Chapter 17: 017, kidnapping?
With his purchased clothes in hand, Zaire walked home.
The police questioning was unexpected, though not beyond his expectations.
His cover remained clean.
The loose ends from his previous business were also neatly tied up.
Zaire wasn't afraid of the police investigation at all.
Thus, he dismissed the whole matter from his mind.
However, the recent pressure from the New York police was immense.
They were definitely sweeping through gang territories.
Zaire planned to harvest the gang's warehouse.
The plan to replenish simulator resources might need to be postponed.
At least until the media storm on the surface subsided...
Luckily, the cooldown time for the simulator wasn't long recently.
Zaire didn't need to waste precious time and resources converting.
Upon returning home, Zaire found that his aunt had already put away all the cash.
As he set down the clothes, his aunt mentioned hiring Mr. Schultz for renovations.
His aunt highly approved of this.
She even verbally praised Zaire's actions.
What surprised him even more was that his aunt, seemingly accepting the world's setting, began to subtly inquire.
She asked if Zaire would undertake certain dangerous tasks or participate in operations.
Zaire instantly had a headache.
He could only use his low-profile identity to barely get through.
Calculating the time, Captain America should have awakened and be adapting to modern life.
If not for fear of attracting the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Causing unnecessary trouble...
Zaire would like to meet Captain America.
After all, the world of a World War II soldier is much simpler than that of a billionaire.
Early the next morning,
The overcast sky over New York dissipated, and sunlight shone brightly.
The hurried Zaire found Mr. Schultz, who was preparing for work.
Just as they were about to leave the apartment,
Aunt, who had just finished grooming and was in high spirits, chased after them.
She had changed into durable gray work clothes, even tying up her short hair, appearing neater and tidier.
After a brief refreshment, Aunt's dominant womanly aura gradually revived.
Now, she stared at Zaire with wide eyes and a chilling tone:
"Wake up, Zaire... Your weekend is over! Have you forgotten the morning classes you're supposed to attend?"
Facing Aunt's imposing manner,
Zaire, muscular and strong, could do nothing but comply.
He originally didn't want to waste time returning to high school.
Occasionally going out to kill gang members and raid their warehouses wasn't enough fun?
But last night, no matter how Zaire argued, he couldn't convince his old-fashioned aunt.
Even in the end, when Zaire tried to use Captain America's reputation.
Aunt firmly stated,
"If Captain America needs an eighteen-year-old high school dropout to save the world, then I say the world is doomed! It's beyond saving!"
"Even if God descends tomorrow morning, or Buddha manifests, even if aliens invade the Earth! You, Zaire, still need to go to school! At least get your high school diploma! There's no negotiation on this!"
Zaire ultimately chose to yield.
But after getting up in the morning, he planned to skip class and figure it out later.
However, it seemed Aunt, being more skilled, had already figured out Zaire's intentions...
Facing Aunt's aggressive stance, Zaire spread his hands helplessly and said:
"I surrender, I'll go to class! Aunt, take care and don't overwork yourself..."
"Hmph, brat, do you even need to say that?"
A victorious Aunt rolled her eyes at Zaire.
Perhaps after the recent series of mental stimulations,
Aunt found a better way to deal with the messed-up world.
Aunt warmly greeted a puzzled Mr. Schultz out of the apartment and hailed a cab.
Zaire shook his head and resignedly pushed his bicycle out of the apartment.
But as the breeze brushed his face, Zaire suddenly thought of a way.
To take a leave of absence, a long one.
The excuse was simple yet true.
The family restaurant was robbed, and his traumatized family needed his long-term company...
Between the streets, Zaire grinned as he walked amidst the chaotic traffic.
Even the power under his feet seemed much stronger.
Fighting with people, fighting with Aunt...
What a joy!
---
An hour later, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
After Zaire vividly and movingly described his actions, which touched and convinced the grade director and teachers.
Zaire successfully obtained a privilege.
With only three months left until summer vacation,
As long as Zaire passed several makeup exams and achieved passing grades, he wouldn't need to return to school for classes.
And it wouldn't delay Zaire from obtaining his high school diploma and attending the graduation ceremony!
So, with a smile on his face, Zaire walked out of the school gate.
He planned to go home and review high school knowledge.
Now, Zaire's killing skills were simply unparalleled, worthy of being called a Doctor of Beheadings.
But those familiar knowledge seemed to have gradually faded from him...
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Zaire frowned, every muscle in his body tensing suddenly!
Someone was constantly spying on him!
Right now, Zaire was on a street outside Midtown High School.
The students who were going to class had already entered the school.
There were hardly any pedestrians on the whole street.
It seemed most people had joined the protest march surrounding the New York Police Department to join in the fun.
"Police? Or gang?"
Zaire pondered.
If it was the police, they wouldn't need to spy right now.
They could just come up in a group and attack.
If Zaire resisted fiercely, shooting wildly wouldn't be illegal either.
But if it was the gang, didn't these guys like to shoot first and ask questions later?
Squeak—
Just as Zaire stopped, silently alert.
A bread delivery van parked on the roadside suddenly started.
The tires squealed against the ground, swiftly arriving in front of Zaire!
Zaire was about to instinctively roll away.
But he forcefully stopped his body's instinct!
Clatter—
The van's door abruptly opened, and a black pistol pointed at Zaire!
At the same time, a male voice with a Slavic accent drifted slowly from inside the van.
"Mr. Zaire, the Sportswear Mafia would like to talk to you... We hope you'll cooperate."
However, facing this deadly threat from the mafia.
Zaire was silent for a moment, then slowly narrowed his eyes.
On his face, he struggled to squeeze out a twisted smile, uncertain if it was fear or excitement.
"Please don't shoot! I'll cooperate with you..."
Before the words fell,
Zaire actually took the initiative to step forward and sit in the vacant seat of the bread van.
Seemingly Zaire's cooperation and initiative surprised the man with the gun greatly.
After a moment of daze, he took out a completely airtight black hood from his pocket, indicating Zaire to put it on himself.
Then, he turned to the driver and ordered:
"Drive, to the usual place."
The van's door closed.
The engine roared.
And just as Zaire put on the hood,
Under the pitch-black fabric, a smirk filled with bloodthirst gradually blossomed...
You asked for this!
I just wanted to be an ordinary citizen...
Why is it so difficult?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone