The Juggernaut had left. Kurogai had no further use for him at the moment, though before letting him go, Kurogai quietly cast a binding spell—an induction charm that would allow him to track and contact the brute when needed. With that precaution in place, he returned to his New York manor.
The moment he stepped inside, Rogue and Susan rushed to meet him. Concern was written all over their faces.
"Kurogai, you should rest," Rogue said softly, her voice tinged with worry. "You've been pushing yourself nonstop."
Her words made him pause. She was right—he hadn't stopped moving in what felt like forever. But he smiled anyway, brushing it off.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
Susan folded her arms, unconvinced. Rogue's gaze didn't waver either. They both knew he had been constantly fighting, constantly preparing, never taking the time to breathe.
Truthfully, Kurogai felt it too. His strength had grown considerably, but compared to the gods who ruled at the very peak—beings like Eternity or the Living Tribunal—he was still far from untouchable. He had already surpassed the level of Odin or Thor, defeating them in battle, but he knew the multiverse housed powers far greater than Asgard's throne.
Still, he had something they didn't. His greatest weapon—the Ultimate Eye—wasn't even close to being fully awakened. Of the twelve pupil rings, only three had fully awakened, with a few others partially unlocked. Half his true potential still slept within him. He could feel it: the six dormant rings held power beyond anything he had yet unleashed. When they awoke, his strength would rise to heights unimaginable.
Until then, caution was necessary. The specter of death loomed too close for recklessness.
"You may not feel tired," Rogue murmured again, softer this time, "but we can see it in you."
Kurogai sighed and relented. "Alright. I'll rest for a few days. And I'll spend that time with you."
He had his next mission already in mind—the search for the meteorite of Carbonadium steel Ajax had hidden away. That rare ore could help him push the Ultimate Eye closer to completion. But for now, he set it aside. The meteorite was buried in a secure base; no one else could claim it before him. He could afford to take a breath.
For several days, he stayed in New York with Rogue, Jean, Skye, and Susan. After the grueling battles and the strain of genetic experiments, they too needed time to recover. Together, they found moments of peace—dinners in the manor, quiet walks in the city, and laughter that softened the edge of endless conflict.
Jean eventually returned to the experimental starship to continue her work, while Skye chose to go back to the orphanage. With her mastery of teleportation magic, she could still provide support whenever needed, but she wanted to ensure the children were safe.
Susan and Rogue remained at the manor, expanding the reach of Kurogai's intelligence network in New York. Their system would ensure he always had the first word on unusual threats.
When everything was in place, Kurogai finally set out again. His goal was clear: to claim the Carbonadium meteorite. He had already gathered several unique metals, and he believed this final piece might allow him to push the sixth pupil ring of the Ultimate Eye to completion. If successful, he could ignite a divine flame within himself, awakening new divinity.
The thought thrilled him. A new stage of power was within reach.
Driven by that resolve, Kurogai accelerated his pace, racing toward the secret location where the Carbonadium meteorite awaited.
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