"Who are you?"
Though Loki's expression was calm, he had already tightly gripped the scepter in his hand. The person before him was far from ordinary, likely an Earth-based superpowered individual.
"I'm the one who was waiting for you. Otherwise, do you think you could have crossed over from the other end so quickly after the casing around the Space Stone was broken?"
Hyuga Mirai let Loki take a look at the Space Stone in his hand, then put it away right before his eyes. As for the protective casing Odin had placed around the Space Stone, he had already crushed it.
"Alright, now hand over the Mind Stone as well. Earth is quite powerful now, with many new superheroes. It's unlikely you'll be able to attack Earth with the Chitauri."
Hearing Hyuga Mirai's words, a flicker of anger rose within Loki. This self-assured manner of speaking, with a hint of lecturing, was just like Odin.
"Silence! Who do you think you are? Who do you think you're facing? I am Loki, the sole heir of Asgard..."
Bang!
Before Loki could finish his long-winded introduction, Hyuga Mirai instantly closed the distance, slapped him on the neck, and knocked him unconscious.
"The greatest sorcerer in the Nine Realms can't even use magic when facing an enemy?"
Hyuga Mirai remarked with some disdain. This god had less vigilance than a veteran just back from the battlefield. Pathetic.
He wondered why Thanos sent Loki to Earth as a vanguard. Was it to use Loki's identity to obtain the Space Stone? But that wouldn't require sacrificing a Mind Stone, would it?
After picking up the scepter, Hyuga Mirai pried the Mind Stone off and crushed its protective casing.
This time, Hyuga Mirai thoroughly examined the Mind Stone, using Truth-Seeking Ball matter to probe every inch, ensuring no traces left by others before putting it away.
After taking the Mind Stone, Hyuga Mirai felt he could even enter Loki's mind and sense his thoughts. With a little effort, he could completely control Loki's psyche.
Asgard, the throne, confusion, regret – these were the emotions and memories at the core of Loki's heart, now fully exposed to Hyuga Mirai. This was more powerful than mind-reading; the Mind Stone could access emotional memories even Loki himself had overlooked.
"A fascinating sensation, though using it too much would be unpleasant."
After experimenting, Hyuga Mirai put away the Mind Stone. Without control, he might unconsciously pick up on the stray emotions of those around him, which would be nothing but noise.
The faint mark on the Space Stone was likely left by Odin. After detecting it, Hyuga Mirai used the Truth-Seeking Ball to completely erase it. Though Odin was still alive, nearing death, he probably wouldn't come to Earth seeking trouble with Hyuga Mirai.
After dealing with the Space Stone, Hyuga Mirai placed it back, continuing to channel its power to nurture the Divine Tree. The Divine Tree cultivation device he built had six slots for Stones, but only one was occupied so far.
"And then there's this one."
Hyuga Mirai turned his gaze to Loki. Though known as the God of Mischief, his foolish deeds were piling up one after another.
After a moment's thought, Hyuga Mirai threw Loki into the Future Biopharmaceutical research center, left him a warning note, and went back.
"Kurenai, look what I have."
As if showing off a treasure, Hyuga Mirai presented the Mind Stone to Kurenai Yuhi. The illusion techniques she specialized in partially overlapped with the Mind Stone's power. If she could glean some energy from it, it would greatly benefit her growth.
"Where's Tsunade?"
"Tsunade took some money and went to Las Vegas." Kurenai Yuhi took the Mind Stone casually. "Though she said it was for superhero activities, sneaking off quietly with cash only happens when she's headed to the casino... Is this the power of the Mind Stone? Just holding it, I can feel its wonder."
Kurenai closed her eyes to focus. Using the Mind Stone, her ability allowed her to perceive the emotions of people across nearly half the Earth.
However, for controlling minds, her range was limited to about ten kilometers outside New York City. Still, it was far better than Loki's scepter. Kurenai didn't need to touch her targets; anyone within her perception range could be controlled with the Mind Stone's power.
Kurenai smiled and said, "Such formidable power. This is the extent I can manage initially. With more practice, it might become even stronger."
"Take it and get familiar with it. Once all six Infinity Stones are gathered, the Divine Tree can bear fruit in a very short time."
Seeing Kurenai's interest in the Mind Stone, Hyuga Mirai handed it over. No one could take it from her. He had left a Flying Thunder God mark on it, enabling instant teleportation through space-time ninjutsu if needed.
"With this Mind Stone, I feel like I can read your thoughts. Mirai-kun, want to give it a try?"
Kurenai said with a smile. Even nearing motherhood for the second time, her personality remained unchanged.
"Of course, go ahead."
Hyuga Mirai readily agreed. He soon felt a peculiar energy attempting to invade his mind, but he didn't resist further. Before long, the energy faded away.
Kurenai's cheeks flushed slightly. Even as an old married couple, seeing that scene made her shy. Her crimson eyes glanced at Hyuga Mirai. "Competing with a child for food, such an unbefitting father..."
"You actually saw it? Truly worthy of the Mind Stone... worthy of Kurenai!"
Hyuga Mirai praised her, then slowly drew closer, pulling Kurenai into his embrace. "Since you've seen it, Kurenai, I can't let you tell anyone..."
With Kurenai's level of strength, having consumed a portion of the improved Divine Tree fruit, her body had evolved to withstand nuclear blasts without harm. Pregnancy merely made her belly slightly larger; otherwise, she was unchanged.
Sheer fabric draped over fair skin, cool yet alluring. No matter how loose the clothes, they couldn't hide Kurenai's stunning figure. Apart from Tsunade, even Ayaka fell short, let alone Kiyo.
"Yuzuki will have nothing to eat."
Yuzuki was the name of Hyuga Mirai's daughter. Kurenai felt the thin veil slowly being parted by a mischievous hand.
"Don't worry, Kurenai. Yuzuki has a small appetite; she can't eat this much."
With a soft sigh, a strange sensation stirred within Kurenai. She tossed the Mind Stone onto the nearby sofa. She realized probing her husband's thoughts with the Mind Stone might have been a mistake, perhaps exactly what he'd been waiting for.
But dwelling on it now was pointless. A round, fair, plump breast was already in his mouth. Feeling the milk being drawn out, Kurenai slowly wrapped her arms around him.
"Ah~..."
Loki awoke with a start on a bed. Leaping up, he found himself in an unfamiliar room, his neck still sore.
Damn that man. Who was he?
Upon waking, Loki only remembered fragmented images before losing consciousness. He'd likely been struck on the neck and knocked out.
"The scepter! Good, it's still here. But the stone? Where's my scepter's stone?"
Loki searched for his scepter upon waking and found it by the bed. But when he picked it up, he saw the stone had been removed.
Without the stone, the scepter was merely a sturdy stick, albeit a pointed one.
He was the God of Mischief, a sorcerer! What use was a sturdy stick?
"The stone. That man must have taken it. He also has the Space Stone. I need to get them back and lead the Chitauri..."
Loki's sinister monologue was interrupted when he spotted a note on the bedside table. He instinctively picked it up and read it.
'I've taken the Mind Stone. You were deceived by Thanos. Even if you seek to reclaim the Asgardian throne, don't be a fool. Forget about the Space Stone too. Earth has many superheroes; I suggest you gather intel before acting. If you need to leave, use the front door like a normal person. Damage even a single piece of architecture, and I'll put you to work repairing roads!'
"Ridiculous! I am Loki, God of Mischief, King of Asgard! How dare you humiliate me, threaten me..."
Enraged, Loki tore the note to shreds. Grabbing the scepter from the bed, he prepared to blast through the wall and leave.
But as he raised the scepter, he recalled that the other man possessed two Infinity Stones. Even without them, that speed and that slap...
"The King of Asgard will have his revenge!"
After coldly uttering those words, Loki left through the door. The Future Biopharmaceutical research center was vast. Exiting the room, Loki saw an endless spiral corridor. A robotic vacuum cleaner eventually directed him to the main entrance.
The humiliation Loki felt was nearly as intense as the day he was cast out of Asgard. A god, treated so poorly.
After leaving the research center, Loki realized he was practically in the suburbs. He couldn't fly and had no transportation.
His plans had gone terribly wrong. Without the scepter's stone, it was only good for stabbing and energy blasts. He couldn't control others. He couldn't retrieve the Space Stone, summon the Chitauri army, or conquer Earth.
Most importantly, Loki had no allies. He needed help.
As he walked along the highway, Loki pondered his next move.
He needed to gather intel on his enemy, sow discord, and then seize the Stones. That was what a God of Mischief should do.
"Hey, mister, need a hand?"
A sports car slowed to a stop beside Loki. Peter Parker leaned out the window, asking.
Even without his Spider-Man suit, Peter's helpful nature persisted. Seeing Loki disheveled, wearing strange clothes, looking as miserable as a divorcee, walking alone on a suburban road, he assumed Loki was a down-on-his-luck middle-aged man.
Peter didn't mind giving him a ride, offering some comforting words, and buying him a hamburger.
"Get out!"
Seeing the vehicle, Loki approached Peter Parker's door, scepter in hand, and spoke coldly.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"Now! Get out!"
"Mister, I'm trying to help you. I was even going to buy you a hamburger..."
Hearing this, Loki could no longer suppress his fury. When had he ever needed the sympathy of a brat from Earth?
"Get out. Now."
"OK! OK! Stop poking my car door. I'm getting out."
Peter Parker sensed this man was no ordinary person. The scepter in his hand wasn't fake; it held real energy. Karen had already briefed him on the situation.
As Peter opened the door to get out, Loki kept the scepter pointed at him. Even without the Mind Stone, it was still a formidable weapon. Loki could channel his own divine energy to fire attacks from it.
"Hey, mister, I'm out."
The moment Peter finished speaking, his Spider-Man suit materialized. He grabbed Loki's scepter, intending to disarm him.
But Loki was no slouch in combat. As Peter seized the scepter, Loki immediately countered, yanking it back and kicking. However, every strike was evaded and countered by Peter Parker.
His recent combat training had significantly improved his evasive speed, among other things.
Thwip!
Thwip!
Two strands of webbing shot toward Loki's other hand and face. Peter then leaped and kicked, sending Loki flying. With his suit active, his strength and speed were greatly enhanced.
Loki was sent sprawling five meters away. Before he could rise, he was entangled in more webbing. Worried Loki might break free, Peter shot several more strands from his wrist, binding Loki tightly.
"Now I'm handing you over to the NYPD for attempted robbery."
As Peter warned him, he pushed Loki, covered in webbing, toward the sports car. He hadn't expected to encounter a highway robber just while running an errand. And this one didn't seem like an ordinary crook.
Loki, enraged, declared, "I am Loki, Son of Odin, King of Asgard..."
Thwip!
A strand of webbing sealed Loki's mouth shut, rendering him speechless.
"I'm Spider-Man, a superhero from New York City. I deal with robbers and villains like you."
With that, Peter exerted a bit more force, shoved Loki onto the car seat, and drove off toward the NYPD station.
(End of Chapter)