After the assistant left, Rumlow's team entered the mall.
Steve said urgently, "The nine minutes are almost up."
Natasha smiled, "Don't worry. Got it."
The exact address appeared on the screen: Wheaton, New Jersey.
Natasha noticed Steve's surprised expression and asked, "You recognize this place?"
Steve nodded, "Yes. It's where I trained after enlisting."
"Let's go," he said, unplugging the USB drive. The two headed out of the Apple store.
As they entered the mall's main atrium, Steve noticed S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives arriving.
"Standard tactical formation: two in front, two in back, two on the flanks," he observed.
"If we're discovered, we take them out quickly," Steve suggested.
Natasha interrupted, "Shut up. Hold me and laugh."
"What?" Steve asked.
"Now!"
Steve complied without hesitation. Following Natasha's instructions, the two walked past the operatives without being noticed.
Meanwhile, one of the agents entered the Apple store they had just left. He scanned the area but found nothing. He reported,
"No signal source detected."
Rumlow ordered, "Search every floor."
"Target not found on the third floor."
"Target not found on the second floor."
Hearing these reports, Rumlow issued a new order, "Search from the top floor down and rendezvous with me."
Rumlow took the escalator to head upstairs, while Natasha and Steve entered an elevator going down.
Natasha was the first to spot Rumlow approaching. She immediately turned to Steve and said,
"Kiss me."
Steve froze for a moment, "What?"
"Public displays of affection make people uncomfortable," Natasha explained.
"Right," Steve replied hesitantly.
Without waiting, Natasha grabbed Steve by the neck and kissed him.
Rumlow glanced around, seeing a couple kissing in public, and paid them no mind. In his mind, Steve was a single, old-fashioned man—someone who would never engage in such behavior.
After passing each other without incident, Natasha let go of Steve and calmly walked away, asking, "Still uncomfortable?"
Steve responded, "Not exactly."
After leaving the mall, Steve stole a car and drove Natasha toward New Jersey.
…
Konoha Base-
In the conference room of the base, all summoned ninjas had taken their seats.
Sitting around the table were Tsunade, Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto Uzumaki, Neji Hyuga, Hinata Hyuga, Hanabi Hyuga, Kurenai Yuhi, Tenten, Rock Lee, Sakura Haruno, Shizune, Shizuka Nadeshiko, Obito Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha, Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Shino Aburame, Karui, Kiba Inuzuka, Hayate Gekko, Kosuke Maruboshi, and Yamato—a total of 27 Konoha ninjas who had been summoned by Charles Doyle into this world.
Just then, Sasuke Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake entered the room.
"Lord Charles, we request to join this mission," Sasuke said.
Shizune stood up and objected, "Sasuke, Kakashi, you both need to rest."
Ignoring her concerns, the two turned their hopeful gazes toward Charles.
Considering S.H.I.E.L.D.'s current state and the relatively low level of danger, Charles nodded.
"Since you're both determined, take a seat."
"Thank you, Lord Charles!" the two responded in unison.
With everyone present, Charles began the meeting.
Notably, apart from the ninjas, only Ginny and Selene were included. None of the other High Table adjudicators had been notified.
Charles began, "Let's get started."
He activated a large screen, which displayed the logos of both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra.
"From what I've learned, the planet's largest espionage organization is on the brink of its greatest crisis—one that will lead to its disbandment."
Hearing this, Ginny widened her eyes in surprise.
The idea of S.H.I.E.L.D. disbanding was shocking to her. However, Selene and the ninjas showed no surprise.
Selene, with her centuries of experience, had witnessed countless rises and falls of organizations. The dissolution of an espionage group was insignificant to her.
As for the ninjas, S.H.I.E.L.D. was never considered a major threat; if not for Charles's restraint, a handful of ninjas could have easily dismantled it.
Charles continued, "The collapse and disbandment of S.H.I.E.L.D. present us with a massive opportunity."
"As S.H.I.E.L.D. falls, a great deal of their data will be leaked. I'll have Red Queen copy and organize all the information immediately."
"Every important S.H.I.E.L.D. base and command center will be marked on the map."
"Your mission is to form teams of three and raid these locations. Prioritize collecting 084 items. If a base has no 084s, seize anything of value."
"I believe no one will be able to stand in your way. But to ensure safety, stick to teams of three to increase efficiency."
"As for travel between bases..."
"Ginny, you'll be responsible for mobilizing planes and utilizing High Table's rapid transit routes."
"For short distances, the ninjas can travel at full speed. For longer distances, use planes."
Turning to Minato, Charles said, "Minato, coordinate with Ginny to have High Table agents place your Hiraishin kunai in various countries. Once we receive the data, you can instantly teleport to any location."
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