Sam and Bucky's current identities were very awkward. Most of their privileges were gone. Sam's own sister was having trouble getting a loan. Bucky had barely spoken to anyone for months after Steve left. The point was, they were both frustrated middle-aged men who used to be superheroes. They had no influence in government agencies, so the fastest way to make an ID card was to fake one.
Kurohane looked at the well-made fake ID. His face scrunched up. "Honestly, I've seen a lot of superheroes, but it's hard to imagine they're like you. You're a rare breed!"
Bucky, who delivered the fake ID, blushed. He didn't know why after rehabilitation, he became even more miserable. Back when he was the Winter Soldier in HYDRA, he was more noble. He was brainwashed occasionally, but if there was no assassination mission, his life was very happy!
Sensing Bucky's thoughts, Kurohane's face became darker than Bucky's. "This guy has never been to school, and is used to being treated like a slave every day! The salary HYDRA gave was actually quite good! After all, he was a legitimate HYDRA agent, and when he infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., he got a double salary. In America, where even Spider-Man has to be a delivery guy to make money, he got a double salary! Everyone in the superhero industry doesn't make money."
Kurohane put the fake ID in his pocket, then patted Bucky on the shoulder. "Sergeant Barnes, I saved you in a universe, and I'm ready to save you again."
"Why? We're not close," Bucky asked suspiciously.
Kurohane took out his real ID cards, one from S.H.I.E.L.D., and one from HYDRA. "Because everything I said is true. I used to be a HYDRA member, is that enough?"
"Not enough."
"How about this? It's too easy for me to cure your mental illness. It only takes three seconds to make you forget all the painful memories."
"You're going to brainwash me too?!" Bucky took a defensive stance, then realized it was useless. Kurohane could kill him easily.
"No, I won't change those memories, but I can change the way you think," Kurohane said.
"What do you mean?"
"For example, you can believe that those memories were forcibly implanted by HYDRA. Until you think about it deeply, you'll realize you did it yourself. But when you wake up, you'll still think those memories were implanted by HYDRA." This was the best solution Kurohane could think of. A person couldn't live in the past forever. Without erasing Bucky's memories, he could start a new life!
"If you think that's not possible, I won't force you. I can only treat the symptoms. If you want to be completely healed, find a partner."
"No one would want a person like me."
"By the way! What if I introduce a girl?" A mischievous idea suddenly appeared in Kurohane's mind. "You have to make amends to the people you've wronged, right?"
"Yes, if I can do anything for them."
"Alright, here's the deal. Because of you, a senior S.H.I.E.L.D. agent is now a fugitive wanted by the US government. Even after the war, you were released, but she's still a fugitive. If you can help her, would you?" Kurohane was talking about Sharon Carter, who was now a villain. She was funding the replication of the super soldier serum. The Flag Smashers were her former subordinates who stole the serum. If Bucky could take over his big brother's job, maybe Sharon could start a new page!
"You mean Sharon?" Bucky remembered the kiss between Sharon and Steve in Germany. Sharon helped them get back the confiscated equipment. He didn't expect Sharon to be a fugitive.
"Yes. Her life has been difficult, so she might have done something illegal. So, your task now is to help her clear her name, and then find a way to get into a relationship with her. How does that sound?"
Bucky: (Confused.) "I don't think that's a good idea!"
Kurohane's desire to see drama was too obvious, and Bucky felt there was a big trap. But some of what he said was true. He was willing to help Sharon. "I'll also give you another piece of information. If you want to find the serum maker, go see Baron Zemo."
"But he's in a German prison..."
"How could that be a problem for you two?"
Suddenly, Kurohane felt a strange spatial fluctuation and left Bucky. It was the same fluctuation that teleported him to this world! Black wings appeared behind him, carrying him flying.
"If you have any information, contact me! It seems I've made a discovery here, so I have to go first. Zemo already said not to go anywhere else, go straight to Southeast Asia. And... I'm really looking forward to your marriage with Sharon Carter!"
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