Contrary to Murakami, dealing with Bakuto was much simpler.
Despite his imposing physique and great strength, Bakuto's true specialty was not combat, but indoctrination. He was in charge of recruiting new members for The Hand, and his social skills were recognized as outstanding.
His men were problematic, mostly because many of them could be considered innocent. Of course, once someone takes a life, that innocence is lost forever.
Although they were ordinary people at first, under brainwashing and other methods, Bakuto turned them into soldiers completely loyal to The Hand. Normally, he only brought along trained and obedient veterans, but this time it was different.
In his escort were both experienced warriors and newly recruited members, young people who, although they had gone through the indoctrination process, had not yet committed any crimes. The reason was simple: their enemies were heroes. Facing them with innocents was a typical Bakuto move, expecting that they would hold back.
But SHIELD knew his method. To stop him, they did not send heroes, but agents, many of them ex-HYDRA, hardened, ruthless, and accustomed to violence. The confrontation was direct and brutal, the agents attacked mercilessly, disrupting Bakuto's psychological plan.
And when it came to fighting him, Bakuto was no great problem either. His physique was above average, and he possessed ancient techniques, but SHIELD had something more: super soldiers. For years, the organization had accumulated knowledge from projects like the original serum, gamma energy, HYDRA sleepers, the Extremis virus, and many more. Over time, they managed to perfect their own formula.
Still, there was never another Captain America, the reason being, of course, there is no other Steve Rogers.
Bakuto resisted one, two, even ten of them. But as more super soldiers appeared, his resistance waned, until he finally fell. And that night, there was no room for prisoners, Fury had been clear in his orders.
"Take out The Hand."
The agents carried out the order without hesitation. When Bakuto fell, they made sure he would never rise again.
---
In Hell's Kitchen, things were different. Normally, this neighborhood, considered the most dangerous in New York, was filled with gangs. But more than half of those organizations were actually fronts for The Hand. When they were called, the criminal power of the neighborhood collapsed instantly.
Only two exceptions remained: Kingpin, the so-called king of the underworld, and Sowande, another of The Fingers of The Hand.
Unlike Murakami or Bakuto, Sowande was not a fighter. He was a full-fledged mobster, used to giving orders, not getting his hands dirty. And needing a refuge while Alexandra found a way out, he took complete control of Hell's Kitchen.
It was not a subtle takeover, he even expelled Kingpin's men. With ninjas at his service and without having to hold back, the entire area fell under his control. When the Defenders arrived, they found the whole neighborhood held hostage. Even Daredevil, usually reluctant to ask for help, had no choice but to seek reinforcements.
SHIELD responded by sending someone capable of balancing the scales: Vision. The evolved artificial intelligence, now a life form, arrived at the front accompanied by the Iron Legion, thousands of autonomous suits under his command, and growing. As he guided the Defenders to Sowande's base, Vision deployed his army to evacuate civilians and secure the city.
Sowande, informed by one of his men, received the news with surprise.
"Sir, they are taking Hell's Kitchen from us."
"Kingpin?" he asked furiously.
"No, sir… it's the Iron Legion."
The mobster fell silent for a few seconds before letting out a maniacal laugh.
"I see… so they came. I did not think it would be so fast. I took the entire city hostage, and yet they took it all without me being able to do anything. Hahaha… HAHAHA!"
When he caught his breath, he sighed in resignation.
"These so-called heroes are not supposed to be balanced, right? How are we supposed to fight this? Do we even have a chance?"
However, his eyes shone with determination.
"Fine. If they want to take me down, I will fall fighting."
At that moment, the warehouse door flew inward. A voice echoed:
"Good thing you think that, because I also want to fight."
Danny Rand, the Iron Fist, with half his face covered by a white bandana and his fist burning with golden energy.
The ninjas charged, but the Defenders were not easy prey.
Luke Cage received the attack of two enemies aiming for vital points on his body. The blows bounced off his indestructible skin.
"Is that all? Not even a tickle."
He knocked them out with a single punch, then launched himself at others.
Jessica Jones, underestimated by a ninja, sent him flying into his own companions. Although not an expert in martial arts, her physical and mental powers gave her an advantage, she knocked out enemies with a single strike, controlled those trying to escape, and even disrupted an entire group by lifting into the air.
Danny Rand struck the ground with his chi, creating a crater that left dozens unconscious. His movements were precise, fluid, impossible to stop.
Daredevil, although more vulnerable, compensated with instinct. He detected enemies before they could act, broke bones, pierced organs, and left screams of pain that demoralized the rest. He was not the fastest in accumulating kills, but his control of the battlefield was absolute.
Sowande watched in disbelief.
"They are monsters…"
"Indeed," a voice behind him responded.
He turned, finding a red-skinned being with a serene gaze.
"And you are?"
"I am Vision, in charge of the Iron Legion."
Sowande smiled arrogantly.
"So, if I take you out, everything goes back under my control."
"Correct. But I must warn you, your chances of victory against me are less than 0.01%."
Enraged, Sowande attacked, but his blows went through an intangible body.
"Damned scrap!"
When Vision decided to become solid, he caught his arm with ease.
"I suggested you surrender."
A second blow was enough to render him unconscious.
Minutes later, with the ninjas defeated and the civilians safe, the Defenders gathered around Vision and Sowande's unmoving body.
"It's done" Jessica said.
"The civilians are safe. Mission complete"
"And what will happen to him?" Daredevil asked.
"The orders are clear, he must die."
"Then let me do it."
Vision looked at him with surprise.
"That is… strange, it does not match your recorded behavioral pattern."
"Mind your own business xx" was Matt's only response.
"I have direct instructions to handle this personally. Quoting Tony Stark, Fury distrusts even his own shadow."
Matt insisted, but his attitude drew attention. His tone was erratic, impulsive. When he tried to lunge at the android, Vision stopped him effortlessly. Finally, Daredevil left without explanation, leaving the group uneasy.
"Forgive him," Luke said, "he's been acting strangely lately."
"Yes, more than usual," Jessica joked.
Vision remained silent, not giving the matter much importance.
When he was alone, his eyes glowed and a beam pierced Sowande's skull, ensuring he would never return.
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(just delete the hyphen)
80 power stones = 1 extra chapter (cumulative)