"I believe you can become a king like Odin and protect Asgard. That's the best way to honor him." Shen He patted Thor's shoulder. "Get up. There's no time for regret. You still have much to learn."
"Thank you, Shen He." Thor stood up, gripping Jane's hand as he followed him. "I've disappointed many—my father, my mother, my brother, my friends. Yet you still trust me. I won't forget that."
He had lost everything. His home, his power, his confidence. All he had left was Jane.
"You don't have to thank me." Shen He sighed inwardly. "I never doubted your potential. I just hope to see the true Thor—the mighty Thor—sooner rather than later. By the way, why don't you try short hair? It'd make you look sharper."
"No one touches my hair…"
The conversation trailed off as the group moved away. Behind them, S.H.I.E.L.D. was left to handle the cleanup.
Colson remained unfazed. In war-torn regions, massacres like these were daily occurrences, often fueled by nothing more than cruelty. But occasionally, miracles happened—like today.
"Sir, come take a look at this."
A S.H.I.E.L.D. operative called Colson over.
A dead terrorist lay sprawled before them. Judging by his position, he seemed to have been the leader. His arm bore an intricate tattoo.
Ten interlocking rings forming a perfect circle, crossed by two long knives at the center.
---
That night, they didn't leave. Instead, they remained stationed at a S.H.I.E.L.D. military base, gathering intelligence and regrouping.
"Thor, do you know the true power of your father, Odin?"
Shen He sat across from Thor, surrounded by a mix of allies and S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives. Colson, ever the strategist, seized the opportunity to extract valuable information.
"I don't." Thor frowned, deep in thought. "He's always been strong. Even now, I can't fathom his true power. I was among Asgard's mightiest warriors, yet I could never match him."
It was something he had taken for granted. But now, with Odin seemingly gone, he was forced to confront a daunting question—how vast was the gap between them?
"This is the problem," Shen He remarked. "You lack not just a king's wisdom but also a king's strength. But according to our… sources," he glanced at Ryougi Shiki, then continued, "your potential surpasses even Odin's. Your bloodline guarantees it."
"Is that true?"
Thor's eyes widened, his expression shifting to that of an eager child receiving unexpected praise.
He trusted Shen He. He believed in the knowledge Shen He and his allies possessed—secrets that even Asgard seemed unaware of.
"Of course." Shen He nodded solemnly. "You are the God of Thunder. Your hammer was never the source of your power—it was merely a tool to help you channel it. But you've spent so long relying on it that you've forgotten your true strength. From now on, forget Mjolnir. Focus on discovering your own power. Battles like today's will only continue."
"I'll do my best."
Thor clenched his fists. His arrogance—the stubbornness that once blinded him—had finally faded.
"Before you learn how to be a god, you must first learn how to be a man," Shen He continued. "China has many philosophies worth studying. Beyond that, you must consider what it truly means to protect people. How can they trust in your protection?"
Thor listened intently. Whether Shen He was manipulating him or genuinely guiding him, one thing was clear—he was serious about shaping Thor's growth.
Meanwhile, back in Asgard, Thor's friends were making their own plans.
With Odin in his deep sleep, Loki had assumed the throne. But while his cunning surpassed Thor's, he lacked his brother's charisma.
After much deliberation, Sif and the Warriors Three approached Heimdall, the ever-watchful guardian of the Bifrost.
"Heimdall, we must find Thor."
"Thor is safe." Heimdall's golden eyes gleamed. "Someone is guiding him. If you go now, you will be defying the king's decree and betraying your oaths as warriors."
He remained still, gaze fixed beyond the realms. His sight spanned all Nine Realms—including Thor's current plight. And from what he saw, Thor was changing.
"But we don't know what Loki is planning." Sif took a determined step forward. "He fears Thor's return. Odin sleeps, and only Thor can stop whatever Loki is scheming."
"…."
Heimdall recalled the moment he saw Loki visit Jotunheim—the Frost Giants' domain. He exhaled.
"I cannot open the Bifrost for you."
He turned, walking away.
But the sword that controlled the Bifrost?
That, he left behind.
---
"Damn it! Don't run that way—come back!"
Thor charged forward, scooping two terrified children into his arms just as an explosion tore through the spot they had been standing.
They were in a rugged valley, caught in the midst of another ambush. Hours ago, an unknown force had surrounded them—alongside a group of displaced civilians. Flames and artillery fire rained from above, gunfire mingling with screams.
"Thor, get them to safety!"
Shen He's voice cut through the command channel. He was crouched in a crater, scanning the battlefield.
"Master…"
Violet clutched his sleeve, her meaning clear.
"Not yet. Wait for my signal." Shen He didn't turn around.
Their attackers were well-armed, four combat helicopters dominating the sky. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s forces lacked anti-air support and were rapidly losing ground.
"Kakashi, can you take down the helicopters?"
"Negative. Too far. If I leave my position, we'll suffer casualties." Kakashi focused on defense, his Sharingan darting between threats.
"Then cover Hawkeye. Barton, you still alive?"
Clint Barton's voice crackled through the comms.
"Of course. Just a little busy dodging bullets."
Pinned down, he and several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were primary targets. Their cover was sparse, and counterattacks were near impossible.
"Now's your chance. Move."
"…Please tell me you're joking."
Despite his words, Hawkeye took a deep breath, grabbed a high-explosive arrow, and rolled into position.
Instantly, all enemy fire converged on him.
But just as bullets, rockets, and artillery shells should have struck him—
They veered off course.
As if colliding with an invisible barrier, every shot curved around him, diverted by an unseen force.
Kakashi's control.
The closer the enemy, the stronger his influence.
—