"Nolan Locke, there are large numbers of civilians gathering outside the capital right now. They are openly protesting your presence in Wakanda and demanding that I expel you from the country."
T'Chaka spoke calmly, as if stating an objective fact.
Nolan's expression did not change.
"So the Wakandan royal family isn't as popular as I imagined."
The moment those words left his mouth, anger flashed across T'Challa's face.
"This has nothing to do with the royal family," T'Challa said sharply. "Your demands have crossed a line that the Wakandan people simply cannot accept."
T'Challa was visibly furious, but the aging King T'Chaka remained composed.
T'Challa was still an inexperienced prince. T'Chaka, however, had long since learned how to endure pressure like this.
"What T'Challa said is correct," T'Chaka continued evenly. "But the most urgent issue right now is calming the public unrest."
"You should understand that even as king, I cannot move forward with a vibranium trade with Locke Industries while facing such strong opposition from my people."
His words were flawless.
Every step T'Chaka took was a test for Nolan, and at the same time, a way to strengthen Wakanda's negotiating position.
As king, Wakanda's interests always came first.
Just as he said, he could not act in direct defiance of his people.
Nolan understood that perfectly.
Before coming to Wakanda, he had already prepared himself to be challenged.
Centuries of tradition were never easy to dismantle.
And vibranium was worth that resistance.
"To ease the public's dissatisfaction," Nolan said calmly, "they need to see tangible benefits. If that's the case, perhaps we could begin with other forms of trade first."
T'Chaka leaned forward slightly.
"You seem very confident. But you should know that no matter how confident you are, Wakandan technology is not something Locke Industries can surpass."
Nolan smiled but did not argue.
Wakanda's technological path was indeed powerful. If he tried to compete head-on, the cost would be enormous.
But conquering public opinion did not require technological superiority alone.
Wakanda was still fundamentally a tribal society. In many ways, it was deeply conservative.
There were countless things in this world capable of winning over Wakanda's people.
Seeing Nolan's confidence, T'Chaka did not refuse.
"In that case, I will give you an opportunity. If you can stabilize public sentiment, I will represent Wakanda and formally begin vibranium trade talks with you."
"Even then, you must understand that vibranium is a special resource. At the initial stage of cooperation, the quantity Wakanda provides will be extremely limited."
This second meeting ended with both men achieving their immediate goals.
Handling public unrest would not be difficult. What remained was simply time.
At most, two weeks.
Leaving the palace, Nolan and T'Challa walked through the streets filled with hostile stares. They continued talking as if nothing was wrong, but T'Challa's expression was clearly strained.
Nolan could only sigh inwardly.
T'Challa was still too young.
Just as Nolan parted ways with T'Challa and headed back to his residence, someone suddenly rushed out from the crowd.
The attacker wore a mask and wielded a dagger, lunging straight toward Nolan.
But to someone whose physical abilities had already surpassed human limits, the movement was painfully slow.
Nolan's eyes turned cold. He showed no restraint.
A single whip-like kick landed squarely on the attacker.
A heavy impact echoed through the street.
The assassin was sent flying and slammed into the ground.
Pedestrians froze in shock.
The assassin did not get up.
Before Nolan could say anything, a group of Wakandan soldiers arrived.
Leading them was none other than W'Kabi, Wakanda's Minister of Defense.
"Nolan Locke! What have you done?"
There was no trace of amusement on Nolan's face.
"Someone tried to assassinate me."
A soldier checked the attacker's breathing. His expression changed instantly.
"He's dead."
The soldier stared in disbelief.
A living person, killed by a single kick.
W'Kabi's face darkened.
"Seize this outsider!"
"You have no authority to do that," Nolan said coldly.
W'Kabi glared at him.
"This is Wakanda. You killed someone here. Prepare to pay with your life."
The situation was painfully clear.
Nolan was not foolish.
This assassin was almost certainly connected to W'Kabi, if not directly sent by him.
The conservative faction would never allow vibranium to leave Wakanda easily.
But Nolan was no pushover.
If Wakanda wanted to trade with him, they would not be dealing with someone weak.
"Bring your king here," Nolan said calmly. "Let's see how he explains his Minister of Defense protecting an assassin."
Just as the conflict threatened to escalate further, T'Challa sprinted toward them.
"W'Kabi! What do you think you're doing?"
Anger burned in T'Challa's eyes.
He had only just parted from Nolan. An attack like this was blatant hostility.
W'Kabi's expression shifted slightly when he saw T'Challa.
"Prince, I am preparing to arrest Nolan Locke for killing someone in public. I suspect he is a spy from the outside world."
T'Challa did not even entertain the claim.
"Leave. Now."
T'Challa's command forced W'Kabi to lower his head.
Today had been a perfect opportunity.
Unfortunately, Nolan Locke was far stronger than expected.
T'Challa wanted to defuse the situation, but Nolan had no intention of letting it end quietly.
He looked at W'Kabi with undisguised contempt.
"Next time, send a real assassin. Or come yourself."
W'Kabi lifted his head, rage flashing in his eyes, but T'Challa cut him off again.
By now, T'Challa understood. The hostility was not one-sided.
Nolan Locke had no intention of backing down either.
As W'Kabi turned to leave, he caught Nolan's lip movements.
"Trash. Next time, I kill you."
There was no expression on Nolan's face, no raised voice.
Yet W'Kabi's fury nearly boiled over.
He stared at Nolan for a long moment, then waved his hand and left.
Nolan Locke was dangerous.
Perhaps it was time to use their final option.
After W'Kabi left, T'Challa turned to Nolan with genuine apology.
"I'm sorry. W'Kabi acted recklessly."
Nolan smiled faintly, as if unbothered.
"It's fine. I understand."
T'Challa exhaled in relief.
"I'll do my best to persuade the people, but even my father has limits. Vibranium is Wakanda's foundation. Trading it is not just about revealing our existence. It crosses the nation's absolute bottom line."
Perhaps shaken by the assassination attempt, T'Challa explained himself far more thoroughly than before.
"I knew that before I arrived," Nolan replied calmly. "But Locke Industries still needs me back. If this isn't resolved within two weeks, I may have to leave."
T'Challa felt a trace of regret, and at the same time, relief.
The vibranium issue troubled even him deeply.
If Nolan left, Wakanda might lose an opportunity to connect with the outside world, but it would also buy them time to prepare.
What T'Challa did not know was that Nolan had no intention of leaving empty-handed.
Now that he was in Wakanda, leaving with nothing was not an option.
If Wakanda refused to cooperate, he would simply resort to smaller methods.
Ulysses Klaue had managed to steal vibranium.
Nolan saw no reason he could not take some as a souvenir.
And he suspected W'Kabi would help him, whether intentionally or not.
As it turned out, he was right.
The failed assassination enraged W'Kabi. T'Challa's stance angered the Elder Council.
The king and prince had made their intentions clear.
"We need a more direct solution," one elder said.
"This could provoke the king's displeasure," another hesitated.
"Of course it will," the first snapped. "But we have no time left. The king has no intention of expelling Nolan Locke. If vibranium trade truly begins, Wakanda will face catastrophe."
Silence fell.
"You're right. We must eliminate the threat. W'Kabi, have the Border Tribe warriors arrived?"
"They have," W'Kabi answered. "Only the most elite."
"We will ensure they enter the capital and keep the king occupied. Your task is simple. Make sure this trade never happens."
W'Kabi nodded slowly.
That day, undercurrents surged through the Wakandan capital.
Inside the palace, two generations of Black Panthers sat together.
"It seems our allies are running out of patience," T'Chaka sighed.
"Perhaps this is for the best," T'Challa replied. "The people are not ready."
T'Chaka looked weary.
"T'Challa, as the future Black Panther, you must always understand balance."
He glanced outside. The palace felt strangely empty.
"Balance does not mean doing nothing. There will never be a perfect moment. In my view, this is the best opportunity."
T'Challa fell silent.
"It's too quiet," T'Chaka said suddenly.
T'Challa froze.
The palace was staffed as usual, yet it felt as though only the two of them remained.
Unease crept into his chest.
He strode toward the exit.
"Prince."
Guards saluted.
"Prepare transport. I'm going into the city."
No one moved.
"Where is Okoye?" T'Challa asked sharply.
By tradition, the Dora Milaje should have been stationed here.
Several elders approached.
"Prince, the city is unsettled today. It would be better to go tomorrow."
"What do you mean?" T'Challa demanded.
T'Chaka stepped forward, fury blazing in his eyes.
"What are you doing? Where is W'Kabi?"
A chilling thought surfaced.
What would happen if Nolan Locke died in Wakanda?
T'Challa realized it at the same time.
They intended to kill him.
If Nolan Locke died here, Wakanda would face unimaginable consequences.
No one believed Nolan could survive.
This was Wakanda.
Its weapons were unrivaled.
But no one truly wanted war.
Nolan Locke had deep ties to the Avengers, and Locke Industries was a global force.
Even if Nolan died, his influence would not.
T'Challa shouted, "Stop W'Kabi immediately! You're inviting disaster!"
The elders exchanged glances, smiling faintly.
"Apologies, Prince. It's too late. The Border Tribe warriors should have already moved."
At that moment, an entire street in the capital stood empty.
Nolan had sensed something wrong long ago.
He simply allowed it to happen.
From every corner, warriors wearing cloaks and holding spears emerged.
"Defensive formation!"
They seized their cloaks and raised them forward.
Energy shields flared to life.
Nolan stood alone at the center.
W'Kabi stepped forward.
"Nolan Locke, you have one final choice. Leave Wakanda and forget everything you saw here."
Nolan showed no fear.
"What if I refuse?"
Cold light flashed in W'Kabi's eyes.
"Then you will remain here forever."
…