Popularity Level Increase

"That's settled then," President Ellis decided. "Anthony... I need a detailed proposal. Costs, staffing, jurisdiction... I need the most detailed... proposal that will shut those old fogies in Congress up."

"Of course, Mr. President." Azu's smile was radiant. "Walter... is at your service at any time."

He walked back to his desk, picked up a pen, and scribbled a number on Ellis's notepad.

A... ten-digit number.

"What is this?" Ellis asked, puzzled.

"Oh, this is Water International, their estimated tax payment for next year."

Ah Zu's smile was full of meaning.

"We are a patriotic company, Mr. President. We firmly believe... in giving back to society."

"We will not only pay taxes to the tax authorities in accordance with the law..."

Ah Zu tapped the table gently and rhythmically with that pen.

"...We will also pay the taxes that all...our 'friends' who support us deserve."

"..."

"I understand." President Ellis paused for a moment, then broke into a bright smile. "Mr. Starr, I think...we will have a pleasant working relationship."

"I've always thought so."

Ah Zu put away his pen and walked towards the gate.

"Oh, right," he stopped at the doorway, turning back to say, "about that traitorous vice president...do you need me to 'take care' of him? You know, heat vision...quick, clean, leaves no evidence."

President Ellis's heart skipped a beat.

Looking into the deep blue eyes of the man from his homeland, he felt a chill creep into his heart.

"No...no need." Ellis's voice trembled slightly. "We...we are a country ruled by law. He will stand trial!"

"it's a pity."

Ah Zu shrugged and opened the door.

"Snap, snap—!!"

Outside the door, the flashbulbs instantly engulfed everything.

……

At 5:00 AM, an impromptu press conference was held on the South Lawn of the White House.

President Matthew Ellis changed into a clean suit; although he looked tired, he was in high spirits.

He stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of his motherland.

"...Tonight is one of America's darkest moments," Ellis said loudly to the camera, "but it is also our most glorious moment!"

"We witnessed betrayal, but we also witnessed... true heroism!"

He turned to the countrymen beside him.

"I, Matthew Ellis, on behalf of the United States of America, extend my deepest gratitude to this hero... Mr. Homelander!"

The flash went off again.

"Ding! Popularity points gained: +115420!"

"Ding! Popularity points gained: +125781!"

"Ding! Popularity points gained: +135688!"

"..."

He stepped forward, took the microphone, and gave a humble smile.

"Thank you, Mr. President..."

He looked around, his gaze sweeping over every camera lens.

"I'm just an American...who did the right thing."

"The threat of tonight is over, but new threats emerge every day."

"Therefore," he paused, dropping the bombshell of the evening, "I am pleased to announce that my company, Water International, will be engaging in a deep collaboration with the Ellis government..."

"We..." he opened his arms, as if embracing the entire nation, "...will protect America. From shore to shore, from the sky to the deep sea. With us here...you are safe."

The cheers drowned out his last words.

On the Helicarrier, Nick Fury turned off the screen with a blank expression.

"Hill."

"Sir?"

"Raise the Homelander threat level," Fury narrowed his one eye, "to the highest."

"...Yes, sir."

Ashley's call came in mid-air as Wu Yanzu flew away from Washington.

"Sir! My God... Sir!" Ashley's voice was shrill with extreme excitement; she even forgot to use honorifics. "Anthony! You did it! You fucking did it!!"

"Calm down, Ashley." Wu Yanzu was hovering in the stratosphere, the sea of ​​clouds below dyed golden by the rising sun, mirroring his current mood. "It's just work."

"A job?!!" Ashley screamed in the top-floor office of the Water Tower. "Sir! You call this a job?! You saved the president! You saved America!!"

"Our PR department has gone mad! CNN, Fox, MSNBC... they're all using the press releases we provided! Time magazine tore off their prepared cover for the week and replaced it with your 'lifting up the wreckage' photo! The headline is—'The New Atlas!'"

"The pre-sale box office for 'Homelander: Origins'..." Ashley's voice trembled, "...tripled in the past hour, and industry insiders are speculating that it might break box office records!"

"Very good." Wu Yanzu, bathed in the morning light, spread his arms wide, his Stars and Stripes cape fluttering behind him. "This is fucking life."

"Ding! Popularity points gained: +540812!"

"Ding! Popularity points gained: +612404!"

"...!"

Current popularity score: 31202524!

"Ding! Popularity level in North America has increased—everyone is a household name!"

"Ding! Ability Enhancement: Super Strength (1500 tons), Steel Body (Planetary Level +++), Heat Vision (6000℃), Super Speed ​​(Mach 55)!..."

"Hahaha...hahahahahaha!!"

At an altitude of 10,000 meters, Wu Yanzu let out a wild and unrestrained laugh.

Avengers Tower, top floor lounge.

On the huge 8K screen, Wu Yanzu's "humble" speech on the White House lawn is being played on a loop.

"...I'm just an American...who did the right thing."

"Bang!"

Tony Stark smashed a $30,000 whiskey glass onto the screen.

"Fuck!! Fuck!! Fuck!!!" Tony Stark's eyes were bloodshot, and his expensive T-shirt was stained with dock oil and smelled of blood.

He had just returned to New York, battered and bruised, with Chili Pepper still burning up, in his spare armor.

This is what awaited him.

"Look at him! Look at his damn hair gel-covered face!" Tony pointed at the paused, perfect smile on the screen, shaking with rage.

"Damn it... 'did the right thing'?! That bastard! He was already there!!"

Steve Rogers, wearing a vest, had just finished his morning workout. He stared intently at the screen. "Tony, calm down. What happened?"

"Calm down?!" Tony jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "I'll tell you what happened, you old popsicle!"

"That blond bastard! He was at least twenty minutes early! He saved the president, and then... and then he just sat there watching the show!!"

Tony pointed to his chest: "He just watched those Killian 'grill' guys tear my dozen or so precious suits of armor to shreds like scrap metal! He watched me get pinned to the ground and beaten! He watched me get trapped in a sardine can and wait to die! He did it on purpose!!"

Natasha Romanoff walked in from outside, having just ended her call with S.H.I.E.L.D., and her face was equally grim.