"Could you be...?" Crossbones asked, eyeing Chen Ye with suspicion.
Chen Ye smiled faintly, as if he had seen through Crossbones' thoughts.
*Little guy, intimidated by my aura, huh?* he thought smugly, though he kept his expression neutral.
*Let this Crossbones try to test me and put me in my place.*
Chen Ye gently pushed open the restaurant door and gestured for Crossbones to enter.
"Please, we can't just stand here and chat," he said in a warm, courteous tone, then turned and walked inside.
Crossbones watched Chen Ye's retreating figure, a moment of hesitation flickering within him.
However, he quickly suppressed his doubts and followed inside.
The restaurant was softly lit, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Chen Ye's gaze fixed on Crossbones, his voice calm and resolute. "State your purpose, Mr. Crossbones. Hydra wouldn't come looking for me without a reason, would they?" His words carried an air of confidence, as if everything were under his control.
Crossbones met Chen Ye's gaze, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
He had expected a more complex meeting, one filled with pleasantries and strategic probing, but Chen Ye's directness caught him off guard.
However, such direct conversation was precisely what Crossbones enjoyed. He admired bold men, those who could openly face the exchange of interests.
Crossbones adjusted his posture and said solemnly, "I am indeed here on behalf of Director Pierce to invite you to join Hydra. You must know that Hydra is an organization with formidable power and resources."
Chen Ye nodded slightly, aware of Hydra's undeniable strength and influence.
Instead of immediately refusing, Chen Ye said calmly, "What benefits can you offer me is my primary concern. Let me first assess your sincerity."
Though Chen Ye had no intention of joining any organization, he was intensely curious about what Hydra could offer him.
Crossbones took a deep breath and began to detail their proposal. "First, we can provide financial support for both your personal life and the public facilities in Hell's Kitchen. Second, the schools and hospitals in Hell's Kitchen do require improvement. We can supply the necessary resources and technical expertise to completely revitalize them."
Hearing this, Chen Ye couldn't help but feel conflicted.
He didn't need money, but the poor state of Hell's Kitchen's public facilities had been a thorn in his side for a long time. If Hydra could help improve these conditions, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for him.
However, Chen Ye didn't immediately agree. Instead, he asked, "What would be the cost?"
Crossbones replied solemnly, "Join us, become a member of Hydra. When necessary, we'll need you to work for us."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ye refused without hesitation. "I refuse."
Crossbones was taken aback by this response. He stood up, his tone growing stern. "Think carefully, Chen Ye. You now know who we are. If you refuse us, Hydra will hunt you down across the globe."
Yet Chen Ye remained unfazed by the threat. He smiled. "Don't be so hasty, Crossbones. While I can't join you, that doesn't mean we can't cooperate."
Crossbones was surprised by Chen Ye's words.
He hadn't expected Chen Ye to make such a suggestion, but he quickly realized it might be a better option.
So, he sat back down, ready to hear how Chen Ye proposed to cooperate.
Chen Ye continued, "I'm sure you've investigated me before. Don't you want a transformation device like the one Kamen Riders use?"
"Are you saying you'll give it to us?" Crossbones' eyes lit up at the prospect. If he could transform into Kamen Rider, he estimated he'd fear no one.
Chen Ye shook his head. "Not yet, because I only have one set." Crossbones' heart sank, and he felt a surge of anger.
He thought Chen Ye was toying with him. Why mention having only one set if he couldn't give it to him? Wasn't he just dangling it in front of him?
"Don't get impatient. While I can't give you my set, the organization behind me will provide more in a while. When that happens, I can authorize giving Hydra one or two sets."
Chen Ye decided to fabricate an organization.
He knew the system's secret couldn't be revealed. Having a powerful organization behind him would not only divert Hydra's attention but also shift their focus away from Chen Ye and Hell's Kitchen.
After hearing Chen Ye's words, Crossbones secretly thought, *As expected, Chen Ye has a powerful organization behind him, and he's quite high-ranking within it. Otherwise, how could he obtain multiple such powerful transformation belts and make his own decisions?*
"Would you mind introducing me to the organization behind you? What is its name?" Crossbones asked tentatively.
Chen Ye was taken aback by the question. He had fabricated the organization on the spot and had no idea what to call it.
After a moment's thought, he replied, "The organization behind me is called Foundation X. It's a group of scientists who stay out of worldly affairs, so I usually represent them when procuring necessary supplies."
Crossbones nodded, silently noting down "Foundation X."
*If we can find Foundation X, we could try to become their agents. After all, Hydra has far greater advantages than Chen Ye.*
"Then I'll take my leave. If you get a transformation belt, remember to contact me. Here's my card." Crossbones handed over a business card and hurried away.
"Wait! At least help me finish renovating the hospital first!" Chen Ye called out to the departing Crossbones.
***
S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters,
Crossbones hurried into Director Pierce's office, his face grave as he relayed the information Chen Ye had given him in detail.
He described Foundation X, the organization behind Chen Ye, and their advanced technological capabilities, particularly the information about Kamen Rider. Director Pierce's eyes lit up as he listened.
Seated behind his desk, Director Pierce tapped his fingers lightly on the surface, as if weighing a critical decision.
He took a deep breath and slowly said, "So, the force behind Chen Ye is called Foundation X." His voice was heavy with seriousness and gravitas.
The sheer mystery and advanced power of Foundation X shocked Director Pierce.
He secretly resolved that he must seize control of this organization. Doing so would make Hydra even more powerful, potentially surpassing all rival forces.
Suddenly, Director Pierce's eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp as he fixed on Crossbones. "Chen Ye already knows about our Hydra identity, doesn't he?" His voice carried an unshakeable certainty.
Crossbones nodded, a hint of helplessness on his face.
He knew that Chen Ye's awareness of Hydra's existence posed a significant threat to their organization.
Director Pierce smiled slightly, a cunning glint in his eyes. "Since he won't join us, we'll send our Winter Soldier instead."
His voice was filled with confidence and decisiveness.
However, Crossbones frowned. "The Winter Soldier might not be a match for Chen Ye."
His words carried a hint of worry and unease. After all, he himself had suffered defeats at Chen Ye's hands, and he knew just how formidable Chen Ye's strength was.
If the Winter Soldier couldn't defeat him, he certainly wouldn't stand a chance against Chen Ye.
Noticing Crossbones' furrowed brow, Director Pierce smiled. "Who said I'd send the Winter Soldier to kill Chen Ye? Chen Ye cares deeply about his friends and family, doesn't he? We'll have the Winter Soldier capture Kingpin's entire family."
His voice was dripping with cunning and malice.
Crossbones' eyes lit up with understanding.
He grasped Director Pierce's intent: to use Kingpin's family as leverage against Chen Ye, forcing him to surrender the transformation device and the contact information for the forces behind him. This would allow them to seize control of Foundation X and further strengthen Hydra's power.
Director Pierce nodded in satisfaction as Crossbones understood his plan.
He warned sternly, "Continue to keep Chen Ye occupied. And make sure no one knows we abducted Kingpin. Keep it clean." His voice was sharp with warning.
Crossbones, now fully understanding, immediately went to carry out the order.
-----------------------
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