"
She exhaled deeply. Times had changed.
Natasha and Barton felt the same, standing nearby, helpless.
Barton glumly looked at Natasha.
"So, it's settled?"
"What else can we do? Do we have other choices?"
Natasha shook her head, gesturing around.
"Look around. His power is too great. Even Asgard has joined him!"
She patted Barton's arm.
"I'm no prophet. I can't predict the future.
But if the future belongs to Heisenberg, at least there should be enough humans by his side to ensure our race matters to him!"
"Yeah, sigh…"
Barton sighed deeply, nodding.
"I need to talk to Cap. He's too righteous, so we never told him about SHIELD siding with Heisenberg.
Look at his expression now!"
Barton pointed to the distant Captain, and Natasha followed his gaze, spotting a bewildered Rogers.
Natasha promptly pushed Barton's arm.
"Damn, forget Cap. Go stop him!"
"Right!"
Barton rushed through the celebrating Hydra members and the clueless, drunken Asgardians joining the chaos.
He just managed to restrain Cap's twitching fist before he snapped.
Both wore Iron Man suits, and Barton actually held Cap back. As they struggled, Barton leaned into Cap's ear.
"Whatever happens, don't settle scores today, Cap!"
"Barton, I need to know one thing: Is what Sitwell said true?!"
Rogers demanded coldly. Barton nodded.
"It's true. SHIELD joining the Justice League was Hill and the core team's decision. We hadn't notified everyone before the Chitauri attacked Earth!"
"Notify, decide!!!"
Rogers seethed.
"How could you support this?!
I can guess your reasoning, but remember: Nothing justifies your compromise!"
"But just like history can't be changed, Cap.
His Majesty's power grows stronger. Earth can no longer stop him.
Let me be clear, Cap.
Compared to fighting Heisenberg and leaving our fate to a nearly hopeless war,
We'd rather join him!
The BOSS now has no reason to fail. His power and Asgard's are enough to make Earth submit.
If we're not by his side in the future, if SHIELD isn't there,
Humanity's future will be in the hands of those Hydra goons!
I understand, Cap. I hate Hydra too.
But our war with them must change!
Please see us as Hydra factions and SHIELD factions. At least under Heisenberg, it's a faction struggle, not a fight to the death!"
"You…!!!"
Barton's words enraged Rogers, but he reluctantly realized Barton was right.
The Chitauri invasion had shown Earth its true strength.
Over three thousand nukes did nothing!
The military was no match for the Chitauri!
And their numbers!
The US had only 2.3 million active, reserve, and militia troops.
The Chitauri shipped 8.3 million warriors in one mothership!
And each warrior had flight gear and ray spears.
What could Earth do against that?
Yet even the Chitauri…
Heisenberg glared and killed millions!
And the Asgardians—just 200,000—dominated 8.3 million Chitauri throughout the battle!
So, Heisenberg plus Asgard…
How much would Earth sacrifice to regain freedom?
And even then, could they truly win?
Considering all this, Rogers sighed helplessly.
He slumped to the grass, dejectedly raising his whiskey.
"I'll leave SHIELD. This era no longer needs an old man like me…"
He murmured, clinking glasses with Barton.
"Cap…"
Barton worriedly watched Rogers down his whiskey, then followed suit.
Setting down his cup, Barton slung an arm around Rogers.
"Cap, you don't have to do this. The Nuke Gang's methods are harsh but make citizens safer.
Joining them means doing what we've always done. It shouldn't be hard for you.
SHIELD's crumbling—pressured externally by the UN, infiltrated internally by Hydra.
Without you, SHIELD has no purpose. We need your unity, your spirit, we need you, Cap!"
"No, Barton!"
Rogers sternly replied.
"I thought you needed me, but as we grew closer, I realized you don't!"
He refilled his glass, downing it.
"You don't need me. You need the title of Captain America and the name Steve Rogers!
You need not an outdated soldier, but a clear conscience and righteousness!
I've fought the Chitauri, but I'm no fool. I know both sides have reasons to fight.
Seventy years ago, I knew that even if Germany won, we losers would just face a different life.
A victorious Germany wouldn't allow chaos or slaughter. WWII's atrocities were just their means, like ours!
As you said, Heisenberg won't commit genocide if he rules the world!
Germany wouldn't have either!
But I fought them because I opposed their bloody methods in pursuit of victory!
Look at the past months: How many died in New York's night?
Yes, they were guilty, but killing them didn't solve the problem. We can't normalize solving problems with slaughter!
What terrifies me most is that after hearing your words, I actually considered joining and overseeing them.
But I know: Only by leaving, by distancing myself, can I see your actions clearly!"
Rogers patted Barton's shoulder.
"Buddy, let me go. I won't act today.
But tomorrow, I'll leave SHIELD and return to Brooklyn, where I was born.
I'll watch you, them, Heisenberg.
I'll see every life lost to your hands until I can't bear it anymore!
Don't give me a chance to return. I hope that day never comes.
Because on that day, all I can do is march to death!"