Night fell.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
An underground conference room.
A holographic projection spun in the center of the metal round table, displaying Xiao Han's image.
Black battle suit, golden patterns, and those calm, golden eyes seemed to pierce through the screen, observing everyone.
Nick Fury's one eye swept across the people around the round table: "The world needs insurance, and Superman..."
He tapped the table, and dense data streams popped up beside Xiao Han's image.
"Is currently the biggest unknown factor. We need to recruit him; the world needs him."
Adam Bernard sat in the corner, the ethereal blue of antimatter energy shifting shapes between his fingers.
He stared at the image of Xiao Han catching the crashing airliner with his bare hands, his brow furrowed. "His power system isn't like a mutant's, nor is it serum-induced. Could he really be a Kryptonian?"
"Whatever he is," Fury's one eye glinted.
"Now we have you, Dr. Banner, and the Hydra technology we seized last time."
He pulled up another set of data. "The energy readings from the battle in Canada the other day were close to a nuclear explosion, and that's not even your limit."
Banner pushed up his glasses and looked at everyone. "Director, this person in the news has been saving people. From the chemical plant explosion in Mumbai to the earthquake in Chile, he even repaired a nuclear leak."
He pointed at a video of Xiao Han using his freeze breath to seal the nuclear power plant leak. "This doesn't seem like a threat that needs to be dealt with; he should be recruited peacefully."
"That's precisely why it's dangerous, Doctor."
Nick Fury pulled up an encrypted video. Xiao Han was suspended above the Earth, the sunlight bathing him.
"If a guy can take a bath in space, why would he be nice to ants?"
Natasha Romanoff suddenly chuckled. "So, is this moral debate time now?"
She twirled the small knife in her hand. "Barton and I are just getting paid. The Director gives the orders, we execute."
Hawkeye in the corner silently checked the trajectory chip of a new type of arrow, without raising his head: "Need to remind you, Director, the last time we invited Dr. Banner, we almost had a large mountain demolished."
Fury didn't answer and just brought up another video.
The footage showed Tony Stark at the Monaco Grand Prix, with the nano-armor instantly covering his entire body.
"We don't need to go directly after Superman." Fury had a confident look on his face.
"We can start by finding his business partner."
Adam Bernard crossed his arms, staring at the screen with a blank expression: "Will Stark cooperate?"
"He will." Fury's one eye focused on the image of Stark. "Because he's a businessman, and businessmen know how to weigh the pros and cons."
Hawkeye Clint adjusted his earpiece and said calmly: "So the plan is to find Stark first, and then contact Superman through him?"
"That's right. That guy's whereabouts are unknown, we can't find him." Fury stood up, his black trench coat swaying slightly behind him.
"Natasha, you and Barton are responsible for contacting Stark, try to be friendly."
"Friendly?"
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you don't want me to use the honey trap?"
Fury's face was expressionless. "If it works."
Banner couldn't help but interject, "What if Stark refuses?"
Fury's single eye narrowed slightly, his voice hardening. "Then we'll make him understand that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s invitation is always on the side of justice."
Adam was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "If Superman were really on our side, the world would be different."
"Or worse."
Fury whispered, "An unconstrained god is the greatest threat in itself."
The conference room fell into a brief silence.
"What's the timeline for the operation?" Natasha broke the silence.
"Tomorrow."
Fury switched off the holographic projection. "Stark's throwing a party in Monaco tonight, and he's flying back to New York tomorrow. We'll be waiting for him at the airport."
Natasha stood up, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Let's hope he's open to a friendly chat."
Fury didn't reply, just turned and headed for the door, his one eye narrowed in the darkness.
He paused at the door. "Remember."
"Whether he likes it or not, the world needs a superhuman."
"And we," he continued, "are the ones who will convince him."
And on the other side…
Xiao Han, standing on the balcony of his home, glanced in the direction of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Come on, let's see how you're going to invite me?"
Wanda walked onto the balcony, carrying a fruit platter. Seeing Xiao Han staring into the distance, with a faint light flickering in his golden eyes.
"What are you looking at?" She placed the fruit platter on the small table and curiously followed his gaze, but only saw the night sky of New York.
"Nothing."
Xiao Han retracted his gaze and casually picked up a piece of watermelon. "Go rest, we'll see a good show tomorrow."
"Good show?" Wanda tilted her head, her red hair falling over her shoulders.
"What's the show?"
Xiao Han shrugged. "A game of cat and mouse, with the mouse trying to catch the cat."
Wanda blinked, even more confused. Seeing that he didn't intend to elaborate, she nodded. "Alright, I'll go to sleep then."
She turned and left, but couldn't help but look back at the door.
Xiao Han was already looking towards the distance again, his fingertips lightly tracing in the air. A golden portal silently opened, the other side of the door revealed to be a library.
Wanda pursed her lips, but ultimately didn't ask any more questions, and gently closed the balcony door.
The next day.
New York Airport
Tony Stark's private jet slowly landed. Inside the cabin, he swirled his wine glass, casually listening to Jarvis' report.
"Sir, suspicious individuals have been detected in the airport exit hall. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton are waiting."
Tony snorted, taking a sip of his wine. "I thought it was some kind of dangerous character. Is that all?"
Pepper put down her tablet, looking at him with some concern. "Do you need to contact security?"
"No need."
Tony waved his hand, putting on his sunglasses. "I'd like to see what Fury is up to this time."
After the plane came to a stop, Tony put his arm around Pepper's waist and walked out of the passage with a leisurely pace.
As soon as he stepped into the exit hall, a slender figure came towards them.
Natasha Romanoff's red hair cascaded down her shoulders, a tight black dress outlining her perfect figure, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Mr. Stark, what a coincidence."
Tony stopped, his eyes behind his sunglasses scanning her up and down, then grinned. "Agent Romanoff, has S.H.I.E.L.D.'s pay gotten so low that you're moonlighting as a flight attendant?"
Natasha's smile didn't waver, but her eyes narrowed slightly. "The Director wants to talk to you."
"Oh? About what?" Tony feigned surprise.
"If it's the Avengers Initiative, I already turned it down last time."
Before Natasha could respond, Clint stepped out from the crowd, hands in his pockets, standing beside her. "It's different this time."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "What, did you bring backup?"
Before the words had even faded, Nick Fury emerged from a side door, his black trench coat billowing, his lone eye steely. "Stark, let's talk somewhere else."
Tony scoffed, turning to Pepper and saying softly, "Don't worry, darling. It seems our Director hasn't given up yet."
Pepper sighed, but nodded anyway.
Airport VIP lounge.
Fury leaned on the table, his single eye fixed on Tony. "The Avengers Initiative needs you, as a consultant. You won't have to interfere with your work, only step in when necessary."
Tony leaned back on the sofa, crossing his legs lazily, and shook his head. "Not interested."
Fury narrowed his eyes. "The world is changing, Stark. Mutants, alien technology, even the existence of gods... We need to prepare in advance."
"Prepare for what?"
Tony shrugged, "A super boy band? Sorry, I'm not interested in forming a band."
Fury's fist clenched slightly, but he quickly relaxed it: "What about Xiao Han? What does he think?"
Tony took off his sunglasses, revealing eyes that were slightly mocking: "Fury, you've already been rejected by me once. Do you want to be rejected again?"
Fury's expression was grim: "He's not you, Stark. Perhaps he understands what responsibility is better."
Tony sneered and put his sunglasses back on: "Sorry, he's not interested either."
Fury finally couldn't hold back and said coldly: "Besides that suit of yours, what else do you have? You're not even as good as Natasha beside me."
Tony's movements stopped.
He slowly stood up, his eyes sharp behind his sunglasses: "Fury, what did you just say?"
Fury didn't back down: "I said, you're just a regular person relying on a suit of armor."
Tony was silent for a second, then suddenly laughed: "Alright, since you want to talk like that."
He snapped his fingers and said to Pepper: "Honey, it looks like we're changing our plans."
Then, he looked at Fury, his eyes playful: "Now, let's go to my Malibu Villa."
"We'll have a good chat."