Next day-
Coulson received a call from Director Nick Fury.
"Coulson, have you lost your mind?"
"It's only been a short time. First, it was repairing the plane, and now there's a $30 million bill."
"What exactly are you trying to do? Do you still want to keep your dream team?"
Hearing the director's rant, Coulson gave an awkward smile and replied, "Sir, it's not without its benefits. We've learned the location of the Sound Ninja's latest base. This will make future cooperation easier."
"Not only for me but also for the agency. We can establish some collaboration and contracts with the Sound Ninja."
Fury, somewhat mollified by the response, nodded but still yelled, "But $30 million is no small amount."
"Your team will cover one-third of the cost from your budget."
Coulson protested, "Sir, that's too much!"
"It's settled."
With that, Nick Fury hung up the phone.
He then wrote in his report, "Partnership established with Sound Ninja Village, involving maintenance costs of $100 million."
...
Three days later-
The aircraft was flying in the air, and Coulson was undergoing a medical examination onboard.
He had been running on the treadmill for three hours without breaking a sweat.
Simmons, reviewing the data, said, "Sir, your blood pressure, heart rate, and biochemical readings are outstanding, far beyond the average person. Now we just need to draw some blood."
Coulson stopped the treadmill and looked at Simmons, "You know I don't like being poked."
Simmons smiled, "Well, a normal needle probably wouldn't penetrate your skin."
Then, curiously, she asked, "Have you been feeling unwell lately?"
Coulson removed the monitoring equipment from his body and asked, "Why do you ask?"
Simmons, checking the chart on her tablet, said, "According to your records, you weren't due for a physical test for another three months."
Coulson shrugged, "I made the mistake of answering a call from my therapist, and when they asked how I was feeling, I said 'not too great.'"
"Next thing I know, I'm stuck running on this hamster wheel."
Simmons laughed, "You can officially tell your therapist that you're in top condition. Apart from a select few, no one in the entire agency could match you."
Coulson chuckled, "You're talking about the others who, like me, have become super soldiers?"
"Exactly. Your physical capabilities are exceptional."
"Three hours of intense running, and you didn't even break a sweat. Looks like you don't even need electrolyte drinks."
Coulson smiled, then turned to leave.
...
Meanwhile-
Ward was in the lab testing Fitz's new weaponry.
"Sorry, Fitz."
"Close, but it's still not quite right."
Fitz, puzzled, asked, "Really?"
"But Agent Coulson seemed to handle it just fine."
Ward explained, "It's an ounce too heavy."
Skye, sitting nearby, was surprised, "An ounce? Are you serious?"
Killer Bee, however, agreed, "For a warrior, even an ounce can make a significant difference in critical moments."
Ward nodded in acknowledgment of Killer Bee's support, "An ounce can mean the difference between success and failure. If you're on a rooftop, with winds at 15 miles per hour, and the target is 500 yards away..."
Before Ward could finish his explanation, Fitz interrupted, "But we still have the rifle."
Ward looked at Fitz with a serious expression, "Take off that extra ounce."
Seeing Ward's determined look, Fitz nodded, "Alright, I'll handle it."
After speaking, Ward turned and left the lab.
As Ward exited, Fitz mimicked his voice, "Take off that extra ounce."
Then, he picked up the Night-Night gun and said in a mock-serious tone, "I'm Agent Grant Ward. I can shoot a flea's leg off from 500 yards away, as long as the wind's not too strong."
Skye burst into laughter at Fitz's performance.
Seeing Skye laugh, Fitz smiled as well, then put the gun back on the table. He turned to Skye and said, "It's been a while since I've heard you laugh like that."
Skye explained, "If Ward kept giving you cold looks all the time, you probably wouldn't laugh much either."
Fitz sighed, "You've already apologized to all of us. What more does he want?"
"Even Killer Bee has forgiven you."
Killer Bee nodded, "Yeah, I've already forgiven her."
Skye shook her head, "I don't know. I've been trying really hard."
"I've memorized all the S.H.I.E.L.D. regulations and followed every order."
"'Yes, sir,' 'No, sir.'"
"I even agreed to wear a tracker like a stray dog. I know I lied to you guys, but that was to protect my boyfriend."
Fitz nodded, "Honestly, we all make mistakes."
"Who cares, though? I don't care."
"Who really cares about your ex-boyfriend?"
Skye stood up, "It's not like I'm comparing Ward to Miles, but with Miles, I didn't have to worry about this kind of passive-aggressive behavior."
"We didn't play mind games. We were on the same wavelength, you know?"
Fitz nodded, "Yeah, just like us."
"Exactly. You and Simmons get along so well, it's like you have telepathy or something."
Fitz quickly replied, "No, actually, we don't. I don't think so."
At that moment, Simmons' voice chimed in, "Ward came in? Let me guess..."
All three turned to see Simmons walking over. She continued, "Talking about the Night-Night gun again?"
Fitz nodded, "Yep, and he said it's still an ounce too heavy."
Simmons sighed, "Of course he did."
Then, with her hands on her hips, she joked, "I'm Agent Grant Ward. I can blow your spleen out with my left pinky, blindfolded."
Killer Bee and Skye burst into laughter, "That's spot on!"
Fitz also chuckled, realizing that Skye was right. He then turned to Killer Bee and asked, "Killer Bee, what would happen in your village if something like this occurred?"
As Fitz asked, everyone turned their attention to Killer Bee.
Killer Bee's smile faded, and he replied, "You don't want to know the answer. Let's just say Skye is very lucky with the outcome here."
Hearing this, Skye's smile also faded. It became clear that the incident was considered extremely serious even among the ninja.
At that moment, Ward walked back in, "Get ready, grab your gear."
"We've got a mission."
Ward noticed the expressions on everyone's faces and asked, "What just happened?"
Simmons quickly responded, picking up the Night-Night gun from the table, "Damn it, Fitz left a training round in the gun. It should meet the requirements now."
Ward took the gun, tested it in his hands, and then looked at Simmons, "Nice, thanks."