The one-eyed man who stepped out of the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopter was named Nick Fury. His position was legendary: he was the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the world's most powerful spy agency. He also had a very famous nickname among those who knew him well—"the Motherfucker."
Normally, a simple bank robbery wouldn't be enough to bring the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. out into the field. However, because the Rhino had appeared, this was no longer a normal crime. It was now a "Supervillain Incident," which meant S.H.I.E.L.D. had to take control.
Unfortunately for Fury, he arrived too late to do anything but look at the aftermath. It seemed to be an old tradition for S.H.I.E.L.D. to show up just as the fun was over.
Since the lead robber had passed out from fear, Fury ordered his agents to grab all the nearby security footage. He needed to see exactly what had happened. When he watched the video of Gwen, he wasn't very impressed. There were nearly a hundred "superheroes" in New York with extra strength and speed. To him, Spider-Woman was just another B-level hero.
But when the footage showed Peter in his Parker One armor, Fury's expression changed. Even through a grainy camera, he could see that the technology was incredible. It looked like a new Iron Man was rising in the city.
"Is this the guy they're calling Batman?" Fury muttered, his eye narrowing. "I didn't expect another genius inventor like Tony Stark. These 'super-geniuses' are always so hard to deal with. They're far too confident for their own good."
He turned to his assistant. "Mark Spider-Woman as a B-level person of interest. But Batman? Mark him as A-level."
George Stacy stood nearby, listening in total confusion. Fury didn't bother explaining anything to him. He simply gestured for his agents to take the unconscious Rhino away.
"Inject that giant with a heavy sedative," Fury ordered. "Take him to a secure cell. I want to know who hired him."
George Stacy immediately stepped forward, looking annoyed. "Wait a minute! That's my prisoner! He belongs to the NYPD!"
Fury glanced at George with his one good eye. His voice was cold and logical. "Are you sure about that, Director? Do you really want to put that monster in your police station? He'll tear the building down the second he wakes up."
George Stacy went quiet. He remembered the Rhino's terrifying size and how easily he had crushed cars. Even a whole army of police officers wouldn't be enough to stop him.
"Fine," George sighed. "He's yours. But I want to know what you find out."
Fury didn't agree. He simply turned away, his black trench coat flapping in the wind. Before stepping back into the helicopter, he paused to give George a final warning.
"If I were you, I'd worry about your own safety first. This bank robbery was just bait. You were the real target, Stacy. Someone wanted you dead today."
George Stacy felt a chill of fear. He realized Fury was right. Someone was bold enough to try and assassinate the Police Director of New York.
The Top of the Galaxy Tower
In the center of New York City, on the highest floor of the Galaxy Tower, a massive man stood before a wall of glass. He was nearly seven feet tall, and his white suit was so tight against his muscles that it looked like it might rip. He was bald, with a face full of scars, but his eyes were sharp and cunning like a fox.
This was Kingpin, the secret King of New York's criminal underworld. Unlike the Rhino, Kingpin wasn't just strong—he was a genius.
Today, Kingpin was furious. He had hired the Rhino to finish a simple job, and the fool had failed. Kingpin turned around, leaning on a walking stick topped with a large red gem.
Behind him stood two of his most deadly assassins. One was a woman in a red ninja outfit with long black hair—Elektra. The other was a man in a black mask with a white target drawn on his forehead—Bullseye.
"Elektra. Bullseye. You two will clean up this mess," Kingpin growled, his voice vibrating with rage. "George Stacy is still alive, and that is a problem. He must die. As for those two 'heroes' who ruined my plan... I want one hand from each of them as punishment."
Kingpin was the one who had set the trap for George Stacy. George had been shutting down Kingpin's illegal businesses lately, costing him over fifty million dollars. Kingpin wanted to kill George and replace him with a puppet who would follow orders.
Elektra, a master of the ninja arts, nodded immediately. "I understand, Boss. I will bring you George Stacy's head."
Bullseye, a man who never missed a shot, let out a creepy, bloodthirsty laugh. "And I'll bring back the hands of those two rookies. I want everyone to know what happens when you mess with the Kingpin."
Both assassins were eager to prove they were the best. The hunt for Peter and Gwen had officially begun.