Chapter 18: Chapter 18
Wanda burst into laughter again upon seeing Juan's puzzled expression.
"It's not like we're going to live there forever. It's nice to see other countries too!"
She harbored a hatred for America and despised Stark Industries in particular.
Especially when watching news about the playboy Stark and comparing it to her and her brother's orphaned struggles, thinking back to the days and nights of terror. She once wished to gain enough power at any cost to destroy that country and the playboy himself.
But that was the Wanda of three years ago.
Juan's arrival and their now happy life together had gradually eased her hatred.
She had realized that the missiles were indeed made by Stark Industries, but it wasn't the playboy or innocent civilians from that country who launched them; it was the vile politicians and generals.
She could not let herself live in hatred forever, afraid to face a new life.
"In contrast to her reluctance to settle in New York, her greater concern was the difficulty Juan would face commuting between two countries every day; it would pose too much of a challenge for him."
When she expressed a hint of dissatisfaction, Juan promptly adjusted his plans, a gesture that filled her with a sense of gratitude and appreciation.
As a devoted wife, she shouldn't hold Juan back but support him in pursuing his career.
"Don't mind taking me along, right? I'd like to see the big city of New York too. They probably need delivery guys there."
At this moment, Pietro chimed in with a laugh.
He couldn't stray far from his only sibling.
He knew Wanda's temperament best; although she seemed gentle and was great in nature, fumbling through cooking lessons, Wanda's heart harbored some radical thoughts.
Earlier, her hatred for Stark was even stronger than his.
He also despised Stark and the playboy, but honestly, if Pietro had the chance to confront the playboy, he wasn't sure he could actually go through with killing him.
But the Wanda of three years ago definitely could have.
So, he was truly grateful for Juan's presence, which helped Wanda let go of her hatred.
Still, just to be safe, he felt he shouldn't stray too far from Wanda, given Juan was a kind-hearted ordinary person unaware of Wanda's special abilities.
If Wanda were ever provoked, she might seek revenge on Stark, which could be problematic.
"You guys…, ofcourse Pietro. You actually don't need to be a delivery guy, I can help you get a better job."
Juan realized something as he watched Wanda and Pietro, nodding with emotion.
He overlooked the fact that his appearance three years ago had already shifted many things from their original path.
When considering decisions, he could no longer solely rely on information from movies he had seen in his previous life.
If he had proceeded with his original plan before, he might have failed the mission, potentially leading to dire consequences.
Sometimes, missions that didn't rely on brute force were harder to complete than those that just required strong abilities.
Honestly, he preferred direct confrontation over scheming, but sometimes, to accomplish a mission, he had to think more strategically.
"Oh, no need for that. You know, my only talent is running fast. I prefer delivering packages over sitting in an office in front of a computer," Pietro said with a shrug.
He wasn't refusing out of pride but genuinely preferred the simplicity and physicality of delivery work.
"Let's eat quickly, or the meal I've carefully cooked will get cold!"
Wanda served her two closest loved ones a generous helping of Asturian stew as they spoke.
After dinner, Pietro left, leaving only Juan and Wanda in the living room.
"Honey, you go take a shower first. I'll clean up the dishes."
Wanda re-tied her apron, ready to start washing up.
But before she could tie it properly, Juan swept her up in his arms and carried her upstairs.
"There's nothing urgent at work tomorrow. I'll help you clean up in the morning. For now... I prefer we shower together!"
They say brief separations can feel like honeymoons, and although Wanda had only been apart from Juan for less than a day, for him, it had been three months.
Thus, the night was destined to be sleepless.
...
A month later, at a secret base outside Sokovia.
Juan chanted in front of a specially made target:
"Snake – Goat – Monkey – Pig – Horse – Tiger, Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Instantly, a massive fireball burst from his mouth and slammed into the target.
"Boom!"
The fire-resistant metal target was not burned but was visibly deformed.
"I've learned it for now, but there's still a long way to go to unleash its full power!"
He pressed a button on a nearby monitoring and recording device, which
immediately reported the results:
"Fireball diameter 2.1 meters, temperature 3200 degrees, impact strength…"
Looking at the data, Juan shook his head.
According to Tsuchigumo teaching, the same ninjutsu, performed by different ninjas, varies in power. The understanding of ninjutsu, chakra control, and chakra quantity all affect the final power of the ninjutsu released.
Like this Great Fireball Technique, he estimated that if Itachi performed it, it would probably have a diameter of at least ten meters, and if it were Madara, perhaps even a hundred meters.
"Still need more practice."
He had planned to move to New York within a week after his last return, but just then, Dr. Smith and Dr. List had made progress in their research on soldier pills.
So, he decided to delay his plans.
First, he wanted to wait for the two doctors to develop new products for the company to launch in the New York market.
Second, many things were more convenient in Sokovia, like practicing ninjutsu at his own long-established secret base.
And New York, being the most bustling metropolis in America, was full of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Hydra agents, superheroes, and various hidden chaotic forces.
Mastering the Great Fireball Technique and the Shadow Clone Technique could ensure his safety if anything unexpected happened.
"Boss, Dr. Smith is looking for you. He says the new drug has been successfully developed."
Just as Juan was about to continue practicing the Great Fireball Technique, a voice came from the device in his room.
"Got it. Tell him to wait in my office."
Hearing that the new drug was ready, Juan's eyes lit up, and he gathered his chakra and left the training room.
Having mastered the Shadow Clone Technique and the Great Fireball Technique, if the new drug turned out well, he could head straight to New York.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone