It had been a week since Smiley Boy delivered that infamous, self-contradictory speech.
Just like Hank had "predicted," the situation for mutants hadn't improved at all.
Regardless of who started the conflict, once a grudge was formed and hatred planted, it was hard to reverse.
Like a shattered mirror, some things simply couldn't be pieced back together.
The relationship between mutants and regular humans had fractured—and there was no going back.
During this past week, conflicts between mutants and humans had erupted all across the country, some even turning deadly.
America was in complete chaos.
And with the destruction of an entire fleet near Cuba, the U.S. military suffered a major blow.
Over twenty key personnel had been killed, triggering an even bigger crisis.
The entire country was spiraling into deeper disorder.
The only silver lining—if you could call it that—was that after Alex's rampage at the Pentagon, the authorities had been thoroughly rattled.
At least they didn't dare to openly target mutants anymore. That alone offered a sliver of comfort.
Still, hostility from the general public made everyday life hell for mutants.
> "At approximately 11 a.m., a new mutant was discovered inside a convenience store on Harlem Avenue.
This mutant appears to have the ability to control plant growth.
As you can see from the footage, the entire block is now overrun by vines and greenery.
According to on-site reports, the mutant can weaponize these plants, posing a considerable threat.
Local police are on the scene, but negotiations aren't going well. Both sides remain in a tense standoff…"
Inside the newly built mutant base, Alex sat with Hank, Raven, and several others, watching the news unfold on a large TV screen.
Despite having cleared up most of his pressing matters, Alex hadn't immediately set out to confront Stryker and raid his mutant research base.
Instead, he chose to focus on some essential preparations—first and foremost, establishing a proper base for the mutants.
After all, even if he rescued people from Stryker's compound, he'd still need somewhere to put them.
And so, Alex had spent the past week busy laying the foundation.
Thanks to the full support of Marcus's ancient bloodline, which had been around for centuries, resources flooded in like an open faucet—money, manpower, materials, you name it.
They didn't hesitate to carry out Alex's every instruction with absolute efficiency.
In just one short week, the basic framework of the base was already complete.
Even Hank's personal lab—along with all his advanced research equipment—was set up without a hitch.
By that morning, most of the mutants had officially moved into their new headquarters.
As for Alex's luxury villa? Still his.
Just like any other billionaire, he now owned multiple lavish homes to choose from.
He was fully embracing that high-roller lifestyle.
Originally, Alex planned to greet everyone at the base before heading out to deal with Stryker.
But the news report about that plant-controlling mutant caught his eye.
A mutant who could control plants?
From the footage, he looked to be around Alex's age.
And judging by the coverage—an entire two-hundred-meter "green corridor" covered in vines—this kid's power wasn't just flashy, it was versatile.
Even more promising, the anchor confirmed that the young man could use the plants offensively.
It was like a budget version of Hashirama Senju or maybe a downgraded Yamato.
Frankly, Alex was impressed.
The power was flexible—great for offense or defense, crowd control or one-on-one combat.
He could serve as a core combat unit or provide tactical support. The potential was massive.
Alex couldn't help but feel a strong urge to recruit him.
"We need to help him," Hank said, his eyes locked on the screen, voice serious.
The police had the boy completely surrounded.
Although they weren't making a move yet—wary of his powers—bullets didn't discriminate.
Things were looking dangerous.
"There's no way we can get there in time. Harlem's in a different district," Mimic said with a shake of her head, clearly frustrated. "We're too late."
"Well… not exactly," Raven said, shrugging casually. "That's not a problem for Alex. He can get there in seconds."
Copy cat paused, thinking back. That was true.
She'd already confirmed it with Alex—his running speed could hit Mach 1.
A short sprint wouldn't take him long.
Though honestly, Raven wasn't talking about Alex's speed on foot.
Why run when you could fly?
"So, Alex, what are you going to do?" the White Queen asked, looking over at him with clear anticipation in her eyes.
She obviously hoped he'd intervene and rescue their fellow mutant.
"Well… since you all put it like that…"
Alex sighed dramatically, then, without another word—
With a sonic boom and a gust of wind, he shot into the sky, vanishing through the open window.
Copy cat and White Queen were stunned.
Their eyes widened like saucers as they stared at Raven in disbelief.
"He… he can fly?" Copy cat stammered.
Invulnerable skin, supersonic speed, monstrous strength, lethal heat vision—
What kind of monster was Alex, anyway?!
Both women were thoroughly shaken.
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