Curious, the laid-back Naruto leaned in and asked, “What’s your world like?”
“Do you believe what I’m saying?” Hawking looked at Naruto in surprise.
Naruto touched his chin and replied, “I don’t know why, but from the moment I saw you, I felt like you were a good person, so I believe everything you say is true.”
“I feel the same way. Seeing you is like seeing my brother.” Hawking couldn’t help but sigh.
Under the influence of Naruto’s mental state, his mind also felt a natural affinity toward Naruto himself, Jiraiya, and the toads here. However, his personality suppresses the influences of the Naruto persona, allowing him to maintain a more rational state.
“Most people in our place are ordinary, with only a few possessing special abilities, though different from the ninjutsu here.”
While Hawking and Naruto were chatting, Jiraiya and the two toads had come to a decision.
Shibuki stood on a chair and said solemnly to Hawking, “If that’s the case, then you are our toad clan’s contract person. If you need our help in battle in the future, we will fight for you.”
“It’s my honor,” Hawking responded with a smile, knowing he had only begun to earn their trust. Whether he could gain the complete confidence of the toad clan still depended on his future actions.
An hour later, the loading of Naruto’s protagonist template ended.
“Time’s up.”
Hawking’s figure instantly disappeared from Mount Myoboku.
As Hawking vanished, Naruto turned to Jiraiya and announced, “The Nine-Tails is back!”
Meanwhile, in the spiritual space of Naruto, the Nine-Tails were in a state of melancholy.
“What kind of situation is this, switching hosts like this? Yesterday, it was back in Naruto’s spiritual space, today in Hawking’s, and now back in Naruto’s again.”
One thing remained unchanged despite the constant change of hosts: it was still sealed.
Elsewhere, in the outskirts of New York in the Marvel Universe, the real Hawking, who had been waiting, saw his shadow clone reappear at the spot where it had vanished and smiled, “Looks like things went well.”
He didn’t use any summoning techniques; the shadow clone was automatically returned after the time was up, meaning he wouldn’t have to worry about being left permanently in the Naruto world if not summoned back in time.
If it had been the Naruto world he had first encountered, he wouldn’t mind, as the combat strength there was much safer at most on the level of the Otsutsuki than the Marvel Universe.
But having lived in the Marvel Universe for several years, he had formed attachments here, making the idea of staying permanently in the Naruto world unappealing.
“Release!”
After releasing the shadow clone, all that hour’s memories and experiences flooded his mind.
“Then, from now on, I’ll spend an hour every day at Mount Myoboku.”
Since he had gained their initial trust, it was natural to visit frequently. Familiarity would allow him later to learn more ninjutsu, especially sealing techniques, which might even give him a chance to seal Voldemort’s soul and extract the desired magical knowledge.
A week later, at the entrance to the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
“Hawking, Wanda, Pietro, over here! Over here!”
Hawking, carrying a suitcase and accompanied by Wanda and Pietro, had yet to reach the entrance when he saw Alina and Oleg waving at them.
The Christmas break had arrived, and Xavier’s School was closed for two weeks, allowing students with families to go home for the holidays.
“Dad, Mom!” Wanda shouted joyfully as she ran towards her parents, not minding the snowflakes falling on her.
“Such a child,” Pietro remarked, smirking as he saw Wanda’s excitement.
Hawking chuckled, “Let’s go, or we’ll be covered in snow soon.”
With a flash, Pietro stirred up a whirlwind of snow, racing ahead to reach their parents first, which caused Wanda to cry out in playful annoyance.
Hawking just shook his head, picked up the suitcases that Wanda and Pietro had left behind, and walked steadily toward them.
After loading the luggage into the small car trunk, the five entered the vehicle amidst laughter and chatter.
Oleg drove, with Alina in the passenger seat. Pietro was squeezed into the back seat on the left by Wanda, who happily sat in the middle, holding Hawking’s arm.
Throughout the journey, Wanda chattered to Oleg and Alina about her life at school, occasionally bantering with Pietro, teasing each other playfully.
Oleg and Alina listened attentively and gave their opinions, often laughing at the siblings’ antics.
Hawking occasionally joined in, his smile never fading. He enjoyed this feeling and his life, not wanting anything to disrupt it. That’s why he was determined to strengthen his abilities to protect this hard-won happiness.
The car sped along, and after about an hour, they arrived at the northernmost part of the North Bronx residential area.
The housing was affordable since it was on the edge of the city. They lived in a detached cottage along the street, similar to Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben’s house, though Peter’s was in Queens, and theirs was in the Bronx.
Hawking had no plans to move; compared to the city center, the suburbs were much safer, especially when significant incidents happened—they were less likely to be affected.
“Eh, what is this guy doing here?” Hawking frowned as he saw two familiar figures standing at their doorstep as they pulled up to the house.
“Magneto and Mystique are waiting here for me. What’s their agenda?”
If Magneto wanted to see him, he would go directly to Xavier’s School. Waiting here meant he tried to avoid Professor X and speak privately.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Erik. What brings you here?” Hawking asked with a smile as he got out of the car.
Regardless of Magneto’s intentions, Hawkeye wouldn’t show displeasure if they were not hostile.
“Hawking, I have something fundamental to discuss with you,” Magneto said, removing his hat and brushing off some snow with a smile.
Hawking raised an eyebrow and then turned to Oleg and Alina, who had just gotten out of the car, giving them a warm smile, “These gentlemen and lady are my friends. I must step out with them briefly, but I’ll return soon.”
“Alright, it’s you!” Alina was about to agree, but her expression changed dramatically when she saw Magneto frozen in place.
“Magneto, looking puzzled, asked Alina, “Madam, do I know you?”
“No, I don’t know you. I mistook you for someone else. Hawking, come back soon,” Alina said somewhat hastily, waving her hand, instructing Hawking, and then hurriedly leading Wanda and Pietro inside.
With a complex look, Oleg glanced at Magneto and followed the others inside with the suitcase.
“Something’s not right!” Hawking’s expression showed suspicion, but he did not inquire further. Instead, he turned to Magneto and Mystique, suggesting, “There’s a café ahead. Let’s talk there.”
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