The meeting began.
This meeting wasn't an internal S.H.I.E.L.D. meeting, but rather a questioning by a superior organization.
The superior organization was, naturally, the World Security Council.
Therefore, those qualified to participate in this meeting, besides S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, were only the S.H.I.E.L.D. Secretary, Alexander Pierce.
The meeting lasted an entire morning. Except for the people involved, no one knew what was discussed inside.
Coulson only knew that after the meeting, he saw his director and Pierce walk out of the meeting room together, their expressions slightly unpleasant.
"Are they here yet?"
Nick Fury returned to his office, saw Coulson, and rubbed his temples, looking quite pained. "Things aren't good. The World Security Council has a lot of opinions about Batman. They think that Batman exposed S.H.I.E.L.D. and committed a crime that endangers public safety... In addition, including Pierce, they all have a lot of opinions about Batman."
"It's come to this."
Coulson nodded, then said, "Alexander Pierce... That article says he's a member of Hydra."
"The situation is complex, and Batman's words can't be entirely trusted... In short, the meeting approved my application for the Self-Investigation Procedure. Next, S.H.I.E.L.D. will conduct an unprecedented internal cleanup," Nick Fury said. "In any case, this is at least considered achieving our first goal, which is a good start. We still have to thank Batman."
The Hydra problem within S.H.I.E.L.D. obviously can't be cleaned up just with a self-investigation, and it's impossible to accomplish it overnight.
But as Nick Fury said, it's a good start.
It means that S.H.I.E.L.D. has begun to take the existing problems seriously and is willing to make efforts for it.
As for those hidden worms inside, Nick Fury will slowly find them out and deal with them.
"The online buzz is exploding. Let's go, we need to quell the public opinion."
With that, Nick Fury stood up, leading Coulson out of the office and towards another conference room.
The best way to quell public opinion is to release another, bigger piece of news to suppress it.
So, what kind of big news could suppress the unfavorable public opinion against S.H.I.E.L.D. caused by Batman?
Of course, it's to publicly announce the Avengers.
An officially recognized superhero team, and one of its members includes not only the world's most famous billionaire and playboy, Tony Stark, but also the Captain America, Steven Rogers, who shone brightly seventy years ago, was frozen for seventy years, and was only recently unfrozen, perfectly embodying the American spirit...
As for the others, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Doctor Octopus, and Rumlow, who confirmed yesterday that he would join the team, they are only supporting cast compared to Tony and Rogers.
Use the Avengers to display S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power and resolve.
To benchmark the already well-established Justice League.
To the public, this would be seen as a clash and competition between two major superhero groups, naturally overlooking S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra.
After all, the Hydra issue was too distant for the public.
Even during World War II seventy years ago, not everyone knew that an organization called Hydra was behind the German army.
Except for those in the know, most people still lacked an understanding of Hydra.
The result of this lack of understanding was that, under the same conditions, they were more likely to follow news with a higher degree of recognition.
For example, the Avengers, with Iron Man and Captain America.
Nick Fury walked towards the meeting room.
Several people were already seated around a large conference table in the spacious room.
Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Doctor Octopus, and Rumlow.
These six individuals were the initial members of the Avengers that S.H.I.E.L.D. planned to introduce. More members might be added later, but for now, Nick Fury intended to present these six to the public.
"You should all know each other by now."
Nick Fury said, "S.H.I.E.L.D. is currently facing some unique challenges, which we must address seriously and directly. Therefore, it's time to publicly announce the existence of the Avengers."
This statement surprised Tony and the others.
They had assumed today's meeting was merely to officially announce the Avengers' formation within S.H.I.E.L.D. They hadn't anticipated the next step: declaring the Avengers' existence to the public.
However, considering the article in the Daily Bugle, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
"Hydra…"
Tony was thoughtful.
Across from him, Captain America, Steven Rogers, wore a serious expression, revealing his gravity.
As a man who had once fought on the front lines, leading the Howling Commandos, and had the most battles against Hydra, Rogers understood Hydra's strength better than anyone.
Seventy years later, Hydra had revived, and he thought he had found the meaning of his return.
"Let's get moving."
Rogers stood up, looking at Nick Fury: "I think you've already made arrangements."
"Yes."
Nick Fury nodded. "I've arranged the media. The press conference will start soon. Today, S.H.I.E.L.D. will make a public appearance, and it will also be your first time in the spotlight. Tony, Rogers, you two will be the main focus of the press conference."
"Understood."
Tony waved his hand. "I'll handle it."
Soon.
The group arrived at the main hall of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
Here, several media outlets from across America had already arrived. They looked excited, watching Nick Fury lead a few people onto the scene.
After shifting their gaze to the people behind Nick Fury, the visiting media members all widened their eyes, displaying extreme disbelief.
"Tony Stark..."
"Wait, that person is wearing Captain America's suit. Could he be Captain America's successor?"
"No, he looks exactly like Steven Rogers."
"Is he a descendant of Steven Rogers?"
"Impossible, the Captain didn't leave any descendants!"
A group of media personnel buzzed with excitement, engaging in heated discussions.
Among them, the most crucial figure was naturally Eddie Brock, who had arrived here by plane at the fastest speed possible.
As the editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, the article published this morning was written by him.
As a celebrity in the media world, many people regarded him as a "thorn in their side."
Especially at S.H.I.E.D. headquarters.
Many S.H.I.E.L.D. members were looking at him with strange expressions.
"Captain America..."
Eddie was also surprised to see the people behind the black egg.
Apparently, he didn't expect to see the real Captain America after seventy years.
Steven Rogers looked exactly the same as he did seventy years ago when he was young.
Or rather, he never got old?
"Everyone."
Nick Fury, the current director of S.H.I.E.L.D., walked to the podium and slowly began, "I'm here today to address some questions and introduce a team. We've been screening internally and worldwide, even before Batman formed the Justice League, and we've decided to establish a superhero team."
"A superhero team?"
Someone in the crowd, which was buzzing with discussion, spoke up: "May I ask, who are the superheroes on this team?"
"I don't need to introduce Tony Stark, the Iron Man, to you."
Nick Fury said, "The main person I'd like to introduce is another important figure, Captain America, Steven Rogers."
"Steven Rogers?"
"He's not dead?"
"Is it really him?"
The entire room erupted in an uproar.
Countless people stared, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"Yes."
Nick Fury nodded. "The Steven Rogers you see before you is the same Captain America everyone knows and loves. He's not dead... During the most critical moment of the war, he plunged into the polar glaciers with a plane carrying bombs and was accidentally frozen for seventy years. Time stood still for him. Not long ago, we discovered him in the polar glaciers and successfully revived him... He's back! Captain America is back!"
This news was like a detonated nuclear bomb, instantly sending all the visiting media into a frenzy.
Even Eddie was greatly shocked.
Before going to Washington, Anton had told him that he would meet a powerful person.
Although Eddie was curious, he hadn't taken it to heart.
Who would have thought it would be Captain America?
"This is going to overshadow the Daily Bugle!"
Eddie's expression darkened.
It wasn't just because the Daily Bugle's spotlight was being stolen. More importantly, in his view, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra had become birds of a feather.
Even though Anton said that Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., was fine.
But the other party was in a den of thieves. Even if he was fine, he couldn't be considered one of their own.
Just as he thought.
After the press conference, the news that S.H.I.E.L.D. had formed the Avengers instantly spread through the streets and alleys with the reports of major media outlets, and the whole world was in an uproar.
Not only because of Iron Man, Tony Stark, who stated his intention to join S.H.I.E.L.D., but also because of the return of Captain America, Steven Rogers, who was thought to have died seventy years ago.
Frozen for seventy years, he woke up still a young man.
This kind of legendary experience was worthy of Captain America.
America was in an uproar, cheering.
On the other side.
Pierce was browsing the news in his office. Seeing the news about S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra, the news about the formation of the Avengers was temporarily suppressed, and the corners of his lips curled up.
Things were pretty much as he expected.
Nick Fury, true to form, successfully turned the situation, which was unfavorable to S.H.I.E.L.D., around.
As for the so-called Self-Investigation Procedure passed by the World Security Council, as well as the internal purge of S.H.I.E.L.D., he didn't take them seriously at all.
Creak—
The door was pushed open. It was Rumlow.
"How is it?"
Pierce's expression was calm. "Did you bring the person out?"
"Brought them out."
Rumlow said calmly, "The preparations are complete. We're just waiting for the operation."
"The public opinion has shifted. The time has come. We move tonight. Bring the person over."
Alexander Pierce stood up and faced the window, a touch of emotion in his voice. "Nick is starting to suspect me. If we let things continue like this, it'll become increasingly disadvantageous for us."
"Understood."
Rumlow nodded.
After speaking, he left the Secretary General's office.
Pierce remained standing at the window, his calm face reflected in the glass, lost in thought for a moment.
Nick Fury was no longer useful.
Tonight, he would lose this old friend.
But at the same time, S.H.I.E.L.D. would return to his control.
...
Evening.
Washington D.C., a certain residential area, Nick Fury's home.
Having finished a busy day, he was quite tired. Fortunately, things were developing much as he'd anticipated.
Since most people were unaware of Hydra's danger, public opinion had now been turned around.
The public's focus shifted from S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra to the superhero team S.H.I.E.L.D. had established, the Avengers.
At the same time, the news of Iron Man joining the Avengers, and Captain America, Steven Rogers, returning after being frozen for seventy years, instantly resounded throughout the entire world within a short period.
People had even begun comparing Captain America and Batman.
From every conceivable angle, Captain America's reputation surpassed Batman's.
After all, the former was a fairytale figure who had grown up alongside this generation of children, while the latter was merely a newly emerged superhero who had recently gained fame.
Yes, in front of Captain America, every superhero today was a "new" superhero.
The reason for emphasizing Captain America was precisely because of the national recognition associated with the name Steven Rogers.
Anything, as long as Captain America stood at the forefront, especially a living Captain America.
No one would question the legitimacy of his actions.
Having Captain America become a member of the Avengers, the superhero team under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s command, meant that Captain America was representing S.H.I.E.L.D.
Its significance was even greater than Batman's to the Justice League.
As he pondered, Nick Fury's peripheral vision caught a shadow. His eyes narrowed, and he sat up, moving to the side of the dining table.
Pretending to pour water, his other hand reached under the table to a hidden compartment.
There was a pistol there.
"Hydra..."
Nick Fury immediately guessed where the enemies surrounding the house came from.
Apparently, his actions within S.H.I.E.L.D. had deeply threatened Hydra.
Hydra had decided to eliminate him.
"I've been waiting for you!"
As he spoke, Nick Fury swiftly dodged behind a wall for cover.
At this moment.
Shwshwshwshwshw!
Guns equipped with silencers spat out flames, and countless bullets shattered the glass of the building where Nick Fury was, spraying towards the back of the dining table where he had been.
Nick Fury was suppressed by the intense firepower, unable to lift his head.
His face was so dark it seemed as if it could drip water.
Attacking him, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., so openly like this, the Hydra had truly torn off their masks, no longer intending to hide.
He pressed a button on his hand, summoning the Avengers members who were still in Washington.
If that's the case, then let these Hydra people see how powerful the Avengers members are.
The next moment, the floor beneath him trembled slightly.
Nick Fury seemed to realize something, his face changing drastically.
BOOM!!
A huge explosion erupted from beneath his feet, the astonishing flames accompanied by a terrifying shockwave, nearly blowing the entire building sky high.
Flames and shockwaves instantly engulfed Nick Fury, turning him to ashes.
The Avengers received a notification and pulled out their phones. A red dot appeared at the top of their screens, indicating a location.
The group used various methods to rush towards Nick Fury's location.
Tony was the fastest. Wearing his armor, he arrived in just a few minutes.
However, the building before him was destroyed and in pieces.
Smoke billowed from the ruins.
Armed-to-the-teeth enemies surrounded the building, having failed to evacuate in time.
Tony's expression was grave. He sensed something was wrong.
Not for himself, but for Nick Fury, who was now in the destroyed building.
Analyzing the current situation, even if Nick Fury is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s only Level 10 agent, the king of agents, he's probably in danger.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Tony quickly took care of the enemies. During the process, the others arrived at the scene, including Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Doctor Octopus, and Rumlow, who had just been given the codename "Crossbones".
The entire Avengers team was present.
"What's the situation?"
Captain America's face was serious.
"Don't know."
Tony's expression was grim. Looking at the ruins, he felt it was incredibly difficult. He sighed, "The enemy acted fast. I don't know if Nick is still alive."
"Shit!"
Rumlow was furious and immediately rushed into the ruins to find people.
"You guys put out the fire, Rumlow and I will dig people out."
After Captain America gave the order, he followed Rumlow into the ruins, where a large fire was still burning.
As a super soldier injected with the serum, his ability to survive in harsh environments was far greater than everyone else present.
Hawkeye and Black Widow exchanged a glance and also took action.
Doctor Octopus helped put out the fire on the periphery.
Soon.
A man, severely burned and riddled with bullet wounds, was carried out by Rogers and Rumlow.
"Nick..."
Everyone gathered around him, their faces grim.
"He still has a heartbeat. As long as there's a heartbeat, he can be saved."
Rogers exhaled, "Don't worry. The key now is to find the mastermind. We need to determine if these assassins were sent by the Hydra."
"Nick?"
Tony scanned Nick Fury's body and suddenly saw him open his eyes and part his lips.
"Nick!"
Captain America, Steve Rogers, gripped Nick Fury's hand tightly and said in a low voice, "What are you trying to say?"
"The mastermind..."
Nick Fury's eyes were bloodshot, and his breath was weak, but he gritted his teeth, "It's Batman! The one who wants to kill me... is Batman!"
"What?"
"Batman?"
"That's impossible!"
The Avengers were in an uproar.
Tony, inside his armor, widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.
Even Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Doctor Octopus wore expressions of disbelief.
Captain America frowned.
Although he knew of Batman's deeds, he didn't have enough information on him and had never interacted with him, so he didn't think it was impossible.
Beside them, Crossbones, Rumlow, also looked shocked upon hearing this.
However, if someone had been watching Rumlow's expression closely, they would have noticed that as Nick Fury spoke, the two of them exchanged a glance, and a cunning look appeared on their faces.
New York.
Anton received a message from the military.
"What?"
He looked stunned: "Dead, all dead?"
The Secretary of Defense, John Keller, sent a message. Yesterday, the military took those Cobra Organization prisoners from the New York Police Department – White Ghost, Firefly, Zartan, even Anna, and Destro – they were all dead in the military's prison.
The military was furious, jumping with rage. They immediately rooted out the spy, but when they found the person, they had already shot themself.
To be honest, if the spy hadn't committed suicide, they might not have been caught so quickly.
From this, it was evident how much influence Hydra had built up over the years, both in the United States and around the world.
"I don't have any intelligence on this, but the main players of Hydra are all in S.H.I.E.L.D."
Anton said, "You can put pressure on S.H.I.E.L.D. Especially Alexander Pierce, I'm sure he's one of the heads... There's evidence, but it doesn't prove Pierce is the head... Come to New York immediately, I'll show you the evidence... Alive, but it's a hassle. Yes, of course I'm afraid to hand them over to you in the current situation. Look, those people are all dead!"
After a brief exchange, Anton frowned slightly.
Ring, ring, ring!
Suddenly, Eddie called again.
"Boss, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury has been attacked... He's in the hospital now, and things aren't looking good..."
He paused, as if he had more to say.
"Really?"
Anton was slightly taken aback, surprised, but also feeling it was within expectations.
The Black Egg being attacked was perfectly reasonable.
"Also, Tony Stark contacted me. He told me that before Nick Fury fell unconscious, he said who the culprit was."
Eddie paused as he said this.
"Who is it?"
Anton was curious.
"Nick Fury said, the mastermind... is Batman. The person who wants to kill him is Batman."
-----------------------
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