In the theater.
Looking around, Tony Stark said to Thor, "Thor, where's the tree guy? Why didn't I see him come in?"
"Not sure."
Facing Tony's question, Thor shrugged. "By the way, Natasha said you're planning to fly to the moon in that rocket. Do you need me to go with you?"
"No, Linen will go with me. Even if there's any danger, as long as Linen is there, then…"
Before Tony Stark finished speaking, the system's voice sounded again.
[Note: Due to the death of Groot, one person has been added to the venue!]
Hearing the system's voice, the theater—previously buzzing with chatter—fell silent instantly.
Groot… died?
The sudden announcement left everyone heavy-hearted. Not because any of them had deep bonds with Groot…
But because they had watched the future through the spoiler system again and again, and had unconsciously built confidence in that future.
They had forgotten that the future was still full of danger.
Just because they knew what would happen didn't mean danger couldn't reach them.
"The death of Groot is a wake-up call for us."
Looking at the silent crowd, Nick Fury spoke. "Ever since we got the spoiler system, we've been overly 'optimistic' about the future."
"But in reality, Earth's future is still full of crises and challenges."
"Fury is right."
After a moment of silence, Steve nodded. "Thanos snapped billions into ashes. Natasha jumped off a cliff for the Soul Stone."
"Everyone, we've been too relaxed lately. We've forgotten that accidents—and even death—can strike at any moment!"
At this point, Steve took a deep breath, then looked at everyone and said seriously, "But don't lose heart. We still hold the 'key' to facing the future."
"As long as we treat the future seriously and face everything that will happen…"
"Even if sacrifices follow us, I believe we'll win every battle."
"Wow, that's great!"
As soon as Steve finished, a voice sounded behind him.
Turning around, they saw a clothed raccoon standing there.
"Although I don't want to interrupt your speech—where the heck is this place?"
Seeing Rocket Raccoon appear, the crowd froze.
"Oh my God, the little raccoon can talk?"
Walking up to Rocket, Tony Stark reached out to touch his head.
Rocket immediately bared his teeth and almost bit him. "Hey! You low-level creature, you'd better show some respect!"
Tony Stark frowned after nearly being bitten. "Unbelievable. I didn't expect a raccoon to talk."
"But a red panda wearing clothes? Did you eat some kind of mutant bamboo shoot to be able to speak?"
"Red panda in clothes?"
Hearing Tony describe him like that, Rocket turned to Steve. "Is he complimenting me?"
"Uh… strictly speaking, that was an insult."
"Damn it!"
Hearing Steve's explanation, Rocket glared at Tony. "If it's an insult, use an insulting tone! Otherwise how am I supposed to know!?"
Faced with Rocket's irritation, Tony Stark shrugged, then turned to Thor. "So he's the one replacing Groot in the theater? Honestly, I prefer Groot. At least Groot doesn't bite."
Before Thor could respond, Rocket stepped forward. "You know Groot?"
"You know Groot too?"
Natasha approached from the side. "The Groot you mean… is he a tree-like being almost three meters tall?"
"I don't know what planet you're from, and I don't know what measuring system you're using for 'three meters.'"
"But yes, I have a friend named Groot. Unfortunately…"
When he mentioned Groot, Rocket lowered his head, sadness in his voice. "To save us… Groot died."
Feeling the sadness in his tone, Natasha crouched down and gently comforted him. "Sounds like the Groot you know is the same Groot we know… Yi shu!"
(Note: "Yishu" was clearly a mistranslation—corrected to normal speech.)
"This is the viewing room. Only those who received the spoiler system can be here."
She explained to Rocket how they knew Groot and the purpose of this place.
Hearing Natasha's gentle tone, Rocket was silent for a moment before saying, "Since you're Groot's friends, you can call me Rocket."
"So Groot could see the future… Does that mean he knew he would die to save us?"
Looking at Rocket's sad expression, Natasha paused but didn't answer.
After all, they had never seen the future where Groot died.
Patting Rocket gently on the back, Natasha smiled. "Sit down. That's Groot's seat. The future clip will start soon."
Hearing that, Rocket walked toward the seat with his head lowered.
After Natasha returned to her seat, she exchanged a glance with Nick Fury.
"Transformed…"
After silently mouthing the word, Natasha said no more.
During her brief contact while comforting Rocket, she had felt the physical signs—he was genetically altered.
To confirm, she had even brushed her hand over him.
It was definitely the trace of transformation, not a healed scar.
Hearing this, Nick Fury sat calmly in his seat.
"Transformed? Experimented on animals? What kind of people… or civilization… turns a raccoon into a being with human-level intelligence?"
Thinking of this, Fury suddenly turned to stare at Rocket.
Seeing Thor chatting with Rocket about Groot, Fury lightly touched his eyepatch.
He thought of something no one else had noticed:
All of them understood Rocket's speech.
And Rocket understood theirs.
So—is this some kind of translator?
Or… did whoever transformed Rocket already know Earth languages?
Nick Fury knew such technology existed in the universe.
After all… Carol had shown him one before.
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