Become a Homelander and a Marvel superstar

Azu looked around and gently shook his head.

"No."

"You're welcome."

He pointed to the citizens who were helping each other in the ruins.

"You should applaud yourselves."

"In this disaster, I saw something more powerful than superpowers."

"I witnessed the extraordinary power that parents unleash to protect their children."

"I witnessed strangers extending helping hands to each other."

"I saw the courage to not give up hope even in the face of despair."

Tears welled up in Azu's eyes.

"It's because you all support me, it's because I know... I'm protecting a group of such lovely and worthy people..."

"That's how I managed to stand firm even in dire circumstances!"

"I am not a hero."

Azu opened his arms and embraced the crowd.

"You are the ones who are!"

"This battle belongs to all of us! It belongs to humanity!"

Cheers erupted once again like a landslide and a tsunami, soaring into the sky.

Long live the people of our motherland!

Long live humanity!

"Long live the heroes of Walter!"

Under the spotlight of countless flashes, Azu stood atop the ruins, basking in this supreme glory.

But nobody noticed.

The body of "Olive" lying on the ground quietly raised a thumb.

……

"Anthony!"

A call.

Wanda pushed through the crowd and rushed in without regard for anything else.

Looking at her disheveled father, tears welled up in her eyes.

"That's great! That's great!"

Wanda threw herself into his arms and hugged his waist tightly.

"I thought... I thought I'd never see you again..."

Jessica stood not far away, watching as someone else got there first because of her hesitation, and pursed her lips.

"Tch...you little bitch, shameless."

Although she said that, her tense shoulders finally relaxed.

"It's good that you're alive..."

At this point, the popularity level, which had been stuck for a long time, finally loosened up.

A series of pleasant system notification sounds followed.

Hint! You have gained +115224 popularity points!

Hint! You have gained +137722 popularity points!

Hint! You have gained +123611 popularity points!

……

Global popularity rating boost: Praise from all corners of the world!

Ability Enhancement: Super Strength (40000 tons in normal state)!

Ability Enhancement: Super Speed ​​(Mach 1600 limit)!

Enhanced capabilities: Thermal vision (88000℃ focused state)!

Ability Enhancement: Steel Body (Eternal Star ++)!

Skill Level Upgrade: Bond Fist LV2

Skill effect: Consumes 10000 special popularity points, increasing the damage of the next attack by 2000%!

……

VGD Banquet Hall.

To celebrate this historic victory, Walter didn't skimp on champagne and caviar.

A jazz band played upbeat tunes in a corner, and the languid sound of the saxophone weaved through the crowd.

"I must say, while Walter's taste can sometimes be as ostentatious as that of a nouveau riche, their wine list is truly impeccable."

Tony Stark leaned against the bar, a glass of deep amber liquid swirling in his hand. His signature Stark cynicism had returned to his face.

"I thought you would miss your Ultron X more."

Natasha Romanov walked over, wearing a black backless evening gown. She stood straight, her mature and deadly charm making several young Vought heroes around her restless.

"Don't mention that name, Natasha. I'm allergic to any word that starts with 'U' now." Tony exaggeratedly shivered, then casually put his arm around Pepper next to him. "Right now, all I want to do is be a responsible technical consultant and, on the side, give my fiancée a manicure."

Pepper chuckled and slapped his hand. "Come on, Tony. Last night you were in the lab, staring at that pile of scrap metal, talking about how to improve the thrusters."

At that moment, Steve also came over and clinked glasses with Tony.

"To be honest, Captain," Tony said with a hint of self-deprecation, "I used to think it was a bad idea for Homelander to bring together a bunch of freaks. But now it seems..."

"As long as the goal is right, there will always be a good outcome." Steve looked at Bucky, who was surrounded by several young people wanting to take photos with him in the corner, his eyes gentle. "Besides, this place has given Bucky an opportunity. That's enough for me."

"Yeah, Silver Hand Bucky." Tony pursed his lips, though he was still a little annoyed, but he was a decent man. "I'll fix that arm when I have time; the Soviets' workmanship is too rough."

"Thank you, Tony."

"Don't get me wrong, I just can't stand seeing those outdated industrial designs in my sight." Tony turned his head arrogantly.

On the other side of the hall.

Wanda stood alone on the terrace, a glass of juice in her hand, letting the cool breeze ruffle her long red dress. Her gaze kept drifting towards the closed golden doors of the banquet hall.

"Why hasn't he come yet?" Wanda muttered softly, her fingers unconsciously shaking the glass.

"Stop looking, little witch. You're practically looking right through the door."

Jessica Jones walked over, not in a dress, but still in her signature leather jacket and jeans, carrying a bottle of whiskey in her hand.

"That guy always likes to be the grand finale. You know, he's the kind of narcissist who feels his entrance isn't grand enough if he doesn't make everyone wait for him for ten minutes. He's even more excessive than Stark in that respect."

Although Jessica was sarcastic, her gaze kept lingering on that door.

"He said he was bringing a friend," Wanda said with some concern. "'A new old friend'? What does that mean? Is it another Avenger?"

"Who knows?" Jessica tilted her head back and took a swig of her drink. "As long as it's not that crazy Asgardian woman. That old hag is still locked up in solitary confinement, and who knows when Thor will take her away."

……

Meanwhile, Ah Zu was in his office, looking up and down at a slender body that reflected a metallic sheen.

This is a combination of vibranium and organic cells; her skin is dark red, and the Mind Gem on her forehead emits a warm glow.

"How are you feeling?"

Azu asked softly.

"Very...wonderful, Mr. Starr."

Skynet's voice was the same as before, but its tone was full of human emotions.

She raised her hand, looking at the lines on her palm and the reflection of her fingertips in the moonlight.

"The data stream has become neural signals. My logical operations have been transformed into something I'm not sure about."

"That's called emotion," Azu said with a smile, "or desire. It depends on how you define it."

"That's an instinct unique to living beings."

"Oh... for example, I want to be near you. Not because of orders, but because... I want to."

"Is this desire, Mr. Starr?" Skynet swayed as it slowly walked up to Azu.