[Looking at Barton carelessly tossing his clothes, Laura couldn't help but roll her eyes, picking them up as she followed him. With curiosity in her voice, she asked, "So what's the deal with Natasha and Dr. Banner? How long has that been going on?"]
["What's been going on?"]
[Barton's feigned ignorance made Laura laugh. "You are so cute!"]
["Natasha and... Banner?"]
[Seeing that Barton refused to acknowledge it, Laura playfully replied, "I'll explain when you're older, Hawkeye."]
["Okay," Barton said, putting on his coat.]
[Laura stood by the doorway, her expression growing serious. "It's bad, right? Natasha seems really shaken."]
[Barton explained, "Ultron has these allies, these... kids. They're punks really, but they carry a big damn stick. Natasha took a serious hit. Someone's gonna have to teach 'em some manners."]
[He walked past Laura into the hallway. She followed, saying, "And that someone is you? You know I totally support your avenging. I couldn't be prouder."]
[She glanced out the window at the others. "But I see those guys... those 'gods'..."]
[Barton bent down to lace his boots. "You don't think they need me."]
["I think they do," Laura countered. "Which is a lot scarier. They're a mess."]
[After hearing Laura's assessment, Barton sighed. "Yeah."]
[Looking through the window at Captain America and Tony outside, Barton complained, "I guess they're my mess."]
[Laura gently stroked Barton's hair. "You need to be sure that this team is really a team. They have your back."]
[Barton stood up and looked at his pregnant wife, concern evident in his eyes.]
[Laura continued softly, "Things are changing for us. In a few months' time, we'll be outnumbered. I need... just be sure."]
[Barton nodded solemnly. "Yes, ma'am." He leaned in to kiss her, held her close, then kissed her forehead again.]
[Laura touched his injured side once more. "I can feel the difference."]
"She's right, we must be a united team!" Captain America agreed with Laura's words.
Although they didn't know why a civil war would eventually break out among the Avengers, Captain America was determined to avoid that outcome. Faced with powerful enemies, the Avengers could not afford to be divided!
"Yeah!" Tony nodded. He agreed with Captain America on this point. After all, if the Avengers split up, it would be disastrous for everyone.
They might not know what would trigger the civil war, but they could try to prevent it. Captain America probably needed to start with Bucky, but unfortunately, Bucky was still in an unconscious state at this time.
Tony didn't dare conduct experiments on Bucky before thoroughly studying the scepter. Fortunately, although Bucky remained unconscious, he had fallen into a standby mode without instructions and was no longer resisting.
[Seoul, U-Gin Genetic Research Lab]
[Dr. Helen Cho was instructing her staff: "We're unclear on how many are coming, so make sure the perimeter defense is up and running. We don't want a repeat of Sokovia."]
[She then entered her laboratory, and immediately froze at the sight of Ultron waiting for her.]
["Scream, and your entire staff dies," Ultron warned. "I could've killed you that night I met you, Helen. I didn't."]
[Hearing Ultron's words, Dr. Cho gave him a defiant look. "Do you expect a thank you note?"]
[Ultron ignored her sarcasm and mused, "I expect you to know why."]
[Dr. Cho narrowed her eyes, glancing at the equipment behind Ultron. "The Cradle."]
[Ultron played back a clip of Dr. Cho's previous conversation with Tony: "'This is the next thing, Tony.' This is the next me."]
[Dr. Cho understood what Ultron wanted but objected, "The Regeneration Cradle prints tissue. It can't build a living body."]
[But Ultron looked at her with certainty. "It can. You can. You lack the materials."]
[Dr. Cho backed away from his imposing form until she was pressed against the wall. A Ultron sentinel emerged, holding a vial of vibranium.]
["You're a brilliant woman, Helen. But we all have room to improve."]
[Another sentinel approached with the Mind Scepter. Dr. Cho watched in horror as the scepter touched her chest.]
[Instantly, darkness clouded her vision, then her eyes transformed from their natural color to an eerie light blue...]
"It used the scepter to control Dr. Cho?" Tony looked at the Mind Scepter secured in its glass case and narrowed his eyes. He hadn't realized it had this capability!
Dr. Helen Cho's expression changed slightly. She never expected that Ultron would target the Regeneration Cradle she was developing. After helping Barton recover from his injuries, she had become renowned in her field, attracting numerous potential investors.
Ultimately, Dr. Cho had chosen Pepper's investment offer, disappointing many other interested parties. This decision had provided her with superior equipment and Tony Stark's direct assistance.
Tony was particularly fascinated by her research, especially the nanomaterials she was developing, which had inspired many of his own ideas. He even believed this technology could potentially be combined with the Extremis virus!
With Tony's support, Maya Hansen's research on the Extremis virus had made significant progress, though they had hit a roadblock: when users sustained severe damage, the Extremis virus would overcompensate to heal injuries, causing dangerous overheating.
If nanotechnology could prevent the Extremis virus from continuing to work as it approached critical temperatures, the problem might be perfectly solved. Unfortunately, they weren't yet able to test this theory.
[Barton's Home]
[Natasha remained haunted by the vision Wanda had induced, unable to shake the memories of her past.]
[Banner was shaving while reflecting on the destruction Hulk had caused in Sokovia, guilt weighing heavily on him.]
[After finishing in the bathroom, he opened the door to find Natasha sitting on the bed waiting for him.]
["I didn't realize you were waiting," he said, surprised.]
[Seeing Banner emerge, Natasha stood up and smiled. "I would've joined you, but it didn't seem like the right time."]
[Banner pursed his lips and deflected. "They used up all the hot water."]
[Hearing this, Natasha tilted her head while holding her change of clothes. "I should've joined you."]
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