Chapter 156: The Avengers "Disband"

Countless organizations across the world have long sought the secret to the formidable power held by the members of the Avengers. Some of our own have spent their entire lives evading capture by these very factions. It was the Avengers that provided a safe haven for people like us. Yet, regarding the misunderstandings and prejudices harbored by other nations against us, I can only offer this: I am sorry. We will not be signing this agreement. Here and now, I, Steve Rogers, officially announce that the Avengers are, as of today, permanently disbanded!

Just as Steve Rogers pronounced the dissolution of the Avengers, the entire press corps erupted in chaos. Everyone sprang to their feet, and countless camera flashes strove to immortalize this explosive moment.

Arthur nudged Natasha’s arm. Natasha turned to him, and Arthur gestured toward the entrance. Following his gaze, Natasha saw that the doors had been surrounded by heavily armed SWAT officers.

Natasha immediately understood Arthur’s meaning: since the Avengers refused to sign the accords, the United Nations intended to detain the three of them the moment the conference concluded.

"Come on, let's go up on stage," Arthur whispered to Natasha as he stood up, and together they walked toward the podium.

When the reporters saw Arthur, the Aquaman of the Avengers, and Natasha, the Black Widow, stepping forward as well, they frantically pressed their shutter buttons, capturing the trio together.

"Why are you coming up here?" Steve Rogers asked in a low voice, looking at Arthur and Natasha with surprise.

"They likely have no intention of letting us leave here quietly, so I'm going to take you out directly," Arthur replied, motioning for Steve to look toward the entrance.

Steve also noticed the situation outside the hall. Glancing past them toward the street below, he saw that the entire roadway had been cordoned off by police, with several heavy-duty armored vehicles already stationed in position. It was clear that someone was determined to prevent their departure.

Arthur stepped up to the podium, intending to address the entire world.

"Hello everyone! I am Eoin Arthur, and today I have a few words for everyone on Earth. Time and time again, we Avengers have risked our lives to protect this planet in the battle against evil forces. While certain damages were inevitable, nothing in this world is perfect—peace demands a price! There are numerous races in the universe eyeing Earth with hostility, and do not think I am exaggerating; some truths simply cannot be made public. Therefore, I will only say this: we Avengers have clear consciences! But when the next crisis strikes, who will safeguard this world? Who knows? Certain fearful organizations are probably ecstatic to hear that the Avengers have disbanded, but if you believe you can act with impunity simply because the Avengers are gone, you are sorely mistaken. We will come back for you!"

With that, Arthur swept his right hand through the air, and a swirling blue circular portal materialized behind the three of them.

"Let's go!" Arthur led the way, stepping through, followed closely by Natasha and Steve Rogers. In a flash, they vanished from reality.

Every camera in the room recorded the scene. The faces of the UN Secretary-General and General Ross turned pitch black. They had planned to ensure the trio could not leave alive, never expecting them to escape in plain sight of everyone.

Passing through the magical gateway, Arthur and his companions arrived directly at the brand-new Avengers compound in Wakanda. Built with T'Challa’s assistance in a mere half-month, it stood as a testament to Wakanda's peerless technology.

"Weren't you attending the UN conference in Vienna?" T'Challa and Tony Stark, who had been conversing near the entrance of the facility, asked as they watched the three arrive.

"They massed heavy troops at the UN building, intending to arrest us as soon as the meeting ended, so I just used a portal to bypass them," Arthur explained to the two men.

"Oh, the news is entirely about the Avengers right now; we're trending everywhere again!" Stark said, holding a tablet displaying the broadcast of Steve Rogers announcing the dissolution of the team.

Arthur also took out his phone to browse the internet, where public opinion on the breakup of the Avengers was deeply polarized.

Some netizens worried that with the complete disbandment of the Avengers, no one would be left to protect the Earth. What would happen if extraterrestrial forces invaded again? These voices regarded the Avengers as heroes who had sacrificed for global peace, expressing sorrow and steadfast support.

Conversely, other users viewed the Avengers as a band of vigilantes operating outside any regulatory framework, acting without regard for consequences, wantonly trampling upon the sovereignty of other nations, and detaining foreign citizens without authorization. For them, dissolution was the best possible outcome.

Opinions online were wildly divergent; some cheered the "demise" of the Avengers, while others mourned it.

Yet, Arthur and the others had achieved their objective: to step out of the public eye and transition their future operations into the shadows.

Tony Stark, however, was left with a headache. Arthur and the others had simply opened a portal and left, but Tony could easily envision the countless reporters currently crowding Stark Industries waiting for his statement.

"So this is the new base? It looks quite impressive," Arthur remarked, gazing at the circular structure in the distance.

Constructed with the aid of the Wakandans, the new Avengers facility spanned four stories—two above ground and two below.

Though smaller than their previous headquarters, this was because Arthur and the team had chosen to part ways with the civilian administrative staff, leaving them behind rather than bringing them to Wakanda.

The inner circle of operatives loyal to Steve had been placed under Hill's command to operate secretly in various regions, functioning as clandestine peripheral members of the Avengers.

Consequently, only Steve and his core group would be training here, making the base seem somewhat sparse for now.

Yet these arrangements were merely temporary. An underwater base in Atlantis was already under construction—a specialized, massive submarine that could be sailed directly to Atlantis to serve as their oceanic stronghold.

"Come, let me give you a tour," T'Challa invited the three.

Guided by the Wakandan king, Steve, Natasha, and Arthur stepped inside the new Avengers headquarters.

Though unassuming from the exterior, stepping inside revealed a masterclass in high-tech design.

The circular structure appeared immensely sturdy, with every transparent glass door reinforced with bulletproof shielding. The lighting system possessed a futuristic elegance, concealing the light sources while bathing the entire facility in a brilliant, seamless glow.

The elevator, forged from a composite metal alloy laced with vibraniun, remained fully operational even under heavy fire. The group rode it down to the first subterranean level.

This floor served as the laboratory for Stark and Banner, and here Steve, Natasha, and Arthur reunited with the rest of the Avengers.

Sam, Bucky, Rhodey, Pietro, Wanda, Banner, Scott Lang, and even the symbiote Venom were all present.

Thor had left Earth on business, Peter Academy was at school, and Barton had returned home to look after his children. Aside from those three, everyone else had gathered here.

Looking out at his fellow Avengers, Steve Rogers finally felt a weight lift from his chest. The Avengers were about to begin anew!