Aside from Odin's attempt to invade his mind, Senju Haruto was unaware of what others were plotting or thinking.
He only felt puzzled by the sudden probe.
The clash had happened so abruptly that Haruto reacted instinctively, striking back before he could even lock onto the intruder, scattering the invading spiritual force entirely.
And in the Marvel universe, there were far too many "gods" to keep track of. Haruto had never studied each one's mental signature.
Judging only by feeling, though, this presence didn't seem to belong to someone like Dormammu or any other dark, evil force.
"Host, please proceed to the town where the Destroyer will descend for sign-in. A reward will be granted upon successful sign-in."
Just as Haruto lifted his head toward the sky, the familiar chime of his sign-in system echoed in his ears once again.
The Destroyer's descent into the town was a unique event—happening only once.
It was when Loki dispatched the weapon to kill Thor.
And it was during that very trial that Thor proved his noble heart, regained Mjolnir's recognition, and reclaimed his godly power.
By wielding Mjolnir, Thor had summoned a storm strong enough to obliterate the Destroyer.
After that, the armor never appeared again.
So if the sign-in condition required the Destroyer's arrival, going there right now would be meaningless.
Haruto let the thought drop and decided instead to relax.
Meanwhile, just as in the film, Coulson had called in backup troops. They sealed off Mjolnir completely, establishing a temporary research site around it.
In fact, Coulson had even asked Haruto directly if he would bring the hammer back to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
Whether in terms of staff expertise or research equipment, a makeshift camp couldn't possibly compare to HQ.
But Haruto refused without hesitation.
He wasn't a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent—at most, just a consultant with an honorary title. Neither Coulson nor anyone else had the right to dictate what he should or shouldn't do.
Why should he go out of his way to haul Mjolnir to their headquarters just to make their lives easier?
Besides, Coulson's request had been nothing more than words—no actual sincerity behind it.
So why should Haruto oblige?
Without Haruto's cooperation, Coulson had no other choice but to follow the original plan and keep the hammer under lockdown in the temporary facility.
Events unfolded exactly as Haruto had expected.
Within a few days of the site being sealed, the powerless Thor, aided by Jane Foster and Erik Selvig, managed to make his way there.
"Could it be him?"
Coulson rushed into Haruto's quarters.
Outside, the sky was pitch-black, rain pouring down amid rumbling thunder. Haruto had no interest in watching Thor stumble through his humiliation.
But Coulson was different.
After Haruto had explained things to him, Coulson had begun to associate the hammer directly with Norse mythology.
So when someone forced his way into the site without hesitation, Coulson's nerves instantly tensed.
To prevent disaster, the first person he thought of was Haruto—the only man to have lifted Mjolnir.
Coulson carried a tablet in his hand, the screen showing live footage of Thor.
Dozens of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents swarmed to intercept him, but Thor tore through them with ease.
Even stripped of his divine power, he hadn't forgotten the combat training of Asgard.
And even as a "mortal," his physique was still far more imposing than an ordinary man's.
Ten agents, twenty—it made little difference.
The only real threat lay in the watchtower, where Hawkeye had his bow drawn. But without Coulson's direct order, Barton would not loose an arrow.
Pointing at the image on the screen, Coulson turned to Haruto, tension written on his face.
He had never seen anyone fight with such raw strength and refined skill.
And most importantly—there was a fire burning in Thor's eyes.
The moment he looked upon Mjolnir, light flickered within his gaze.
"Who knows?" Haruto cast a glance at Thor and shrugged indifferently. He couldn't be bothered with such trivialities.
"Let him try. There's no harm in it," Haruto said casually.
His meaning was clear—dozens of tourists had already tried and failed. One more attempt would hardly matter.
"…Alright."
Realizing he would get no definite answer from Haruto, Coulson relented.
He returned his gaze to the screen and ordered Hawkeye to stay on standby.
Deep down, Coulson's instincts told him this man truly was the hammer's master.
But he didn't want to stand in his way.
The truth was, Coulson believed Haruto's words at least seventy or eighty percent by now.
And here was a man calling himself Thor.
After all, Haruto had explained that Mjolnir belonged to Norse mythology.
When Haruto had lifted it, lightning itself had thundered down as if bowing in reverence.
And the name Thor—the very God of Thunder—was a perfect match for the hammer's power.
That was another reason why Coulson suspected this man was indeed Mjolnir's rightful owner.
Given such possibilities, Coulson had no desire to make an enemy of him.
Thor, God of Thunder—symbol of lightning and strength, protector of humanity in ancient myths.
Better to recruit him than provoke him.
Besides, to anger Thor might mean angering the entire Norse pantheon.
To create such conflict without necessity would be pure folly.
With these thoughts in mind, Coulson chose to hold his forces back, allowing Thor to break through the perimeter and reach Mjolnir.
When more agents tried to rush forward, Coulson stopped them, ordering them to stand down.
"We meet again, old friend."
At last, Thor stood before his beloved hammer. His emotions surged like a tide.
The lightning in the night sky sounded to him like celebratory fanfare.
He stretched his limbs, then bent low, extending his hand toward the hammer's handle.
The familiar touch of Mjolnir sent a wave of anticipation through him.
"I am…"
"Thor, God of Thunder!"
"For the glory of Asgard!"
Thor lifted his proud head to the heavens, convinced his father Odin was watching.
At that very instant, he poured all his strength into one final declaration.
"Ahhh!"
His roar echoed through the storm as he heaved with all his might.
But nothing happened.
No surge of divine power coursed through him.
His expression froze, eyes widening in shock as he looked down.
The hammer that had accompanied him for countless years…
Had not moved an inch.
"No…"