267 Wanda Maximoff

"Leave now, invader from America. Turn around while you still can. I might spare your life, only because you're a fellow woman and we have no personal grudge between us."

The crimson-clad woman stood in front of Kagura Hitomi, her gaze laced with pure hostility.

Even from just a few words, Kagura could feel the seething hatred radiating from her.

It wasn't directed at her specifically—but at the Avengers. At the world itself.

Wanda Maximoff.

Kagura knew her name. She also knew the title the world whispered in awe and fear: The Scarlet Witch.

Wanda and her brother, Pietro "Quicksilver" Maximoff, had once volunteered for Baron Strucker's experiments.

Under the influence of the Mind Stone, they survived and were granted powers that defied the laws of nature.

Their motivation? Stark Industries weapons had claimed their family's lives in a bombing.

'Sigh...'

'Mr. Stark... again, it's your fault.'

The Scarlet Witch wielded terrifying abilities.

She could twist reality with Chaos Magic, tear enemies apart, manipulate minds, even rewrite entire timelines.

Though her powers originated from the Mind Stone, her strength rivaled that of the Infinity Stones themselves.

Starting a fight with her wasn't just reckless, it was borderline suicidal.

From what Kagura knew of her MCU counterpart, Wanda's feats were beyond comprehension.

She once held off Thanos, who had five Infinity Stones with just one hand.

And she nearly crushed him to death.

So yeah, this chaotic magic that could almost one-shot Thanos? Kagura wasn't exactly eager to test it firsthand.

"That's a little harsh, Miss Maximoff," Kagura said, inhaling slowly as she tried to reason with her.

In truth, Kagura might understand Wanda's power better than Wanda herself.

And she didn't see the Scarlet Witch as an enemy—in fact, she might even be an ally one day.

"I don't wish to fight you," she said calmly. "If you'll let me carry out my mission, we don't have to clash at all."

"Mission? You call destroying our home a mission?!" Wanda snapped, her voice trembling with rage.

"You know nothing about this place! Get out of here, all of you! Sokovia doesn't need your so-called Avengers and their empty ideals!"

Her hostility only intensified.

Crimson magic swirled around her fingertips, slowly spreading like blood in water.

A crushing wave of pressure began to descend on Kagura.

The suffocating force of Chaos Magic made Kagura's skin crawl.

A visceral sense of danger welled up from the depths of her being.

[Enhanced Human Detected – Threat Level: HIGH – Hostile]

[Alert: Strong signature of Infinity Stone-like energy.]

[Opponent is extremely dangerous.]

The aura surrounding Wanda was unlike anything Kagura had ever faced.

Not even when she'd stood before Odin had she felt such a primal, overwhelming sense of threat.

This woman no this witch could reshape reality with a thought. Erase her from existence with the flick of a wrist.

'No wonder she nearly crushed Thanos bare-handed...'

"I'm not here to destroy your home, Miss Maximoff," Kagura said, her voice firm and composed.

"Listen. HYDRA the organization you're now defending is a global criminal syndicate. Their goal isn't peace."

"The experiments they're running here... they're nothing you should be protecting."

"That's not my concern!" Wanda shouted, stepping closer, the red glow intensifying. "I don't care about HYDRA or their plans!"

"All I know is that you Avengers invaded our land, and I will drive you out. That's all that matters to me!"

"You've let your hatred blind you," Kagura said softly, drawing her vibranium blade from its sheath. "I don't believe you're evil."

"But your kindness is being used against you. Right now, it's the Avengers who are trying to save this world—not destroy it."

"And if I have to defeat you here and now to prevent the world's end... then so be it."

The silver-haired girl lowered her stance, ready to lunge. "Your powers are formidable. But if you think that alone will be enough to beat me... you're welcome to try."

Wanda's abilities were fearsome, yes—but she hadn't fully mastered her Chaos Magic yet.

Unless she had some kind of "cosmic awakening," she wouldn't be able to wield it with total control.

Kagura didn't want to fight her.

Wanda was someone she believed would one day fight beside her, not against her. But there was no avoiding it now.

Time was running out.

According to Cortana's intel, HYDRA was about to activate a mechanized super-army powered by the Mind Scepter.

If they didn't shut down the energy shield soon, the Avengers' mission would fail.

And if Ultron was born here—crafted by HYDRA instead of Stark—it might end in something even worse.

The world could be plunged into an all-out war with HYDRA.

'Vrmmm—!'

Negotiations were over.

Wanda raised her hands, unleashing a torrent of Chaos Magic straight at Kagura.

Scarlet energy surged forward like a flood of lava, ripping through the air.

Kagura dodged, sidestepping just in time as the ground cracked and exploded beneath her.

She activated the energy shield on her left wrist, deflecting the next wave of crimson blasts.

The sheer destructive power of Chaos Magic was overwhelming.

Kagura was just glad Wanda hadn't figured out how to weaponize it beyond giant red laser beams—yet.

Spotting an opening, Kagura countered.

She spun around, blade in hand, and poured her core energy into it.

[High-Powered Directional Electromagnetic Pulse: Activated]

"Hah—!"

A searing arc of electricity burst forth, racing toward Wanda like a blinding tide of light.

Kagura had dialed the power back.

Even if it hit directly, it would only stun or knock Wanda out—nothing lethal.

Definitely not like what happened to poor Obadiah...

She didn't want to just squash someone as powerful as the Scarlet Witch like a bug—after all.

Wanda was a core member of the Avengers, and potentially a key asset for the future of the Griffin Security Agency.

But Wanda clearly didn't see things the same way.

With a flick of her crossed arms in front of her chest, she split the electromagnetic pulse Kagura Hitomi had launched using her chaos magic.

The crackling stream of high-energy particles shot past Wanda, narrowly missing her and slamming into the castle wall behind her.

It left two charred streaks that still sizzled with sparks and smoke.

"My turn!"

Gritting her teeth, Wanda unleashed her magic, aiming it directly at Kagura.

In an instant, scarlet energy surged around Kagura's body, wrapping her tight and yanking her up into the air.

"Oh, sh*t! Telekinesis?! Wanda-sis is really getting the hang of her powers now! Don't rip me apart!"

Kagura muttered with a mix of panic and sarcasm, while quickly activating her conceptual skills.

And no it wasn't just for show.

She truly believed Wanda could tear her to shreds with chaos magic if she got serious.

[Energy Conversion: Activated]

[Skill Combo Initiated]

[Electromagnetic Manipulation: Activated]

[Skill Combo Continued]

[Directed High-Energy Electromagnetic Pulse: Activated]

In an instant, the chaos magic binding her was converted into pure electromagnetic energy.

With the magical force neutralized, Kagura was free from Wanda's grip.

She flipped mid-air and landed smoothly on the ground, then spun around and slashed at the still-crackling cloud of particles.

Channeling Electromagnetic Manipulation, she compressed the energy back into a concentrated surge and sent it roaring straight at a wide-eyed, stunned Wanda.

'Boom—!'

The electromagnetic blast, under precise control, hit Wanda squarely and knocked her out cold in a flash.

"Phew! That wasn't too hard, right?"

Kagura lowered her weapon, catching her breath.

"Well, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Only magic can beat magic, after all! If Thanos had skills like mine, there'd be no Avengers: Endgame! Ahehe~!"

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