"I never expected there was such a capable young man in the mercenary World. He came from the Navy SEALs, participated in the Afghanistan War, and by his twenties, he had already taken hundreds of lives, earning him the nickname Killmonger—the Merchant of Death."
"If I had known about him earlier, I would have found a way to get him under my command."
Klaw exclaimed in surprise and admiration.
For someone in his line of work, you can never have too many capable subordinates, especially elites like him.
"The man is downstairs, but can you tell me why you're looking for him?"
After a couple of sentences, Klaw stared at Ronn, asking with a seemingly curious, cautious smile.
"To kill for you? Aren't your abilities powerful enough? In my eyes, you look even more terrifying than a ghost."
"On this Earth, there are very few things that concern me. Wakanda is one of them."
"A massive Vibranium mine, technology decades ahead of Earth, and the Heart-Shaped Herb that stimulates human potential…"
Standing up, Ronn clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the distant, lush green mountains, briefly explaining his purpose.
Aside from constantly striving to become stronger, there were two other matters he wanted to resolve.
The X-Men Universe's means of defending against nuclear bombs, and the Black Robe Universe's stable Compound V that could be used by adults.
"Wakanda, that place, might it solve both of my problems at once?"
Especially the country's means of defending against nuclear bombs. If the establishment of a Mutant nation proceeded smoothly, he could gain a massive amount of ability points from it.
"Alright, you really know a lot about Wakanda."
"But, a 'thing'? Isn't it a country?"
Wakanda's public image was merely that of a poor, indigenous African country. Ronn knowing so much surprised Klaw, who then looked puzzled.
"In my eyes, it's just something I can take whenever I want."
There was no hint of arrogance, his tone indifferent, as if stating a fact.
Having profoundly experienced Wakanda's formidable power, Klaw couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment upon seeing him completely disregard a powerful nation with technology decades ahead of Earth.
"Could it be… you want to be the King of Wakanda?"
He looked Ronn up and down with a strange gaze, then paused and added,
"While that's a good aspiration, if I may be frank, you don't seem to have the qualifications to be the King of that country."
"You know… no matter how developed it is, it's an African indigenous country."
Their skin color doesn't match, and it's a country with a hereditary monarchy, where ancient ideas are deeply ingrained, almost autocratic, and as stubborn as stone.
After speaking, he turned and gave an order into the walkie-talkie.
A Black man was brought up. He was tall and strong, with dreadlocks, dark skin, and a fierce aura honed by war and bloodshed.
"I think he's more qualified to be the King there than you…"
Klaw spread his hands, joking with Ronn.
But he didn't notice that Eric, who was brought up with a serious expression, seemed to twitch an eyelid, subtly startled, and instinctively glanced at him.
"You're right."
"He carries the noble bloodline of Wakanda, making him legitimately more qualified to be King than me."
Without refuting, Ronn's voice was cold as he looked at Eric, not avoiding his gaze at all.
"I will achieve my goals through him."
"Him? Wakandan noble bloodline?"
Klaw was initially smiling, but when he saw the future Golden Leopard Eric's difficult expression, he couldn't smile anymore.
"Is he really?"
"Who are you? How do you know?!"
Seeing his identity exposed, Eric, agile and sharp, pulled a dagger from his boot. Like a leopard, he quickly seized Klaw, stared at Ronn, and demanded in a sharp voice.
Ronn looked at him playfully, ignoring him.
"Let go of the Boss, you won't leave here alive."
The two subordinates who brought Eric up quickly drew their guns and aimed at him, but dared not act rashly.
Over a dozen subordinates from downstairs also rushed up, fiercely pointing their guns at Eric.
"Put down your weapons."
"Damn it, how did you search him?"
Cursing, with the dagger pressed against his neck and his life in the hands of another, Klaw raised his hands, threatening with a mix of softness and firmness.
"Hey, calm down. You know this is my territory, right?"
"Ulysses, do you think I don't know how you got your Vibranium? You shameful thief, every inch of your Vibranium, your wealth, your influence, is stained with my father's blood!"
The hatred suppressed in his heart for over a decade erupted, and the Golden Leopard Eric roared with Excited and anger.
"Alright, it seems you really are."
His heart sank. His enemy's son had come knocking. Klaw's expression turned difficult as he looked to Ronn for help, raising his hands with a bitter smile.
"You knew his identity but didn't tell me, you've really put me in a terrible spot. Shouldn't you resolve this?"
Eric's father was N'Jobu, the brother of the current King of Wakanda, T'Chaka. More than ten years ago, while N'Jobu was undercover in the United States, he believed his Black compatriots were living in dire circumstances.
He wanted to share Vibranium and Wakandan technology with his compatriots in other countries to overthrow oppression. So, he conspired and collaborated with Ulysses Klaue to invade Wakanda and steal a large amount of Vibranium.
Of course, Klaw's only goal was Vibranium; he deceived N'Jobu, as he had no interest in liberating Black people. Afterward, N'Jobu died at T'Challa's hands.
"Honestly, if your father were still alive, he really should see the World now. Although the lower class hasn't changed much, the upper class of you Black people are living incredibly comfortably. Regardless of anyone else's status, everyone has to treat you cautiously."
"You are not allowed to mock my father!"
Eric exclaimed.
"Remember our deal?"
In the tense, confrontational atmosphere, Ronn calmly sat down, propping his head with a playful gaze, as if watching two animals fighting in an arena under his arrangement.
"You help me find him, and I'll grant your wish, letting the King of Wakanda, T'Challa, die."
"I remember, of course, I remember."
Klaw hoped Ronn would save him.
"Now I can make a deal with you too."
He turned his gaze to Eric, chuckling lightly.
"What deal?"
"I'll help you escape this predicament, help you kill your enemy, and after you ascend to the Wakandan throne, you will obey me from then on."
His plan wouldn't be so simple, but saying this to the Golden Leopard was enough.
"My enemy also includes him!"
Eric pressed the dagger against Klaw's neck.
"Of course. What I said also includes him."
"Okay." Eric didn't hesitate for too long, quickly agreeing. There were hundreds of mercenaries here, and heavy weapons. He had no confidence he could leave here alive. Only by surviving could he achieve anything.
"Hmm?" Klaw felt something was off. He said in disbelief, "Didn't you promise to help me get revenge?"
"Yes, I will help you get revenge and kill T'Challa, but I didn't promise you would live."
Ronn smiled, his eyes turning cold, and slowly said,
"And do you think I don't know about your little tricks behind my back?"