Chapter 173: Disagreement
"I thought we were Avengers. It turns out that we're being treated like criminals. The government will keep tracking us and have unlimited firepower against us! After all, the United States is also a signatory country, and we're in the United States!"
During the Insight Project incident, Sam, disappointed with the council, complained bitterly.
"However, this time, 117 countries want to sign this agreement—117! Are you not taking this seriously at all?"
War Machine Rhodes, as an active soldier, took a firm stance.
"117? So few? What a coincidence, I've destroyed more than 117 planets over the years." Thor whistled.
"We are Avengers, not Destroyers, and we can't resort to threats..."
"Listen to me."
The silent Vision said, "During the years Stark admitted he was Iron Man, the number of superhumans has increased rapidly, and so have the disasters threatening the world. This may be causally related.
Our superpowers have faced increasing challenges, and these challenges provoke conflicts, which can lead to disasters.
Therefore, regulation is something we should consider."
As a super-advanced being, Vision appeared invulnerable when he spoke, but...
"It means that if you have great power, you'll become a target instead? No wonder so many countries have voluntarily given up their nuclear weapons. They should be doing well now, right?"
Uh... Vision suddenly had nothing to say. Ukraine, Libya... it seemed that every one of them had something to do with it.
"Tony, what's your opinion? You're not usually this quiet?" Natasha asked suddenly.
"Because he's already made up his mind," Steve said flatly.
"Wow, you really know me," Stark groaned, stood up, and started a video.
In the video, there was a black youth and some profiles of him.
Stark introduced, "His name is Charles Spencer, a promising young man who could have had a bright future. He intended to do some good deeds and gain experience before graduation. He wanted to use his summer vacation to build eco-friendly houses for the poor. Guess where he went? Sokovia."
Everyone fell silent, already dreading the follow-up.
Stark continued with a heavy expression, "What exactly he was thinking, we have no way of knowing. Because while we were fighting fiercely, we accidentally threw a building on him."
"We don't have a decision-making process in place; we need regulation. I'm willing to accept it in any form. Without regulation, we will be lawless and no better than villains."
Captain America offered his opinion: "Tony, because someone died under your watch, you've decided to give up?"
"I didn't give up."
"If you don't take responsibility for your actions, you're giving up. These documents are just passing the buck."
Steve stood up and raised his voice: "In my time, the United States was a country of real freedom and democracy.
It represented the struggle of justice against evil.
But now, this country has been corrupted and is no longer free.
It's more like a lighthouse trying to dominate the world.
Well, how do you explain that?"
Thor reminded, "Dragon slayers become dragons."
The two were so engrossed in their serious discussion that Rhodey couldn't stay silent. She said loudly, "But it's not S.H.I.E.L.D., nor HYDRA, but the United Nations asking us to sign the agreement now!"
"That's human nature. If you're human, you'll have goals and selfishness.
The Insight Project is certainly a HYDRA conspiracy, but aren't the politicians trying to control time also contributing to this plan? If one day, someone really needs us to do meaningless things elsewhere?"
Thor asked Stark quietly, "Tony, you mentioned the Sokovia incident. Have you ever thought that once the agreement is signed, it won't prevent you from creating Ultron? At least 527 more applications and approvals will be needed.
But the agreement must delay us from stopping Ultron's actions!"
"But if we don't sign, they will force us to sign. That's how things work, and it will be messy..."
Natasha hesitated to speak. If Thor weren't here, she might choose a temporary compromise for the greater good. But now, she stood by Thor's side unconditionally.
Interestingly, once the bill is implemented, Stark, who has a family and a business, will be the most affected and will sacrifice the most. And Steve is completely unaffected and has the least influence.
Judging by the degree of influence, Stark is the hardest to accept the bill, while Steve is the easiest.
Yet now, these two have made the opposite choices, because their decisions are not driven by selfishness.
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