"This kind of thing, you guys handle it yourselves, no need to tell me, it's too troublesome..." Robert interrupted Steve's detailed explanation of dealing with official institutions with a wave of his hand.
Robert was a warrior, his focus was on fighting. Whether society would become turbulent or whether the stability of official institutions would collapse, he didn't care. He just needed to kill the enemies when necessary. As for the brainwork and negotiations, those should be left to people like Steve and Tony Stark.
"In that case, let's work well together from now on!" Steve stopped talking and turned to Martian Manhunter with a smile.
"So, from today, I'm an Avenger?" Martian Manhunter's eyes flickered. He had come to help save the officials, but by the time he arrived, they were all dead except for Blanch, whom Robert was targeting.
To save Blanch, Martian Manhunter had to agree to join the Avengers. He hadn't expected the other Avengers to be so accepting of his joining...
"Snap!" As Martian Manhunter spoke, Robert released Blanch, tossing him to the ground. Blanch's eyes flashed with anger but he quickly hid it. When he first appeared, he was arrogant, looking down on the Avengers, Superman, and even Robert.
Blanch had thought that Superman was just overhyped and easily defeated, especially after he suppressed Kara and Hellboy with one blow. He had inflated to the point where he believed no one could defeat him.
Until Robert appeared, not only knocking him from heaven to hell but also deflating his arrogance. Despite his hatred for Robert, Blanch didn't dare show it because he knew his life was not in his hands. Without Martian Manhunter's intervention, he would already be dead. The previous battle made Blanch fully aware of the vast gap between him and Robert.
"When you go back, keep quiet about what happened here. The Saiyan might not know your identity and location, but I do..." Martian Manhunter warned Blanch as he struggled to get up.
Saving Blanch was already a great deal for the military. The official institutions couldn't know what happened here because Robert had destroyed all their people, jets, and armor, leaving no technology behind. The monitoring footage was lost, and they assumed everyone sent here was dead, except Hellboy.
Martian Manhunter reminded Blanch not to speak out when he returned. His joining the Avengers didn't mean he would abandon his military identity. His unique abilities allowed him to have multiple identities within the military and know many of their secrets.
"You..." Blanch opened his mouth as if to say something but held back. He realized Martian Manhunter's strength might surpass his own and Martian Manhunter had saved him. Showing impatience now could anger him, and if Robert didn't deal with him, Martian Manhunter might.
Having experienced a setback, Blanch had become more cautious, no longer as arrogant. Hellboy smirked mockingly, preferring Blanch's previous defiant attitude. Hellboy didn't say anything, unsure of Martian Manhunter's background. Judging by his appearance, Martian Manhunter was obviously not human, but Hellboy had never heard of him in the military, so he wouldn't speak out without knowing more. He did wish Robert had killed the arrogant Blanch.
However, Hellboy realized it was normal not to know Martian Manhunter, just as he hadn't known Blanch before. Official forces rarely reveal their hidden aces...
"Alright, no need to bother with him. Thanks for your help. If the Ancient One returns, we shouldn't need your help anymore..." Robert turned to Baron Mordo and his companions, nodding slightly.
Robert knew Baron Mordo and the others' strength was lacking. They could barely contain his and Kara's battle within the mirror dimension. If Kara's strength had been slightly greater, even Robert's final move might not have killed her. Robert hoped that next time, the Ancient One could personally open the mirror dimension. No one, except Mephisto, had ever escaped from it.
"No problem, and thank you for handling these extradimensional events. Kamar-Taj is deeply grateful..." Baron Mordo lowered his attitude, aware of Robert's formidable strength, and nodded before opening a portal and leaving.
"Thank you. Without your help, Kara's injuries might have been more severe..." Robert turned to Hellboy, unaware of Hellboy's internal thoughts but grateful for his assistance.
"No, you saved me before. I just did what I should have done," Hellboy shook his head, managing a stiff smile. "Besides, when fighting that demon lord, I was already an ally of the Avengers..."
"If you need anything, contact me or Steve... um, how should I address you?" Robert turned to Martian Manhunter, suddenly realizing he didn't know his name.
"My Martian name is J'onn J'onzz. You can call me John or Martian Manhunter," Martian Manhunter replied, his unique appearance hiding any expression.
The Avengers found it somewhat amusing that Robert invited someone without knowing his name, but Martian Manhunter's words quickly drew their attention, especially Steve's.
"You're really a Martian? Mars has life? How advanced is your civilization? Can you travel interstellar?" Steve bombarded Martian Manhunter with questions, fascinated by the idea of extraterrestrial life.
Hellboy, too, was surprised. Martian life was far rarer than infernal creatures.
"Yes, I'm Martian. Let's discuss the details at the Avengers headquarters," Martian Manhunter suggested, glancing at Blanch, who stood unsure of what to do.
"Buzz!" With a surge of mental power, Martian Manhunter invaded Blanch's mind, leaving him dazed and blank.
Robert raised an eyebrow, familiar with Martian Manhunter's mental powers. Previously, Martian Manhunter's mental attack had been repelled by Robert's primal rage and warlike spirit.
"Swish!" Under Martian Manhunter's control, Blanch's body lifted and flew away.
"What was that?" The Avengers, mostly unaware of what had happened, felt confused. Only Susan Storm and Lorna had a vague sense of something but weren't certain.
"I modified his recent memories to prevent him from disclosing what happened here," Martian Manhunter explained to Robert.
"That's a useful ability. Glad to have you in the Avengers," Robert nodded with a smile. "Let's head back, celebrate our new member, and have a feast... Wait, where's Tony?"
Robert only then realized Tony Stark was absent, as he hadn't paid attention during the battle.
"He must be busy. We'll ask him when we return," Steve said, shaking his head, knowing that Tony had left abruptly and J.A.R.V.I.S. had gone silent, indicating serious issues.
Steve, known to the officials, didn't worry about exposure, but for people like Peter Parker, revealing their identities would be disastrous.
"Uh, I'll head back now. I have a lot to deal with..." Hellboy said sincerely to Robert, "Thanks again for saving me!"
"Won't you stay for a meal?" Robert asked out of politeness.
"No, I have too many things to handle," Hellboy smiled wryly, nodding to Robert and slowly leaving.
Hellboy hadn't expected this mission to escalate so much. Some matters he couldn't discuss, but he had to address the military's stance towards the Avengers and Robert.
Even if his military backers couldn't cooperate directly with the Avengers, they needed to avoid targeting them, as they couldn't contend with Robert.
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