Sushi, Secrets, and New Beginnings

Tokyo, Japan – Evening

The streets of Tokyo glittered with neon lights. Massive screens on skyscrapers played pop music videos while the sidewalks pulsed with people. Lanterns swung gently outside open sushi bars. A small rooftop in Shibuya offered the perfect view—and on it, sat Tony Stark, Kai, and Thor, sampling an absurdly large spread of fresh sushi rolls.

Kai plopped a piece of salmon sashimi into his mouth. "Told you this was worth the flight."

Tony, chewing on a tuna roll, nodded. "Okay, fine. You win this one."

Thor, attempting to pick up a piece of sea urchin with chopsticks, scowled. "These mortal eating sticks are insulting."

Kai chuckled. "You'd think a guy who swings a hammer through space would manage sushi."

"Enough!" Thor declared, grabbing the sushi with his fingers. "This is how warriors eat!"

Suddenly—

"Beep. Beep. Beep."

Tony's communicator lit up. He tapped it lazily and brought it to his ear.

"Yo," he said.

"Hello." came the unmistakable voice of Nick Fury.

Tony grinned. "Moshi moshi."

"…Moshi mosh—wait, no, stop that. I don't care what language that is. I'm calling about something important."

Tony leaned back, smirking. "Okay, I'm listening."

"I need you to report back. It's about the Avengers. And your new… enthusiastic partner."

Tony glanced at Kai, who was now making a wasabi mountain on his plate.

"Also," Fury continued, "…why does your location say you're in Japan?"

Tony looked up. "Well, we wanted sushi. So we flew to Japan."

Fury: O⁠_⁠o.

"…What do you mean, you flew to Japan?"

Kai leaned into the comm. "Best way to cure post-battle trauma. Sushi therapy."

"You're giving me trauma," Fury snapped. "Get back when you can. And bring the watch guy."

Tony saluted mockingly. "Aye, aye, Colonel amurail sayonara."

Click.

Tony turned to Kai, shaking his head with a grin. "I get it now."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Get what?"

"The whole travel-for-snacks thing. The rush. The quiet. The escape. I get it. Took a god-sized battle and three sushi courses, but yeah… makes sense."

Kai smiled. "Told you food is a universal language."

Thor stood, wiping his hands. "As enjoyable as this was, I must return to Asgard. I sense the Bifrost will call soon."

Kai looked surprised. "You're not coming with us?"

Thor shook his head solemnly. "My place is in the realm eternal—for now. But I will return, when the storm calls again."

Tony extended a hand. "Take care of yourself, Point Break."

Thor clasped it in a firm shake. "Protect this realm. And feed the young warrior. His appetite is boundless."

Kai laughed, then gave Thor a quick side-hug. "Say hi to your hammer for me."

The sky shimmered. Thunder rolled through the clouds as the Bifrost began to spin above them.

With one final nod, Thor stepped into the beam of light and vanished.

The air buzzed faintly as Tony's jet—sleek, fast, and packed with tech—sliced through the clouds on the way back to the U.S.

Kai sat in the co-pilot seat, legs crossed, helmet off, eyes on the stars above.

"So," Kai ask while pretending, "what's this Avengers thing really about?"

Tony leaned back in the pilot chair. "Big-picture thinking. Fury's trying to build a team—people with… advantages. Powers. Skills. People who've seen the crazy and didn't blink."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "And I'm one of those people?"

"You held your own against an alien robot and a god. You've got tech no one understands, instincts I trust, and a decent taste in snacks. Yeah. You're one of those people."

Kai looked at the Omnitrix on his wrist.

"Feels weird," he said. "Being seen like that. Like I matter in something big."

Tony's voice softened slightly. "You already mattered. This just makes it official."

Kai smirked. "Are there benefits?"

Tony shrugged. "SHIELD cafeteria has amazing donuts."

"Say no more."

Arrival at SHIELD HQ

The jet landed on a hidden SHIELD airstrip nestled in the mountains—far from prying eyes.

As the hangar doors opened, Nick Fury waited below, flanked by Agent Hill and a dozen technicians.

Tony and Kai disembarked, the latter stretching from the long ride.

Fury stepped forward.

"You're late."

Kai grinned. "Time zones are tricky."

Tony held up a peace sign. "But we brought your newest candidate."

Fury looked at Kai—really looked. The teenage energy, the hoodie, the casual stance.

And the glowing green device on his wrist.

"Watch guy, huh?" Fury said.

Kai held up the Omnitrix. "Name's Kai. And I'm more than just the watch."

Fury nodded once. "Good. Because the world's about to change. And I need people who don't run from it."

Kai stepped forward.

"Then I'm in."