Chapter 4 to Chapter 9

Wanda, her brother, and the other children sat obediently in a row in front of the fireplace, where flames roared and crackled. Leon stood before them, dressed in a fur coat several sizes too big, making him look a bit funny. But no one minded; it kept him warm.

Leon regarded the group of children with a serious expression, an idea forming in his mind, though he knew he needed to speak first. He scanned their confused and uneasy faces, and then, in a voice that was young but clear, he began.

"We come from different countries in Eastern Europe. We've endured torture and pain that most people can't even imagine. Even though we've escaped from that hellish place, I believe those who hurt us won't give up so easily.

Now, you have a choice.

A few hundred kilometers away, there's a city called Yekaterinburg. I can send you to the local authorities there. They might protect you, or they might send you to an orphanage where someone could adopt you."

Leon paused, waiting for the children's responses.

Several of the younger children, around eight or nine years old, were too timid to speak. They just looked at Leon eagerly. For them, it didn't matter what authorities or orphanages might be out there—they only wanted to follow Leon.

The older children exchanged glances, uncertain.

Wanda, more mature for her age, spoke up. She looked at Leon with wide eyes full of hope and excitement. "Those governments won't care about us Eastern Europeans. I joined HYDRA for revenge. They said they could give Pietro and me strength. We've been disappointed so many times this past year, but you're the only one who succeeded."

"Do you want to go back?" Leon asked.

Wanda shook her head, confused. "I don't know."

In reality, by leaving the base with Pietro and Leon, she had already made her choice. She could have stayed behind if she had wanted to.

After staring at Wanda for a moment, Leon turned to the others. "What's your choice?" he asked.

"We want to follow you, Leon. Wanda is right—the Russians won't care about us," one of the stronger boys replied without hesitation.

These children were either orphans or street kids. They had already lost faith in governments, especially those in countries that weren't their own. Instead of going to Russia and being resettled by the authorities, they preferred to follow Leon. Leon's ability to infiltrate the base on his own was a power they could rely on.

As Leon scanned the serious faces of the children in front of him, he laughed softly. "We're all alone—we have no families. But we have each other. From now on, we're a family, and we'll rely on each other."

"Yes!!" the children responded eagerly, nodding with joy, including the younger ones, just eight or nine years old. To them, Leon was like a warm sun, giving them hope.

Even Wanda and Pietro felt the same way. Though they longed for the strength to seek revenge, it felt good to have a family, right?

"We need to find a place to hide where HYDRA can't reach us," Leon continued. "Although they haven't found us yet, we need to leave as soon as possible."

Leon continued, "This place is several hundred kilometers from the base, but it's too close to the road and too conspicuous. I have no doubt that HYDRA will find us here."

"So where should we go?" Wanda asked.

Leon pulled out a map and pointed to one of the long lines under the firelight. "The Ural Mountains are a vast range stretching across Russia. We're in a region where it's windy and snowy year-round. It's less than 500 kilometers from Yekaterinburg, so getting there by car with supplies won't be difficult. Hidden by wind, snow, and trees, it would be nearly impossible for them to find us. They'd never expect us to make our home there."

Given their identities and numbers, it was nearly impossible for them to leave Russia without exposing HYDRA's secrets, and there was no need to run. As long as they had the resources to survive, that was enough. The harsh environment was also perfect for training. When he and these children were grown, even if HYDRA didn't come for them, Leon planned to seek them out.

"How do we get there?" one of the children asked.

"I'll leave for Yekaterinburg now to buy daily necessities and a car. You all pack your things and wait for me to return. We'll set off tonight."

"OK!" the children responded in unison, their admiration for Leon growing. He was so mature in his speech and decision-making, he seemed more like an adult. Leon had become their backbone, making them feel safe and secure.

Leon smiled softly. After adjusting his clothes, he wasted no time and went to the window, gazing out at the distant road. He was waiting.

Sure enough, ten minutes later, through the heavy snowfall, he heard the sound of a car engine. The headlights pierced the snowy darkness, brighter than those of an ordinary car.

As the vehicle finally passed by the wooden house, Leon quickly opened the door. Ignoring the worried looks of the children, he ran out into the wind and snow.

Swoosh!

A flash of golden light streaked through the storm—Leon moved like a bolt of lightning, cutting through the snow at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow. In mere moments, he covered hundreds of meters and caught up with the large truck. It was carrying a load of wood. Without hesitation, he leaped onto the piled logs at the back of the truck.

He lay down on the plastic sheet covering the wood, huddling inside his coat. Soon, the heavy snow began to fall more intensely, completely covering him. He started to breathe steadily, using the Sun Breathing technique (Hinokami Kagura).

...

An ancient castle somewhere in Siberia.

In his office, Baron Strucker, one of the supreme leaders of HYDRA, stood by the door and window, wearing a thick down coat. He gazed at the heavy snow outside while listening to the reports from his subordinates. As he absorbed the news, a fanatical expression spread across his face.

"Finally, the experiment was successful! That child's abilities have awakened," he exclaimed.

He suddenly turned to face his subordinates, focusing on the top commander of the base where Leon had been held.

"Yes, Baron," the man replied, handing over a tablet.

On the screen, footage from the base's security cameras played. Baron watched as a boy, glowing with golden light, ran at a speed beyond ordinary comprehension. The soldiers had no chance to react. Before they could even think about defending themselves, they were slaughtered by the golden flashes, which streaked through the scene like lightning and thunder.

Each punch and kick delivered by the boy carried tremendous force. Bullets pierced his body but had no effect at all. The more Baron Strucker watched, the more his happiness and fanaticism grew.

"Perfect, simply perfect," he murmured. "Strength, speed—once HYDRA can mass-produce such warriors, our era of rule will begin."

His voice rose with excitement as he grabbed his subordinate by the collar. "Find him! Hunt him down at all costs. I want his experimental data. I want to see his body lying on the test bench!"

Strucker's eyes were wild and bloodshot as he roared with fervor.

"Yes, Baron!" the men responded loudly, startled by his intensity. They quickly turned and left.

Baron Strucker poured himself a glass of wine and stood by the window, watching as the castle gates opened. He observed the convoy of cars carrying soldiers and the planes taking off. As he sipped his wine, he murmured, "Long live HYDRA!" Then, he downed the rest in one gulp.

...

Yekaterinburg, the capital of Sverdlovsk Oblast in Russia, is an important center for industry, transportation, trade, science, and culture. This industrial city was developing rapidly, though its population density remained low.

A truck carrying lumber entered the city, and when no one was paying attention, Leon quietly slipped out and jumped onto a secluded section of the road.

Like many people from Eastern European countries at that time, Leon understood Russian, so he had no trouble communicating, which is why he came to Yekaterinburg alone.

It was snowing heavily as Leon made his way through a commercial street. His oversized fur coat and hat made him stand out, but in this era, Russia's economy was still struggling, and most people were more concerned with their own survival than with the appearance of a stranger.

Leon found a shop on the commercial street and bought clothes that fit him. While there, he also asked about the current year.

It was 2005.

No wonder the purchasing power of the ruble during this period was still strong. Leon had brought almost all his rubles with him, along with a stack of U.S. dollars, just in case. There were still seven years before the Battle of New York, but that was more than enough time for him to grow.

In 2005, Russia was in a stage of economic recovery, but the variety of goods was somewhat limited. When Leon found a car dealership, he didn't go for an off-road vehicle or a truck; instead, he focused on buying an RV.

However, buying the RV didn't go as smoothly as expected. The main issue was Leon's age—the dealership owner thought he was joking and nearly dismissed him. Fortunately, Leon had cash on hand. Once he pulled out a stack of U.S. dollars, the owner's attitude changed immediately.

As far as the owner was concerned, money made you an adult. The issues of age and a driver's license suddenly became trivial, and the dealership owner no longer cared about them. He filled up the gas tank and even added a few extra barrels of oil to the RV. With a cheerful wave from the burly dealership owner, Leon drove away.

Before leaving the city, Leon stocked up on a large amount of clothes and supplies. Everything went smoothly, without any unexpected incidents.

This surprised Leon a little. It confirmed what he already suspected—having money made things easier, even for a thirteen-year-old buying so many supplies.

...

By the time he completed the trip, it was nearly nightfall.

When Leon returned to the wooden house, Wanda and the other children heard the noise. They cautiously peeked through the window. When they saw Leon get out of the car and open the door, they happily opened the wooden house door.

"We can leave now," Leon announced.

Under his direction, he and the children carried the metal boxes from the wooden house and loaded them into the RV. The RV, converted from a heavy truck, was enormous—15 tons in weight, 11 meters long, 2.5 meters wide, and 3.85 meters high. It was equipped with two large beds, a kitchen, a bathroom, an 800-liter freshwater tank, a 600-liter wastewater tank, and a 300-liter toilet water tank.

Leon didn't bother with the rest of the RV's specifications; they didn't really matter to him. The RV was just a means of transportation and a temporary residence. Once they built their wooden house in the Ural Mountains, the RV would no longer be of much use. He planned to drive it away and scrap it eventually, just in case HYDRA traced it back to the car dealership owner.

In the future, he would buy a pickup truck for daily necessities.

After all the children were inside the RV, Leon turned on the air conditioner and began driving out of the cabin. Their next destination was three hours away.

Driving through a heavy snowstorm in the middle of the night was undoubtedly dangerous, but with the map and accurate route he had purchased in the city, Leon was confident they would make it.

The warm air conditioning and cozy cabin made the children excited. Under Leon's guidance, they took turns using the bathroom to bathe and change into new clothes.

During the drive, Wanda, being older, helped the two youngest girls take their baths. After changing into clean underwear and a sweater, she took a seat in the passenger side.

At thirteen, Wanda was still growing into the powerful and beautiful Scarlet Witch she would become. The constant pain from the experiments had left her looking haggard. She looked like she wanted to say something but kept stopping.

Noticing Wanda's hesitance, Leon, focused on the road, asked, "What's on your mind, Wanda?"

"Leon, I—uh—I—" Wanda began, struggling to find her words.

"Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about the future?" Leon asked gently.

Wanda nodded, her gaze distant. "Hmm."

She wasn't one to be insincere, but she carried many burdens.

"Believe me," Leon reassured her, "the future will be better than that hellish place we came from. Time will prove that."

"I know," Wanda replied softly. "I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed." She sat, hugging her legs, her chin resting on her knees, gazing out the window at the encroaching darkness and the vast expanse of white snow.

"Hatred is just one part of life," Leon said. "Living in hatred only brings more pain. I'm sure your parents wouldn't want that for you, Wanda."

"Maybe," Wanda said, unable to fully respond. She tilted her head and looked at Leon's face. "You're very different. Even though I don't know why, you remind me of the pastors in church."

"Really? It's a shame I don't believe in God," Leon replied.

"So, who do you believe in?" Wanda asked.

"I don't have faith in anyone else," Leon said. "But I do believe in myself. Remember to not give away your faith too easily, Wanda."

***

In the dark night, amid heavy wind and snow, only one RV was speeding along the road. Thanks to its snow-gripping tires, the RV moved steadily through the snow.

Leon finally reached the area near the mountain range. He drove off the road and stopped under the snow-covered ground, not far from the road.

With no mountain roads and the darkness making navigation difficult, Leon and the children decided to spend the night in the RV.

The RV was well-equipped with facilities and supplies, including a diesel generator with plenty of power. Since the site was elevated, they didn't have to worry about heavy snowfall flooding the RV overnight.

The night passed peacefully. When Leon woke up the next morning, he had breakfast and then gazed alone at the mountains, his blond hair glowing like golden light. It took him the entire morning to find a suitable spot for building a wooden house, about two kilometers away from the mountains.

He found a good flat area on the mountainside, surrounded by tall trees and lush vegetation. A river nearby had a waterfall upstream. The heavy snow had turned the area into a shimmering silver landscape.

Leon was very satisfied with the location, both for its suitability and its concealment.

In the following days, Leon worked alone to clear the trees around the site and process the wood. He handled every aspect of the construction: laying the foundation, digging drainage ditches, processing the wood, driving piles, and capping the structure.

Building the wooden house wasn't particularly difficult, especially since Russia has a tradition of such construction. Leon obtained a construction drawing from a local furniture store. His physical fitness had improved to exceed that of a normal adult, making the work easier and also serving as good practice.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Throughout the construction, he used the Sun Breathing Technique to continuously strengthen his cardiopulmonary function, which helped him work faster over time.

In less than five days, Leon completed the wooden house. It was about 200 square meters in size, relatively simple in design, and had a rugged, straightforward appearance.

Once the wooden house was completed, Leon began transporting heavy materials. It's worth noting that carrying such loads through the snow would be impossible for most people, but for someone like Leon, who was in top physical condition, it was just another task to enjoy.

After spending an entire day moving the supplies, Leon instructed each of the children to carry their own clothes and toiletries and head toward the wooden house.

Despite their exhaustion from trekking through mountains and rivers, the children's faces were filled with smiles and anticipation. They were thrilled to finally have a home of their own.

The journey took several hours due to their slow pace and frequent stops. When they finally arrived at the cabin, the sight of the square wooden house and the white snow covering the roof filled the tired children with excitement.

"Wow, is this our future home? It's beautiful!"

"Brother Leon, you're amazing!"

"It's great, Leon."

Although the wooden house was a bit rough around the edges, to the children, it was a beautiful sight. Even Wanda and Pietro were excited.

Leon smiled as he led the children into the house. They set up the beds together: two large beds, one for the boys and one for the girls. After arranging the soft, warm bedding, the exhausted children lay down, listening to the sound of the heavy snow outside the window. It was quiet and peaceful.

After the long journey, everyone was not only exhausted but also hungry. Leon got up and began preparing dinner. Seeing this, the other children also got up from their beds and helped with the preparations. Their willingness to pitch in pleased Leon greatly.

Over the past few days, Leon had observed the children's behavior. He had not mentioned the breathing technique and had focused on getting to know them better. He found that, overall, the children had good characters; they were kind and not selfish.

By the time dinner was ready, the fireplace was glowing warmly. At the dining table, Leon and the children enjoyed their meal. After washing the dishes, they all went to bed, exhausted.

The next morning, Leon woke up early. He drove the RV to a spot near Yekaterinburg, found a way to discreetly enter the city, and then blew up the RV with a laser. He then went into the city, where he ordered a new vehicle from a dealership over the phone and completed the transaction through his account. He took great care to remain unseen throughout the process.

After purchasing some daily necessities, Leon drove the pickup truck back to the mountains, bringing with him a large load of supplies.

By the time he returned to the cabin, it was almost noon. Wanda and the others had already woken up and prepared lunch, eagerly awaiting Leon's return so they could eat together.

When Leon arrived home with the supplies, Wanda and the other children, who had been sitting in front of the fireplace chatting and warming up, immediately stood up and came over excitedly.

Leon gently patted the head of the youngest girl and then casually placed the supplies in the kitchen. Afterward, everyone gathered for lunch.

Lunch was simple but satisfying, featuring bread, fried steak, lamb chops, chicken, and stew. The meal was easy to prepare and enjoyable.

After lunch, with everyone having washed the dishes and dressed in thick down jackets, they gathered around the fireplace. Leon addressed the group, saying, "From now on, we will live here for a long time. We are all people who have been abandoned and forgotten by the world, and we have endured experiences that most people can't imagine."

Despite his young voice, Leon's words and gaze were serious, and everyone looked at him attentively—the person who had led them out of hell.

Leon continued, "We will still be hunted by those villains in the future. Our crisis won't disappear easily. Therefore, we must stay hidden from the world here. But this doesn't mean we have given up. Our future is bright, but we need strength to reach that light.

We, the forgotten ones, don't need anyone else to redeem us. We have each other."

His words were calm, not impassioned, but they stirred deep emotions in Wanda, Pietro, and the others.

"We need to strengthen ourselves," Leon said.

Wanda, being the most perceptive, seemed to grasp the essence of Leon's words. Her large, expressive eyes sparkled with excitement.

One of the boys with brown hair scratched his head and asked, "How can we become stronger?"

The others nodded in agreement, looking to Leon for answers. Unlike Leon, they didn't have the ability to penetrate a base on their own.

Seeing their confused expressions, Leon smiled softly.

"I've decided to teach you a breathing technique," Leon announced.

"Breathing technique?" Everyone looked puzzled. What could that possibly mean?

Leon began his explanation: "The breathing technique is something I developed back at the base. It's designed to strengthen the body. If you master it, you'll push your physical fitness beyond what ordinary people can achieve. Let me show you what it can do."

"Will we be able to become as strong as you?" a curious child asked.

"Not exactly, but you will definitely become stronger," Leon replied.

Actions speak louder than words. Leon clapped his hands, stood up, and led Wanda and the others outside the wooden house. The cold had left a thick layer of frost on the ground, and the noise of the snowstorm filled the air.

At the far end of the area, Leon positioned a stone about two meters high.

Wanda held the hands of the two youngest girls and watched intently with the others from ten meters away.

With a dozen pairs of eyes on him, Leon took a deep breath and began his demonstration.

"Fuuu~"

The sound of his breathing was thunderous, even from a distance. The air surged in with a powerful force, and everyone could hear it clearly.

The Breath of the Sun!

A surge of intense heat radiated from Leon, causing the thick layer of snow on the ground beneath him to visibly melt away. He crouched slightly, with his feet positioned forward and backward, then raised his right hand, clenched his fist, and swung it forward.

Boom!!

The punch hit with the force of a mountain splitting apart. The shockwave surged outward with tremendous power. The two-meter-high stone shattered into four pieces, and debris flew in all directions. Cracks spread across the stone before it finally disintegrated and collapsed.

Wanda and the children stared in wide-eyed amazement, stunned into silence. Once they recovered from their shock, they rushed forward to examine the shattered stone. Wanda even reached out to touch the fragments.

"This power is unbelievable," Wanda murmured.

"Is this what the breathing technique can do?" another child asked, awe in their voice.

"It's incredible," someone else echoed.

"Mommy, am I dreaming?" one of the younger kids said.

The children were filled with admiration and excitement. The boys began to fantasize about learning the breathing technique and acquiring such power for themselves. The demonstration made them realize just how crucial strength could be.

They understood that the breathing technique could profoundly change their lives.

Leon turned around, and waves of heat emanated from his body, making him seem like a human fireplace. "This is the power of the breathing technique, and this is only the beginning. When mastered to its full potential, it can enable one person to demolish a building. Here, shielded from the outside world and amidst harsh conditions, we can accelerate our growth. Remember, I promised to guide all of you to a brighter future."

Leon's calm tone and the fiery intensity in his eyes left a lasting impression on everyone. Even the youngest children, including the girls, were filled with anticipation.

Leon promptly took everyone back to the wooden house and began teaching the breathing technique. This technique involves rhythmic breathing that distributes oxygen to every cell in the body, enhancing natural healing, stabilizing the mind, and activating the spirit. Proper posture and synchronized breathing are essential for its effectiveness.

Everyone removed their heavy down jackets, donned sweaters, and adopted a slightly squatting position to begin the exercise. If anyone's posture was incorrect or their breathing rhythm faltered, Leon was quick to notice and correct them.

Of course, in addition to breathing exercises, physical training was also essential.

For the younger children, around eight or nine years old, the routine involved basic exercises. However, the older children, including Wanda, were tasked with chopping down trees with axes.

Yes, chopping down trees. This full-body exercise not only worked out the body's core and muscles but also provided firewood for heating and materials for constructing or renovating the wooden house. Given that a single wooden house wouldn't suffice for over a dozen people as they grew older, this approach was practical and efficient.

After giving these instructions, Leon began his own training. Unlike the others, he wore only a thin layer of underwear and sweatpants. Nearby, he saw a large stone, more than two hundred meters tall, and began a rigorous workout. While practicing the Sun Breathing Technique, he lifted and carried stones while doing squats.

This intense exercise was both primitive and highly effective. The sight of Leon pushing himself to such extremes not only reinforced his strength in the eyes of the others but also deeply motivated everyone. Leon's example made it clear that no one could afford to be lazy; they all persevered and pushed through their difficulties, inspired by his dedication.

They were determined to gain strength and knew they couldn't afford to miss this chance.

After the intense exercises, everyone was exhausted but continued to practice the breathing technique. This rhythmic breathing allowed them to absorb large amounts of oxygen and distribute it throughout their bodies, which helped quickly alleviate their fatigue. Following their workouts, Leon and the others used nutrient solutions to replenish their energy.

However, a challenge arose: the Sun Breathing Technique was too overpowering. It emitted great energy and also needed a suitable body type to execute it, making it difficult for anyone other than Leon to handle. As a result, no one else could fully master the technique.

Leon had anticipated this issue. Over the coming days, he would practice alongside everyone, adapting the Sun Breathing Technique to create a modified version that suited their capabilities. This new method would be tailored to align with each individual's needs.

As time passed, they continued to train, steadily advancing and growing stronger.

***

Two years flew by in the blink of an eye.

In a secluded base nestled in the mountains of Eastern Siberia, the night was quiet under a light rain. The darkness was punctuated only by the high spotlights on the guard towers, which swept the area back and forth. Armed guards, looking stern and vigilant, were on high alert, as if expecting trouble.

Despite the calm appearance of the night, disaster was already on the horizon. Suddenly, a loud explosion shattered the silence.

BOOM!

An explosion roared through the sky like thunder, making the soldiers guarding and patrolling the base instinctively look up. They saw a blinding golden light, reminiscent of a meteorite falling from the heavens with immense grandeur. It struck the center of the base with overwhelming force.

BOOM!

The ground shook violently from the impact. The powerful blast sent a shockwave sweeping in all directions, hurling nearby soldiers several meters away and leaving them unconscious. Smoke and dust filled the air, and a long, piercing siren blared through the base.

~Woohu~Woohu~

The rhythmic siren echoed, alerting everyone within the base. Hundreds of fully armed soldiers rushed out, forming a perimeter around the area. Weapons were raised and pointed at the swirling dust and smoke, fingers poised on triggers. On the sentry towers, guards prepared their anti-aircraft machine guns.

As the light rain began to clear the dust and smoke, and the high spotlights illuminated the scene, a tall, imposing figure began to emerge from the haze. The base leader and several deputies watched anxiously, their eyes fixed on the figure whose face was slowly revealed under the intense spotlight.

He stood about 1.8 meters tall, with short black hair fluttering in the wind. His outfit consisted of a red leather jacket with black and white cross stripes, black tights, and white sneakers, accessorized with a necklace hanging around his neck. His facial features were sharp and extremely well-defined.

"Damn it, that monster is really here," the leader muttered under his breath, his pupils narrowing as he took in the sight of the intruder.

As the commander of the Hydra base, he was well-acquainted with many secrets.

Two years ago, a child had suddenly awakened extraordinary abilities and managed to penetrate their base, escaping with a dozen other children. Baron Strucker, then overjoyed, launched a massive search effort, but after a year and a half of fruitless searching, his satisfaction turned to frustration.

Half a year ago, the child reappeared and attacked one of their bases with near-invincible power. During that raid, the boy displayed a force nearly akin to a natural disaster. He moved like a streak of light, eluding capture with ease. His golden particle rays could easily demolish buildings, and each of his attack was comparable to that of a TNT bomb.

The base was utterly obliterated by Leon's unmatched strength.

Baron Strucker's rage intensified upon witnessing the boy's growth. The fact that Leon had become so powerful in such a short time drove Baron to mobilize all of Eastern Europe's Hydra forces in a desperate hunt. Yet, despite his efforts, Leon remained elusive, disappearing immediately after the raid.

They were unable to discover one sign of him in all of Eastern Europe.

In the past six months, three Hydra bases had been raided and destroyed. Baron Strucker got caught in one such raid, and this left him not just injured but nearly incapacitated, with broken bones and severe damage.

As a result, all Hydra bases in Eastern Europe had bolstered their defenses, including close-in artillery and comprehensive security systems. They spent whatever budget they had in fortifying the bases.

However, no one expected the intruder to strike with such force tonight. The entire Hydra base was in disarray. Rumors that Baron had even fled his primary base out of fear had already begun circulating.

The base leader, both angry and frustrated, cursed under his breath. If he did that loud, he was afraid he might die from the bullet of another Hydra member rather than the light beam of Leon.

The monster who had breached their defenses proved that ordinary weapons were ineffective against him. With this in mind, the leader watched as Leon, now fifteen and noticeably taller and more mature than he was two years ago, addressed the situation with calm confidence. His demeanor had shifted from that of a young boy to someone who exuded confidence and maturity.

"Excuse me, folks," Leon said, his voice carrying over the chaos. "If you'd be so kind, please put down your weapons and surrender. We can skip the part where I have to deal with you forcefully."

As Leon faced the dense gunfire with calm assurance, it was clear he had complete faith in his own strength. It would be foolish to come unprepared when trying to deal against Hydra after all.

Observing the cold-faced Hydra soldiers, he couldn't help but think that Hydra's brainwashing techniques were godly—far surpassing even those of multi-level marketing schemes. They were, indeed, masters in their field.

After scanning the area, Leon's gaze settled on the base leader, who stood out due to his distinctive attire at the back of the group of soldiers.

"It seems you're the leader of this Hydra base," Leon said, his voice cutting through the tension.

"Yes, Number 37. You know you are quite impressive," the commander called out, trying to reason with Leon. "But you should be grateful to us."

Leon merely sneered at the commander's attempt at whatever he was trying. Realizing his approach was futile, the commander shifted tactics. He clenched a remote control in his hand and aimed to intimidate Leon.

"No one in Hydra fears death," the commander declared. "If necessary, we'll die together. With this remote, I can trigger an explosion that will destroy the base—and you with it."

Leon shrugged nonchalantly. "The key is whether you can actually do it."

WHOOSH!

With a flash of golden light, the darkness was abruptly pierced. The commander instinctively closed his eyes against the sudden brightness but quickly refocused and hovered a finger over the red button on the remote with determination.

Unfortunately, before the commander could press the button, a strong hand clamped tightly around his wrist.

Feeling a sharp sting, he quickly opened his eyes to a startling sight: Leon, who had been surrounded by soldiers just moments ago, was now standing directly in front of him. The high spotlight behind Leon cast a shadow over his face, making it appear slightly blurred, but his golden eyes shone through with an intense, almost divine, gaze that made the commander feel insignificant.

For a moment, the commander was frozen in shock, his left wrist still held in Leon's grip. He quickly regained his composure and reached for his gun with his free hand. But before he could draw it, Leon's knee slammed into his abdomen, leaving him gasping for breath.

Bang!

The bullet was shot but didn't hit anything. And the impact of the Leon's knee sent the commander twitching to the ground. As he collapsed, the other Hydra soldiers snapped out of their brief disorientation. They turned to launch an attack, but Leon's eyes suddenly sharpened.

Boom!

In an instant, it was as if time itself had frozen. A powerful, domineering will surged from Leon, sweeping across the entire base like the resurrection of ancient gods. A red halo, visible to the naked eye, spread out in all directions.

The overwhelming force was almost tangible, crushing the spirits of everyone in the base. The soldiers' eyes dulled, losing their light as they collapsed unconscious to the ground. The walls and sentry towers of the base cracked under the pressure of Leon's aura.

This was why Leon, even knowing that the Hydra base had a self-destruction system, dared to break in alone. A year ago, he had mastered the Conqueror's Haki, a skill perfect for overwhelming large groups.

With the entire base subdued, Leon began to search for loot with practiced ease. He no longer cared for basic materials; his focus was on confidential documents, money, and advanced technology.

These were the true prizes, worth more than the entire base.

However, Leon's luck wasn't particularly great this time. He didn't find any advanced technology, but he did stumble upon something unexpected—the formula for the nutrient solution.

In Leon's eyes, this was a treasure. The nutrient solution had been crucial in keeping up with the intense physical demands of his training, allowing him to grow stronger every day. The year before, his rapid development was largely thanks to the consistent nutrition it provided. This formula wasn't just valuable for him; it meant a lot to the other kids as well. With this, their progress could continue uninterrupted.

This trip was definitely not in vain.

After thoroughly searching the base, Leon found no experimental subjects. Satisfied with his findings, he transformed into pure energy, a beam of light leaping into the sky. Before leaving, he pressed the detonation button on the remote control he had taken.

BOOOM!

A thunderous explosion echoed through the night, and a massive fireball lit up the area, a mushroom cloud rising into the sky. As he watched the flames, Leon turned into light and vanished into the dark sky.

Meanwhile, in front of an apartment in a neighborhood in Yekaterinburg, a slender woman wearing a gray sweatshirt and hood, holding an umbrella in one hand and a bag in the other, pressed the doorbell.

Ding dong!

A sharp sound echoed through the quiet apartment. Slow, deliberate footsteps approached from inside. The door creaked open, revealing a young man with short brown-black hair and a sturdy build. He eyed the woman at the door and raised an eyebrow. Without exchanging words, he stepped aside, allowing her to enter. She nodded slightly in acknowledgment and walked in.

The young man leaned forward slightly, his gaze flicking briefly to the left, scanning a specific spot on the street before closing the door behind her.

The lights inside cast a warm glow over the sparsely furnished living room. Near the window stood a tall, burly man, around 1.8 meters in height, clad in a black windbreaker that clung tightly to his muscular frame.

"Picked up quite a few tails, Wanda," the man remarked, turning away from the window and stepping into the living room. His voice carried a hint of concern as he watched the woman empty the contents of her bag into a metal box.

The woman removed her hood, revealing her delicate features and striking red hair—it was Wanda. Two years of youthfulness and uncertainty had given way to maturity and confidence, her face now reflecting the extraordinary changes she had undergone.

"In addition to a few local thugs keeping watch, there's a group from Hydra too," Wanda replied calmly as she finished storing the supplies. She walked over to the window, her gaze sweeping the street below, her eyes flashing with a quiet, measured intensity. "Looks like they finally tracked us down."

At that moment, the young man entered the room, sipping from a carton of milk. Wanda glanced at her brother, her eyes softening with affection.

She then turned to the strong man. "Sergei, is our car ready?"

"It's parked in a lot two streets away. I got it from the black market—smuggled, no tracking devices. The supplies are already loaded," Sergei replied with a nod.

"Alright, Pietro, grab your things and go first. Sergei and I will handle the watchers outside and follow you," Wanda instructed firmly.

Pietro, feeling slighted, protested, "Hey, don't forget, I'm ten minutes older than you, remember?"

Wanda smiled, her tone affectionate but resolute. "Just go."

Sergei chuckled at the sibling dynamic. In the past two years, the group had grown as close as family. He added with a teasing grin, "I think Wanda's taken on the big sister role pretty well."

Pietro shot him a middle finger, only to be met with a very stern glare from Wanda. Reluctantly, he grabbed a large box with one hand, took a deep breath, and in an instant, a breeze swept through the room. Pietro's figure vanished, moving so fast that he was gone before Sergei and Wanda could even register it.

"That kid's something else," Sergei remarked, impressed. "With his speed and the Wind Breathing technique, he's almost as fast as Boss Leon."

"Not quite," Wanda replied, her eyes softening at the mention of Leon. But her expression quickly shifted as she sensed the watchers outside preparing to make their move.

"Greedy fools," she muttered. "Sergei, it's time to deal with them."

Sergei's handsome face broke into a chilling smile. "I've been waiting for this."