Chapter 126: It's You Who Has No Choice

"I understand the earlier parts, but what is the Avengers Initiative?"

George asked, feigning curiosity.

The Black Widow shook her head.

"I can't reveal the specifics, but joining this program would make you a hero for humanity, somewhat like the X-Men of the past. I believe this aligns with your ideals."

"Is that all? Anything else?"

George didn't pursue the matter of the Avengers Initiative further.

The Black Widow calmly tried to persuade him:

"That's it. If you agree, you won't have to live on the run anymore.

Otherwise, superpowered individuals like you will always be a source of unease for governments in any country. They will keep hunting you, forcing you to run endlessly—with a group of children no less.

I'm sure the kids want to live normal lives, and I imagine you do too."

Having thoroughly researched George, Professor X, Wolverine, and the mutant children, the Black Widow had carefully prepared her arguments, confident they would sway George.

"Sorry, but I have no interest in your so-called Avengers, and the kids don't want to be adopted. Please, don't bother us again."

George's answer caught her off guard.

"Mr. George, I hope you will reconsider—"

"No need. That's my final answer."

George raised his hand, cutting her off mid-sentence.

After a brief silence, the Black Widow's expression turned serious.

"Mr. George, you must understand that a large gathering of mutants like this, without any oversight, is an inherently destabilizing factor.

As an organization tasked with safeguarding global security, we cannot ignore this. Are you truly prepared to pit yourself—and those children—against the entire world?"

"Oh? Is that a threat? Looks like your backside doesn't hurt anymore."

George wasn't angry; instead, he smirked, taunting her.

If he were merely a lab-created experiment and Professor X were still incapacitated, burdened with protecting the mutant children, he might have been forced to accept S.H.I.E.L.D.'s terms.

But he wasn't. He had the power to reject S.H.I.E.L.D. and was unafraid of their threats.

"Er…"

The Black Widow grimaced. She had faced countless dangerous missions, brushing shoulders with death multiple times.

But being spanked and mocked like this? That was a first.

"If that's your stance, Mr. George, don't blame us for taking action!"

At this point, she had no choice but to signal the elite agents she had stationed outside to initiate their plan to subdue George and his group.

Professor X was incapacitated and posed no threat. Wolverine had seemingly regained his youth, but their tranquilizer rifles—powerful enough to sedate elephants—were ready to neutralize him.

The children, young and untrained, would be easy to control with power-suppressing devices.

George, however, was the wildcard. With multiple abilities, including flight, he would be difficult to apprehend.

But if they captured the others, George would likely have no choice but to surrender.

"Commence the operation!"

Following the Black Widow's command, silence fell over her earpiece. There was no response, sending a chill down her spine.

"If you're waiting for those agents hiding in the woods across the street, you're out of luck."

George's voice, dripping with sarcasm, echoed in her ears.

"This was your doing?"

The Black Widow froze.

George wagged his index finger. "Not me—our school's delightful students. Don't underestimate them."

As George finished speaking, the school gates opened. Led by Professor X and Wolverine, a group of children dragged in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s elite agents.

Some were tightly bound with vines, others lay twitching from electric shocks, and a few had swollen lumps on their heads, unconscious. None were dead, but none were in any condition to fight.

"How… how is this possible?"

Seeing her entire team subdued, the Black Widow's heart sank. Her gaze shifted to the rejuvenated Professor X, and her pupils constricted in shock.

What's going on?

Is this a clone of Professor X, or has he somehow been cured and restored to his prime?

If it's the former, it's not a big deal. But if it's the latter, this could be disastrous.

Professor X, a Level Four mutant, possessed terrifying power.

"Headmaster, we've completed the mission. Neither of the professors intervened; we worked together to capture them."

Rictor and X-23 stepped forward proudly, reporting their success.

George nodded with satisfaction.

"Well done. Decide which amusement park you want to visit, and in a few days, the professors will take you there."

Initially, George had rescued these children out of conscience more than for their abilities.

But now, seeing their potential, he realized they could become a formidable team of superpowered individuals with proper training.

They might not be able to take on someone like Thanos, but against Earth-based threats like S.H.I.E.L.D. or Hydra? They'd be more than capable.

Dr. Zander Rice's mutant children, born via surrogacy, showed potential akin to natural mutants. Unlike clones, they weren't limited by pre-determined genetic ceilings.

Moreover, the combat-focused genes Rice had chosen ensured they had no weak abilities, unlike less-capable mutants. Most were at Level Three, some even at the peak of Level Three.

"What do you want?"

The Black Widow asked grimly.

George stepped closer.

"Shouldn't I be asking what S.H.I.E.L.D. wants? We just want to live peacefully here. You're the ones disturbing us."

"You must realize that once your identities as mutants are exposed, you won't have any choice. It's only a matter of time.

Even if you kill all of us, the outcome won't change."

The Black Widow continued to apply psychological pressure, hoping to sway George.

"I'm not going to kill you. Throw them all out."

George lifted the Black Widow's chin, shook his head, and motioned for Wolverine to drag the agents to the school gates.

"Tell your Director, Nick Fury, to come here personally at 2 PM tomorrow. I have something to discuss with him—something that concerns S.H.I.E.L.D.'s survival.

The ones without a choice aren't us—it's you."

"Levitation!"

Using a spell, George transported the Black Widow outside the school as well.

"Frankly, if I hadn't let you in, you wouldn't have even made it past the barrier. Don't overestimate your strength."

With a wave of his hand, George reactivated the magical barrier, enclosing the school once more.