Itachi had spent several days on the Collector's planet. Though wary at first, a mutual respect had gradually formed between them. The Collector, always eager to show off his treasures, introduced Itachi to the planet's bizarre lifeforms, advanced technologies, and an endless array of cosmic artifacts. Every corner of the Collector's domain held a story.
One afternoon, the Collector made a suggestion:
— "Come with me. The arena matches are starting soon. You might find them... entertaining."
Itachi nodded silently, following him through winding halls lined with rare objects. As they entered the coliseum, the air was thick with excitement. Loud, alien spectators filled the seats, cheering, laughing, and placing bets in languages unknown to Itachi. The battlefield itself was vast — a circle of reinforced steel, surrounded by force fields that sparked with raw energy.
Itachi observed silently as fighters from various species clashed — some using brute strength, others relying on bizarre abilities or weapons. It was chaotic, absurd, and oddly fascinating.
Then the gates at the far end opened. A deep rumble echoed through the arena as a massive figure stomped onto the battlefield — Hulk.
The crowd erupted. The arena trembled.
Itachi's eyes widened, and his Sharingan activated almost instinctively.
— "Bruce Banner? That... that's him. Why is he here? He's supposed to be on Earth."
Confusion flickered across his face. He attempted to reach out with his genjutsu, to peer into Hulk's mind. But all he found was rage — untamed, pure fury. There was no conscious thought to latch onto. Bruce Banner was nowhere to be found.
Hulk roared and slammed into his opponent with devastating power, pummeling him into the ground with terrifying force.
The Collector, standing beside Itachi, smiled with amusement.
— "I see you've taken an interest. He's... a rage engine. One of the strongest fighters in the galaxy. Been here quite a while."
Itachi remained silent, but his concern grew. The man he remembered — calm, intelligent, rational — was gone, replaced by this primal force of destruction.
And then — a blinding flash in the sky. A violent surge of energy tore through the atmosphere. All heads turned upward.
From high above, a figure descended rapidly, crashing into a massive scrap heap on the outskirts of the city — Thor.
Security drones swarmed the area immediately, surrounding him. Thor, dazed but defiant, rose from the metal debris, summoning his strength.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the planet, another arrival took place — this time much quieter.
A familiar figure materialized just outside the Collector's palace — Loki. He brushed dust off his green-and-gold attire, smirked, and looked around.
— "What a charming place... how very me."
Itachi watched him from a distance, eyes narrowing. The face was familiar. The name echoed in the back of his mind. But his purpose here, and how he arrived, remained unknown.
The Collector, meanwhile, clapped his hands together with delight.
— "More guests! This universe is becoming more delightful by the moment."