Thor couldn't answer Shen He's question. He was fixated on one thing.
"You said there's a way to restore my power."
Shen He studied the god of thunder, his sharp gaze making the Asgardian prince uneasy.
"There is a way. I can help you break Odin's seal—it's actually quite simple. But I won't."
"Why!?" Thor shot to his feet, frustration and desperation evident in his voice. "I have to stop this war! It's my fault! Please, help me!"
"Really? Then tell me—if you get your powers back, how exactly do you plan to stop it?" Shen He's voice was calm, almost indifferent.
"I—"
Thor faltered. How would he stop the war? How would he lead Asgard to victory?
"I see no potential for kingship in you. You're arrogant, reckless, and a danger to yourself and others. You're nowhere near ready to be the King of the Gods. Worse, you don't even comprehend what Odin's death means. You have no idea of the crises that await. If I restore your powers now, you'll only make things worse."
Shen He spoke plainly, not as an accusation but as a simple statement of fact.
"Then… what do I do?"
Thor slumped back into his seat, feeling remorse and helplessness unlike anything he had ever known. He had taken his father's presence for granted, never realizing just how unprepared he was to carry the burden left behind.
"Thor…"
Jane gently placed a hand on his chest, her heart aching at the sight of the mighty warrior—now powerless and visibly shaken.
"Mr. Shen," Coulson interjected, his voice filled with concern. "If this war reaches Earth, do we even have the means to defend ourselves?"
"Yes," Shen He nodded. "The Earth is not what it was thousands of years ago. And Asgard, not Earth, will bear the brunt of the war. But that's irrelevant. Millions died in World War II, and even if Asgard wins, more enemies will come. Billions of innocent lives could be lost. Civilization itself could collapse."
"My God…" Coulson muttered. "All of this… because of a reckless prince."
"He knows he was wrong!" Jane shot back defensively.
"Tell that to the innocent people who will die because of it."
Shen He turned back to Thor.
"We're not at the worst point yet. But I need to know—are you willing to atone for your mistakes? Are you willing to give everything, maybe even your life, for the billions on this planet?"
"If my life can save them, then take it!" Thor's eyes burned with determination as he lifted his head.
"I hope those aren't just empty words," Shen He said. "I won't break Odin's seal for you, but I will prepare you to become king. You'll have to prove yourself, earn Odin's recognition, and break the seal yourself. To do that, you must listen to me."
Thor had once been an arrogant, reckless troublemaker. Over time, he had grown into a hero who turned the tide of battles. He had faced heartbreak, the loss of his mother and father, the destruction of his home, and the deaths of his brother and friends. He had been alone.
Shen He intended to accelerate that process—to condense the years of hardship into something Thor could endure now.
There was no better time to train him than when he was powerless.
Thor's expression brightened with newfound resolve. "I promise you—whatever it takes, I'll do it."
"Good. S.H.I.E.L.D. will assist as well. Time is short."
Shen He pulled out his phone and dialed Tony Stark.
"Hey, Tony. You've been tracking terrorists in the Middle East, right? I need a favor…"
Shen He had put serious effort into what he called the Thor Special Training Program.
He didn't know how long Thor would be distracted by his new girlfriend before the Destroyer arrived, but time was tight.
By noon, they had arrived at one of the most chaotic war zones in the world.
Terrorists. Extremists. Mercenaries. Rebel factions.
This was a land of lawlessness.
"My friend Tony has dedicated himself to fighting these terrorist groups that massacre civilians," Shen He explained, shaking sand out of his hair. He turned to Tony, who was dressed in military gear. "I asked him for a job—a job for you, Thor. Tell me, have you ever truly been on a battlefield?"
"Of course!" Thor grinned, eager to prove himself. "I'm the strongest warrior in Asgard! If you could just give me a hammer, that'd be great."
"Your mission is to protect the civilians. Use your brain. Prove to me that you have the wisdom to be a king." Shen He finished speaking, then waved a hand dismissively before stepping into a disguised truck.
"Good luck, and goodbye."
The truck drove off without looking back.
Inside sat Violet, Ritsuka, and Coulson.
"Mr. Shen, are you sure about this?" Coulson was still uneasy. "That area is swarming with heavily armed terrorists. They have heavy artillery. Thor doesn't stand a chance."
"If things get dire, Saiki Kusuo is there," Shen He reassured him. "Plus, your special forces are deployed. There won't be any accidents."
Thor had spent his life invincible in battle, reveling in the thrill of combat. He had forgotten that war's purpose was to protect the people.
Shen He wanted to see if he would still fight when he had no powers, no legendary weapon, and no personal ties to those he was protecting.
Would he still be Thor?
Or was he only ever the "God of Hammers"?
"I'm going to the front lines to keep an eye on him."
Coulson couldn't sit back and hope for the best. He had to see for himself.
That left only Shen He and the two women in the truck.
He let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples to relax.
"You're good at this."
The soft, measured voice broke the silence.
"What do you mean?"
"In many ways," Ritsuka said, her thin lips barely parting. "Especially at deceiving people."
Her eyebrows furrowed.
"You have a goal, but I hate lies."
"Shiki," Shen He sighed, smiling helplessly. "You're different. I would never deceive you. With you, I can say exactly what I think. But with them, if I don't do this, nothing will change. And I can't just sit back and do nothing when I know disaster is coming."
"You always have an excuse."
Ritsuka turned her head away in irritation, only to glance back after a moment.
"Shen He—just don't lie to me like you do to them."