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Northern New York, the new Avengers training base.

"Is it really safe to keep the Mind Stone here?" Captain was not entirely in agreement with the result chosen by everyone's vote.

After the battle in Seoul, Max and his mechanical clones were completely eliminated, bringing an end to the global crisis caused by artificial intelligence.

However, this battle also resulted in significant losses for Seoul. The government was paralyzed, the land shattered, and people were displaced.

The damage was so severe that even the Damage Control Corporation, co-founded by Tony and Mark, couldn't single-handedly restore it to its former glory.

The resources required to support such a massive undertaking were astronomical. In order to fully compensate for the losses caused by the war, Tony and Mark, the main culprits, set their sights on the Mind Stone.

The immense energy within the Mind Stone and its vast computational power, serving as a massive data center, presented a substantial and monetizable legitimate profit.

This not only allowed for the restructuring of the global energy framework but also facilitated the task of rebuilding Seoul, making it a perfect solution that served two purposes.

Their plan was to establish a brand-new Avengers training base on the outskirts of New York, far from the city center and in a sparsely populated area.

The purpose of this base was to securely store the Mind Stone, and its safety was ensured by two layers of protection.

First was the technological safeguard provided by Mark and Tony. Various cutting-edge technologies were invested into the construction of the Mind Stone protective device.

The entire room designed to hold the stone was constructed with carbide material coated in vibranium nanospheres.

There were no physical access points, and the outer layer was connected to the boundless energy within the Mind Stone, forming the most powerful energy shield ever constructed on Earth.

To enter, one had to pass through multiple authentication and use a spatial teleportation portal. Once inside, they would also have to confront J.A.R.V.I.S., the artificial intelligence residing on the stone.

If the individual was not a member of the Avengers Alliance, J.A.R.V.I.S. would utilize the Mind Stone's mind-control capabilities to expel the intruder.

The second line of defense was the presence of the Avengers members stationed within the base. With them in place, those who coveted the Mind Stone would face the greatest deterrence.

Furthermore, the new base's location was chosen meticulously. In the event of disturbances elsewhere which required the Avengers' intervention, they could swiftly reach any global location through the spatial teleportation portal or Quinjet aircraft, ensuring a rapid response time.

But if enemies were to launch an attack on the Avengers' base, the sparsely populated geographic location ensures that the conflict wouldn't endanger innocent civilians.

Compared to the previous Avengers Tower situated in the busiest district, the new base has distinct advantages.

Therefore, all members of the Avengers held a meeting regarding the proposal put forth by Tony and Mark. After some discussion, they ultimately voted to approve their commercial development plan for the Mind Stone.

The sole dissenting vote came from Captain Steve Rogers. Over seventy years ago, Hydra's research into the power of the Cosmic Cube plunged the world into a massive crisis; a few years ago, S.H.I.E.L.D. attempted to harness the power of the Cosmic Cube again, resulting in the invasion of the Chitauri and turning New York into a battlefield.

A few days ago, Tony and Doctor Banner's attempt to control the Mind Stone in order to create an era of peace nearly led to Earth's destruction.

Under these various instances where humans attempted to control the Infinity Stones, without exception, the end results have always triggered even greater dangers, posing significant threats to the safety of all humanity.

Given this history, it's difficult for Captain to believe that the plan proposed by Tony and Mark this time will yield the expected positive outcome.

Captain believes that rather than gambling with the safety of the entire Earth and embarking on such a risky plan, it would be better to have Thor return the Mind Stone to Asgard, where the more powerful Asgardians can ensure its proper safeguarding.

"I don't think there's a problem. While Tony might not be the most reliable, Mark's abilities are trustworthy. He has developed a comprehensive system to protect the Mind Stone's safety, and I believe it's worth trusting.

You see, these days, safety isn't easy to come by. The Mind Stone is the fourth Infinity Stone to appear in the last few years; that's definitely not a coincidence.

Someone is guiding the entire universe's situation from the shadows, and we, and even the entire Earth, are now entangled in his scheme.

If all the stones were in place, perhaps the enormous crisis I saw in the Water of Sight might become a reality."

Thor was the first to agree with Tony and Mark's plan in this vote. His consideration wasn't whether Seoul could be successfully rebuilt; but whether it was safe to keep the Mind Stone on Earth.

From the perspective of the entire Nine Realms, Thor's conclusion is that with Mark around, the safety of the Mind Stone is assured.

Setting aside Mark's terrifying weapon that annihilated the Dark Elves in a single strike, the small but immensely powerful capsules he carries at his waist alone is capable of producing devastating force.

Since getting to know Mark, Thor's firsthand experience of his strength, abilities, and character has filled him with confidence in Mark's ability to safeguard the Mind Stone.

"Alright then, since you all agree, I'm willing to try and hope for a positive outcome this time. However, I'll be closely monitoring the progress of the entire plan, and if I see any dangerous situations arise, I'll call off the plan immediately."

Thor's confidence in the safety of leaving the Mind Stone at the new Avengers base made Captain reconsider his stubborn stance. He decided to let the plan proceed for now, and if any issues arose, he would step in to halt it if necessary.

"Well, Captain, trouble is always there. Regardless of who ultimately wins or loses, trouble is inevitable. When the time comes and we, The Avengers, will work together, what trouble can't we handle?"

Tony walked up to Captain's side and patted his shoulder, saying.

Hearing Tony's words, Captain smiled knowingly, "You're right. As long as we work together, there's no trouble the Avengers can't solve."

With that, Captain pushed Tony's hand off his shoulder, "But you better not get into trouble. The whole nation knows that any trouble associated with you is no small matter."

"You're being too harsh, but even if you don't intervene, the Avengers are a talented bunch now. I believe this fresh blood can change your old-fashioned and stubborn ways." Tony teased Captain with a raised eyebrow.

"They are indeed promising, and some of them are quite well-known. However, for now, they can't yet be called a team, let alone qualified Avengers. Instead of changing my stubborn nature, I think I should focus on training them to become a true team."

"True, but that's your responsibility. I think it's time for me to go. I've been thinking about learning from Hawkeye's experience and setting up a farm for Pepper. Hopefully, no one will blow it up—"

"I didn't expect that one day you'd also consider leading a simple life. Aren't you going to say goodbye to Mark?"

"Forget about the farewell. I'm not comfortable with all that father-son sentimentality with that brat. Besides, once I'm gone, there will be plenty of things in this base for him to handle.

What about you? After going through this major battle, don't you plan to take a proper vacation for yourself? You could also use this opportunity to find a good girl and experience the joys of an older bull grazing on tender grass."

"...I haven't thought about it," Captain hesitated before replying, "Starting a family, settling down. I was longing for all that when I got frozen in that block of ice seventy-five years ago."

"Now that I'm back in this world, I'm a different me."

"So, how is the new Captain Steve Rogers feeling so far?"

"Very good, at least I've found my place, and this is my new home."

Upon hearing Captain's response, Tony didn't say anything, but he genuinely smiled, patted Captain's shoulder, and drove away in a cloud of dust.

Captain didn't offer any farewell words either. He believed that the next time Earth needed the Avengers to step up, when Iron Man was needed, they would gather once again and fight side by side.

This was not only a promise each of them had made within their hearts, but also the deepest trust and understanding between them.

...

Turning back to the new Avengers training base, even though Captain had already admired its appearance before, he couldn't help but be amazed by the greatness of human wisdom and technology when he thought about how this massive project had been built in just two days, from nothing to completion.

The construction of the entire new base didn't use traditional building materials like reinforced concrete. In the initial design, Mark decided to use graphene nanomaterials and carbide materials exclusively to create the entire base.

By using 3D printing and miniature magnetic axis robots to build the foundational framework, with the support of raw materials from Stark Industries working at full capacity, it took only two days to accomplish the miraculous feat of completing such a massive project.

The new base constructed entirely with these two materials not only had a lightweight structure capable of withstanding high-intensity earthquakes and explosive impacts, but the high-strength new materials also ensured that the entire structure could have a long service life and low-cost maintenance for training and practical exercises.

The energy for the entire base is entirely provided by the Mind Stone at the core, ensuring stable energy supply to handle all kinds of emergencies.

J.A.R.V.I.S within the Mind Stone also serves as the intelligent steward and data analysis assistant for the entire base, greatly facilitating the work of administrative personnel and improving their efficiency.

Coupled with the cutting-edge technology from Mark Research Center and Stark Industries that can be seen throughout the base, it gives the impression that the entire base is like a structure from a futuristic society.

Using a superconductive anti-gravity elevator to reach the top floor of the base building, Captain saw Natasha, who would become the devilish instructor for the new Avengers alongside him.

"Is the design of that wall panel so intricate that you need to stare at it like this?" Captain joked as he approached Natasha from behind.

Of course, he knew that Natasha wasn't studying panel design at that moment; she was thinking about someone, someone whose fate she was unsure of, someone she missed dearly - Dr. Banner. And where he might be at this very moment.

However, he couldn't say it outright, he couldn't expose Natasha's thoughts, so he used a joking tone to pull her out of her sorrow.

But for this joke from Captain, Natasha clearly didn't appreciate it. A person without any sense of humor, someone who had been frozen in the freezing cold Arctic for almost seventy years, wouldn't make any progress in telling jokes. Captain was a perfect example.

Turning around with resignation, Natasha looked at Captain, her eyes filled with disdain for his earlier joke.

"...I mean, that wall is indeed quite interesting." Captain could only use more awkward words to diffuse the current awkward atmosphere.

Natasha: "Weren't you just sharing a meaningful gaze with Tony? Has he left?"

Captain: "Yes, Hawkeye returned to his family to be with them; Thor went back to Asgard, warning his father of the crisis posed by the Infinity Stones; Tony himself has a lot of troubles to deal with and can't stay at the base all the time.

And then there's Banner...

Although the new base has been established, the Avengers have suddenly lost four members, severely affecting our fighting power.

So, we urgently need to reserve new forces now and help them grow quickly to become capable on their own."

"What's the current situation?" Natasha walked up to Captain and asked.

Captain slid his smartwatch on his wrist, and a document was directly transferred to the communication device Natasha had.

"The lineup is decent, featuring both our old acquaintances and a few formidable individuals.

War Machine, James Rhodes, we don't know the terms Tony and Fury discussed with the military, but he's an experienced veteran, and his armor has been modified by both Tony and Mark, making him a reliable combatant.

Falcon, Sam Wilson, another battle-hardened warrior who has worked with us before. After receiving enhancements to his equipment with Mark's help, he's become quite a powerhouse.

Then there's the Maximoff twins, who we've seen during the Battle of Seoul. Although they possess amazing abilities and enormous potential, they're quite young and lack combat experience, which makes them a focus of our attention."

"Hmm, not bad at all—" seeing the information sent by Captain, Natasha nodded in agreement, "But this doesn't yet constitute a team. It seems our upcoming tasks won't be as easy as we imagined."

"Don't you like challenging work?"

"You're right, otherwise, why would I become a member of the Avengers?"

As they chatted, the two of them arrived at a large door.

Pushing the door open and stepping inside, they were met by the new members of the Avengers. Each of them was spirited and filled with anticipation in their eyes.

Seeing this scene, Captain couldn't help but recall the time he received Dr. Erskine's help, his initial entry into the military camp. He felt a surge of excitement in his heart, "Avengers—assemble!"

"Baymax., how is the operation of the energy output device centered around the Mind Stone?"

"Master, the energy output device is running smoothly.

Thirty-one countries that have signed energy supply agreements with us have already activated their respective circuits. Voltage and current are stable, and the user feedback is positive."

"What about the data center services? How many companies have signed contracts with us?"

"The data center is provided with encryption and protection services by J.A.R.V.I.S., and with the limitless computational power of the Mind Stone, almost all of the world's top institutions and Fortune 500 companies have signed service agreements with us.

As for the remaining companies, aside from those that don't require data processing services, some are still finalizing contract details. It's safe to say that the market feedback for this service we've introduced has been very positive."

After completing the utilization device for the Mind Stone, Mark conducted a series of stability and security tests.

And after that, following the plan he and Tony had formulated earlier, they began promoting energy and data services to countries and companies worldwide.

These two businesses were handled independently by Mark and Tony, without involving Mark's Research Center or Stark Industries. They established a company and operated it separately, with each of them owning fifty percent of the shares.

Upon launching the business, the positive user experiences and significantly lower costs compared to competitors quickly led to a surge in customer inquiries and orders for the newly established company.

A multitude of orders also meant substantial profits. Apart from the basic operational expenses of the new company and the costs of connecting power and data lines, these two businesses had minimal other costs.

The energy within the Mind Stone was endless, and its information processing capability was beyond even the perception of an intelligent being like Baymax. All of this was a resource that could be harnessed for free.

However, after covering all operational costs, the profits wouldn't find their way into the pockets of Tony and Mark.

The company had established a profit-sharing plan from the very beginning, allocating the initial profits to compensate for the damages and losses suffered by the city and its citizens during the Battle of Seoul, in addition to providing assistance for their livelihood.

With these funds and the damage control company's strong infrastructure capabilities, it wouldn't take long for Seoul to regain its former appearance and allow its citizens to return to stable lives.

Upon completing the Seoul reconstruction plan, the subsequent profits would also be channeled into other endeavors. On one hand, there were expenses and development costs for the new Avengers training base, and on the other hand, the new company would continue to invest globally in charitable and educational initiatives, maximizing the social value that these profits could create.

In essence, Tony and Mark, despite initially investing capital and overseeing the company's establishment and operations, had no intention of reaping any personal gains. This is why they bypassed Mark Research Center and Stark Industries during the company's founding – to avoid potential capital disputes stemming from immense profits.

Only by firmly maintaining control over the ownership of this company can they ensure that all profits generated by the Mind Stone are used for the intended purposes, guaranteeing that the company's operations remain on the right path.

"The final adjustments for the entire safety system to ensure the security of the Mind Stone are complete. Baymax, please notify Jarvis to proceed with a system integration test. After that, we'll conduct the final inspection and testing, and then we can move on to the trial run phase.

"Additionally, let Captain know to come and input his biological features and password passphrase. Among the three of us, he's the only one left to be registered."

The room housing the Mind Stone has been protected by layers of advanced technology, turning it into an impregnable fortress.

To gain access, not only must one undergo biometric recognition for identity verification, but they also need to provide the password passphrase established collectively by Tony, Mark, and Captain, along with the electronic key. Only then can the defense measures be disarmed, granting entry to the room containing the Mind Stone.

Once inside, there's an additional verification process by J.A.R.V.I.S. to pass before one can truly interact with the Mind Stone.

Otherwise, intruders will experience the 'wonderful sensation' of spatial turbulence after J.A.R.V.I.S.'s persuasions to leave prove ineffective.

Following the completion of the task related to placing the Mind Stone within the new Avengers training center, Mark returned to the laboratory of the Mark Research Center's main building.

He neither had the task of training the reserve Avengers nor had to bear the responsibility of guarding the base. With the Vibranium Nanosuit and the newly joined Avengers not currently requiring additional weaponry, Mark believed he could finally take the opportunity to focus on studying the differences between the evolved sentient being, Baymax, and its previous state.

He could also continue his research on the space weapon designed to counter Thanos, an area where Mark's progress had been somewhat lagging.

However, reality proved his idea was overly naive. Coming to the Marvel Universe and getting involved in the main storyline, even if he didn't seek trouble, sometimes trouble would find its way to him. Mark shouldn't have indulged in the fantasy of peaceful days.

Moreover, the trouble he encountered was something he had actively caused. A year ago, when Captain and his team launched an operation to disrupt Hydra's insight program and eliminate their sleeper agents within S.H.I.E.L.D., Mark managed to capture a significant asset from Hydra – Captain's close friend and his nemesis, the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes.

After apprehending him and gaining control, Mark didn't know how to handle the Winter Soldier. He decided not to immediately inform Captain and Tony, the individuals directly involved, about the situation.

Instead, he opted to detain the Winter Soldier and have Baymax restore his past memories while erasing the effects of Hydra's brainwashing.

Following meticulous treatment through mental simulations and professional psychological interventions, today, the Winter Soldier finally awakened all of his memories as Bucky Barnes, reclaiming his former identity.

"But this also caused him extreme anguish. After the restoration of memories and personality, while looking back on the crimes he committed under Hydra's control.

Even Baymax, who had evolved into an intelligent being, couldn't stabilize his emotions through psychological therapy. Eventually, he had no choice but to notify Mark, who was busy with experiments.

"Bucky Barnes, after so much treatment and recovery, have you finally reclaimed your past self...

But I haven't even figured out how to handle his situation yet! Mishandling this could trigger an Avengers Civil War and a rupture between the two of them.

That would weaken our position in the future Infinite War against Thanos before it even starts.

It's a real headache. Can't I just focus on research and experiments? Why do I have to deal with something so troublesome?

Dealing with this kind of problem with my emotional intelligence is just asking for trouble..."

Although he complained inwardly, the issue was right in front of him, and Mark had no choice but to address it.

"Anyway, I should go and meet the Winter Soldier face to face. After all, he's from my grandfather's era, and I've kept him detained for so long."

Saying this, Mark employed his mystical arts in the laboratory, opening a portal. Stepping through it, he found himself in front of the old headquarters of the Mark Research Center.

After the completion of the new headquarters building, all the employees and facilities of the Mark Research Center had been relocated there.

However, Mark still owned the rights to the old headquarters. So, he transformed it into a recuperation facility for the Winter Soldier to recover his memories. It was better than keeping him trapped in the mirror dimension.

The location where the Winter Soldier was currently held was Mark's former top-level laboratory. However, it no longer contained any research equipment. Instead, it had been refurbished into a psychological therapy room.

Creak—the door opened. Upon hearing the sound, the Winter Soldier suppressed his internal turmoil and instinctively turned around, warily gazing at the young man  he didn't recognize who had appeared at the doorway.

At the same time, Mark also looked at the Winter Soldier. Their gazes met as they faced each other for the first time without engaging in combat.

"Who are you? Why have you brought me to this place? And why did you help me recover my past memories?"

The silence didn't last long. Bucky, eager to know the truth, directly spoke up, voicing his current doubts to Mark.

He could sense that the young man in front of him must know him and aware of his identity. Moreover, the person didn't seem to harbor any obvious ill intent toward him. Otherwise, after rescuing him from Hydra's clutches, there wouldn't have been such elaborate efforts to help him overcome the brainwashing effects.

Of course, there was also a possibility that the young man before him was incredibly cunning, harboring hidden motives and setting up intricate traps to approach and use him for a deeper, unknown purpose.

However, Bucky still trusted his initial instincts more. If the second scenario was true, he wouldn't have any way to handle it. After all, at least for now, the person before him was his savior. Even if he had ulterior motives, Bucky couldn't act against him at this moment.

Fortunately, Bucky's intuition was right. After Mark answered his first question, his nervous heart began to settle.

"I'm Mark Stark. You should be familiar with my last name. I am the grandson of Howard Stark, the man you killed.

As for why I rescued you and helped you recover your memories, that's a bit more complex."

"The young man before him is the descendant of his old acquaintance Howard Stark, but he's not here for revenge." These were the two important pieces of information Bucky gleaned from Mark's response. With these two points, they had the foundation for an open-hearted conversation.

"Well, you might as well describe this complex situation in detail. I have plenty of time now."

"Sure, even though my time is very valuable, this is a topic worth spending some time on to explain to you.

Now that your memories have been restored, I believe you have an impression of the heinous tasks you carried out under Hydra's control, the unforgivable crimes you committed. Among them—there is an incident related to my grandfather, Howard Stark."

"That's correct..." Hearing Mark bring up these matters, Bucky's expression momentarily froze, then he nodded in reluctant acknowledgment to the accusations Mark had presented to him.

"Very well, since you admit, we can continue. First of all, seeking revenge against you is not the reason I brought you back.

You were nothing more than a weapon, controlled by a malevolent force due to your lost memories. Even if it wasn't you, Hydra could have used any means to accomplish their goals, and the person wielding this weapon—namely you—is the true mastermind behind the entire incident.

However, not everyone can analyze and perceive the intricacies of a situation as calmly as I do. Especially for me, my calm perspective is built upon the fact that by the time I was born, Howard had already passed away. Though there is a blood relationship between us, there is no emotional connection.

But my dad Tony is different. Despite the seemingly strained relationship between him and Howard, I know the significance Howard held in his life, the bond he carried.

It's similar to the connection between him and me. True family bonds are never swayed by surface appearances."

"If he were to learn the truth about his parents' deaths, that it wasn't the accidental car crash he's always believed, but rather a deliberate act, and that the person responsible is you, what kind of reaction do you think he would have?"

"He would probably want to strangle me, watching me struggle in his grasp until I died," Bucky offered the cruelest punishment for himself.

"Perhaps, or maybe he'd just blast you to bits with a single shot, out of sight, out of mind. I don't know, after all, the last person who made me angry, I didn't actually kill.

I stripped him of everything, both mentally and physically. Then, at his most desperate moment, when he wanted to end his life, I took control of him and sent him to prison.

He'll spend the rest of his life there, never stepping foot outside again. He'll linger on in agonizing suffering, aging and weakening, departing from this world amidst pain and illness.

But Tony probably wouldn't go as far as I did. From what I remember, he prefers a more direct approach.

However, that's not the focus of our conversation today. If it were someone else, Tony could kill them without a second thought. Given our social status and wealth, we could make someone who was already recorded as deceased disappear without a trace.

Even if we openly disclosed this matter, I doubt anyone would want to provoke the Stark family or bring a lawsuit against it.

But the problem is that your situation is uniquely unfortunate. You're not just an ordinary murderer; you're a World War II hero, and moreover, a close friend of Captain Steve Rogers.

With such an identity and relationship, things get very complicated. If your existence were exposed to their eyes, it would undoubtedly cause irreconcilable conflict between the two, leading to a rupture in the Avengers' relationships.

This is something I don't want to see. The enemies we'll face in the future are incredibly formidable, the challenges unprecedentedly immense. Aside from the Avengers coming together to fight as a united front, there's no other way to successfully confront this crisis.

So, you understand, right?

Now that I've explained my intentions. We need to figure out how to safely and stably resolve the series of problems arising from your existence. I believe we need to discuss this."

During this conversation with Bucky, Mark truly hoped to discuss a feasible solution to avoid the occurrence of the Avengers' Civil War as seen in the original plot, and the rift between Tony and Captain.

Moreover, Mark believed in his heart that he had a great opportunity to change this fate. Quicksilver, the new member of the Avengers, who is undergoing rigorous training at the new training base is the best proof of this.

This indicates that as long as he, the butterfly named "reincarnator", vigorously flaps its wings, the outcomes of certain events are not necessarily unchangeable.

Since his appearance has already rewritten the original outcome where Quicksilver should have died, he can similarly prevent the outbreak of the Civil War through careful planning and arrangement.

To prevent the eruption of the Civil War, the events surrounding Bucky Barnes are just a crucial piece of the puzzle. By resolving this conflict, it could first avoid the rift between Tony and Captain, allowing room for the Civil War to be averted.

However, beyond this, in order to truly eliminate the possibility of the Civil War, Mark has many issues to address. Such as the catalyst for the conflict - the Sokovia Accords.

Although the city that flew into the sky is now Seoul and both Tony and Mark have provided sufficient compensation for it. But Mark believes that the Avengers' frequent handling of superpowered events worldwide without needing approval from any government department will surely arouse dissatisfaction among leaders of various countries.

As a result, even if it's not the Sokovia Accords, there will eventually be other Accords with similar content and different names introduced, aimed to regulate the actions of the Avengers.

Only by addressing all potential factors that could lead to adverse effects can Mark truly prevent the emergence of the Civil War.

Fortunately, in the original plot Colonel Zemo, who acted as a catalyst for the entire Civil War event, has had a significant deviation due to the appearance of Max. The location of the final battle has shifted from Sokovia to Seoul.

In this way, this calculating strategist who speaks multiple languages no longer has any reason to launch his revenge plan against the Avengers.

In fact, Mark also understands that these various external factors influencing the unity within the Avengers are ultimately due to the lack of a well-developed underlying system within the alliance itself.

Despite the Avengers experiencing numerous dangers and trials together, overcoming threats to Earth's security one after another, from their inception to establishing a new base and incorporating new talents, the entire Avengers' alliance lacks a comprehensive set of rules and regulations to ensure the legality and compliance of their controversial actions.

Furthermore, existing outside the realm of international politics and bolstered by the Avengers' formidable power. Political departments of various countries are understandably concerned.

So the immediate priority, the fundamental method to address potential future conflicts, is to establish a set of suitable yet comprehensive management and contingency systems to ensure internal unity and overall consistency.

Of course, this is not something that can be achieved overnight. Those accustomed to the current mode of operation would need a process of adaptation and communication to accept these new rules.

So, aside from addressing the underlying issues within, the exclusion of external factors must also be undertaken simultaneously.

However, the first round of conversation didn't ultimately yield a feasible solution that satisfied both parties.

Firstly, Mark isn't adept at resolving matters of emotional entanglement, and secondly, Bucky's recent recovery has left him in a state of confusion and conflict between his two sets of memories, rendering him unable to think and decide rationally.

In the end, Mark asked Bucky to rest in the recovery room temporarily until he regains his composure, and after that the next round of conversation would take place.

However, as soon as he stepped out of the teleportation gate and returned to his lab, Mark received troubling news from Baymax.

The "Seoul Accords," which has been approved by 117 countries within the United Nations, was presented before the Avengers. It explicitly stipulates that the Avengers Alliance will no longer be a private organization.

Following the signing of the Accords, all actions of the Avengers will be under the supervision of a special committee established by the United Nations, and actions can only be taken when deemed necessary by the supervisory committee.

The accords are scheduled to be formally signed at a special conference in Vienna three days later. The notification has already been sent to the new Avengers training base.

Absence from the conference will be considered an automatic relinquishment of Avengers status. Moreover, any future use of one's abilities for acts of force will be regarded as illegal and will lead to joint pursuition by the United Nations and the 117 countries that signed the Accords.

"Bad news just keeps coming, can't I have some peace of mind to prepare for dealing with Thanos and his big purple ass..."

...

At the New Avengers training base, several hours have passed since the members received the United Nations' notice. To discuss the potential impact of the "Seoul Accords" on the Avengers' future actions, Captain contacted everyone to gather for a discussion.

"So, what are your thoughts? Either voice your opinions now or collectively sign the Accords. Silence won't change the outcome of this event.

But no matter how you feel, I'm personally in favor of signing these Accords."

Looking at the silent crowd, Tony was the first to break the tension in the room.

"If we sign the 'Seoul Accords,' then what exactly sets the Avengers apart from S.H.I.E.L.D.?

Don't tell me that one is controlled by the World Security Council and the other is supervised by a United Nations special committee.

What do we do if the power we initially intended to use for maintaining world peace turns into a tool for politicians' power struggles?"

Falcon Sam, who was once a member of a military special secret unit, was well aware of the true nature of politicians. On the surface, they could cloak a war in the veneer of justice, morality, and humanitarian concerns. In reality, every drop of blood spilled by soldiers like him would eventually become political capital for these politicians to climb the ladder.

"Come on, Sam, it's because of the shadow left by experiencing pain that you're so skeptical of politicians.

This involves 117 countries, 117! Anyone attempting to manipulate their political tactics before these heads of countries and think of tanking so many nations needs to weigh their influence carefully."

"And even if someone manages to unite all 117 signing nations and assigns us a politically motivated mission, what recourse do we have to resist?"

"I agree with Tony's perspective; we should sign these Accords, or else we might not even have the qualification to carry out justice."

In contrast to Sam, who was closer to bloodshed and death on the battlefield, Colonel Rhodes, who also served in the military, held a completely different view.

As an ace pilot in the Air Force, Rhodey's killings didn't require him to witness the deaths of enemies firsthand or the gruesome scenes of carnage.

His job often involved sitting in the cockpit, using his controls to launch a precisely guided missile from high above in the sky, delivering a lethal blow.

This experience led Rhodey to develop a different perspective when facing similar events.

"I have some data here. Maybe after hearing my analysis of this data, you'll be willing to change your views." There are two differing opinions within the Alliance right now, and there's a disagreement among them. Tony decided to present his viewpoint now to convince everyone to come to a consensus.

"Ever since I announced to the world that I am Iron Man seven years ago, the number of known enhanced individuals has grown exponentially.

At the same time, the quantity of potential threats that could pose serious harm to Earth and human society has also significantly increased."

"Are you suggesting that all of this is our fault? If we hadn't appeared in the public eye, all these dangerous events wouldn't have happened in the first place." Captain, listening to Tony's presented data, responded discontentedly.

"I mean, there might be some causal connection to all of this. Our formidable power invites challenges, challenges lead to conflicts, and conflicts breed catastrophes.

To try and avoid such catastrophes as much as possible, I believe a certain degree of oversight is essential.

We should take responsibility, in any form possible. If we can't accept limitations, we'll be unrestrained. In that case, when we cause harm due to mishandling our abilities, then what will set us apart from the villains?"

"Well then, Tony, if someone dies right in front of you, would you just stand by?" Captain countered.

"Who said we're going to stand by?"

"If we can't hold ourselves accountable, then it's turning a blind eye to lives in crisis, letting them die without help. These so-called Accords are just tools for you to shirk responsibility."

"Captain is right. When a crisis strikes, are we really going to rely on a stack of documents to eliminate an imminent threat?

What if, after signing these Accords, the supervisory committee sends us to a place where our presence isn't even necessary? What if we're needed somewhere for rescue, but the supervisory committee disagrees?

We might not be perfect, but having the initiative in our own hands is the safest."

"And even if the supervisory committee has absolutely no political agenda, acting solely for the sake of human safety and stability, even if they agree to all the missions we propose.

By the time the necessary procedures are completed by the 117 signing countries of the United Nations, and the supervisory committee gives us orders, it will be too late and our relevance may have diminished," Falcon chimed in, following Captain's viewpoint.

"I agree with Tony's perspective. If we sign the Accords, it's like tying one of our hands, making our actions less convenient, but at least we can still steer with one hand.

But if we reject the United Nations' resolution, if we don't agree to sign the 'Seoul Accords,' it's like imprisoning our entire body, rendering us unable to take any action. That's the worst-case scenario," Natasha offered her opinion.

"We've made some serious mistakes in the public eye. We need to earn their trust back. I also agree to sign the 'Seoul Accords,'" Quicksilver stood by Tony's side.

Hearing Quicksilver's statement, Scarlet Witch gave him an annoyed glance. "They're clearly coming after us, seeking resources that benefit them. I don't agree to sign any Accords!"

Now, in the conference room, the Avengers have split into two factions. One led by Captain, with Falcon and Scarlet Witch in opposition. The other led by Tony, with Rhodey, Natasha, and Quicksilver in favor.

Thor, who is far away in Asgard, didn't attend this meeting. Hawkeye, having concluded the Seoul mission, decided to retire peacefully to be with his newborn son and family.

With fresh blood joining the Avengers to fill his vacancy, he's chosen to step back, so he wasn't present at this meeting either.

In this situation, only Mark, among the present members, hasn't yet spoken or taken a stance. His attitude is particularly crucial for the opposing faction, which is currently at a numerical disadvantage.

"Mark, you haven't voiced your opinion. What do you think?" Captain looked over to Mark, who had been sitting in the corner, seemingly detached from the proceedings.

"Sigh..." Mark let out a sigh, appearing somewhat helpless. To be honest, after listening to the debate in the conference room for so long, he still hadn't found a perfect solution to the problem.

However, since Captain had now turned to him for input, Mark had to muster up the courage to express his own opinion.

"First, let me clarify that I agree the Avengers need some rules to govern their actions." When Mark's first sentence had just left his mouth the opposing faction on Captain's side immediately showed disappointed expressions. Even Mark siding with the approval camp put them at a significant numerical disadvantage.

Ignoring the disappointment from Captain's side, Mark continued his statement. "All along, the Avengers' operations have been about reacting to danger, devising ad-hoc plans, and then deploying to resolve troubles.

But by operating this way, we'll forever remain Avengers, unable to evolve into Preventers. We'll always be waiting for crises to emerge, instead of preemptively averting danger.

My point isn't to recreate Hydra's insight plan, but to convey that our overall operational model lacks a fundamental set of rules and regulations. This makes us prone to division once disagreements arise among us.

Simultaneously, an adaptable combat style is good for dealing with rapidly changing battlefields, but it's not suitable for solving all the issues we face.

So, my opinion is that we need to establish relevant protocols that provide constraints for our actions and potential problems. At the same time, we need to create contingency plans that allow us to bypass cumbersome procedures and directly achieve our objectives during emergencies.

However, I also agree with Captain's viewpoint. We should keep control in our own hands.

Compared to the Accords proposed by the United Nations, which are tinged with political desires, it's more reasonable for us to come up with a suitable mechanism through internal discussions and deliberations.

But achieving this isn't simple. We not only need to resolve internal disputes and disagreements but also contend with the pressure exerted on us by the United Nations."

After Mark finished speaking, the conference room once again fell into silence. Mark's perspective could be seen as a synthesis of both the approval and opposition sides – a way to address the current dispute in the best manner.

However, as Mark mentioned, attaining such conditions wasn't easy. The Avengers faced numerous internal challenges and external resistance. It wasn't as simple as proposing an idealistic notion; achieving it would be far from straightforward, leaving everyone in a state of uncertainty and turmoil...

The situation is now in a deadlock, with only two days left before the United Nations meeting. In yesterday's meeting, the Avengers did not make any substantive progress through discussions.

If they fail to reach a consensus and take corresponding action in these final two days, they will face increasing difficulties in light of the United Nations' pressure on the legitimacy and social role of the Avengers.

Of course, it's not just the Avengers who are caught in this dilemma, but also the Winter Soldier, Bucky.

After the meeting, Mark immediately contacted Bucky and discussed the Seoul Accords with him. Mark believed that this was the opportune moment, using the external conflicts instigated by the United Nations to also resolve the internal conflicts.

He hoped that Bucky could think of a suitable solution within these two days to address the relationship between Captain and Tony.

However, Bucky had a different perspective. He believed that the current moment was one of turmoil within the Avengers. He thought it would be better to wait until the external situation stabilized before attempting to address the issues his presence might provoke.

Otherwise, the combination of both internal and external pressures could push the Avengers into an even more challenging situation.

The problems the Avengers currently face are indeed severe, especially in the eyes of someone like Mark, who knows the future storyline. Even if he can prevent the outbreak of civil war, it's still difficult to solve the various problems arising from changes in the external situation.

No matter how wealthy the Stark family is, and no matter how powerful the Avengers are, when faced with an international organization formed by multiple sovereign nations like the United Nations, their means and methods remain severely limited.

Faced with the current dilemma, Mark even entertained some crazy ideas. Since there are significant external conflicts now, why not create other events to divert the United Nations' attention? This could buy the Avengers more time to devise a solution.

However, Mark quickly dismissed this wild idea. Such an approach would not only cause harm to innocent people but also plant seeds of internal conflict within the Avengers. Even if the current issue is resolved smoothly, it would lead to more significant conflicts in the future.

The crisis triggered at that time could result in a more deadly internal crisis of trust than the current external changes.

"Baymax, do you have any good suggestions? As an evolved artificial intelligence, you should be able to understand the challenges we are currently facing."

After pondering the deadlock, Mark suddenly turned to Baymax, hoping that Baymax could provide a satisfactory answer to his troubling dilemma.

Compared to humans, Baymax, as an evolved artificial intelligence, could approach a problem from a more objective and rational standpoint, focusing on the core issues and key solutions.

Baymax's powerful computing capabilities enabled him to sift through countless approaches and identify the one solution that maximized overall benefits. Furthermore, his development as a sentient being allowed him to consider not only interests but also emotional connections between individuals when evaluating a situation.

"Master, in my view, the conflict between the United Nations and the Avengers regarding the 'Seoul Accords' is rather simple. On one hand, the 117 signatory nations of the United Nations believe that the unregulated actions of the Avengers have encroached upon their sovereignty and security.

On the other hand, the notion of 'With great power comes great responsibility' has led the Avengers to believe that they have both the capability and the duty to resolve all crises that arise in the world, even though not all crises necessarily require their intervention.

The signing of the 'Seoul Accords' can assist in alleviating the task burden on the Avengers through a special oversight group within the United Nations. A robust supervisory mechanism would provide nations and citizens with increased security and trust.

The old master likely recognized this, which is why he, a person who cherishes freedom and detestes constraints, agreed to sign the Accords.

However, considering the inherent political nature of the United Nations, I recommend that prior to signing the Accords, the Avengers also be granted a certain decision-making authority for verifying and reviewing mission content within the Accords. Additionally, individual Avengers members should have the right to refuse orders for tasks they find unacceptable.

If negotiations could enhance these key points within the Accords, then even after signing, it wouldn't be an unacceptable outcome.

This solution is the result of analyzing various circumstances and data, offering the most favorable and achievable course of action for you in the short term, Master."

Baymax presented a meticulously calculated solution, one with the highest likelihood of success and minimal losses. Whether viewed from an emotional or rational perspective, this was an almost perfect resolution.

However, as Baymax described, the trio of Captain, Falcon, and Scarlet Witch, who stood in the opposing camp, were deeply entrenched in the mindset of "With great power comes great responsibility."

Sam, as a retired soldier, had promptly answered Captain's call and joined the fight against Hydra, even in a disadvantaged situation. Now he had joined the Avengers, undergoing rigorous training without complaint. His actions revealed his personal willpower and character.

Scarlet Witch Wanda, as one of the most powerful forces among the Avengers, demonstrated a more mature demeanor in front of her brother, Quicksilver. Throughout the series of crises in Seoul, she consistently exhibited a willingness to charge into danger, displaying a clear understanding of her own abilities.

And the especially concerning Captain, his current formidable physical prowess was hard-earned, particularly due to the enhancement brought about by the Super Soldier Serum. This amplification intensified his already strong sense of justice and responsibility.

Under these circumstances, persuading Captain and the others to sign above the "Seoul Accords" wasn't an easy task. The best approach to get them to sign the Accords was for Mark to convince Captain to change his perspective.

This would lead Sam and Wanda to also alter their viewpoints alongside Captain.

However, convincing Captain to agree to sign the "Seoul Accords" – "The solution lies in Winter Soldier Bucky…"

Mark sighed in frustration, realizing he was back to his initial dilemma. Solving Bucky's issue seemed even more vexing for Mark than the current problems facing the Avengers.

"Perhaps I should discuss this matter with Captain first, resolve the current issues stemming from the 'Seoul Accords,' and then decide how to reveal the truth to Dad.

Breaking down a problem into its components and tackling them one by one might make things smoother."

Mark wasn't sure if his idea was correct, but time waits for no one. He had to take action first and consider the potential consequences later.

Ding dong, ding dong—

Mark arrived at Captain's room and pressed the doorbell. The door was quickly opened, and Captain looked at Mark's arrival without asking for the reason. He simply stepped aside, gesturing for Mark to enter.

As far as Captain was concerned, Mark's visit was most likely about continuing their discussion from yesterday regarding the thorny issue of how to handle the revelations brought about by the "Seoul Accords," a discussion that had proven difficult to unify.

However, Captain would never have anticipated that Mark's visit was about to deliver a massive surprise to him.

Facing the space Captain had opened up, Mark shook his head and didn't enter the room. "Discussing this matter here won't yield the best results, Captain. You need to come with me for this."

Mark's unexpected response made Captain unable to contain his curiosity any longer. "What? Weren't you here to discuss the issues with the 'Seoul Accords'?"

"I'm here to bring you some good news, but at the same time, it's also a big trouble. Perhaps even bigger than the trouble caused by the 'Seoul Accords.' Well, Captain, you'll know once you come with me."

Mark didn't say directly, and Captain didn't press further. Based on his trust in Mark, Captain nodded, "Alright, wait for me to change into my combat suit and gear. I'll be ready to leave with you shortly."

"Wait!" Mark stopped Captain. "The trouble I mentioned isn't the kind that requires physical action."

Now Captain was even more puzzled. One moment it was a surprise, and the next moment it was a big trouble, yet without the need for physical action...

Despite growing confusion, Captain still followed behind Mark. After setting the coordinates on the spatial portal, they arrived together in Los Angeles, the City of Angel.

Mark didn't open a spatial portal directly to the old lab, as it would be inconvenient to reveal his magic to Captain. So, after driving for half an hour, they reached their destination.

Regarding bringing Captain here to meet with Winter Soldier Bucky, Mark not only concealed the truth from Captain but also didn't inform Bucky about Captain's arrival. He believed that this surprise would be enormous for both parties...

"This is the former headquarters of your company. Why did you bring me here?"

After opening the door and getting out of the car, Captain recognized this building at a glance.

However, compared to the grandeur and hustle of this building when the employees of the Mark Research Center used to work here, now appeared like a lonely old man, giving off a heavy sense of lifelessness.

"Yes, this is the company building my dad prepared for me earlier, but as the company's business grew, this space became insufficient.

After the company relocated to a new headquarters building, I renovated this place, turning it into a rehabilitation center that combines physical therapy and psychological intervention, providing both medical and therapeutic functions."

As Mark introduced the functions of the building to Captain, he led him to the top floor.

"The building is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and an automated diagnostic system.

In the medical area, I've installed my latest improved nutritional hibernation pods. If you need, you can bring Director Peggy Carter here to spend her remaining time in ease and happiness.

And the surprise, which is also a bit of trouble, I've prepared for you is on the top floor of this building."

"So, the person you brought me to see is inside, right?" Hearing Mark's explanation of the building's functions, Captain had already deduced what the surprise might be.

However, he still didn't have a specific answer as to who the person he was going to meet was.

But at this moment, Captain had silently made a decision – he was determined to bring Carter here, so she could pass her remaining time in life without pain.

"Yes, I brought you here today to meet someone. He's inside now, and you can go in."

The elevator reached the top floor, where there was only one room and an entrance. Mark pointed to the only door and signaled to Captain.

With a mix of curiosity and puzzlement, Captain stepped forward to open the door. What met his eyes behind the door was a face he couldn't be more familiar with – "Bucky!"

"Steve?!" As Captain called out Bucky's name, Bucky was also quick to call out Captain's name.

After calling out each other's names, just as if they had prearranged it, they silently gazed into each other's eyes, conveying complexity and reminiscence, yet understanding each other without speaking a word.

Perhaps silence was more powerful than words at this moment, or maybe the years of separation and the shock had left both of them speechless. Meanwhile, Mark sensed a strong camaraderie in the air.

"I apologize for interrupting your reunion, but since you've already received the surprise I prepared, now it's time for you to help me with a challenging problem..."

The three of them engaged in a lengthy conversation in the room, and no one knew what kind of results they had discussed.

However, on the same day when Captain returned to the Avengers training base, he quickly convinced Sam and Wanda to agree to sign above the "Seoul Accords."

Immediately, a meeting was convened to discuss the modifications to certain unacceptable clauses in the "Seoul Accords".

After the meeting, the conclusions drawn were largely in line with the suggestions put forth by Baymax.

And eventually, due to the efforts of both Tony and Mark, as well as the coordination of Phil Coulson, the current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., a total of 117 countries that were signatories of the United Nations agreed to the proposed revisions to the Accords as presented by the Avengers.

As a result of these changes, the originally scheduled United Nations conference was postponed by a month.

At that time, the signing of the "Seoul Accords" would coincide with the meeting in Vienna, where Wakanda would officially open up as a nation and join the United Nations organization.

"I initially thought that only Tony, Rhodey, Quicksilver, and I would be signing at the meeting in Vienna. I never expected that Mark would manage to persuade all of you at the last moment. How did he pull it off?"

With the Avengers' demands approved, Natasha also felt relieved and approached Captain to have a conversation.

"Even though there are limitations, it doesn't mean it's necessarily wrong. Maintaining unity is more important than how restricted we are. Sometimes, for the sake of the team, individuals have to relinquish some of their own desires."

"You're still as straightforward as ever, Steve. I'm not curious about the decisions you and Mark made behind closed doors. I just want to remind you not to repeat the same mistake as Tony.

Don't keep secrets and do things you believe are right without informing everyone. This approach not only exhausts you but also weighs down your comrades."

"..." Captain opened his mouth, wanting to offer some explanation, but it seemed that Natasha's words hit a sensitive nerve, leaving him at a loss for words.

In the end, Captain remained silent, and Natasha could tell by his expression that her guess was correct.

There must have been some kind of agreement reached between Captain and Mark in private, which led to Captain's change of attitude and his successful persuasion of Sam and Wanda to agree to sign the accords.

"If you don't want to speak or haven't figured out how to put it into words yet, then you don't have to say anything for now.

Just remember to prepare for the meeting  in a month's time. Besides signing the accords, we also need to ensure the security of the 117 representatives from United Nations member states and the Wakandan delegation.

Don't let these matters affect your focus."

"Rest assured, I won't let this interfere with the mission. I'm just not ready to make this matter public with everyone at the moment. But believe me, it won't take too long before I personally provide everyone with an explanation."

"I believe you, because – you are our captain."