Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5754 - 4777: X Royal Family: Rebirth (17)

"I can finally speak," Thor said, setting his hammer down. "After we arrived to lend aid, the Shi'ar Empire invaded the Solar System. Regardless of our involvement, they'll inevitably perceive us as the cause of trouble. If we fail to lift the sanctions on Clarkia, not only will we be denied leadership of the Multiverse, but we'll face universal condemnation even within the Prime Universe!"

"I've wanted to say this for a while," Banner groused. "Those two possess absolutely no political acumen, yet they harbor delusions of grandeur. And all of you hung on their every word. Now, look at the result? Under their command, we've lost everything."

"This is hardly the time for sarcasm," Captain America interjected, silencing Banner. "The proposal to offer support came from them, yes, but we all gave our consent. We cannot shoulder all the blame solely on them at this juncture."

"However, you've hit upon a truth. Their political skills are indeed lacking, and their self-perception is somewhat inflated. To be precise, they formulate plans without considering the practical realities. This stems from their individual backgrounds; it's not something we can easily alter."

"None of us here are political virtuosos. At best, we possess a degree of self-awareness. Nevertheless, given the current predicament, we must also strive to do our utmost. At the very least, we need to demonstrate a willingness to act, wouldn't you agree?"

A collective sigh emanated from the group.

Political aptitude is akin to an exceedingly rare sports car. If one isn't born with it, acquiring it is a formidable challenge. For the common individual, the intricacies of political maneuvering are simply too remote and complex.

Within The Avengers, perhaps only two and a half individuals truly grasp the nuances of politics. The remainder are largely out of their depth.

Firstly, considering those who do possess it: do not be deceived by Thor's often boorish demeanor; he is, after all, the heir to Asgard and received an education befitting royalty from a young age. Even if his grasp wasn't perfect, he absorbed a considerable amount through observation and listening. This includes how Odin managed his various generals, the distribution of spoils after victory, and the pacification of the populace in defeat. These are invaluable experiences. He garnered substantial insights during his years by Odin's side in battle.

Captain America qualifies as another. Do not be fooled by his soldier's background; he served as a US Military recruitment ambassador for an extended period, representing the armed forces and consequently becoming entangled in political disputes. Although he soon moved to the front lines, he still acquired some experience.

Black Widow can be considered half. Despite her Soviet origins, she remained an active field agent throughout, never truly involved in the corridors of power. While she might occasionally catch glimpses of the broader picture and discern subtle meanings, she cannot compare to someone with formal political training.

The rest, for the most part, lack any such ability. They predominantly hail from humble origins and have had no access to high society, let alone the seats of power. Iron Man stands as the sole exception.

It would be inaccurate to claim Iron Man lacks political experience. Even within the internal dynamics of the Stark Group, power struggles are a constant. However, his most significant shortcomings are a lack of self-awareness and an unwavering commitment to interventionism. These two flaws, when combined, render his political skills insufficient.

This also explains why the Illuminati repeatedly stir up trouble and have earned such an infamous reputation. Within the entire roster of the Illuminati, not a single member can be truly designated as a skilled politician, yet they all hold themselves in high esteem and exhibit a penchant for meddling. Their intentions may be noble, but their execution is flawed, naturally leading them to be perceived as troublemakers.

Consider, for example, the banishment of The Hulk to an alien planet. While The Hulk indeed posed a risk to the city, his continued presence on Earth was deemed too hazardous. Their concerns were understandable, aiming to keep The Hulk away from Earth. However, the entire operation was bungled so poorly that it ultimately precipitated the World War Hulk event.

Following the departure of Iron Man and Doctor Strange, the most significant improvement seen among the remaining members is their newfound self-awareness regarding their capabilities. They no longer concoct entirely unrealistic plans, blindly believing in their successful execution, but instead focus on discussing more pragmatic issues.

"Our first priority is to determine who currently leads Clarkia and ascertain their stance," Banner stated, initiating the discussion. "I observed the young Magneto earlier. He undoubtedly hails from the Central Universe. While they may appear more approachable compared to those in our universe, this could merely be a deceptive facade. Their attitude is of paramount importance."

"I concur," Hawkeye added. "Dealing with these two will certainly not be easier than confronting the previous pair. At the very least, in the current circumstances, they exhibit a calm demeanor, betraying no sign of panic. This indicates they possess strategies to manage the situation."

"Have you heard?" Black Widow inquired, "The young Mutants are planning a ring showdown to test their combat prowess. We should attend and perhaps engage in some discreet discussions to ascertain their true intentions."

"That is a sound strategy," Captain America concurred. "Following the ring showdown, a celebratory banquet is inevitable. Such a gathering presents the prime opportunity for intelligence acquisition."

"However, are you certain about observing the ring showdown with the Mutants?" Thor questioned. "Even as spectators, might it not pose a risk?"

"Fear not, this island imposes certain limitations on Mutants," Spider-Man explained. "Their extraordinary abilities will be curtailed, and other Mutants will be present to maintain order."

All eyes turned to Spider-Man. Captain America remarked, "It appears you possess considerable knowledge, Peter."

Spider-Man offered a simple nod, not refuting the observation. "They harbor no secrets from me. More accurately, they have no intention of concealing anything from us. Such information is readily obtainable through direct inquiry or a few days of observation; there is no inherent secrecy involved."

"What I intended to convey is that the Mutants are organizing a communal hot spring excursion, and they have extended invitations to Spider-Men from various universes. There is a possibility I may join them. Should you have any messages you wish to impart, I can act as your messenger."

"My word, you have truly infiltrated their inner circle!" Hawkeye exclaimed. "You can even gain access to such exclusive social events."

"No one harbors malicious intent towards Spider-Man," Spider-Man stated. "The local Avengers have also extended an invitation for a visit. Perhaps I can liaise with them. If you have any communiques, I can deliver them."

"Could the local Avengers intervene to subtly influence Washington's stance?" Thor inquired. "I speak of exerting some degree of leverage, particularly concerning Earth's security."

"That is a conceivable course of action, though fraught with difficulty," Captain America opined. "The Avengers would undoubtedly favor such a move, but the crucial question is Washington's receptiveness. I foresee significant resistance."

"Their inflexibility and obstinacy are truly frustrating," Thor grumbled. "The mutants recently aided them in repelling an alien invasion, and now they are completely disregarding them. It is utterly disgraceful."

"What of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Will their counsel not be heeded?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D. cannot openly engage," Captain America elaborated. "Mutants fall under the purview of individuals with superpowers, which is squarely within S.H.I.E.L.D.'s jurisdiction. If S.H.I.E.L.D. were to oppose sanctions against Clarkia, then any superpower-related incidents within the U.S. involving Clarkia would invariably fall upon S.H.I.E.L.D.'s shoulders."

"This situation is exceedingly vexing," Black Widow sighed, rubbing her temples. "It appears our only recourse is to initiate discussions with the Avengers. Peter, proceed there first, convey our willingness to mediate, and gauge their response."

At the local Avengers' headquarters, Spider-Man began recounting his observations. "Since the arrival of the new leadership, the island has undergone a remarkable transformation, exhibiting a far greater degree of order. Furthermore, engineering projects have accelerated, a clear testament to their considerable capabilities."

Captain America nodded in agreement. "I share your sentiment. Their ability to maintain stability amidst numerous sanctions and persist is truly commendable."

"I have received an invitation to join them at the hot springs," Spider-Man shared. He continued, "The region boasts abundant volcanic geothermal resources. Might suggesting the utilization of geothermal energy for industrial development be interpreted as a gesture of goodwill on our part?"

"This hardly requires your specific suggestion, does it?" the local Iron Man interjected. "Surely anyone could conceive of harnessing geothermal energy."

"However, I can offer specialized technical guidance," Spider-Man proposed. "During the hot spring visit, I can subtly assess the local geological conditions and present a viable development plan. Our objective is not to offer exhaustive assistance to the mutants, but merely to signal our amicable intentions."

"That approach has merit," Captain America conceded. "Nevertheless, your role will be strictly limited to assessment; leave the subsequent implementation to Tony. It is not a reflection of doubt in your technical acumen, but rather to ensure that if complications arise later, you are not burdened with undue responsibility."

"I have a query," the Winter Soldier stated. "How dare they presume to adopt our proposed strategy?"

"It is not a certainty that they will implement it," Captain America responded. "However, the mere act of providing the plan conveys our message. Moreover, I am confident that the Stark Group's proposal will be the most effective. If collaboration is sought, it would be an even more favorable outcome."

"Can the Stark Group operate in defiance of sanctions?" Hawkeye inquired.

Every head turned towards Iron Man. He declared, "Directly defying them is impossible, but we can certainly find methods to bypass their rules. If absolutely necessary, I could don the mecha daily, patrol the Earth, make brief stops on some remote island, and offer guidance for a couple of hours. That shouldn’t pose a problem, right?"

Iron Man gestured expansively. "Everyone is aware I'm a bit of a maverick. Washington abandoned any hope for me long ago. They aim to sever ties between Stark Group and Stark himself, but it's quite obvious that Stark's personal endorsement holds far greater value than Stark Group's."

"That is indeed the situation," Spider-Man agreed, nodding. "If you offer assistance to Clarkia in your personal capacity, no one can raise any objections. And your help is precisely the most critical."

"Then, let this be our course of action," Captain America concluded. "We shall commit to providing technical support to Clarkia under Iron Man's personal banner, thereby signaling the goodwill of the entire Avengers."

"However, the issue of sanctions remains unresolved," Black Widow pointed out. "The resources required for industrial development are far from trivial. With an embargo in place, both by air and sea, and continuous harassment, where will these resources originate?"

Thor, meanwhile, shook his head. "Our gesture is meant to show the mutants that we are distinct from the U.S. government. Not all of us are complicit in those politicians' bullying. This is about emotional reassurance, preventing them from escalating to extreme measures. After all, if the mutants were to unleash their fury, it would bring calamity upon all the Nine Major Kingdoms."

"Nonetheless, we are neither obligated nor should we assist them in lifting these sanctions. Should they fail to navigate this challenge independently, Clarkia is destined to fall apart."

"A nation's ability to stand firm in the international arena invariably hinges on its own inherent strength, not on the assistance of others. At the very least, they must possess a spirit of self-reliance. Our sole responsibility is to convey our stance and pacify their sentiments. The subsequent fate of this country will rest entirely upon their shoulders, and theirs alone."