The watch Luca threw to The Spot wasn't a remote bomb or a control device.
With the [Pal Sphere] certification, he didn't need such things to control him.
Actually, the watch was a projection toy Luca made based on the [Transformation Watch]. Although crude, with poor limb tracking and realism...
Combined with a coat and the [Voice-Changing Bowtie] which could lower one's presence, it was enough for The Spot to go out without causing panic.
Seeing The Spot activate the projection and turn into an unremarkable middle-aged man, Luca nodded slightly.
"Let's go."
Eastern Europe, an unknown small country.
While the SHIELD-Hydra faction flipped the table in North America, the European Hydra branch had been lying low under "Strucker's" suppression, so the commotion was minimal.
After the fireworks in D.C., these Hydra agents shrank back into their holes.
Although they were being suppressed by various governments on the surface, thanks to old connections, they hadn't suffered much loss.
Or rather, the losses from external suppression were far less than what Hydra lost by cutting off its own tail.
Currently, this military base in the small Eastern European country was "Strucker's" hiding place after consolidating his forces.
However, today, the base welcomed a group of unwelcome guests.
In the clearing inside the base, several Hydra officers and their soldiers waited quietly. In front of them was a convoy that had just entered the base.
Even though this base wasn't recorded in local official data, the convoy vehicles were boldly marked with "Local Inspection" in the local language.
The door of the only limousine in the convoy opened.
The first person to step out was a haggard-looking blond old man.
But the old man didn't step forward to communicate. Instead, he waited respectfully by the door, guiding a young man out of the car.
The young man got out, scanned the surroundings coldly, and after seeing the people present, showed displeasure on his face.
"Where is Strucker?"
The man's voice was hoarse, his tone arrogant, as if he were the master of this place, not a guest.
The welcoming officers clearly didn't recognize him. Seeing his arrogance, they looked at each other.
The blond old man, seeing the young man's attitude, immediately chimed in sycophantically.
"Does the European branch no longer consider itself part of Hydra? Is this how you welcome the Leader?!"
Yes, this group was Pierce, Hive, and others who had "fled" from America.
Perhaps believing they possessed absolute power, they looked down on these people even in the European branch's territory.
But before Pierce could continue his tirade, "Baron Strucker" walked out slowly from the base.
"This must be Lord Hive? Whatever matters you have, let's discuss them in the office inside."
"Strucker" walked to the convoy with a smile, hands behind his back. His tone wasn't respectful, but it wasn't rude either.
Although displeased with "Strucker's" attitude, Pierce didn't push further seeing him appear.
Just as he was about to agree to go inside, Hive interrupted him by raising a hand.
Hive, disguised as a young man, stepped forward. His appearance gradually reverted to his octopus-headed form. He stared at "Strucker" and spoke.
"You are Strucker?"
Seeing Hive transform, the Hydra officers gasped and stepped back in shock. But "Strucker" naturally knew his identity.
Just as he was about to nod...
Hive's next words were:
"Hydra needs unity now. You have no need to exist anymore!"
As he spoke, Hive raised his hand. Countless tiny yellow parasites surged toward "Strucker" like a sandstorm.
A Hydra officer beside "Strucker" tried to raise his gun to protect his leader.
Unfortunately, before he could pull the trigger, the yellow parasites swarmed him first.
"Aaaahhhh————"
In an instant, the officer screamed as he was devoured into a puddle of gore. His unfired gun fell to the ground.
"Monster!!"
"Fire!!"
Gunshots rang out. Rat-a-tat-tat.
But Hive, hit by multiple bullets, merely trembled slightly. He didn't dodge, letting the bullets hit him.
When everyone's clips were empty, Hive looked at them as if enjoying the sensation.
The bullets embedded in his body were squeezed out by his muscles, tinkling to the ground. His wounds healed visibly.
Looking at "Strucker," who remained unmoved by all this, Hive nodded slightly.
"You have some composure. Are you ready to face death?"
Without waiting for an answer, he controlled the parasites to envelop "Strucker" completely.
However...
"You... you...??"
Hive looked at "Strucker" with uncertainty.
The man was covered in yellow parasites, but instead of turning into gore like the officer, he sighed helplessly and facepalmed.
"Sigh. I said let's talk in the office. Why the rush?"
As "Strucker" spoke, a palm-sized black hole appeared in front of him.
Then, a pale blue energy beam shot out from the black hole, hitting Hive instantly.
In a flash, the arrogant "Hydra Leader" was turned into a thumb-sized energy cube by the blue light and fell to the ground.
"Lord... Lord Hive?!"
Pierce, who had been watching the show, stared blankly at the cube, fear suddenly gripping his heart.
"Relax. You don't glow, so I won't use this on you~"
Spouting nonsense that Pierce didn't understand, "Strucker" waved his hand casually.
Next moment.
A loud buzzing sound erupted from all around. Countless "Pterosaur Drones 2.0" rose into the air from every corner.
Green energy halos gathered at the muzzle of every drone.
"Hakimi, fire~"