The courtroom fell deathly silent.
Every eye was fixed on Renjie, waiting for his response.
Renjie remained calm. Instead of speaking immediately, he gestured once more, signaling John—the witness who had accused Nick Fury—to continue.
The Chief Justice ignored Fury's protests and nodded toward John.
"Your Honor, we are all here voluntarily!"
The words left John's mouth, and an immediate murmur swept through the room.
One dollar per gram of vibranium?
Even for charity, this was excessive!
And selling rare metals privately, assisting foreign researchers in creating lethal weapons—just that charge alone would merit the death penalty!
Yet John paused only briefly before continuing.
"I can stake my life on this."
"These rare metals are not being used for weapons," he insisted.
"We are investing in the future—the bright future of all humanity!"
"The reason we support Mr. Renjie is because we admire his noble character."
Once he finished speaking, John urgently looked toward Renjie.
For the safety of his family, Renjie was their only, final hope.
The Chief Justice smiled gently, addressing the defendant.
"Mr. Renjie, do you have anything to add?"
The elderly, highly respected magistrate had long since been bribed by Renjie, though no one else knew it.
Renjie smiled and stepped forward, beginning his address from the defendant's stand.
"Decades ago, wars were ignited over resources."
"A few years ago, oil became the trigger."
"One nation, under the pretext of possessing 'weapons of mass destruction,' launched an invasion."
"To this day, it remains mired in the quagmire of the 'Imperial Graveyard,' unable to withdraw unscathed."
"Coincidentally, at that time, Mr. Fury, the Director of SHIELD, reproduced the same cycle in just a few minutes."
"Using the excuse of 'dangerous weapons,' he attempted to seize my technology outright."
"To produce nano-suits for the nation he serves."
"In the East, we would call such uncultured individuals what they truly are: bandits, thieves!"
Renjie's words stirred murmurs in the courtroom.
Every piece of evidence he cited was undeniable, steeped in blood and truth.
"I am a scientist. Everything I do is for the future of humanity."
"The reason I require vast amounts of rare metals is because..."
Renjie's voice trailed as he patted Android 16's broad shoulder.
Under the gaze of everyone present, Android 16's shoulder opened to reveal a precise, fully mechanical structure.
Gasps of awe spread across the courtroom.
From Android 16's arm, Renjie extracted a small, fingernail-sized button battery from its energy core and held it high for all to see.
"This tiny button battery produces energy equivalent to a nuclear power plant," he explained.
"The materials used are made of high-precision vibranium and other rare metals."
"It is a brand-new element."
"More stable and durable than electricity, safer than nuclear energy."
"This is the key to a new century, my latest scientific achievement."
Renjie's words stunned everyone present.
Even seasoned journalists, familiar with Iron Man's Arc Reactor, could hardly disbelieve what they were witnessing.
"I am attempting to simplify this 'new energy technology,' mass-produce it, and make it safer."
"With Hammer Industries' assistance, it will be released to markets around the world."
"The advent of this new energy will gradually replace existing sources."
"Environmental pollution, energy shortages—these problems will disappear."
"This is a key with infinite possibilities, like the Wright brothers' first plane."
"When that day comes, humanity will not only touch the sky, but reach the boundless stars and oceans beyond."
"Your Honor, this is my answer."
As he finished, thunderous applause erupted.
Everyone in the military courtroom rose, clapping vigorously.
They were honoring this young man, the Creator opening a new era.
Nick Fury was left dumbfounded.
The moment the witness betrayed him, he had known defeat was inevitable—but he never expected it to be so complete.
All SHIELD agents, except Fury, were ordered to retreat immediately, leaving him standing alone at the witness stand.
Isolated, he became a laughingstock for the world to observe.
"How did you do it?!"
"Why was all of this within your control?!"
Fury bellowed.
Only two people had known the core plan—his most trusted confidants.
Renjie turned back, a faint, almost mocking smile on his lips, explaining everything to Fury.
"A great Western philosopher once said," Renjie began, "When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."
Renjie's words made Fury's scalp tingle with dread.
He understood—truly understood.
From the very beginning, he had already lost.
At that moment, a new group of fully armed SHIELD agents stormed the courtroom, presenting an arrest warrant for all to see.
"Nick Fury, you have been removed from your position."
"Mr. Pierce will now serve as acting director."
"You used your authority to threaten Mr. Renjie in an attempt to acquire the nano-suit technology."
"You conspired with senior military officials to launch an armed uprising, and this has been verified."
"Please come with us immediately."