When Dragon Balls Descend Upon Marvel

Steve Rogers stood still, his eyes sweeping across the towering skyscrapers and neon lights. The world had moved on without him.

S.H.I.E.L.D. agents tightened their circle around him, Jessica Jones among them.

The agents suddenly parted, forming a path. A bald Black man in a black suit, with one sharp eye, walked forward.

Seeing the respect he commanded, Steve frowned. Before the war, African-Americans had held little status. To see this much deference directed toward one now… the world truly had changed.

The man spoke calmly.

"Sorry about the staged setup. But I thought… it'd be better to break it to you slowly."

Steve's brow furrowed.

"Break what to me?"

Nick Fury said evenly,

"You've been asleep. For nearly seventy years."

The words hit Steve like a hammer. Memories rushed back—the Hydra bomber, the crash, the cold ocean swallowing him whole. And before that… a promise left unfulfilled.

"You alright?" Fury asked.

Steve's eyes were distant as he whispered,

"I'm fine. I just… missed a date."

······

Months passed in a blur.

New York's nights grew darker—and stranger. A new vigilante stalked the streets: Venom. Ruthless, lethal. Criminals he killed were left headless. Some hailed him as a hero cleaning the city. Others whispered he was a monster.

Alongside him, John Wick and Wesley occasionally unleashed the power of their own symbiotes, breaking evil in the shadows. Yet with little evidence left behind, the world mistook them all for Venom.

······

Inside the Assassins League headquarters—

The chamber was filled. Alongside Smith Dole sat Melina, Yelena, Alexei, Selina, and Michael, joining the core members.

Smith's gaze swept over them as he spoke.

"The Dragon Balls have lain dormant for nearly a year. Tomorrow, they will revive. The Second Dragon Ball Tournament will begin."

The announcement carried weight. Memories of the last battle still burned in everyone's minds. The raw power on display… and Selina's victory.

Alexei leaned forward.

"Leader, what do you need us to do? Deliver invitations again to the holders?"

Smith shook his head.

"No rush for that. First, I want to ask—do any of you wish to enter this year's tournament? A year has passed. Do you have wishes worth using the Dragon Balls for? As our sacred relics, I will honor reasonable wishes of our members."

The elders sat in silence, unmoved. The Dragon Balls could not change the entire world. Power, wealth, influence—those they already possessed.

Wesley chuckled.

"Not me. I'm training at Korin Tower with Master Korin."

Fox shook her head.

"I'm focused on the company right now. My only wish is to learn ki on the tower myself."

Wesley and John Wick had climbed the Korin Tower barehanded and now trained under Korin.

John Wick added quietly,

"My wife was brought back. I've no regrets left. I don't need the Dragon Balls anymore."

For him, that was enough. No one could expect him to wish for a dog's resurrection—that would've been absurd.

Alexei, Melina, and Yelena all declined too. Life was fulfilling, their family reunited. Natasha alone was absent.

Michael and Selina shook their heads. Bulma, fulfilled with Smith by her side, also declined.

Smith nodded.

"Bulma, give us the Dragon Ball market updates."

Bulma gestured, and AI projections filled the room.

"As the year ends, activity has spiked online. A single Dragon Ball is rumored to fetch 30 million dollars. Yet no trades have succeeded. Forgeries flood the market, but real Dragon Balls' indestructibility and clear star pattern make them impossible to counterfeit."

She paused.

"Also, several buyers have been stockpiling perfectly round stones. They've gathered quite a lot."

Smith smirked.

"Likely former competitors, or others who've touched the Dragon Balls before. The allure is too strong. Once all seven are held, we'll deliver invitations. The venue remains the island from before—have it prepared."

Fox reported,

"The island has been expanded this year. The improvements are significant."

Smith nodded.

"Good. Prepare for the Second Dragon Ball Tournament."

He wasn't sure how fierce it would be. But he was ready. After a year of relentless training, his base battle power had just reached 2000.

······

(End of Chapter)

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