Can you drink?" Nick Fury asked, bending down to pour Chu Yang a glass of red wine, then suddenly remembering Chu Yang's age.
Chu Yang smiled, "My coming-of-age ceremony was held in Asgard."
The high-quality red wine entered his mouth, and its mellow taste surprised Chu Yang; it was his first time drinking alcohol.
Nick Fury drained his red wine and then said, "The first time I saw you, I thought you were an agent from another country, so I specifically investigated your background."
"Later, I thought you were a mutant and tried to recruit you into S.H.I.E.L.D."
"And finally, you transformed into a magician, displaying astonishing abilities in the previous war, which forced me to invite you here."
Nick Fury stared at Chu Yang with deep eyes and quipped, "Can you tell me if there are any other identities you have that I don't know about? I'm a timid person and can't handle too many surprises, so it's better to be mentally prepared in advance."
Chu Yang grinned, "I'm just an ordinary magician, nothing more."
Nick Fury let out a long breath, "You don't look like you have much to do with ordinary."
Chu Yang retorted, "And you don't have much to do with being timid."
The two exchanged smiles, and then Nick Fury began to inquire about the abilities Chu Yang had used earlier. Chu Yang was in a good mood and cooperated fully, explaining with a mix of truth and falsehood.
He was Happy because of the other person in the room, Alexander Pierce.
The core Hydra figure hidden within S.H.I.E.L.D.
As long as Chu Yang controlled him, controlling the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. and even Hydra was just a matter of time.
Chu Yang was worried about where to find him, but he didn't expect the other party to deliver himself to his doorstep.
Moreover…
Pierce also seemed very interested in Chu Yang.
After Nick Fury finished his questions, Pierce proactively spoke, "Nick, can you give me a moment? I'd like to have a private chat with this young man."
"Tony Stark is waiting for him in the lobby." Nick Fury did not agree; instead, he reminded Pierce not to cause trouble.
Nick Fury knew his former colleague and good friend's personality very well.
Pierce smiled, "No ill intent, just a chat, alright?"
Nick Fury turned to look at Chu Yang, who readily agreed, a wide smile on his face.
"Three minutes."
Nick Fury quickly walked out of the office.
"Hello, Mr. Chu Yang, my name is Alexander Pierce, and I am the current Secretary of Security for the World Security Council, responsible for liaising with S.H.I.E.L.D. You can think of me as Director Fury's superior."
"Hello, Secretary Pierce, it's a pleasure to meet you."
As the two shook hands, Pierce suddenly leaned into Chu Yang's ear and whispered, "Are you interested in working for me personally? With me, you will gain unimaginable power."
In Pierce's view, although Chu Yang possessed astonishing power, he was just a child who hadn't experienced much of the world.
Such young people were often very easy to tempt.
Money, power, beauty.
Pierce knew that Chu Yang had a close friendship with Tony Stark, so money and beauty might not sway him. What remained was power.
"Unimaginable power?" Chu Yang feigned surprise, looking at Pierce, then leaned into his ear and whispered, "Are you planning to give Hydra to me?"
"What?" Hearing Hydra, Pierce suddenly froze, then his expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "You are…"
Before the word "who" could leave his mouth, Chu Yang had already cast the Imperius Curse. The chanting of the spell echoed in the other party's ear, like the whispers of a devil.
Pierce's expression was dazed, as if his soul had been drawn out.
Three minutes later, Chu Yang and Pierce walked out of the office simultaneously, both with smiles on their faces, looking as if they had enjoyed a pleasant conversation.
Nick Fury stood at the elevator entrance, waiting for them, suddenly a little curious about what the two had discussed inside.
After seeing Pierce off, Nick Fury took Chu Yang back to the top floor to reunite with Steve.
Steve was relieved to see Chu Yang safe and sound.
Just as the two were about to return to the lobby, Nick Fury couldn't help but ask, "What did Pierce tell you?"
Steve looked at Chu Yang in surprise.
Chu Yang smiled faintly, "Secretary Pierce invited me to work for him and promised many benefits, but I didn't agree. At this stage, I just want to focus on my studies, because for some reason, I've been on a long leave of absence."
Nick Fury seemed to have guessed Pierce's intentions, nodded, and did not press further.
Chu Yang walked into the elevator, pressed the lobby floor button, and happily hummed a song.
Steve felt that Chu Yang was in an unusually good mood and quipped, "It seems Secretary Pierce offered you a very high price, giving you a considerable sense of affirmation."
Chu Yang smiled even more brightly, nodding repeatedly, "It was indeed a very sincere offer."
Nick Fury stood by the elevator, watching the two descend, feeling that something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was.
Tony stood in the lobby, having somehow acquired a newspaper, which he was reading with great relish.
But Natasha noticed his peripheral vision, occasionally glancing at his watch.
Ding-dong!
The elevator arrived, and Tony and Natasha simultaneously looked at it.
Chu Yang and Steve slowly walked out.
Tony's face broke into a smile. He deliberately made a show of looking at his watch, then praised Steve, "Captain, you're a very punctual person. If I were a lady, then congratulations, you've captured my heart."
Tony's unintentional teasing, however, stung Steve's heart, reminding him of the only missed date in his life.
Pain flashed in his eyes.
Natasha gently patted Steve's shoulder.
"Alright, the sightseeing ends here. If we go home now, we can still make it for Pepper's homemade dinner."
Tony put his arm around Chu Yang's neck and swaggered out of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Steve took a deep breath, then turned and walked towards the group of new recruits waiting for training.
After getting into the sports car, Tony finally asked Chu Yang seriously, "What happened inside?"
Chu Yang recounted the whole story.
Tony scoffed after listening, "These people actually want to poach my talent. I knew calling you over wasn't with good intentions."
Chu Yang said with a smile, "It's not certain who's poaching whose talent yet."
Tony was momentarily stunned, "What do you mean?"
Chu Yang certainly wouldn't confess his 'home invasion' act, but the thought of Tony and the others working for him in a roundabout way made Chu Yang unable to stop laughing.
Tony tilted his head in confusion, exchanging a glance with Happy in the driver's seat, who looked even more bewildered.
… … … …
Pirate World.
The Red Hair Pirates were holding a banquet on an island somewhere in the New World.
Chu Yang found Shanks, who was sound asleep on a large rock, and shouted in his ear, "Captain, I need to leave for a while."
Shanks, startled awake, rolled off the rock and complained, "If you want to go for a stroll, just go. Why wake me up?"
Chu Yang said solemnly, "This trip might be a bit long."
Shanks's expression became serious. After a long silence, he only asked, "Do you need help?"
Chu Yang grinned and shook his head.
"Is that so." Shanks also started to laugh, "Then go and come back soon!"
"Why are we putting so much effort into sending this human back to his hometown?"
"Arlong, we're almost at our destination. Why are you still saying such things? Tiger will be unhappy again if he hears you."
"Big Brother Tiger is too merciful to humans, even soft, I'd say. These past few years of sailing have left me a bit disappointed."
"That's enough, Arlong, don't say any more."
Arlong and the ship doctor, Aladdin, of the Sun Pirates were whispering on deck. When they saw a human girl approach, they immediately stopped talking.
Aladdin forced a smile and asked, "Koala, is something wrong?"
Koala said nervously, "Captain Tiger is looking for you."
"Thanks, I'll go now." Aladdin patted Koala's head, and before leaving, he shot Arlong a warning glance.
Arlong scoffed disdainfully, looking at Koala with hostility.
Koala became even more nervous. The man in front of her was one of the people she feared most on this ship, if not the most.
Arlong suddenly asked, "We've been sailing for several weeks. By my reckoning, we should be close to your hometown, right?"
Koala's expressionless little face immediately showed some life, and she nodded joyfully.
However, Arlong's tone suddenly shifted, and he said in a deep voice, "In that case, remember to get off the ship obediently when we arrive. To be honest, being on the same ship as you these past few weeks has been disgusting."
Koala gripped the corner of her clothes tightly, her eyes misted over, tears welling up. She tried hard not to cry, silently enduring Arlong's harsh attitude.
Considering Tiger and Jinbe's previous warnings to him, Arlong didn't make things too difficult for her. After muttering a few curses, he walked past Koala.
The next day.
The Sun Pirates successfully arrived at Koala's hometown—Foolshout Island.
"Everyone stay on the ship. I'll take Koala home. If we all go ashore, it might cause panic among the local residents."
Tiger said, stepping off the ship first.
Koala followed behind him, reluctantly turning back to bid farewell to the crew, waving and saying, "Goodbye, everyone! When I go back, I'll definitely tell the people in the Village that there are many good people among the Fish-Man Tribe too!"
The crew also responded loudly to Koala.
On the way home, a very excited and nervous Koala proactively took Tiger's hand. The latter's body suddenly stiffened slightly, and he became nervous as well.
At the entrance of the Village, many villagers were eagerly waiting, and one young woman among them was particularly agitated and restless.
The moment she saw Koala, she rushed straight over.
Koala, who had been taken away by the Celestial Dragons to become a slave, finally saw her mother after many years.