The sun was shining, and the sea breeze was warm.
It was perfect weather for a vacation.
However, at this moment, two superpower fleets were facing each other on the sea.
Under the watchful eyes of both navies, the cargo ship carrying the nuclear missiles had already approached the blockade line.
No matter which country they belonged to, everyone aboard the ship was extremely tense.
Because, war could break out at any moment.
On the Federation fleet, the commander said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, it has been my honor to fight alongside you."
"May God bless the Federation."
He made the sign of the cross, then said solemnly, "Prepare to open fire!"
The Soviet fleet was the same.
The guns of both fleets were already aimed at each other.
The atmosphere at sea became heavy.
It was as if a storm was about to arrive, just then, a dull sound of something breaking through the air came from above. The Blackbird jet appeared over the sea, drawing the attention of both fleets.
Inside the jet, Charles glanced out the window, "We're too late. The cargo ship is about to cross the blockade line."
"Charles, take control of the Soviet fleet personnel and have them sink the cargo ship themselves. That way, there'll be no reason to start a war," Erik spoke quickly.
It was indeed a good idea.
Charles checked the cargo ship, but hesitated, "There are quite a few people on board. If we sink the ship, they'll die."
Erik couldn't help growing irritable, "Compared to the billions of people in the world, the people on one cargo ship don't matter."
Charles shook his head, "The value of life isn't measured by numbers."
Raven stood up and said, "Then control the captain of the cargo ship and make him turn it around."
Charles and Erik's eyes lit up at the same time. That was indeed a good idea.
But at that moment, Alex said, "No need."
'No need?'
'Has the cargo ship already crossed the blockade line?'
Charles and Magneto both felt a chill run down their backs. They looked out the window and saw that the cargo ship had stopped.
Strangely, its engines were still running, yet it no longer moved, as if it had left the surface of the sea.
Then it really did leave the surface.
Out on the sea, both the Federation and Soviet fleets watched in shock as the cargo ship slowly rose out of the water.
The propeller at the stern was still spinning, but without touching the seawater, it couldn't generate any thrust.
Beneath the cargo ship, a red cape fluttered.
"What is that?"
"It looks like... a man?"
"A human? How is that possible?"
"No, that really is a human."
Soldiers on both fleets cried out one after another.
Since it was a Soviet cargo ship, the soldiers on the Soviet fleet could see more clearly.
They saw a blond man beneath the cargo ship, wearing black metallic battle armor, with a red cape fluttering behind him. He effortlessly lifted the cargo ship, which weighed tens of thousands of tons, then flew toward a distant island and finally set the ship down in a forest.
"It's Mr. John!"
Raven cried out excitedly, "Did you all see that? It's Mr. John! When did he get out?"
Darwin pointed at Charles, "While you were discussing how to deal with the cargo ship, Mr. John passed through the fuselage and flew out."
Charles and the others were dumbfounded.
"Mr. John is truly unfathomable. Every time I think I know enough about him, I quickly discover that the abilities he's shown are only the tip of the iceberg."
Charles shook his head, "Maybe we won't even need to do anything. Mr. John alone might be able to handle everything."
At that moment, Alex's voice sounded in his mind.
["I've already dealt with the hardest part. The rest is up to you."]
The voice sounded in everyone's mind.
Except Erik.
Charles let out a breath, stood up, and smiled, "We can't let Mr. John take all the glory. Come on, it's our turn now."
"Erik, can you pull Shaw's submarine out of the sea?"
"Of course," Erik stood up and said coldly, "He won't escape this time."
"Very good."
"Hank, lower the landing gear."
Charles said to Hank.
The Blackbird descended to the surface of the water, and the landing gear extended. Magneto stood on it, pressing one hand toward the sea as he searched for the submarine.
He recalled how Alex had stirred up his anger before, and in his mind he replayed the scene of his mother being shot again and again.
He tried to use those memories to awaken his hatred for Shaw and let that hatred drive him to unleash even greater power.
Before meeting Alex, Erik had actually tried similar methods before, but the results hadn't been very good. Too much time had passed, and many details had already become blurred.
But under the effects of Alex's Reality Warping, not long ago Erik had personally experienced that pain all over again.
So now, he easily remembered the experience that had broken his heart.
His rage erupted once more.
Erik quickly sensed the submarine, "Found you."
"Shaw, you can't run anymore!"
Erik clenched his hand.
At once, the sea began to churn, and bubbles constantly rose to the surface.
Not long afterward, a submarine rose from the sea. Magneto forcibly "lifted" it out of the water, while its propeller continued spinning.
———
[Out on the Sea]
The Federation and Soviet fleets watched the scene in astonishment.
But after already witnessing Alex lift a cargo ship with his bare hands, no matter how unbelievable the sight before them was, they were no longer too surprised.
Just like that, Erik captured Shaw's submarine. Hank took the opportunity to fly the Blackbird toward a distant deserted island.
But at that moment, Magneto, filled with hatred for Shaw, closed all five fingers into a fist.
Driven by hatred, with his powers greatly strengthened, he effortlessly kneaded the submarine as if it were a cigar.
The submarine immediately twisted out of shape, as though it were being squeezed by an invisible giant hand, letting out a grating sound.
Then, as Magneto made a throwing motion, the submarine shot toward the distant deserted island and slammed heavily onto it, kicking up a thick cloud of dust.
Sitting on top of the cargo ship, Alex whistled like a spectator watching the excitement.
"Here it comes. The show's starting."
"Hands up!"
Just then, behind Alex, the crew of the cargo ship raised their rifles and pointed them at his head.
"I order you to put your hands up, or I'll open fire!", the captain shouted.
Alex glanced back at them. At that moment, every crew member, including the captain, wore strange expressions.
Their eyes widened as they looked at themselves and their companions. Against their own will, they turned around and aimed the dark muzzles of their guns at one another.
"No, no."
"Alexei, what are you doing!"
"Yolkin, put the gun down!"
"It's not me, Captain, it's not me."
"I can't control myself."
The deck instantly became chaotic.
Smiling, Alex softly uttered a single word.
"Bang!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire rang out across the deck.
The crew shot one another, and flowers of blood immediately bloomed across the deck.
By constantly using Mind Invasion, Alex had become quite skilled with it.
At present, he could control nearly a hundred people at the same time.
Of course, ordinary people.
"Finally, some peace and quiet."
Alex turned back and looked toward the nearby island.
He sighed, "It'd be even better if I had some fries and a Coke right now."