The content of the Sokovia Accords was actually quite simple and straightforward—at least on paper, it was essentially what Peter had gathered through the news earlier.
The agreement stipulated that the Avengers would no longer operate as a private organization; all actions by its members would be overseen by a UN panel, and they could only mobilize when the panel deemed it necessary.
“This agreement seems decent enough.
But—I mean, hypothetically—what if there’s something the panel wants me to do, but I don’t want to go?
Do I have the right to refuse?” Peter looked at Tony and posed the question.
Tony paused for a moment, then shrugged: “Of course, no problem.
The panel only holds oversight authority to prevent us from acting unilaterally; they can’t force us to do things we don’t want to do.” Peter nodded.
“I understand.
I agree to the Accords.” Signing this agreement meant giving up a few things—for instance, his profile would be entered into official records, and he might even be subjected to frequent surveillance.
That, however, didn’t really matter.
Because ever since they discovered his real identity, those things were already a given anyway.
Even someone as powerful as Thor, who wasn’t even from Earth, had his file on record all the same.
Compared to those minor points, what Peter valued far more was his autonomy.
This autonomy would allow him to follow his own conscience whenever he felt a directive was improper, rather than turning into someone else’s blade to be wielded for their gain.
In essence, the Sokovia Accords were simply a set of laws tailored specifically for superpowered individuals.
Ordinary laws restrained ordinary people, while superpowered laws regulated superpowered individuals.
It was entirely reasonable.
Peter also wanted to protect his Aunt May.
If every superpowered individual signed the Sokovia Accords, refrained from abusing their power, and even used those abilities for the greater good, then Aunt May would never be harmed by people like that.
Of course, he knew that was merely a hopeful vision.
The world would never suffer a shortage of ambitious opportunists.
No matter what kind of world it was, or what era’s background it was set against, that truth remained unchanged.
All Peter could do was do his utmost to protect the people he cared about.
Hearing Peter’s affirmative answer, a smile broke out on Tony’s face: “Very good, kid.
I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.” “So, Tony, can you tell me what you need my help with?” Peter asked.
Tony spun his phone around, slipped it into his pocket, and adopted a serious tone: “I need you to come with me to bring an old friend back.” “Captain America?” “Yes.” “When do we head out?” “We—uh…
you don’t look surprised at all?” “Why should I be?” Peter gestured with open palms.
“You’ve got a sharp mind, kid.
Really reminds me of when I was young.” Tony glanced around Peter’s room, attempting to read him through the layout and items on display.
“Did the famous Mr.
Stark also have to scavenge scrap yards for equipment when he was a kid?” Peter paid no mind to Tony’s scrutiny—if a room were enough to lay him completely bare, wouldn’t that make him a bit too simple-minded?
“Don’t laugh, I actually did!
When I was twelve, I wanted to build a cluster beam gun—the kind that fires lasers—and then BOOM!” Tony made an exaggerated hand gesture, running a hand through his already short hair to push it upward.
Peter could already picture Tony’s face covered in soot, sporting a smoking, blown-out hairdo.
“Hahaha!” After exchanging a few casual jokes, the distance between the two closed rapidly.
“Alright, let me fill you in on what actually happened,” Tony organized his thoughts.
Some guy had deliberately staged an explosion at the Sokovia Accords signing conference in Vienna to achieve his own scheme, using the seven billion people across the globe to locate the Winter Soldier.
Afterward, he managed to trigger the Winter Soldier, turning him back into a Hydra killing machine.
To help his old pal, Cap had snuck him away on the sly.
And slipping away alongside them was Falcon.
In response to their “defection,” the council wanted to send in special forces units directly to terminate all three of them.
Tony, however, had managed to talk the Secretary of State down.
Even so, the Secretary granted him a mere 36-hour window; within those 36 hours, Tony had to bring Cap, the Winter Soldier, and Falcon back.
As for who was right or wrong…
Iron Man hadn’t given it much thought.
He made this decision purely from the standpoint of a friend.
He didn’t want Cap to be killed by special forces; he wanted to bring him back first, let him cool down, and then gradually persuade him.
Which was why he needed Peter’s help.
After all, the other side had numbers on their side.
“Alright, since you’re good with it, let me make the call—we move!” Tony declared, settling the matter.
With a light leap, Peter pushed open a cover in the ceiling with his hand, and a folded set of clothes immediately dropped down.
Indeed, this was his suit.
A suit modified using worn-out clothes and an old theater costume from a school play.
In the past, Peter had actually been quite satisfied with it—even if it looked a bit ugly, it was the product of his own hard work, after all!
Yet, after seeing Spider-Man Noir’s outfit, he suddenly felt the suit in his hands was no longer appealing.
Spider-Man Noir’s suit was also modified from old clothes.
His old clothes, however, were an aviator outfit left behind by his Uncle Ben from World War I—its performance across all aspects was exceptional, and it even possessed a degree of bulletproofing.
Most importantly of all, it looked ridiculously cool.
A slick black trench coat layered over the suit—in the mind of young Peter, that was practically the ultimate definition of cool!
Peter’s brief pause led Tony to believe he was having second thoughts.
Tony promptly dangled an incentive: “Peter, regarding the September Foundation—I was actually being serious.” “The September Foundation?
What’s that?” Peter asked, puzzled.
Tony explained: “To put it simply, it’s a grant fund set up specifically for superpowered individuals like you.
Through this fund, you can receive technical support, funding, and resources across various areas.” He then pointed at the onesie-styled suit in Peter’s hands and added: “For example, this thing—I think we could give it an upgrade.
You deserve better.” “There’s actually a deal like that?!” Peter was pleasantly surprised.
“What are the conditions?
A fund like that isn’t entirely free, is it?” Tony nodded: “With rights come obligations, of course.
As the price, you’ll need to join the Avengers as a reserve member and fight against evil.” “Why did you suddenly sound like a cheesy anime hero?” Peter quipped.
Tony replied: “Sorry, I’m a businessman, and using lofty ideals to guilt-trip people isn’t my style.
Personally, I prefer talking about mutual interests.” “If someone sacrifices their own core interests for some so-called ideal, I’d just think they’re a fool.” Tony shrugged and continued: “Honestly, you don’t need to overthink it.
Cap, Natasha, Banner…
all of them have their living expenses taken care of.” Peter nodded, accepting the offer openly and without hesitation.