Jason had absolutely no intention of passing through the Gates of Hell. What if I can't come back!
In the instant before impact, he unleashed [Flash] with maximum power, and an extremely dazzling light engulfed him and the entire missile. Therefore, no one could notice that the missile didn't actually disappear into the red light column. Instead, it vanished mysteriously, extremely close to the crimson beacon.
It was Jason who had preemptively opened the [Absolute Zero Dimension] and stored the missile inside. The moment it entered the Absolute Zero Dimension, the high-speed flying missile came to a complete standstill.
Jason maneuvered the armor into the Midtown Financial Building. He rushed all the way to the basement tier, intending to shut down the red beam of light, but the beacon flickered several times and extinguished itself. It seemed that Mephisto in Hell, seeing his invasion plan had failed, had taken the initiative to close the Gates of Hell.
But in the eyes of the Avengers, Jason had sacrificed himself for everyone, risking his very life to save the entire city of New York, including the lives of every single one of them! What defines a hero? This is a hero!
As the heroes wept and mourned Jason's supposed sacrifice, the sky over Midtown Manhattan's financial buildings suddenly darkened with storm clouds again. Seeing this familiar scene, their eyes widened in shock. This...
Although the hell portal within the financial building had been sealed, demons around the area continued their rampage. If you're going to be a hero, do it properly.
Jason wielded Mjolnir once more to summon a thunderstorm. A massive, lightning-filled cloud delivered endless electrical judgment, incinerating all demons to carbon. The people of New York had finally, definitively, emerged from this disaster.
Looking at Jason standing in mid-air, many people couldn't help but erupt into cheers. By this point, he had transcended into legend.
…
Several days after the catastrophe...
Major media outlets worldwide raced to report on New York's disaster. Tens of thousands dead, millions affected, tens of millions impacted. The cause of such a massive catastrophe couldn't be traced... Well, the previous incident was Stark's factory missile incident, though that time almost no one perished. The next was Manhattan's night of earthquake. But this disaster's casualties were unprecedented. Nothing similar existed anywhere in the world.
What's more, this was a hellish demon invasion—a full-scale assault!
Global public opinion descended into chaos as worldwide panic spread. Some debated why such catastrophic events occurred one after another. Others questioned why these disasters repeatedly struck New York. People wondered how the New York Savior managed to rescue the city again. Some demanded answers from the Vatican: Where is God? Where are the angels?
Others worried about regions without Avengers or Jason who now was dub as Saviors facing similar crises. Immediately, calls emerged for the United States to not confine the Avengers and Saviors to New York—they belonged to the world, not just America.
Of course, some believed the United States would ultimately destroy itself through its many misdeeds, and these disasters represented divine retribution. These voices suggested the Avengers remain in the United States to avoid spreading calamity elsewhere.
International debate raged intensely while New York media spoke with fervent passion. Now, aside from topics about Avengers and Saviors that elicited positive responses, any other subject—even stray dogs on the street—became targets for their rage. Naturally, the heaviest bombardment targeted the White House, Pentagon, and Oval Office.
"I cannot believe the goddamn White House actually dared launch nuclear weapons at New York, you fucking bastards! Do you grasp how many people reside in New York? Who authorized you to judge our life and death? You assholes sent no troops but fired nuclear missiles—shoot **!"
Among the almost manic New York media stood veteran Daily Bugle editor Jameson. But his aim differed significantly. He targeted—SHIELD.
He brandished a photograph showing Clint Barton's true appearance after transformation. Someone had somehow captured this image.
Jameson slammed his desk, voice booming through the studio. "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to unveil a true menace—Clint Barton! Yes, the very same who went toe-to-toe with the Savior! And who is this mysterious man, you ask? Let me tell you—Clinton Barton! A covert operative of that shadowy, alphabet-soup agency: the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division—better known as S.H.I.E.L.D.! An organization that burns through your tax dollars like it's kindling, all while claiming to protect us from threats no one's ever seen!"
Jameson pounded the table, practically vibrating with outrage. "And now—get this—senior agents of this so-called peacekeeping organization are teaming up with the Lord of Hell to invade New York City! You heard me right! This is madness! We need answers, people! What is S.H.I.E.L.D. really up to? Are they protecting the world—or plotting to end it?"
He slapped another photo onto the screen, jabbing a finger at it. "And here we have the man in charge—Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.! The face of global espionage, wrapped in secrecy, and somehow always one step ahead. Now, I'm not questioning his experience—I'm questioning the lack of transparency! Who appointed him? Who holds him accountable?"
Jameson's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a hushed, theatrical tone. "And let's not forget—the very same president who greenlit a nuclear strike on our city just days ago… was also involved. Coincidence? I think not. We don't know the full story, folks. But something's happening behind the curtain—and we deserve to know what and why before it's too late."
After his rant, Jameson slammed the table once more, voice rising to a crescendo. "But! There is something we can do! We demand that S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury submit immediately to questioning by New York City authorities! The people deserve answers! Why did his top agents collude with a literal demon from Hell? Did he know? If so, why didn't he stop it? And if he didn't know—what kind of leader is that? Is this man truly qualified to run a secret global agency? Or was his position handed to him through backdoor deals? And what about the White House? Is there a deeper conspiracy at play?!"
Finally, Jameson rose from his chair, voice thundering with unfiltered passion. "To all watching—New Yorkers will not be deceived! We are part of this nation, damn it! We've built it, bled for it, and carried it forward! We will not be bombed without consequence! We will not be treated like strays to be put down! Freeman must hear our roar! The White House must feel our resolve! The Pentagon must face our fury! And the world—the world must witness the strength of our will! So say it loud, say it proud—let them all hear us!"
After hearing Jameson's broadcast, Jason couldn't resist touching his neck. This guy—is he seriously seeking his death? It's tolerable if you just bash Freeman, but Nick Fury's no either, and he'll absolutely retaliate! Besides, why are you advancing toward my objective when I haven't even paid you yet? And you're already diving in, fully loaded? Love it!
Jameson's report instantly electrified all of New York, the entire United States, and the world. Immediately across New York, factories shut down, stores closed, students boycotted classes, and everyone joined a million-person march through the streets.
Some protesters chanted:
"Let Freeman commit seppuku to apologize for his crimes!"
"Since America doesn't need New York, New York doesn't need America! Long live the glorious New York Empire!"
"Down with Nick Fury! Down with covert operations! SHIELD is humanity's enemy, Nick Fury is humanity's adversary!"
"Nuclear weapons on New York today, Los Angeles tomorrow, Chicago the following day! Overthrow the corrupt, decadent White House administration—liberty belongs to the people!"
After all, nobody could fathom a national president ordering his country's largest metropolis destroyed. If this occurred in New York, would other cities receive mercy during future crises? Additionally, everyone demanded clarification whether the SHIELD Director received promotion through favoritism, and whether any connection existed between him and demonic collusion.
What began as a million-strong protest in New York quickly ignited a nationwide movement. Tens of millions took to the streets—then hundreds of millions—marching in defiance. At the forefront were African Americans, long familiar with persecution, now channeling generations of pain into outrage.
Television screens across the nation lit up with footage of Black advocates shouting, rapping, and speaking with fervor into cameras. One voice, sharp and impassioned, rang out:
"Freeman? That man's a disgrace! He doesn't represent us—Black or white! He's just another puppet shipped in from overseas, pretending to wear our skin. Well, I say he's not one of us! He's on his own now! Might as well lump him in with those corrupt cowards in the White House—they're all the same!"
"And Nick Fury? That so-called protector of the people? Please. That old man stopped being one of us a long time ago. You think he's human? No way. He's been dancing with devils behind closed doors for years! Peel back that polished image, and let's see what's really under that skin!"
"Long live New York! We, the righteous, we stand with our people—not the traitors in power!"
The African American proclamation marked only the start. Within mere days, over half of White House personnel resigned. The Pentagon ground to a halt. International bases paralyzed and adrift without commands, the Imperial Navy lost its bearings among endless ocean waves where sky met water.
In both Congressional chambers, most legislators simply vanished. Under these circumstances, Freeman attempted delivering a resignation speech, but television signals cut out before completion because the populace rejected mere resignation as insufficient. Furious New Yorkers stormed Washington DC, encircled the White House, and demanded his execution. During this crisis, another man that is the target—Nick Fury—finally appeared before the masses.
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