"Thank you, little Hermione. I love it."
Pepper immediately put on the necklace. Face full of delight.
The two left the lab. Entered the bedroom.
Five minutes later, only Tony returned. Pepper nowhere to be seen.
"Only five minutes? So fast! Where's Pepper?"
Hermione didn't look up. Focused on stirring the cauldron.
Tony froze. After reacting, glared angrily.
"She's preparing." Tony curled his lip. "Pepper and I are heading to Monaco for business. Plane's ready. Leaving soon. Watch the house."
Hermione focused on mixing potions. Suddenly realized something.
"You're going to Monaco?"
"Yeah, why?"
Tony was puzzled.
Hermione hesitated. Finally shook her head. "Nothing."
"Are all wizards as weird as you..."
Tony muttered as he left.
Looking at the palladium detector in the corner, Hermione's eyes flickered.
"Phew... Finally done."
Looking at rows of potions in the box, Hermione nodded satisfactorily.
Though following steps guaranteed success, still took time. Without realizing, evening approached.
Stored the box in her bag. Just as Hermione was about to leave, her phone rang.
Thought it was Tony nagging about the lab. Didn't expect the caller ID to show Fury.
Hesitated a moment. Hermione still answered.
"Miss Witch, excellent—you finally answered."
Fury's tone was delighted.
"Get to the point. Hanging up if not."
Hermione's voice was cold.
Fury was secretly frustrated.
Not at Hermione, but at Pierce.
Since the last incident, Hermione had unilaterally cut contact with S.H.I.E.L.D.
Never answered their calls. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents at Stark Industries were blocked by Tony.
In short—no meetings.
Pierce got what he deserved. Miss Witch never shared any mystical intelligence with S.H.I.E.L.D. again.
Finally earned Miss Witch's trust—now back to square one.
Fury immediately knew Hermione was still angry. Hurried to say, "First, on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D., I sincerely apologize to you, Miss Witch. Please believe we had no intention of targeting you. Previously just some people acting poorly. Won't happen again."
"I see. That all?"
"Wait, one more thing."
Seeing she was about to hang up, Fury finally stated his purpose. "Dr. Banner secretly returned to New York. General Ross already knows his whereabouts. The latter's preparing to send troops to capture him. I hope you can bring Dr. Banner back to S.H.I.E.L.D. secretly. Avoid serious consequences."
He didn't explain much. Since S.H.I.E.L.D. opened access to Hermione, she already knew about the Hulk. Knew his true identity was Dr. Bruce Banner.
He believed this one sentence was enough for her to understand the severity.
"Hmph, you should ask Iron Man for this."
Hermione's attitude was resistant.
"I contacted him, but Stark didn't answer. Ms. Potts told us he's in Monaco... Plus by our judgment, he's no match for the Hulk. Among people S.H.I.E.L.D. knows, only you, Miss Witch, have this ability."
"So... please!"
Fury knew Hermione's personality. Started flattering and coaxing.
Hermione's lips curved slightly.
Sounds good. Love it. Say more.
Silent for a while. Just as Fury grew anxious, she finally spoke. "I'll try. Where's Banner?"
Fury finally relaxed. "Grayburn College."
Hung up. Hermione showed a calculating smile.
"Still want me to clean up your mess? You'll regret it."
On the helicopter, General Ross watched the situation below. Heart somewhat tense.
Though he'd made thorough plans, the previous two failed Hulk captures still made him uneasy.
Fortunately, authorized by the World Security Council, after accessing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence system, he learned Banner, to suppress the Hulk...
Actually found Dr. Samuel Sterns, alias "Mr. Blue," at Grayburn College. Created a serum that could temporarily eliminate the Hulk.
So he used this opportunity. Prepared to completely control Banner.
Moments later, seeing unconscious Banner carried out, Ross finally relaxed.
"Blonsky, Banner's controlled. Retreat immediately. Don't linger!"
Ross pressed the mic. Issued orders.
For some reason, after capturing Banner, his elite soldier Emil Blonsky didn't retreat as planned. Instead stayed in Mr. Blue's lab doing something unknown.
This displeased Ross. But considering the man's combat ability—survived fighting the Hulk, his only successful super-soldier—his tolerance increased accordingly.
Seeing no response, Ross frowned. Glanced at Banner beside him. Still decided to leave first. Deal with Blonsky later.
The helicopter slowly rose. Just flew a short distance when Banner groggily woke.
"This is..."
The unfamiliar surroundings made Banner uncomfortable. After a while remembered what happened. Looked at Ross helplessly.
"Bruce, you're awake!"
Betty Ross, General Ross's daughter and Banner's ex-girlfriend, hurried forward to help him up.
"The Hulk's completely gone. Your plan to replicate the super-soldier serum probably failed."
Banner patted Betty's arm. Looked at General Ross.
"That's none of your concern. Better worry about yourself..."
"ROAR!"
Before finishing, a huge roar came from the distance.
Accompanied by explosions and flames, a yellowish giant was wreaking havoc on the street.
"Hulk?!"
Everyone startled. Saw Banner, then reacted. "No, not Hulk. What is that?!"
The yellowish giant looked ferocious. Bone spikes on his spine. Appeared slightly larger than Hulk. Casually swung—cars on the street smashed to pieces.
Banner was also stunned. But immediately realized something.
"It's Mr. Blue. He collected lots of Hulk's blood! Someone must have injected it. Who?!"
Everyone was confused. Only General Ross's face turned dark. As if he knew something.
Next second, his guess was verified.
The yellowish giant grabbed a car. Smashed the opposite tank. Slaughtered wantonly while roaring skyward, "Hulk, come out! Come out and fight me, Emil Blonsky!"
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