[Chat Group For The Death] Chapter 166 - 170

Chapter 166: Stark, the Typical Scumbag!

Irisviel suddenly became excited, and her reaction in the chat group quickly drew the attention of everyone.

Howard Stark: speechless "Madam, what exactly do you mean by that?"

Irisviel: a little embarrassed "Oh, it’s nothing… I just couldn’t help myself."

Couldn’t help yourself?

Howard Stark: helpless "I really didn’t expect you to be a rotten girl."

Irisviel: nervous laughter "Haha… ha… ha…"

Lucas: laughs "Calling her just a rotten girl is an understatement! Don’t underestimate Irisviel—she’s a super rotten girl. She even fantasizes about her husband… with other men!"

Irisviel: "…"
Speechless.

Golden Lion Shiki: "Group Leader, can you tell us about this so-called love triangle in this world? This kind of drama is always entertaining! And this time, it’s something completely different from what I’ve encountered before!"

Howard Stark: hesitant "Group Leader… who exactly are the other two involved in this love triangle with my son?"

Lucas: "One is your dear friend—America’s beloved hero, Steve Rogers. The other? The Winter Soldier, the man who killed you."

Fire Fist Ace: "Wait a damn minute! You’re telling me… Tony Stark is caught in a love triangle with the guy who murdered his father?!"

Ace was dumbfounded. The mere thought of himself being in a love triangle with Akainu made him feel physically ill.

Howard Stark: awkwardly defending Tony "No, no, it’s not what you think! Sergeant Barnes… wasn’t in control of himself when he killed me. Before that, we were friends."

Sebastian Shaw: "Controlled? I know some people have mind-controlling abilities, but they’re usually mutants. Howard Stark, did you provoke a mutant or something?"

Howard Stark: "I don’t know who was behind it. All I remember is that when I died… Sergeant Barnes wasn’t himself."

Lucas: "It was Hydra. Barnes was brainwashed and turned into the Winter Soldier."

Howard Stark: shocked "Hydra?! But… they were wiped out!"

Sebastian Shaw: "As far as I know, Hydra was indeed eliminated. But their motto is ‘Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.’ If they resurfaced, it wouldn’t be surprising."

Howard Stark: grimly "If that’s true, this is bad. Hydra was once a global threat. If they still exist, they’re a serious danger. Group Leader, can you help me wipe them out?"

Lucas: "Wipe out Hydra? That’s easier said than done."

Senju Hashirama: surprised "No way! With your strength, Group Leader, you can’t destroy Hydra?"

Lucas: "If Hydra stood in front of me and declared war, I could obliterate them with one hand. But they’re a hidden organization, spread across the world, and they won’t fight me head-on."

Hydra wasn’t strong—they were persistent. They had their claws buried in every corner of the world. Lucas simply didn’t have the time or patience to root them all out.

Uchiha Madara: "Then why not unify the world and crush them with overwhelming force?"

Howard Stark: panicked "Absolutely not! As dangerous as Hydra is, I don’t want to see this world plunged into war—especially not a war where our opponent is the Group Leader."

Lucas: amused "Relax. I have zero interest in ruling this backward planet. There’s nothing valuable here, and the risks outweigh the benefits. I’m not going to waste my time causing chaos."

Thank god.

Howard Stark let out a relieved sigh. Now that Lucas had outright dismissed Earth as unworthy of his attention, Stark no longer had to worry about it being taken over.

Shamelessly, he seized the opportunity to shift the topic back to Tony.

Howard Stark: "Anyway! Back to my son—how exactly did he get involved with Steve and Barnes?"

Lucas: "Don’t worry, it’s not that obvious. It’s more like how Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were… or how Lancelot and his queen were. It’s subtle, something they’re not even fully aware of themselves."

Howard Stark: "Oh? That’s a relief, then."

Senju Hashirama: "…"

Uchiha Madara: "…"

Lancelot: "…"

Irisviel: "Wait, that’s it? That’s so boring!"

Howard Stark glanced at Irisviel’s chat messages, utterly speechless.

This woman is a lost cause…

With a sigh, he muttered, "How did this happen? Tony grew up a normal kid. He’s always been a playboy who loves women. How could he possibly… Wait!"

Something suddenly struck Howard, and he quickly asked:

Howard Stark: "Hold on! As far as I know, Captain America is missing, and Sergeant Barnes is still brainwashed by Hydra. So… how the hell did anything even happen between them and Tony?"

Lucas: "Well, it’s not now. It happens years from now. Captain America gets thawed from the ice and revived. Later, Barnes regains his consciousness—with Cap’s help."

Howard Stark: "Twenty years from now? But Tony's still just a carefree playboy. Even twenty years later…"

Lucas: grinning "A lot can change in twenty years. Maybe after being a playboy for so long, he finally wants to switch things up? Maybe he gets old and frail and decides to switch offense and defense?"

Howard Stark: "Group Leader, you said Tony’s situation is similar to Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama’s, right?"

Lucas: bluntly "Yeah! That’s why I said maybe—it’s just my personal guess."

Howard Stark: tired sigh "…"

Lucas: "Relax. Your son is a classic scumbag. After having his fill of fun, he eventually settled down with a reliable woman and had a lovely daughter."

Howard Stark: relieved "Really? That’s good!"

Lucas: "But before his daughter even reached adulthood… he heroically died."

Howard Stark’s heart clenched.

Howard Stark: urgently "Group Leader, you should be able to change his fate, right?"

Lucas: laughs "Of course! That was just the original timeline. Everything changed the moment I appeared."

Irisviel: "Wait, Tony Stark actually got married and had a child?"

Lucas: "Why not? Senju Hashirama was married with kids. So was your husband. Just because someone has close friendships doesn’t mean they’re incapable of settling down."

Irisviel: "That’s true!"

Senju Hashirama: "…"
Can you guys stop talking about me? I have my pride!

Somewhere in the One Piece World, Senju Hashirama looked depressed, feeling the need to find a strong opponent to spar with—just to vent his frustration.

[*Tl:Please assume the Marvel world in this story is a mix of multiple Marvel, and not particularly MCU]

Marvel Universe – Tony Stark’s Residence

Lucas arrived at Tony Stark’s bedroom, casually turned on the lights, and woke up the two people sleeping inside.

A woman shrieked in terror.

Rinnegan Genjutsu!

Lucas's eyes flickered, and an illusion immediately calmed the screaming woman. She fell back into unconsciousness, leaving only Tony Stark, who remained unexpectedly composed.

"Don't panic. No need to cause a scene," Lucas said, observing the young Tony Stark.

Tony took a deep breath, then let out a smirk.

"Alright," he said, still lying in bed. "Since I know that panicking won’t help, and since you haven't hurt me yet, I assume you want something. If it’s money, just tell me how much—so we can skip the unnecessary drama."

Howard Stark, watching from the chat group, felt proud of his eloquent son.

Lucas: smirks "Why do you assume I'm here for your money?"

Tony Stark: arrogantly "Because I’m the richest man in the world! If it’s not for money, what else could you possibly want?"

Lucas gave Tony a long, deep stare before chuckling.

Lucas: "What if I just came here to kill you? You’re a little too full of yourself, kid."

Suddenly, a wave of Conqueror’s Haki burst out.

Tony Stark's body collapsed with a thud, his entire body drenched in cold sweat.

Lucas: mocking "You can't even withstand a little Haki, and yet you act so composed? Now, I ask the questions, and you answer. Got it?"

Tony nodded dumbly, the arrogance completely drained from his face.

Lucas: "Where is your father’s grave?"

Tony's face darkened. "Why do you want to know?"

Lucas: "Your father entrusted me with his resurrection. But I need his life information to do that."

Tony's expression twisted in anger.

Tony Stark: "No. You’re not disturbing my parents' rest!"

Chat Group

Whitebeard: "Even knowing he’s outmatched, and that his life could be at stake, he still refused the Group Leader without hesitation. @Howard Stark, you have a good son. How about I take him as my godson?"

Howard Stark: "You’d have to ask him about that! I admire his spirit, but what should we do if he refuses to cooperate?"

Lucas: "Easy fix!"

Lucas activated his genjutsu ability again, forcibly manipulating Tony Stark and making him lead the way. Since Tony refused to cooperate, he had no choice but to resort to more direct methods.

As for any resentment Tony might harbor later? Lucas wasn’t worried. Howard Stark could handle that conversation.

Following Tony’s lead, Lucas soon arrived at Howard Stark’s grave. With a wave of his hand, he extracted the necessary DNA and placed a White Zetsu as a sacrificial medium.

Then, he activated Edo Tensei—Reanimation Jutsu.

A moment later, Howard Stark’s soul was forcibly pulled from the afterlife.

Moments Later

At that moment, Lucas released Tony Stark from the henjutsu.

Tony Stark: groggily waking up "Huh? What’s going on…? WAIT—WHAT THE HELL?!"

His eyes widened in pure horror as he took in the eerie surroundings. He was standing in a graveyard—his father’s grave, to be precise.

And standing before him…

Was Howard Stark.

Tony Stark: "NO! NO WAY!"

His voice cracked as fear overtook him. His legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed on the spot.

For the first time in his life, Tony Stark—self-proclaimed genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist—was terrified beyond reason.

At the end of the day, he was still a young Tony Stark—not the hardened Iron Man he would later become.

Howard Stark, who had initially been pleased to be resurrected, watched his son’s terrified reaction… and his expression darkened.

Little by little, his amusement faded, replaced by a gloomy scowl.

Howard Stark: "..."

Meanwhile, Tony’s mind was in full breakdown mode.

Tony Stark: "NO, NO! This isn't real! I'm the greatest scientist in the world—I don't believe in ghosts!"

His breath hitched. His hands trembled. He muttered to himself, trying to rationalize the situation.

"This must be a hallucination… a dream! Yeah, that’s it—I’m just dreaming!"

Howard Stark smirked.

Howard Stark: "A dream, huh?"

He took a step forward.

Howard Stark: "Well then… let’s test if this is really a dream!"

Chapter 167: All My Feelings Are in Vain!

Howard Stark and Tony Stark were locked in an intense fight, exchanging blows as Lucas watched with great amusement at this unique display of father-son bonding.

Meanwhile, the chat group was buzzing with excitement as its members offered their enthusiastic commentary and unsolicited advice to Howard Stark.

Sword God Ryuma: "Howard, you're fighting too stiffly. You're too rigid!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Yeah, you have no technique at all. Come on, let me teach you! Turn around and strike him from behind!"

Howard Stark: "Tsk, what a load of nonsense. That’s my son!"

Whitebeard: "And that’s exactly why you’re getting beaten up?"

Howard Stark: "I’m just letting him win!"

Gengetsu Hōzuki: "Oh, sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that. Face it—you just can’t beat him. It’s normal, really. You were already old and frail when you died. Even if Edo Tensei gave you an endless supply of stamina, your explosive power is lacking."

Howard Stark: "So what? I have infinite stamina and I’m immortal! This kid, Tony, is about to run out of gas. The moment he’s exhausted, he’s done for!"

Namikaze Minato: "Wow. Relying on the perks of Edo Tensei to win? That’s kind of embarrassing, you know."

The chat group erupted into laughter, resembling the chaotic squawking of five hundred ducks.

Meanwhile, Howard Stark endured the playful ridicule, staying focused on his plan. Sure enough, when Tony Stark finally reached his limit, Howard seized the opportunity to pin him down and give him a proper beating.

Looking down at his son, Howard snorted. "So, are you feeling the pain now? Do you finally understand this isn’t a dream?"

Despite taking a beating, Tony remained defiant. "I know this isn’t a dream, but you still can’t be my father! Who the hell are you?"

Howard Stark smacked him again and sneered. "I’m your father! Call me 'Dad'!"

Tony, ever the stubborn one, gritted his teeth. "No way! The great Tony Stark will never bow to violence!"

Howard’s expression darkened as he increased the intensity of his blows. "Say it!"

Tony, after enduring several more hits, finally gave in to the pain. Calculating that a true genius knows when to retreat, he put on a reluctant but obedient expression. "...Dad."

Howard frowned, dissatisfied. "Ugh. That sounded so forced. It’s disgusting."

Tony sighed. "What can I say? You’re old and wise."

Howard rewarded him with another smack.

Regret filled Tony’s heart. He should’ve just kept his mouth shut.

Once Howard had gotten his fill of teaching his son a lesson, he sat Tony down and began recounting stories from the past—secrets that no outsider could possibly know. Eventually, Tony had no choice but to accept the truth: the man in front of him was indeed his father.

Tony was stunned. "Dad... but you died. I saw your body with my own eyes. How are you even here?"

Howard looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Think for a second, Tony. Can’t you figure it out?"

Tony hesitated, his gaze shifting toward Lucas, who had been watching the fight from a distance. His eyes widened in shock. "Wait... what he said was true? But this kind of thing is completely unscientific! How is it even possible?!"

Lucas chuckled. "Tony, look at the world you live in. Superheroes, supervillains, mutants... And you still believe in science?"

Tony crossed his arms. "Of course. Even superheroes and villains have scientific explanations for their powers. Mutants? I don’t know the exact source of their abilities, but I’m sure science can explain them too."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So, do you know how to create mutants?"

Tony shook his head. "No. I have zero interest in biological modifications, so I never researched it. But there’s a company that does—it’s been studying mutants for years. They even built Sentinel robots to hunt them down."

Lucas's expression darkened slightly. Sentinel robots?

It seemed like the mutant crisis was already underway—before the events of Days of Future Past.

He turned back to Howard. "I’ll leave Tony in your hands. I have things to take care of."

With that, Lucas prepared to leave, telling Howard to message him in the chat group if anything urgent came up.

Howard Stark: "No problem. This is my personal matter anyway."

In the Chat Group

Sebastian Shaw: "Group Leader, are you handling something related to mutants?"

Lucas: "Most likely. It looks like mutants are facing an existential crisis right now. I need to investigate before confirming anything."

Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters

Lucas arrived at the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Under the quiet night sky, the school seemed peaceful, as if there was nothing wrong.

Sebastian Shaw: "Where is this place?"

Uchiha Madara: "You don’t recognize it? I thought the group leader brought you here to visit your former family and subordinates."

Sebastian Shaw: "No family—I only have subordinates. As for this ‘School for Gifted Youngsters,’ I’ve never heard of it. Group Leader, does this place have anything to do with me?"

Lucas: "Of course. Do you remember how you died?"

Sebastian Shaw: "Of course! That brat, Erik, pierced my skull with a coin. Such an ungrateful child. I had such high hopes for him."

Whitebeard: "Tch. Betrayed by your own subordinate? We might just have something in common."

Gengetsu Hōzuki: "Wait, wait, wait. You were killed by your own apprentice?"

Sebastian Shaw: "I wouldn’t exactly call him my apprentice. But yes, he was someone I saw great potential in. I forgave his many attempts on my life because we were both mutants. I gave him chances... I even wanted him to follow me."

Fire Fist Ace: "Hah, sounds kinda like my old self. I tried to take Whitebeard’s head a few times too... but I got my ass handed to me every single time."

Pirate King Roger: "So, let me get this straight—you wanted to take in a son, just like Whitebeard, but instead, the son you wanted to recruit ended up killing you? That’s on you. If your strength wasn’t superior to his, what made you think you had the right to take him in as a subordinate?"

Sword God Ryuma: "If you died simply because you tried to recruit someone stronger than yourself, then honestly... you kind of deserved it."

Sebastian Shaw: sighed in exasperation. "Come on! If I weren’t stronger than Erik, how could I have even considered recruiting him? It’s common sense—the strong take in the weak!"

Sword God Ryuma: "Not necessarily. I’ve seen plenty of daimyos with egos bigger than their skills, yet somehow they’ve managed to recruit warriors far stronger than themselves. If you were really stronger than Erik, then how did he manage to kill you?"

Sebastian Shaw: "Because that brat got help. Otherwise, he would never have stood a chance against me. My ability is nearly invincible—the only real weakness is against psychic attacks. At that time, he had a telepathic mutant control my mind."

Uchiha Madara: scoffed. "Wait a second. Did you just say your ability is 'nearly invincible'? Sorry, but I can’t just let that slide."

Lucas: "From a certain perspective, Sebastian Shaw’s ability really is close to invincible. Except for psychic abilities, most attacks are completely ineffective against him. Unless the opponent is significantly stronger, there’s almost no way to beat him in a fair fight. At an equal level, he’s practically untouchable."

Senju Hashirama: grew curious. "What exactly is his ability? I don’t think I’ve ever heard him explain it before."

Sebastian Shaw: smirked proudly. "My mutant ability is energy absorption. I can absorb kinetic energy, heat, electricity, even nuclear energy. Not only does this make me stronger, but I can also release the stored energy offensively in battle."

Uchiha Madara: "Hmph. Energy absorption? Sounds similar to the Rinnegan’s chakra absorption. But what about Taijutsu? Wouldn’t physical attacks work?"

Lucas: "He literally just said he absorbs kinetic energy. And what is Taijutsu if not kinetic energy? Not only that, but all physical and energy-based attacks are useless against him. That’s why his ability is considered 'almost' invincible."

Howard Stark: "So let me get this straight—he can absorb kinetic energy, heat, and even nuclear energy? Yeah, that’s a ridiculously broken ability. If there weren’t any psychic mutants, wouldn’t humanity be completely powerless against him?"

Lucas: "Not necessarily. As long as the energy is strong enough, it can still blow him up."

Howard Stark: "Ah, so we just have to keep increasing the power output? That makes him sound less threatening."

Sebastian Shaw : "Are you underestimating me? My ability makes me strong enough to take on an entire army by myself!"

Lucas: "Sure, in a one-on-one fight, your ability is top-tier. But against a modern army? Not so much. Compared to you, Erik’s control over magnetic fields is much better suited for large-scale battles."

Sebastian Shaw: "Exactly! That’s why I was so tolerant of him. I knew how useful he could be. If it weren’t for his constant assassination attempts, I would’ve kept him under my wing. But that cunning brat... In the end, he played me."

Golden Lion Shiki : "Oh? Now that sounds interesting. What did he do?"

Sebastian Shaw: "I was well aware of my psychic vulnerability, so I had a helmet designed to block mental attacks. That little bastard faked his surrender just so he could steal my helmet. Once he took it off me, I was immediately controlled by a telepath and lost all ability to fight back."

Whitebeard : "My condolences... By the way, why did Erik want to kill you so badly?"

Sebastian Shaw: "Nothing major. When he was a child, I killed his mother to help him awaken his mutant abilities."

Whitebeard: "..."

Fire Fist Ace: "..."

Other: "..."

Golden Lion Shiki : "Shihahahaha…..No wonder that kid wanted you dead. You murdered his mother! And after doing something like that, you actually thought he’d become your subordinate?"

Sebastian Shaw: "Strength settles all disputes. Once he realized he could never defeat me, I figured he’d eventually let go of his hatred. After all, we’re both mutants—we should stand together, not fight each other."

Whitebeard : "Alright, enough of your tragic villain backstory. I’m not particularly interested in it. Let’s get back to the real topic—the school. Group Leader, is this place related to mutants, or does it have something to do with the Shaw?"

Lucas: "Both. This school was established specifically for mutants. And as for its principal... well, he’s the very mutant who controlled the Shaw’s mind, rendering his abilities useless and leading to his death."

Chapter 168: The Sorrow of the Weak!

Sebastian Shaw: "So this is the school founded by that psychic mutant? If that’s the case, is Erik here as well?"

Lucas: "Unfortunately, no. In fact, after you died, things between them fell apart."

Sebastian Shaw frowned. "Really? I thought they got along quite well."

Gengetsu Hōzuki: "I think I get it! When they had a common, powerful enemy—you, Shaw—they had no choice but to trust each other and fight together. But once that threat was gone, their alliance fell apart."

Uchiha Shisui: "That kind of thing happens all the time in the Ninja World, though usually between different villages."

Senju Tobirama: "There's nothing new under the sun. Many conflicts in this universe follow the same patterns."

Irisviel: "Like a love triangle?"

Sebastian Shaw: "Group Leader, what was the real reason for their conflict? Let me guess—it was about the relationship between mutants and humans, wasn’t it?"

Lucas: "Exactly! Erik actually agrees with your ideology, but because you killed his mother, there was no way he could ever forgive you. However, after your death, he ended up inheriting your beliefs and became the next you."

Sebastian Shaw: "And I assume the psychic mutant disagreed?"

Lucas: "Correct. That psychic mutant is named Charles—codenamed Professor X. His philosophy is the exact opposite of Erik’s. He believes that mutants and humans should strive for peaceful coexistence."

Uchiha Madara: "Wait a minute... Why does this plot sound oddly familiar?"

Lucas: "Because it is! If you change the details a bit, it’s basically the same as you and Senju Hashirama. Like you two, Charles and Erik have a complicated relationship."

Uchiha Madara: "..." "How rude!"

Senju Tobirama: "So, if Charles represents peace, then Shaw and Erik represent war."

Howard Stark: "I get it now! Shaw made quite a name for himself back in the day. He nearly triggered a war between the two big countries on this planet, bringing the world to the brink of destruction."

Senju Hashirama: "Wait, hold on! A war between just two countries could bring the entire world to ruin? Just how many 'big countries' are there in this world? Also, when you say 'destruction,' do you mean the kind we're used to?"

Lucas: "Yes, the same kind. This world is extremely technologically advanced, and humans have a weapon called a nuclear bomb. It’s essentially their version of the Tailed Beast Bomb from the Ninja World. Of course, just like the Tailed Beast Bomb, the power of a nuclear bomb can be adjusted. The most powerful ones even surpass the destructive force of the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb."

Senju Tobirama: "How many of these weapons do these two big countries possess?"

Lucas: "Too many to count. If every single one of them were detonated, the entire planet could be razed. Of course, saying it would 'destroy the world' is an exaggeration. Even if all nuclear bombs went off, the biosphere might be damaged, but the planet itself wouldn’t be completely destroyed."

Howard Stark: "Exactly! The phrase 'world destruction' is often exaggerated. Not to mention, even if they could blow up this planet, there are countless other planets in the universe."

Uchiha Shisui: "Speaking of which, the Ninja World is just a single planet in the vast cosmos, isn’t it?"

Whitebeard: "Gurararara! Same in the world of pirates! Funny how no one ever tries to explore space!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Exploring space, huh? Sounds like a great idea! I’ll give it a try and report back."

Lucas: "If I recall correctly, aren’t you currently in the Ninja world? Be careful—the Ōtsutsuki clan exists there, and they have the ability to travel between planets. You don’t want to run into them unprepared."

Uchiha Madara: "The Ōtsutsuki clan… I almost forgot about them. Ōtsutsuki Kaguya came from another planet, right? That means the Ninja World might receive visitors from her clan in the future."

Lucas: "No need to worry. If they come, we’ll handle them."

Senju Hashirama: "Sir, what about the Pirate World? What’s out there in its starry sky?"

Lucas: "There are spacefaring pirates in the One Piece universe, and it’s possible that the three Ancient Weapons are connected to them."

Howard Stark: "None of these three worlds have planets capable of space travel yet. And that’s exactly what makes Shaw’s actions so dangerous. Since people can’t leave this planet, they can’t afford to let it be destroyed."

Uchiha Madara: "So, what exactly was Shaw trying to achieve? You don’t have Infinite Tsukuyomi, so what was the point of bringing the world to ruin?"

Sebastian Shaw: "The detonation of nuclear bombs would release radiation. Radiation accelerates the evolution of mutants. Even if a war broke out, the world wouldn’t be destroyed—it would create more mutants, strengthening my mutant empire."

Senju Hashirama: "What a reckless plan. If someone knew what you were up to, they would definitely try to stop you. That’s what happened, right?"

Lucas: "Exactly! After discovering his intentions, Erik and Charles temporarily put aside their differences and allied with the big  countries known as America. They quickly gathered powerful mutants to form the X-Men and stopped Shaw’s plan."

Sebastian Shaw :"Damn Erik! If he shared my beliefs, why did he still kill me?"

Uchiha Madara: "What do you mean? If war was inevitable and you were going to die either way, why does it matter? It’s not like you could build your mutant empire from the grave."

Sebastian Shaw: "I mean, if war actually broke out, I might not have died at all! What a pity. Those kids were decisive, but Erik... I bet he regretted it later."

Howard Stark: "Actually, Erik might not have had time to regret it. From what I heard, scientists have been developing Sentinel robots designed specifically to hunt mutants. Group Leader, are you here to check on whether the Sentinels have already started attacking?"

Lucas: "Yeah. It looks like the Sentinels haven’t attacked this school yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Even though Charles is committed to peace between mutants and humans, the Sentinels were designed to kill all mutants—no exceptions."

Senju Hashirama : "No way... This reminds me of Kirigakure. Wiping out mutants like this is no different from how they purged the Bloodline Limit clans."

Lucas: "In a way, Bloodline Limit users and mutants are quite similar. Both are people whose genes have evolved beyond ordinary humans, making them an 'upgraded' version of the species."

Senju Tobirama: "If mutants evolved from normal humans, then exterminating them is pointless. As long as humans exist, mutants will continue to appear, right?"

Howard Stark: "Exactly. Trying to kill all the mutants is a ridiculously short-sighted decision. Once it becomes clear that new mutants will keep emerging, those who suddenly gain abilities and realize they have no place in society will revolt. It’s a recipe for chaos."

Sebastian Shaw: "What, are you thinking of changing the outcome?"

Howard Stark: "Honestly? It’s not going to be easy... but I’ll do what I can."

Sebastian Shaw: "Group Leader, can you take me to see Charles?"

Lucas: "No problem!"

Activating his Phasing and Invisibility, Lucas concealed his presence while using Yin Release to suppress his mental fluctuations. Silently, he infiltrated the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.

Inside, Charles sat at his desk, focused on his computer.

Seeing his former enemies, Sebastian Shaw was taken aback.

Sebastian Shaw : "What the hell happened to him? Why is he in a wheelchair? If I remember correctly, he wasn’t crippled before!"

Lucas: "Oh, this? Well, that’s on you."

Sebastian Shaw :"Hah! That’s fantastic!"

The chat group fell silent. No one could find the words to respond. While they had no love for Shaw, the fact that Charles ended up in a wheelchair after his death was... ironic, to say the least.

Still, considering that Charles was instrumental in Shaw’s downfall, it wasn’t hard to understand why he found it amusing.

Sebastian Shaw: "Alright, I gotta hear the full story! Group Leader, what exactly happened?"

Lucas: "Well, when you provoked America into fighting the Soviet Union, their fleets were already locked in a standoff at sea when you died. Charles and Erik blamed you for instigating the conflict and intervened to prevent war. But in doing so, they exposed the existence of powerful mutants. The humans, realizing the potential threat, decided to unite and eliminate mutants altogether."

Sebastian Shaw chuckled. "So they fought against regular humans? Damn, I was hoping for something more dramatic. And they only took his legs? What a pity. By the way, doesn’t Erik control metal? Shouldn’t that have been an advantage against warships?"

Lucas: "No, Charles didn’t get injured by human weapons—he was paralyzed because of Erik."

Sebastian Shaw “ "Oh? Now this is getting interesting. Let me guess—after the humans attacked, Erik wanted to retaliate, but Charles tried to stop him. In the chaos, Erik accidentally shot him?"

Lucas: "Wrong again! When Erik took your helmet and used it to block Charles’ telepathy, Charles had no way of stopping him. Erik then used his powers to seize control of the missiles launched from the warships—turning them back to bombard the fleets."

Howard Stark: "So that’s why the humans were so determined to exterminate mutants. Did those warships get destroyed?"

Lucas: "No. Charles, realizing what was happening, rushed to stop Erik. Erik refused to harm him with his magnetic powers, so he simply punched him instead."

Lucas: "At that time, aside from the X-Men, Erik also had some of your former subordinates with him, along with a government agent representing the United States."

Lucas: "When the agent saw Erik about to destroy the warships, she panicked and pulled out a gun, shooting at him. Naturally, metal bullets couldn’t hurt Erik—he deflected them easily. But one of the bullets ricocheted... and hit Charles."

Sebastian Shaw: "Ah... Poor Charles. Getting injured by accident must have been even more frustrating than being wounded on purpose. But honestly, this just makes me even happier!"

Sword God Ryuma: "Wait a second! You said there was a human government agent among the mutants? Doesn’t that mean the warships were willing to sacrifice her along with them?"

Lucas: "Exactly!"

Gold Thief Woonan: "So she was abandoned by her own people... Then why did she still try to stop Erik from retaliating against them?"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Yeah, I don’t get it either. Maybe she wanted to prevent an all-out war? But at that point, the war had already begun—they had already tried to kill her!"

Uchiha Madara: "This is the sorrow of the weak. When faced with the oppression of the strong, they can only compromise. It’s the same as the Uchiha clan—under the persecution of Sarutobi Hiruzen and his allies, we kept backing down again and again."

Uchiha Shisui: "She was just an ordinary person. She probably had her own family to think about. Just like how Itachi made his choice."

Lucas: "Don’t bring up that brocon. He’s not representative of anything. Some weak people are forced into submission, others choose to bow down willingly. The truth behind their choices? No one really knows."

Whitebeard: "‘Bowing down willingly’? You mean people who act like obedient lapdogs to the powerful?"

Lucas: "Exactly! There are plenty of those in the Pirate World too. Take that government dog, Rob Lucci, for example. The World Government abandoned him, hunted him down, yet he still came crawling back to serve them."

Senju Tobirama: "Ah, Dressrosa! Yeah, that kid really was a loyal little dog. This agent woman? Sounds like the same type."

Uchiha Shisui: "I think she was just trying to prevent a larger war."

Sebastian Shaw: "Kid, the moment those warships fired, the war had already begun."

Lucas: "If Erik hadn’t stopped those missiles, the mutants at that beach would have been wiped out. If that had happened, war wouldn’t have broken out immediately. The big countries would have simply hunted down the remaining mutants in secret, exploiting and eliminating them one by one."

Lucas: "But if the mutants retaliated—even if they managed to wipe out those warships—it wouldn’t affect the true military power of the big countries. That’s when full-scale war would begin."

Lucas: "It’s the same logic behind Uchiha Itachi wiping out his own clan. He believed that by sacrificing the Uchiha, he could prevent an all-out civil war within Konoha."

Uchiha Madara: "The strong can strike without hesitation, while the weak can only defend themselves but never fight back. That’s the sorrow of the weak. Those like Senju Hashirama, who bow down in the name of peace, are rare."

Senju Hashirama: "..."

Uchiha Madara: "Of course, what Hashirama did was foolish. If humans have any sense, they wouldn’t grovel before mutants. The humility of the strong only breeds the arrogance of the weak, making them forget their place."

Senju Tobirama: "I completely agree. Back then, my brother was the strongest shinobi in the world, yet he humbled himself to form an alliance with the other villages for peace. And what happened? The First Kazekage —the weakest of the Five Kage—had the audacity to demand land from Konoha and even threatened to refuse signing a peace treaty!"

Howard Stark: "Yeah, history has proven time and again that this kind of mistake leads to disaster. That’s exactly why the big powers of today refuse to show any weakness to mutants."

Chapter 169: Sentinel Robot Appears!

[Chat Group]

Senju Hashirama: "Can't mutants and ordinary people coexist peacefully? Ninjas with Kekkei Genkai can live alongside regular ninjas without issue, so why can't mutants and humans do the same?"

Sebastian Shaw: "It’s not because of Eric, is it? If he inherited my ideology, then peaceful coexistence would be impossible."

Lucas: "There are many reasons why mutants and humans can't live in harmony, and Magneto is just one of them. After all, the mutants he leads are the weaker party. They are far from having the power to enforce peace—let alone start a war on equal footing."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "But Magneto can control metal. Doesn’t that render all modern weapons useless against him? And yet, you're calling him weak?"

Lucas: "Don’t underestimate science. Magneto isn't as invincible as you think. If metal weapons don't work on him, then humanity will develop weapons immune to magnetic control. As far as I know, scientists have already created plastic bullets."

Howard Stark: "Actually, it's not just plastic. Certain special alloys can resist external magnetic fields, and even metals can be demagnetized through various means."

Sebastian Shaw: "Exactly. Science is terrifying. That’s why I never rushed to establish a mutant empire. If I didn’t understand the true horrors that big countries can bring, why would I bother preparing for war?"

Senju Hashirama: "But if that’s the case, why do ordinary people reject peace? Aren’t they afraid of pushing mutants to the brink and causing widespread destruction?"

Lucas: "Of course, the common people are afraid—but their opinions don’t matter. The ones who truly hold power, the ones who govern nations, they don’t fear mutants the same way. They aren't afraid of a threat unless it endangers them directly."

Senju Hashirama:

At that moment, Hashirama felt a chill run down his spine.

Lucas: "Think about it. If mutants are allowed to thrive, they could eventually threaten the ruling class. But if mutants are eradicated, only the lower-class citizens will suffer. Which option do you think those in power will choose?"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Shihahahah! Hashirama, do you still think everyone is as naive as you? Wake up! Didn’t the group leader already tell you? Not everyone longs for peace. For some, war is exactly what they desire."

Howard Stark: "As much as I hate to admit it, Shiki’s right. If nothing else, arms dealers despise peace the most. Without war, how would they make money?"

Lucas: "If I recall correctly, your Stark Group sells weapons, doesn’t it?"

Howard Stark: "Yeah, which is precisely why I understand how arms manufacturers think. But I’m not like those war-hungry profiteers. Even without selling weapons, Stark Industries is still a top-tier company. We don’t rely on war to survive—but other arms manufacturers do."

Gengetsu Hōzuki: "Really? I find that hard to believe. A business is a business—who would willingly make less money?"

Howard Stark: "That’s where you’re wrong! A genius like me doesn’t need war to make a fortune. I started an arms company to develop advanced technology and help my country protect itself—nothing more."

Uchiha Shisui: "So, in order to maintain power and keep arms dealers profitable, they actively push for conflict between humans and mutants?"

Lucas: "Arms dealers are just one example of those who benefit from war. They aren't directly responsible for the human-mutant conflict... or so it seems."

Lucas: "But you’re mistaken if you think they have no involvement. Magneto is only one man. Many mutants still rely on weapons that can be used against them. And who do you think develops weapons immune to mutant abilities?"

Howard Stark: "Exactly. Arms manufacturers have poured vast resources into designing weapons to counter mutants. If the war suddenly stopped now, they’d suffer enormous losses."

[Outside World]

In the distance, a group of robots advanced toward the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, surrounding the massive estate on the outskirts of the city. Without hesitation, they launched an all-out attack.

"Enemy attack!"

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

"Damn Sentinel robots—they're targeting the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters again!"

"Those who can’t control their abilities, retreat! Teachers, get ready to fight!"

The Sentinel robots struck first, but the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters responded swiftly. It was clear they had anticipated such an assault, smoothly activating their defensive countermeasures and launching a counterattack.

[Chat Group]

Sebastian Shaw: "Heh, looks like Charles may be a bit naive, but he’s not completely hopeless. Judging by how prepared they are, they’ve been expecting the Sentinels for a long time."

Uchiha Madara: "So these are mutants? Their abilities seem quite impressive. Unlike ninjutsu, they don’t require hand seals, and unlike Devil Fruit users, they’re not hindered by seawater or Seastone."

Whitebeard: "Their powers do feel similar to Devil Fruits—convenient and powerful. In fact, compared to some Devil Fruit abilities that require specific gestures to activate, mutants might have the advantage."

Lucas: "Don’t overestimate them. Mutants also have significant weaknesses. While they’re not affected by seawater or Seastone, there are special devices designed to suppress their abilities."

Golden Lion Shiki: "What?! I thought I finally found abilities without drawbacks, but they have weaknesses too? How do their powers get suppressed?"

Sebastian Shaw: "It likely has to do with their genetics. Mutations are drastic changes at the genetic level, so their abilities stem from special genes. Inhibiting those genes would suppress their powers."

Lucas: "Exactly. Also, a mutant's abilities are often unstable when they first awaken, sometimes triggering uncontrollably and causing destruction. That’s one of the main reasons why ordinary people fear and even hate them."

Kariya Matou: "So mutants can’t control their powers?"

Lucas: "At first, many can’t. Some abilities are relatively mild, but others—like fire or electricity—are like walking disasters. That’s why ordinary people see them as ticking time bombs."

Sebastian Shaw: "Hah! I’d bet that humans have staged numerous ‘accidents’ to make mutants look like dangerous threats. The masses only see what those in power want them to see. Fabricating disasters is an easy way to justify exterminating mutants."

As a former leader, Shaw knew all too well how the ruling class manipulated public perception.

Senju Hashirama: "Group Leader, shouldn’t you help the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters? There are a lot of children there—they’re innocent."

Seeing that the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters didn’t send children into battle, Hashirama immediately felt sympathy for them.

Sebastian Shaw: "No need. I think they can handle these robots. Instead, we should go find Eric. I want to see how that kid is doing."

Lucas: "Sorry, I don’t know where Eric is. But if Charles is around, he should be able to find him."

Sebastian Shaw: "Ah, I see! Those two have been obsessed with each other for a lifetime—of course, they must know each other’s whereabouts."

Lucas: "No, that’s not it. Charles has a device that amplifies his abilities, letting him scan the entire planet for anyone he wants to find."

Senju Tobirama: "Nani?! An ability that covers the entire planet?! That’s not just an ability—that’s a strategic weapon! Why wouldn’t big countries recruit someone like him?"

Lucas: "Because he refuses to obey. If a big country recruited him, it wouldn’t be for peaceful reasons. Charles turned down every offer that wasn’t about peace. Since they couldn’t control him, the only alternative was to eliminate him."

Sebastian Shaw: "If that’s the case, then we should help the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Otherwise, getting Eric’s whereabouts from Charles will be difficult."

Senju Hashirama: "Shaw, are you asking for help just so you can kill Eric for revenge?"

Sebastian Shaw: "What? Of course not! If I want revenge, I’ll do it myself. Besides, if I die, I bet Eric would be the one to handle my body—heh, isn’t that poetic?"

[Outside World]

The battle between the Sentinel robots and the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters raged on. However, as the fight continued, it became clear that the Sentinels were losing ground.

Suddenly—

Clang!

Lucas appeared out of thin air. With a single step, he activated his Gold-Gold Fruit ability. Gold spread across the ground, rapidly coating the entire battlefield. In mere moments, the golden hue reached the Sentinels' feet.

From behind the Sentinel robots, golden constructs emerged, taking the shape of enormous hands. They seized the robots in their grip—then crushed them effortlessly.

"Who’s there?!"

The Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters’s teachers, engaged in battle, were momentarily stunned. Seeing the strange golden transformation, they instinctively turned their attention to Lucas, bracing themselves for a possible threat.

"Are you a mutant too?"

Before Lucas could answer, Storm stepped forward, her expression warm and inviting.

"This is the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. All mutants are welcome here. If you don’t have a place, you can stay with us."

Lucas didn’t waste time with pleasantries. He got straight to the point.

"I’m here to see Professor Charles. Can you take me to him?"

"No problem!"

The teachers agreed without hesitation. After all, if there was one thing Charles Xavier was known for—it was recruiting people.

Chapter 170: Kindness, Strength, and Enlightenment!

The attack by the Sentinel robots made the teachers at the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters realize that their school was no longer safe. They needed stronger mutants to join them—powerful allies who could increase their chances of survival.

Lucas had effortlessly destroyed the Sentinels, and his overwhelming strength left the teachers envious. If they had such a powerhouse protecting them, would the Sentinels dare to act so recklessly?

They knew they weren’t as persuasive as Professor X when it came to recruiting talent. So when Lucas expressed his desire to meet him, they agreed immediately.

They didn’t suspect anything. After all, Professor X was famous among mutants, and it wasn’t unusual for a powerful mutant to seek him out.

As for whether Lucas posed a threat to Professor X? That thought never even crossed their minds.

To them, Professor X’s abilities were simply too powerful. As long as a person was alive, they believed, they would fall under his control—unless, of course, they were wearing a helmet that nullified psychic interference.

[Inside the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters]

"Young man, welcome."

After meeting Lucas, Professor X greeted him with a warm smile and thanked him for his assistance.

"I’m sorry I couldn’t help with the Sentinels. Since those robots have no minds, I was powerless against them."

Charles sighed, looking regretful over his inability to stop the attack himself. It clearly frustrated him.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he turned to Lucas with a curious expression.

"Young man, can you tell me why you sought me out?"

Lucas didn’t beat around the bush.

"It’s simple—I need to know Magneto’s whereabouts."

Charles’ expression shifted slightly. The next moment, Lucas felt a mental force attempting to probe his thoughts.

Boom!

A surge of Conqueror’s Haki erupted alongside his Yin-Yang spiritual energy, instantly shattering Charles’ psychic intrusion.

Professor X’s face turned pale. The mental backlash left him reeling, but he quickly composed himself, hiding his discomfort.

"My apologies," Charles said with a weak smile. "Magneto is extremely dangerous. When you mentioned his name, I instinctively reacted."

Lucas smirked. "If he’s so dangerous, why haven’t you captured or killed him?"

Professor X shook his head. "Magneto wears a helmet that blocks psychic interference. I can’t affect him."

Lucas laughed. "Oh, come on. You and I both know that’s not the real reason. He can’t wear that helmet all the time. You’ve had plenty of opportunities to kill him—but you didn’t. If Magneto were truly an unstoppable threat to you, he could’ve come after you the same way. But neither of you made that move… because of your deep bond."

Charles was silent for a moment before nodding. "You’re right. I share a deep friendship with him. Unfortunately, our ideals are irreconcilable, and that’s why we ultimately went our separate ways."

Lucas scoffed. "That was a foolish decision. If you had worked together instead of splitting up, peaceful coexistence between mutants and humans might have been achieved already."

Professor X sighed. "The divide between humans and mutants is too deep. Peace is not something easily attained. To humans, mutants are unstable, unpredictable dangers. And among mutants, those with power often develop arrogance. That kind of emotional divide only breeds more hostility and hatred."

Lucas dismissed his words with a wave of his hand. "That’s nonsense. The real reason mutants are treated this way is because you’re too weak. If you demonstrated that you had the power to destroy humanity, only then would humans be willing to sit down and talk about peace."

Charles’ expression hardened. "What did you just say?"

Lucas remained unfazed. "I said that peace isn’t given—it’s won. If you keep retreating and tolerating oppression, humans will only see you as weak and easy to bully. Look at the world today. Why do you think there’s no large-scale war between big countries? Because of nuclear deterrence! The reason big countries negotiate peace is that they have the ability to mutually destroy each other."

Professor X fell silent.

Storm, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.

"Professor… is what he’s saying true?"

Charles looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Storm’s expression was serious. "Do we… actually have the power to destroy humanity? And if we did, would that power bring peace?"

Lucas answered for him. "Of course. Professor X has a Cerebro device that amplifies his telepathic abilities. Through it, he can connect with every person on Earth. With a single thought, he could wipe them all out."

Professor X let out a bitter chuckle. "You know far too much… How do you know these things? And are you really here just to ask about Magneto?"

Lucas crossed his arms. "How I know this isn’t important. And yes, I need Magneto’s whereabouts—no deception there. But as for why I’m telling you this… it’s because I’ve seen the future."

Professor X narrowed his eyes. "The future?"

Lucas nodded, his expression solemn.

"That’s right. In the future I’ve foreseen, the Sentinel program evolves. Scientists use a mutant’s DNA—specifically, a female mutant with the ability to adapt—to upgrade the Sentinels. They gain the power to switch genes at will. Do you understand what that means?"

Professor X’s face darkened as realization dawned.

"Are you saying… that the Sentinels will gain mutant abilities?"

Lucas nodded and said, "Not just that! The Sentinel robots only need to scan a mutant’s body to obtain their genetic makeup. Once they do, they can share that information with all other Sentinels, allowing them to modify their own genes and acquire the corresponding abilities."

Storm’s face paled in horror. "If the Sentinels can really do that, doesn’t that mean we mutants will have no escape?"

Lucas: "Exactly! At that point, not just the known mutants, but even those with dormant mutant genes will be exposed. The Sentinels will scan them, identify them, and what follows will be a massive slaughter."

Professor X observed Lucas carefully, studying his every expression. After a long silence, he sighed helplessly.

"It seems you’re telling the truth… So, you came here to stop all of this?"

Lucas nodded. "I don’t want to see this future unfold."

In the mutant universe, the crisis had been averted by rewriting the past. But this wasn’t just a pure X-Men timeline—it was a mixed Marvel universe. Who knew if rewriting the past would even work? In the Avengers’ universe, changing history didn’t alter the present; it only created a new timeline.

Lucas wasn’t fond of such uncertainties. Instead of gambling on time travel, it was better to warn Professor X now and prevent the catastrophe from ever happening.

Professor X furrowed his brows. "What do you think I should do?"

Lucas sneered. "Professor, don’t tell me you can’t figure that out yourself? Drop your naïve ideals and think rationally!"

Professor X was silent for a moment before asking, "Just who are you?"

“Lucas, I am just Lucas”

Lucas calmly stated his name. Without hesitation, Professor X provided him with an address—Magneto’s hideout.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill Magneto?"

Professor X sighed. "I instinct tell me that you won’t. Besides, Erik has made plenty of mistakes over the years. I won’t harm him, but I won’t go out of my way to protect him either."

Lucas smiled but didn’t say another word. He simply turned and left.

[Chat Group]

Sebastian Shaw: "Group Leader, was what you just said true? Does Professor X really have the power to wipe out humanity?"

Lucas: "Yes. It’s true."

Golden Lion Shiki: "What a terrifying ability! If only I had something like that… ruling the world would be a piece of cake!"

Howard Stark: "It’s not just Charles’ mutant ability that makes it possible. The key factor is Cerebro, the amplifier. Science is what allows Charles to reach such extremes, not just his mutation."

Senju Hashirama: "Group Leader, what do you think Professor X will do now?"

Lucas: "If he’s truly committed to peace between humans and mutants, he’ll abandon his naive ideals. He’ll have to unify his people internally and project strength externally."

Lucas: "First, he needs to unite the mutants. Right now, they’re too divided—some support Magneto’s philosophy, believing mutants should be superior; some follow Charles’ belief in peaceful coexistence; some don’t care at all and live their own lives; and some use their powers to commit crimes."

Howard Stark sighed. "If that’s the case, then no wonder humans want to eliminate mutants. With so much internal chaos, how can they even negotiate for peace? Humans can at least unite under governments, enforce laws, and punish criminals. But do mutants have an organization capable of self-regulation?"

Lucas: "That’s why Professor X needs to unify them. It’s not about making every mutant obey him, but at the very least, he needs to establish a level of authority over them. And then—he needs to show humanity his power."

Uchiha Madara: "I have a question. If the Group Leader weren’t here, how would Professor X have handled today’s attack?"

Lucas: "He’d either let it go or get brushed off with some ridiculous excuse from the human government. He’s just like Senju Hashirama—begging on his knees for peace."

Uchiha Madara burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! See that, Hashirama? This is you without the strength of the God of Shinobi!"

Senju Hashirama: "..."

Tired.

Senju Tobirama : "Group Leader, what do you think Charles will do now?"

Lucas: "Who knows? It depends on his resolve. If it were me, everyone involved in today’s attack would be executed. And I’d make sure the human leadership saw blood—only death forces people to take things seriously."

Senju Hashirama : "What?! If you kill people now, won’t that provoke human retaliation?"

Lucas scoffed. "Hashirama, let me tell you about a real historical event. There was once a country that attacked another because it suspected that the other had weapons of mass destruction. But it never attacked another country that actually had such weapons."

Uchiha Shisui : "I see… If mutants are only potential threats, human leaders will try to eliminate them. But if mutants gain the power to truly destroy them, those same leaders will suddenly want peace."

Lucas: "Exactly. Peace is something you fight for, not something you receive out of goodwill. Professor X’s biggest mistake was believing that simply showing kindness would make humans accept mutants. But what are mutants to the powerful? Nothing more than experimental subjects, resources for scientific advancement, tools to be exploited."

Lucas: "If you have a mountain of gold, you must also have the strength to protect it. A kind-hearted three-year-old carrying gold through a city will only get robbed. Mutants don’t just need to show kindness—they need to show strength. And the will to destroy their enemies if necessary!"