At the end of their discussion, the two exchanged a glance, then opened the door and walked back in without saying a word.
Blaine was also a little confused. Even with his mind-reading ability, he couldn't quite tell what kind of scheme these brother and sister were brewing. Were they really planning to send him away with a ton of Vibranium? Blaine still had unfinished business.
Just as he was about to raise the price again, T'Challa directly interrupted his thoughts.
"Mr. Hunter, I want you to do me a favor in exchange for this ton of Vibranium,"
"Aren't you a Bounty Hunter?"
"I believe you should agree to this condition."
T'Challa clasped his hands behind his back once more and spoke to Blaine from a distance. His tone carried a clear sense of confidence. He was certain Blaine would agree—unless he no longer wanted that ton of Vibranium.
And indeed, the temptation was undeniable. Faced with a ton of Vibranium, how could Blaine not be moved? He hadn't expected that a casual remark would actually lead them to produce a mission and offer such an enormous commission.
Now it was Blaine's turn to feel conflicted. He wanted the ton of Vibranium, but he also wanted to go down there and take a closer look. For a money-driven man like Blaine, both goals were equally important.
Should he just take the Vibranium first, then sneak back into Wakanda later and look for another opportunity? But what about that metal wall that blocked his mental power and Hawkeye's sight? And that mysterious voice—clearly something was preventing him from entering.
Besides, if Blaine tried to enter Wakanda again, it would be nearly impossible to avoid T'Challa's attention. Unless he wiped out everyone in Wakanda first and did whatever he wanted afterward.
Obviously, that was impossible. If word got out, his reputation as a Bounty Hunter would be finished. Who would dare post missions or hire him again? And besides, Blaine was not a bloodthirsty person.
At this moment, there seemed to be only one option.
"Yes, but I have one condition."
"Speak."
"I accept your mission,"
"But after it's completed,"
"Not only do I want one ton of Vibranium, I also want to go down into the mine with you,"
"I want to see the Vibranium Mountains with my own eyes,"
"But don't worry, I won't take any extra."
As long as T'Challa agreed, Blaine would definitely be able to go down when the Vibranium was mined. By following T'Challa, he could enter openly and without obstruction. Once inside, what happened next would be entirely up to him.
T'Challa considered the request. Though it sounded a bit strange, it wasn't a serious problem. The Vibranium Mountains were not some unspeakable secret, and letting him see them posed no real harm. As long as it got Blaine to leave afterward, an extra condition hardly mattered.
"Alright. What you said is acceptable,"
"But aren't you curious what kind of mission I'm offering?"
"Go on. I'll take it either way."
Though Blaine had already learned T'Challa's plan through mind reading, he still responded cooperatively.
"Have you ever heard of another Wakandan specialty?"
"Heart-Shaped Grass?"
"It seems the Bounty Hunter really is all-knowing."
"Unfortunately, not long ago, I had a rather impulsive cousin,"
"Who burned the Heart-Shaped Grass in a fit of anger,"
"And because the Heart-Shaped Grass grows in a special way,"
"It doesn't grow back like weeds after spring winds,"
"So you want me to…"
"That's right. Your mission is to revive Wakanda's Heart-Shaped Grass."
Seeing T'Challa's expression, Blaine simply shrugged. It didn't matter to him. The plants in the backyard of his villa had died under his care countless times and had been saved just as often.
Besides, Prince T'Challa really knew how to fabricate excuses. Blaming an impulsive cousin—what a convenient story. Wasn't it just a fight with Killmonger? It wasn't as if he'd never taken a hit before. There was nothing shameful about it. Of course, T'Challa tactfully avoided explaining too much, and Blaine didn't bother calling him out.
For Wakanda, this task was extremely important. For Blaine, it was practically free points. T'Challa was basically turning into a walking ATM and delivering money straight to him.
"I'll take it,"
"There's no time to waste. Let's go now."
In truth, Blaine wasn't eager to save the Heart-Shaped Grass itself. What he really wanted was to go to the mountains afterward. That mysterious voice and whatever lay inside the mountain were tugging at his curiosity like a restless monkey, constantly pulling at his thoughts.
"Follow me."
It seemed T'Challa was just as eager to send Blaine on his way.
Watching T'Challa lead from the front, Blaine didn't hesitate and followed immediately.
The three of them walked for quite some time before finally stopping in front of a waterfall.
"Go inform the Council of Elders,"
"Mr. Hunter, come with me."
T'Challa first instructed his sister to summon the Council of Elders of Wakanda. After all, reviving the Heart-Shaped Grass would inevitably involve mining Vibranium. Avoiding the elders entirely would only create trouble later.
Blaine said nothing. He already understood the plan these siblings had devised. For now, he simply continued following T'Challa behind the waterfall.
Behind the curtain of water was a cave, surprisingly spacious. Inside were natural stalactites, clearly formed over a long period of time. It seemed someone had been waiting here for quite a while.
This cave appeared to be inhabited by one of Wakanda's tribes. Judging by the small plates embedded in their lips, the gaudy robes, the facial paint, and the white markings on their skin, they were the same tribe Blaine had seen earlier on the grasslands.
Many of them were elderly. Though their combat strength was not impressive, their status in Wakanda was clearly high. They were likely responsible for rituals such as sacrifices and coronations.
Since the Heart-Shaped Grass was here, it probably belonged to them. After all, every Wakandan king—every Black Panther—had to consume the Heart-Shaped Grass to gain their power.
Naturally, Blaine paid them little attention. These old men and women had lived their entire lives steeped in feudal superstition and would never leave Wakanda.
Without further ceremony, they led Blaine and T'Challa straight to an underground chamber behind the cave.
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