"I still recommend going to S.H.I.E.L.D.," Zenkichi said evenly. "There are plenty of capable people there. They might not be able to guarantee your safety one hundred percent, but it's still a lot better than trying to manage everything on your own."
He paused, then added, "Actually, you don't need to follow me. The places I usually go aren't your average dangerous zones. Did you see that big guy?"
Zenkichi gestured toward the Hulk, who lay unconscious on the ground nearby. "For me, something like that is just a warm-up. What I face is far worse."
Thor's lips pressed into a thin line. He had no response. Twice now, Zenkichi had turned down his request to stay by his side, and it was clear he wasn't going to change his mind.
Without another word, Thor turned and walked toward Tony Stark. There was a certain inevitability to it—under the shadow of death, a man tends to choose the option that keeps him breathing, even if it means swallowing his pride. The god had already forgotten that his earlier words echoed the stubborn defiance of someone swearing, "Orcs will never be slaves."
"Hello," Tony greeted casually, giving Thor a curious look.
Thor didn't reply. In his mind, he was a god, and Stark was merely a mortal. There was no equality between them, so why bother with pleasantries?
Tony turned his head toward Zenkichi. "Can I hit him?"
"If you've got the strength for it, I won't stop you," Zenkichi replied with a faint smirk.
In truth, he doubted Stark had any real chance. Thor might have lost his divine powers and control over lightning, but his body was still that of a god—far beyond human limits, even compared to mutants.
Stark's Iron Man suit was only in its first or second iteration, and after the damage it had taken earlier, its capabilities were even more limited. If Thor still had the ability to fly, Zenkichi wouldn't have even let Stark attempt to take him back to S.H.I.E.L.D. in the first place.
Tony didn't need to hear more. If Zenkichi was saying Thor outclassed him, then the fight wasn't worth attempting. Stark wasn't the type to go looking for a beating.
"Alright," Tony said, letting out a small breath. "Then I'll just take you back to S.H.I.E.L.D."
Without further discussion, he prepared to transport Thor.
Once they were gone, the area erupted with activity. Various factions emerged from the shadows, their eyes locking greedily on the fallen Hulk. This was a rare opportunity, and none of them wanted to pass it up.
But Zenkichi had no interest in sticking around. With the situation here resolved, he had already wasted enough time.
Without looking back, he turned and walked away.
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