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Chapter 176: The Winter Soldier

The explosion in Vienna shocked all participating countries, and the SOKOVIA Act was passed unanimously with 117 votes.

The Avengers had no choice but to accept the agreement and be monitored by the Security Council.

If they refused to sign, they would have to retire and be declared persona non grata by all member states that signed the bill, barred from entering in any form. If they were forced into a country, it would be seen as an act of aggression, making them targets for all treaty countries, who would be authorized to use any means to eliminate them.

Steve would certainly not be pleased with such a result, but he was too exhausted to deal with the legislation at the moment.

A video of the suspect was released, and all evidence pointed to his best friend, Bucky.

At least, on the surface, it seemed that way.

"My mom used to discourage me from enlisting, but Aunt Peggy didn't. She gave me my first holster."

On the outskirts of New York, Sharon was chatting with Thor on the sofa in the manor's living room.

"Did she ever tell you that I used that holster? Back then, I was a master marksman who could take down a platoon with a single shot!"

Sharon jumped up, quickly reacting and glaring at him. "Nonsense! I hadn't even unpacked it when I received it."

Thor shrugged.

"Okay, what are you doing now? Steve and the others are in Vienna for a meeting. Aren't you worried they might all sign the bill?"

"No, at least not about Steve. But I suppose they're dealing with the bills at the moment."

Sharon was momentarily taken aback but quickly picked up her phone to check the latest news.

"A bomb placed on a news van exploded at the UN building in Vienna. Over 70 people were injured and at least 12 were killed, including King T'Chaka of Wakanda."

"It's unfortunate. The representatives of the countries that signed the agreement are either incompetent..." Thor sneered.

"Boom—"

The door burst open, and Peggy Carter hurried in.

"Hey, didn't you say you were under surveillance? How did you manage to get away?" Thor joked.

"Because there are more pressing matters now. The meeting in Vienna was attacked, and the suspect is..."

"Bucky, James Barnes, our old friend. As I mentioned earlier, he's not dead, is he?"

Thor interrupted her, introducing himself: "After falling into a deep valley, he was captured by the HYDRA organization, who revived and controlled him.

Dr. Arnim Zola implanted a mind control device in his brain, erasing his previous memories and turning him into a key operative for HYDRA, known as the Winter Soldier.

As the Winter Soldier, he carried out various impossible tasks for HYDRA around the world.

"He is currently living in seclusion in Romania, has recovered all his memories, and has left the HYDRA organization."

Peggy absorbed this information carefully. "So you already knew. Why did you..."

"I can't save everyone, especially politicians who initially put us in a bind."

Paige sighed. "But now, Bucky is wanted. The council's directive is to eliminate him on sight, and Captain America will definitely try to help him.

"If they resist, the council might deploy the signed Avengers."

Peggy Carter worried about Thor. She thought that the Avengers might disintegrate, but she hadn't anticipated such a quick division.

"Bucky is a good friend of mine; how could I betray him?" Thor said with some nostalgia.

During his time with the Howling Commandos, despite the childish conflicts, they had shared many good moments. His bond with Bucky was strong, certainly comparable to Captain America's close relationship with him.

"Bucky has been wronged. He's regained his memory."

Thor patiently explained to the two women.

"I didn't do it. I wasn't in Vienna; I don't do that sort of thing anymore."

In a rented apartment in Romania, Steve finally confronted Bucky.

Bucky vehemently denied the false accusations. In fact, if Steve hadn't come, he wouldn't have bothered to explain.

Captain America believed him immediately.

Hearing footsteps approaching downstairs, Steve became anxious and quickly said, "But now, those who think you're guilty are here, and they won't keep you alive. Bucky, we need to prepare to fight, or..."

Bucky smiled faintly. "Steve, you're still so naive."

"Boom boom boom..."

The sound of footsteps grew louder downstairs. A flashbang was thrown in, and Steve quickly caught it with his shield.

"Boom..." There was an explosion, the door burst open, and CIA soldiers stormed in.

...Death.

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