Chương 162: Chapter 158
In a short time, Natasha had keenly observed that the anger of this big monster seemed to amplify its strength. The power behind its blows grew significantly more destructive, and its explosive power, speed, and endurance seemed limitless. Adding to this was its incredible self-healing ability, making it a formidable opponent.
However, raw strength didn't concern Natasha. After all, her own strength, with one arm capable of lifting over three hundred tons, paired with her domineering aura, was more than enough to pummel this big guy into submission.
What truly intrigued her was the monster's unique characteristic. If there was no limit to it, the implications would be terrifying.
Setting her coffee cup on the table, Natasha's sharp eyes glinted, and a sly smile tugged at her red lips. Wanda, sitting nearby, noticed Natasha's expression and immediately understood that the ever-cunning Natasha had come up with a plan. Wanda silently prayed for the monster on the screen.
"Where's Leon?" Natasha asked, retracting her gaze. She pulled out her phone and earphones, deftly placing the buds into her ears while scrolling through her device.
"He didn't say where he was going—so secretive," Wanda replied, her tone tinged with mild irritation. Being young and in love, she longed to spend every moment with Leon. But he had left without explanation the day before, not even bothering to tell her where he went. Wanda silently fumed, calling him a scoundrel in her mind.
She decided that when Leon returned, she would demand he make it up to her. Perhaps they could ride the Ferris wheel at Empire Park and share their first kiss. Wanda also worried Natasha might steal a march on her. This thought made Wanda glance at Natasha, snickering to herself.
Natasha noticed Wanda's gaze but didn't care. Whatever this little girl was thinking wasn't her concern. Her focus remained on the big green monster.
"Alright, let's see," Natasha murmured, her fingers dancing over her phone screen. Hacking into the military database wasn't simple, but she managed to break through. Pulling up classified files, she began reading:
"Bruce Banner—military scientist, gamma radiation researcher, and holder of seven doctorates. Impressive. He was working on the Super Soldier Serum project when excessive exposure to gamma rays caused his body to mutate. Now, whenever he gets angry, he transforms into the Hulk, a creature with boundless destructive power."
Natasha continued, "They've labeled him a mutant and initiated a years-long hunt for him, led by General Thunderbolt Ross. It seems Ross has an odd fixation on this big guy."
Natasha's expression softened slightly as she reviewed the files. The story of the Hulk evoked a surprising amount of sympathy from her. The military's ruthless methods and their willingness to reduce Banner to a test subject made her uneasy. In a world striving for progress, Banner had become a victim of its darker underbelly.
The outcome seemed destined to end in desolation. After all, both Natasha and Leon had endured similar experiences, so it was natural for her to feel empathy for someone like Bruce Banner.
However, despite her sympathy, Natasha remained rational. Her interest in the Hulk wasn't born of sentiment but rather his unique traits. She was deeply curious about whether his abilities had any limits.
Moreover, she saw the potential value in him—both as the Hulk and as Bruce Banner, a man of exceptional intellect. Recruiting him would undoubtedly be advantageous. And, of course, drawing a tube of blood along the way wouldn't hurt either, right?
A soft chime in her headset interrupted her thoughts. Yelena's voice came through:
"What a cruel plan. What do you want us to do?"
"Keep an eye on them. Monitor his every move," Natasha replied calmly.
"Are you planning to…?"
"Yes. I want to observe him for a while and see what he's truly capable of. Hopefully, he'll exceed my expectations."
Yelena chuckled on the other end. "By the way, I've detected several groups also targeting the big guy. Looks like you've got some competition."
Natasha raised an elegant eyebrow, unsurprised. The Super Soldier Serum was an invaluable asset, and the Hulk's unparalleled combat power would naturally draw attention from all sides.
"Then we'll keep an eye on them too—and eliminate anyone who gets in our way," she said with icy resolve.
"No problem. Natasha, your murderous intent just keeps growing," Yelena teased before ending the call.
Natasha removed her headset and turned to Wanda. "Would you like to go have some fun?"
Wanda rolled her eyes. The offer was tempting, but she preferred waiting for Leon to return. Summoning her best Oscar-worthy acting skills, she replied nonchalantly, "It's boring. I'd rather read the Darkhold than waste time on that man. If you can't deal with him, just let me turn him into a puppet."
Her performance was flawless, but Natasha remained oblivious to Wanda's hidden thoughts. Shrugging, she decided to leave Wanda behind. She could handle things herself anyway.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted across New York City as the monster made its way onto a college campus, throwing the area into panic. The military quickly intervened, leading to a large-scale gunfight on campus grounds. The situation spiraled further when the monster, astonishingly, demonstrated the ability to operate heavy weaponry, causing devastating casualties among the soldiers.
General Ross was livid. Not only had the monster wreaked havoc and created a PR nightmare, but the loss of so many soldiers had brought significant consequences upon him. Worse, his years of concealing the Bruce Banner incident were finally catching up to him. With mounting pressure from military and government officials demanding accountability, Ross found himself cornered.
If not for the network of contacts Ross had and the exchange of interests that allowed him to suppress the fallout, he would likely have been removed from his position—or even court-martialed.
Yet, even with these safeguards, Ross could sense the undercurrents of discontent beneath the surface calm.
As a seasoned military veteran, Ross didn't need anyone to spell it out for him. He knew what it meant: other agencies were likely watching his every move as he pursued Bruce Banner.
To make matters worse, the Hulk had taken his daughter, Betty, during the chaos. This added an intense personal dimension to the professional pressure weighing on him.
Under such circumstances, Ross had no choice but to accelerate his efforts to locate Banner. Fortunately, his soldiers soon delivered good news: Bruce Banner had been found.
Wasting no time, Ross assembled a heavily armed task force on a stormy night. Soldiers were transported in armed vehicles, while Ross himself took an armed helicopter, determined to resolve the matter personally.
Before long, they arrived at their destination—an old and weathered neighborhood, its appearance suggesting years of neglect.
...
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