Allens observed every move made by the Skeleton Gang. The current Kingpin was actually a Skrull imposter. Unlike ordinary shapeshifting, the Skrulls could transform at the DNA level and even inherit the host's recent memories.
After a few days, the Skrull who had replaced Kingpin took full control of New York's underground world. The new Kingpin not only perfectly inherited Wilson Fisk's persona but also developed terrifying physical strength.
However, this new Kingpin was still imperfect — his combat experience couldn't quite match the original.
The same went for Bullseye. Though he was just an ordinary human, he was born with exceptional throwing skills — something the Skrull mimic had also inherited after transforming into him.
After all, Kingpin and Bullseye were both human, and the DNA of Earth's inhabitants was relatively easy for Skrulls to replicate.
Bang! Bang!
At that moment, inside the top floor of the Fisk Tower, Allens sat calmly in Kingpin's chair, watching the Skrull Kingpin battle against ten martial artists from around the world. Every strike from Kingpin left deep craters in the reinforced floor.
Allens quietly observed as Kingpin took down the fighters one by one with a few punches and kicks. The Skrulls' learning ability was astonishing — their combat prowess was evolving rapidly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Two minutes later, all ten fighters lay defeated on the ground. The murderous Kingpin approached Allens, his expression a mix of fear and reverence. The Skrulls were bound by the psychic seeds that Wanda Maximoff — the Scarlet Witch — had implanted in their minds. These seeds ensured that they could only obey Allens' orders, and their influence was growing stronger by the day.
"Master Allens, what should we do next?"
Kingpin waited respectfully for orders. Allens merely tapped his finger on the desk, his gaze as deep as a black hole.
"Continue to pressure the Skeleton Gang," he said coldly. "Force HYDRA to come out from the shadows."
Following his command, Kingpin immediately left the top floor to relay orders to his lieutenants. Soon, all of Hell's Kitchen was once again shrouded in chaos.
Even though the Skeleton Gang had acquired weapons supplied by HYDRA, they were still no match for Kingpin's growing power. Within a single night, the gang was nearly annihilated.
From the floor-to-ceiling windows of Fisk Tower, Allens watched the flames rising over Hell's Kitchen. The entire district was in turmoil as Kingpin's forces wiped out the Skeleton Gang.
By dawn, the Skeleton Gang had nowhere left to run. Their leader, Hood Ken — known in the underworld as The Hood — looked like a trapped beast. Madness filled his eyes as he picked up the phone and dialed HYDRA's internal communication line.
"Damn it, Hood! What the hell do you want now?" a frustrated voice growled the moment the call connected.
It was Agent Sitwell — the only HYDRA contact Hood had. At that moment, Sitwell was resting in his private quarters. Despite being a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, he was secretly working for HYDRA. Even in his room, he was uneasy, unsure whether he was being monitored.
"Damn you, Sitwell! I'm about to die here!" Hood shouted furiously. "Kingpin's men are tearing us apart! The Skeleton Gang's every move is under his watch. We've suffered massive losses!
"I know HYDRA is using us as cannon fodder, but if you still want me to track that freak Allens, then you'd better use your HYDRA resources to help me out!"
Sitwell adjusted his glasses, his expression calm but cold. "Relax, Hood. Set up a meeting with Kingpin. Maybe we can negotiate some kind of cooperation."
"I hope HYDRA can fix this," Hood snapped. "If the Skeleton Gang gets wiped out, HYDRA will lose one of its pawns."
After taking a deep breath, his anger faded, replaced by weary resignation. He ended the call.
"Idiot," Sitwell muttered, scowling as he tightened his grip on the phone. "The Skeleton Gang is nothing more than disposable trash. If Mr. Pierce didn't want to locate Allens, I wouldn't waste a second on you."
His knuckles turned white as veins bulged across his hand. It was only through his training as an agent that Sitwell managed to restrain his anger.
Moments later, Kingpin reappeared before Allens.
"Boss, Hood Ken of the Skeleton Gang has contacted HYDRA."
"Very good," Allens replied, his eyes glinting with cold light. He looked at his reflection in the window; the Mind Stone embedded in his forehead glowed faintly. "How many Skrulls do we have left?"
"Boss, there are forty-seven adult warriors in my tribe," Kingpin answered cautiously. He emphasized "adults" because he didn't want the younger or elderly Skrulls drawn into the coming conflict.
"Forty-seven…" Allens murmured. "That's enough."
The oppressive aura radiating from him made even the massive Kingpin tremble. Gratitude flickered in Kingpin's eyes — among their people, many were still weak or wounded. The remaining forty-seven warriors would be enough to execute Allens' next plan.
"Everything is proceeding as planned," Allens said quietly.
Kingpin bowed and left the room.
"Wanda," Allens called softly.
The keychain hanging from his waist shimmered with crimson light, and a moment later, the Scarlet Witch materialized before him.
"Mr. Allens, do you have any orders?" she asked, her tone filled with quiet reverence as she approached.
"I need everything to proceed smoothly," Allens said calmly. "S.H.I.E.L.D. must have our people embedded within it."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "Execute the next phase. Codename…"
"Secret Invasion."
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