Banner froze, dumbfounded.
Seriously? This guy was bragging way too hard—knowing the past and foreseeing the future? Why not just ascend to the heavens while he's at it?
Of course, he didn't dare say that out loud. Instead, he just stared at Leo, his disbelief obvious.
Banner stayed silent, completely lost for words.
"What's wrong? Don't believe me? How about we make a bet?"
Leo smirked. He could already tell Banner didn't buy it—which was exactly what he wanted.
"What kind of bet? Are we betting on your prophecy?"
Banner's eyes narrowed. As a scientist, his IQ was through the roof.
"Smart," Leo said with a grin.
"Then what are the stakes?"
Banner was intrigued now. Betting on the future? That had potential.
Leo leaned back casually. "We'll bet on whether General Ross will launch a sneak attack on my place tonight."
A mysterious smile crept onto his lips. He was certain Ross would try something stupid—especially targeting No. 18.
The guy was obsessed with building a superpowered army, and that never ended well.
Banner blinked. "That's it? I'll take that bet."
In his mind, General Ross wouldn't go that far just for revenge. Not worth it.
"Alright, deal," Banner said, nodding.
"What about the stakes?" he added. "That's what makes a gamble fun."
Leo chuckled. "Simple. If I win, you'll be my subordinate from now on. You'll take my orders one hundred percent. No questions, no excuses."
Banner's jaw dropped.
Those were some serious stakes. Losing meant surrendering his freedom for life. No way was he agreeing to that.
He opened his mouth to refuse, but Leo interrupted smoothly.
"Don't you want to hear what you'll get if you win?"
Banner froze. Right. The stakes should go both ways. If Leo was willing to bet this big, there had to be something worth it on the other side.
Banner frowned. "Alright. What do I get if I win?"
Leo stared him straight in the eyes, his voice calm but cutting.
"I can eliminate the Hulk personality."
Thud!
Banner shot to his feet so fast he knocked over the chair.
"What!? You can actually do that? Are you serious? How!?"
His grip tightened on Leo's arm, his face pale with a mix of hope and fear.
The Hulk had tormented him for years. Every time he got angry, scared, or even anxious, that monster came out—leaving only destruction in his wake.
He'd lost everything—his home, his peace, even his identity.
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Easy there. Calm down before you turn green again."
He noticed a faint emerald glow flickering in Banner's eyes—dangerous.
Banner quickly took deep breaths, steadying himself before asking again, "How are you going to do it?"
Leo gave a half-smile. "You'll know when the time comes. If I tell you now, it won't work."
Banner stared, feeling like he was getting conned by a street magician.
In truth, Leo already had a plan. Once Loki invaded Earth with the Mind Stone, things would become much simpler.
By merging the Mind Stones he possessed into a Super Mind Stone, suppressing Hulk's other personality would be child's play.
Could a mere split consciousness stand against that level of power? Not a chance.
And if all else failed… well, there was always the [Destroyer System] to fall back on.
"This… this…" Banner hesitated, torn between fear and desperation.
If he didn't bet, he'd stay trapped in this endless torment. The Hulk would keep growing stronger until one day, he'd be completely consumed.
But if he bet and lost—well, things couldn't really get worse than they already were.
Banner clenched his fists, struggling with the decision. Then, after a long silence, he finally looked Leo in the eye.
"Alright. I'll bet."
Leo's smile widened. "Good choice. You'll thank me later."
"I hope so," Banner muttered under his breath.
The way Leo looked so calm—it made him feel like the outcome was already set.
And maybe it was.
Leo had planned everything down to the last detail. Banner was just another piece on his board—and an important one.
After all, if Banner joined the Avengers, that would only strengthen someone else's control over Earth's heroes.
Leo's philosophy was simple: Why let others control the pieces when I can control the whole game myself?
As for eliminating the Hulk personality or merging them into one…
That would depend. Whitewashing made a man weaker. Darkness made him stronger.
And Banner's current self? Far too timid.
Leo's eyes hardened. "If I can't control it, I'll destroy it."
A sharp, ruthless light flickered in his gaze.
The bet was set. The night had yet to fall.
But when it did—someone would lose everything.