The Cosmic Cube originally came from space and didn't belong to Earth. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s forced preservation of something from the universe was inherently risky.
If Loki came to Earth merely to "retrieve" the Cosmic Cube, took it, and then left Earth, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.
Not only would Earth not have lost anything, but it would have also avoided various dangers that the Cosmic Cube might bring.
But if Loki obtained the Cube and still didn't leave Earth, intending to cause trouble on the planet, then that would be quite problematic.
"We don't know Loki's exact objective yet, but sir, I don't think he'll leave that easily."
Black Widow said with a somewhat grave expression after a moment of contemplation.
"Why do you think that?" Nick Fury's expression was equally serious, indicating that he likely shared Black Widow's assessment.
"Loki said he wanted to bring a world without attachments to Earth."
Black Widow stated the basis for her deduction, "If his goal was only the Cosmic Cube, wouldn't saying something like that seem a bit strange? He must be planning to do something to Earth."
"Besides, we all saw Loki's capabilities. No one could stop him if he wanted to leave the base, but why did he take Barton, Dr. Selvig, and the others with him?"
"It can't be that he needs Barton to be his driver, can it?"
"And Dr. Selvig, although he's a scientist, he's also an old man. For Loki, his only value is the knowledge in his head!"
"Loki needs Dr. Selvig's knowledge!"
"The Cosmic Cube!" Iron Man interjected, his voice filled with gravity, "Loki needs Dr. Selvig to continue researching the Cosmic Cube!"
"So, Loki is indeed planning something on Earth next." Nick Fury concluded with immense gravity.
On this point, everyone basically had no objections and had reached a consensus.
After all, the possibility of Loki taking Dr. Selvig back to Asgard to research the Cosmic Cube was very small.
That was the legendary realm of the gods, Asgard. Would they need the help of an Earthling to research the Cosmic Cube?
Rely on an Earthling's knowledge?
Then wouldn't this realm of the gods be too useless?
Moreover, the video clearly showed that Loki had controlled many people, and apart from Dr. Selvig, the others were all agents.
If Dr. Selvig's research on the Cosmic Cube had some value for Loki to take back to Asgard, although that possibility was also small, it was still there.
Then what about those agents?
What value did they have for Loki?
Surely he wouldn't take them to Asgard to fight?
Those agents were worthless to the realm of the gods; their value could only be realized on Earth.
It was clear that Loki intended to scheme something on Earth, which was why he needed these extra personnel.
"We don't know what Loki wants to do on Earth, but is it possible it's related to the Chitauri?"
After a brief, heavy silence, Iron Man spoke again, his expression serious.
Nick Fury and Black Widow exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of solemnity on the other's face.
Like Iron Man, they also had this concern.
"That's precisely what I wanted to say, the second crucial question." Nick Fury nodded in agreement.
Under the gaze of Nick Fury and Black Widow, Iron Man clearly laid out his analysis.
"Firstly, the space wormhole opened by the Chitauri when they invaded New York, and the space wormhole opened by the Cosmic Cube, are identical."
"So we have to draw a grim and terrible conclusion: the Chitauri also used the Cosmic Cube to open the space wormhole."
"Now, the problem is, we already know that after Loki stole the Cosmic Cube, it was the first time Nick Fury assembled the Avengers—note, the first time."
"This means that Loki stealing the Cosmic Cube came first, and the Chitauri invading New York came second. This chronological order is very important and conveys some crucial information."
"Do you remember one of my conjectures from the previous question, that the Chitauri's level of civilization might not be high, yet they incongruously opened a space wormhole?"
"And now, we learn that Loki stole the Cosmic Cube and is planning something on Earth... Haven't you connected the dots?"
"Stark, are you saying... it was Loki who used the Cosmic Cube to help the Chitauri open the space wormhole!" Black Widow interjected, her eyes lighting up slightly.
Iron Man's deduction instantly linked the previous video with this one.
It also filled in some doubts and loopholes in both videos, and it was logically sound.
Such deductions are often closer to the truth.
"A very insightful deduction! Let's delve deeper." Nick Fury's expression shifted slightly, and he strongly agreed with Iron Man's deduction.
"If Loki had no connection to the Chitauri's invasion of Earth, then there are only two possibilities."
"First, we took the Cosmic Cube back from Loki, and then the Chitauri took the Cube from us later."
"Second, the Chitauri took the Cube directly from Loki."
Iron Man and Black Widow both nodded; such situations were indeed possible. Even if Iron Man's deduction was reasonable, it was still just a deduction.
They couldn't rule out other possibilities based on that alone.
"I don't think the first scenario is very likely to happen!" Iron Man pondered for a moment, then quickly shook his head, making his judgment.
"If the Chitauri truly planned an operation to seize the Cosmic Cube from S.H.I.E.L.D., then it wouldn't be a full-scale invasion, but rather sending special forces to secretly infiltrate Earth for the mission."
"That makes sense." Black Widow agreed, "If they brought their main fleet to Earth just to seize the Cosmic Cube, then why would they need to seize the Cosmic Cube at all?"
The Chitauri seized the Cosmic Cube to open a space wormhole, allowing large forces to invade Earth through the wormhole.
If they brought large forces to Earth from the beginning, then what would they need the Cosmic Cube for?
So if they truly came to S.H.I.E.L.D. to seize the Cosmic Cube, they would undoubtedly do so like Loki, with only a special task force.
"But we also saw that if the Chitauri were separated from their main fleet, their combat power was extremely limited, unable to even deal with my Iron Man suit!"
"And after Loki stole the Cube, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s base security level would definitely be greatly increased, and the Avengers would quickly respond with support."
"Under these circumstances, I don't believe the Chitauri would be able to seize the Cosmic Cube."