Captain America and Tony almost believed that Peter had completely lost his mind.
However, the complete plan Peter laid out next, along with his accurate deductions regarding the high-level politicians, gradually caused them to calm down.
"Based on my understanding of that bunch of politicians, they are indeed highly likely to pull off an outrageous stunt like that," Tony muttered, rubbing his chin, clearly having come around to believe and validate Peter's narrative and strategy.
Captain America, however, kept his brow tightly furrowed; the mind of this old popsicle was remarkably straightforward. At this moment, only one thought occupied his brain—can human beings truly be wicked to this catastrophic extent?
"I will maintain a wait-and-see attitude on this," Captain America spoke with great difficulty after a long silence.
"I cannot believe those people would actually be foolish to this degree... Of course, if all of this unfortunately does transpire, then I am willing to unconditionally accept the tasks you assign to me."
Hearing this, Peter didn't force the issue either, merely offering Captain America a somewhat profound and enigmatic smile:
"In that case, let us wait and see."
The following afternoon, the White House, the Television Broadcasting Studio.
The studio was brightly lit, yet the underlying atmosphere appeared somewhat bizarre. The host maintained a professional smile on his face, but deep in his eyes sat a trace of undisguised contempt and mockery.
The audience members below the stage were exactly the same; rather than having come to participate in a serious interview, it was more accurate to say they were here to watch a circus performance.
And the sole protagonist of this performance was precisely the "Arbiter"—Peter Parker—clad in his dark gold skull suit.
The production crew had clearly been "meticulous." They didn't structure this broadcast into a solemn news interview; instead, they decorated it precisely like a late-night entertainment variety show. Multicolored lights continuously swept across Peter's suit, reflecting the Arbiter—who was supposed to be filled with mystery and majesty—like a cheap cosplayer.
To ensure Peter's reputation was thoroughly wiped out, the politicians went so far as to manipulate all official and non-official television networks to mandate the live broadcast of this interview nationwide.
"We interrupt our regular programming for an emergency broadcast. New York's well-known masked hero, Mr. Arbiter, will deliver an official statement regarding yesterday's disturbance in Times Square."
The host opened with an exaggerated tone, and the studio cameras immediately locked onto Peter, causing the nationwide audience tuning in to blank for a moment. The Arbiter actually accepted an official network interview!
"Mr. Arbiter," after basic pleasantries, the host leaned his body forward, putting on a highly concerned posture, "we have all heard about the warning you broadcast in Times Square regarding a 'future crisis.' Can you tell us why you chose to do this?"
Hearing this, Peter lifted his head, and through the skull mask, he spoke with an incredibly solemn tone:
"Because I witnessed the future destruction of New York in another universe!"
Over the next stretch of time, Peter began to detail with an incredibly grave expression how he traveled through time and space, how he saw the Spider-Man of that universe die tragically at the hands of the Inheritors, and how he watched that entire universe get obliterated by the terrifying power of those Inheritors.
Finally, Peter summarized:
"Everything that happened yesterday was indeed a misunderstanding. I do not know why those damned Inheritors did not follow me immediately.
Perhaps they have not discovered our specific universe yet, or perhaps we are protected by a certain cosmic rule.
But I can say with absolute certainty that danger can descend at any moment—perhaps tomorrow, perhaps in a week, or a month... This is a grueling war, and every single one of us must be prepared."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was filled with absolute conviction, as if he were recounting an absolute nightmare he had experienced firsthand.
The entire studio gradually fell silent. The mockery and disdain on the audience's faces uncomfortably receded a great deal under Peter's highly infectious narrative.
However, just as the atmosphere was progressively turning grave, the host suddenly cut in with a chuckle:
"Wow, that sounds... absolutely thrilling! I mean... as you know, even Director Cameron's Hollywood blockbusters don't feature scenarios quite that exaggerated!"
His words instantly shattered the solemn atmosphere Peter had built up just seconds prior.
The "audience" members below the stage erupted into roars of laughter. The atmosphere within the studio and before the television screens instantly shifted into something lighthearted and humorous, and some citizens watching the broadcast couldn't help but complain:
"Parallel universes? An army of Spider-Men? Has this guy completely over-medicated himself?"
"I heavily suspect this guy touched some illegal substances during the half-month he disappeared, otherwise how could he spout so many ridiculous things?"
"Time travel plus a vampire family fighting a Spider-Army—this is entirely too far-fetched!"
It had been far too long since the Hulk and Abomination incident, to the point where many people had forgotten the terror of that battle.
They had forgotten how dangerous this world truly was. Now, with the host driving the rhythm like this, many people subconsciously rejected Peter's words in their hearts.
Over the remaining duration of the program, a similar pattern repeated itself again and again. Peter would solemnly remind the public to be careful, but no matter what he said, it would be systematically deconstructed by the host's humorous remarks, twisting the world-ending crisis from his mouth into an unrealistic joke.
To ensure no one grew suspicious, and more importantly, to help those politicians fall seamlessly into the trap he had laid out, Peter didn't behave entirely like an idiot.
Instead, after being repeatedly interrupted by the host, he suddenly stood up in an apparent fit of absolute rage, roaring at the host:
"Dammit, I've had enough! Do you think I am playing a fucking joke with you?"
As he spoke, he casually channeled a Rasengan in his hand and slammed it down onto the long table before him, instantly reducing the desk into microscopic splinters.
"Do I need to use actual force to demonstrate to you what kind of battle I went through, and show you how those civilians were crushed by those monsters as easily as stomping on a bug?!"
His sudden explosion caused everyone present to jump in fright. The viewers before the television screens also subconsciously shuddered, their faces shifting into varied expressions.
Some loyal fans who believed in the Arbiter solidified their conviction, believing Peter hadn't lied and that danger was truly coming.
But far more people subconsciously furrowed their brows, merely feeling that Peter's sudden outburst resembled that of a maniacal patient.
This posture of "I possess the power, therefore you must listen to me" triggered an underlying aversion in many people.
By extension, it birthed a trace of anxiety and ill-will toward the superhero community as a whole. What would happen if these arrogant individuals possessing super-powers suddenly exploded in rage one day, like the Arbiter on television? If they truly lose their minds, who could possibly stop them?
While the public was contemplating this precise question, the host's trembling voice drifted from the television speaker:
"Please don't be angry, Mr. Arbiter. Of course, I believe what you say is true, but I do have one question. If, as you said, we need to establish high-tech energy defense installations capable of guarding the entirety of New York or even the whole United States... this undoubtedly requires an astronomical amount of capital. May I ask, where exactly is this money supposed to come from?"
This question was like a poison-dipped dagger, stabbing directly into the absolute vitals of the matter.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for Peter's answer. Amidst this baseline of universal anticipation, Peter slowly lifted his head and, using a completely non-negotiable tone, delivered the answer that was destined to detonate public opinion:
"Levy a tax on society."
"This is a crisis concerning the survival of every single one of us, and indeed all of mankind. In the face of this catastrophe, no one can remain unaffected. Either give your money, or you will have to give your life!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a massive uproar exploded across the nation!
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