Shuri smiled.
"You'll be interested; our Wakandan technology is at least thirty years ahead of yours."
Tony's smile stiffened for a moment, while Banner stifled a laugh beside him.
T'Chaka watched his daughter and Tony bicker with a kind smile. He turned to look at T'Challa, who was sitting on the other side.
"T'Challa, come here."
T'Challa put down the cup in his hand and walked to his father's side.
"Father."
T'Chaka pointed to the people present.
"Do you know them?"
T'Challa glanced at the group and nodded.
"I do. We were introduced tonight."
T'Chaka said, "Not just knowing their names. I mean, understand them, remember them."
T'Challa looked at his father, a hint of complex light in his eyes as he understood his father's intentions.
"I understand, Father."
T'Chaka smiled.
"You are smarter than I imagined."
He stood up and patted T'Challa's shoulder.
"Wakanda is about to open its doors. The outside World is complex, with many things we don't understand. You need help. These people—"
He looked at Tony, Mavuika, and Thor.
"—will be good allies."
T'Challa nodded. "I understand."
T'Chaka looked at his son, remained silent for a while, and then spoke softly.
"I am getting old, T'Challa. This throne, this Black Panther suit, will soon be yours."
T'Challa's hand tightened slightly.
"Father—"
T'Chaka raised his hand to interrupt him.
"Not right now, but you should be prepared."
T'Challa was silent for a while, then nodded.
"I will."
Halfway through the banquet, the atmosphere became even more lively.
Okoye stood up, raised her glass, and said loudly.
"Warriors of Wakanda! Today, we defeated the invaders! We protected our home! We should celebrate!"
The Wakandan warriors cheered in unison, the sound of clinking glasses rising and falling as Palm wine spilled across the tables.
Okoye put down her glass, walked to the center of the hall, hands on her hips, and looked at everyone.
"But just drinking and eating is boring! We need something—to liven things up!"
Thor's eyes lit up. "What kind of entertainment?"
Okoye grinned, revealing her white teeth.
"A challenge! A Wakandan tradition—after the banquet, warriors can challenge each other to show their strength!"
She turned and looked at Thor.
"Thor, do you dare to accept?"
Thor stood up and slammed his glass onto the table.
"I do! Why wouldn't I!"
Loki sighed softly in his chair.
"Here we go again."
Mavuika picked up her teacup, took a sip, a faint smile on her lips.
Okoye clapped her hands, and several Wakandan warriors brought out weapons and protective gear made of Vibranium from a corner, clearing a space in the center of the hall.
"The rules are simple," Okoye said.
"One-on-one, stop when the point is made. Whoever admits defeat first or can no longer stand up loses."
Thor strode into the clearing and placed Mjolnir on the ground, not out of arrogance, but because he was truly afraid of killing his opponent with a single hammer blow.
"Who's first?" he shouted, his eyes shining like stars.
A woman stepped forward; she was the deputy Captain of the Dora Milaje, half a head taller than Okoye, with muscles like forged steel.
She didn't use her fists but a Vibranium spear, its tip sharp and flickering with blue energy.
"I am Ayo." Her voice was deep, like the beating of war drums.
Ayo looked at Thor's empty hands. "What will you use?"
Thor glanced at Mjolnir on the ground. "I'll use my fists."
Ayo didn't hold back; she thrust her spear forward with lightning speed, the tip trailing blue energy arcs as it aimed straight for Thor's chest.
Thor sidestepped, the spear grazing his clothes, the energy arcs crackling against his skin.
He reached out and grabbed the spear shaft, pulling hard. Ayo was dragged forward, stumbling, but she didn't let go; she released one hand and threw a punch at Thor's face.
Thor tilted his head to dodge and slapped Ayo's shoulder with the back of his hand. Ayo was instantly sent flying, sliding five or six meters across the ground before Okoye stopped her with her foot to stabilize her.
She wasn't badly hurt, but her shoulder was sore and numb, and she couldn't lift her arm.
"I lose." Ayo wasn't bitter; instead, she smiled. "Thor, you are very strong."
Thor grinned. "You're not bad yourself."
Ayo looked at the spear, then at Thor's chest, where there was a faint red mark left by the energy arc.
Okoye stepped into the clearing, the Vibranium gauntlets on her hands glowing with blue light.
"My turn."
Thor looked at her, his expression becoming serious. He could sense that this woman was different—not in strength, but in presence. She carried an aura that only someone who had truly experienced life-and-death combat would have.
"Fine." Thor stopped smiling, crouched slightly, and took a fighting stance.
Okoye rushed forward.
Her speed was much faster as she drove her knee toward Thor's abdomen, every strike precise, fierce, and ruthless.
Thor was forced back half a step by her continuous attacks—this was the first time he had retreated tonight.
Okoye seized the opportunity, leaped into the air, and drove her knee toward Thor's chest.
Thor crossed his arms to block and was knocked back two steps by the massive impact, his heels touching the edge of the clearing.
The Wakandan warriors cheered.
Okoye landed, panting, with smoke rising from her Vibranium gauntlets. She had put all her strength into her strikes, but there wasn't even a red mark on Thor's arms.
"Impressive," Okoye said sincerely. "What exactly is your body made of?"
Thor laughed. "Muscle and bone, just like yours."
Okoye shook her head. "It doesn't look the same."
She took a step back, crossed her arms over her chest, and gave a Wakandan salute. "I concede."
Thor was stunned for a moment. "Concede? You can still fight."
Okoye smiled. "I can't win. If we keep going, I'll be the one losing. Wakandan warriors don't overreach."
Thor stood in the center of the clearing and looked around. "Anyone else?"
No one answered the challenge.
The Wakandan warriors looked at each other and shook their heads.
They weren't being cowardly; they had already judged that this blonde man was not someone they could defeat.
Thor felt a bit regretful. "Is that it? I've only just warmed up."
Just then, a deep voice rang out from the other end of the long table.
"I will."
Everyone's eyes turned toward the source of the voice.
MBaku stood up.
He was the leader of the White Gorilla Tribe. Unlike the Golden City Tribe, they lived in the mountains of northeastern Wakanda and maintained more ancient traditions.
The White Gorilla Tribe was known for their strength. Their warriors fought white apes in the mountains from a young age and worshipped the Ape God. Every warrior possessed extraordinary physical fitness and combat skills.