Hawk didn't take long to reach Japan.
By the time local clocks struck 1:30 p.m., he had already landed on the street where the infamous Yasukuni Shrine stood.
He didn't rush to find Anna. Instead, he slipped into the crowd like any other bystander, watching the so-called sacred symbol of Japan still burning fiercely.
The police had cordoned off the area.
Even so, through the barricades, the shrine could still be seen—engulfed in roaring flames, unstoppable.
The shrill cries of the locals rang out all around.
Some short men dropped to their knees in grief, wailing as if their own mothers had just died.
Despite firefighters' efforts for three and a half hours, the shrine—made of wood like most of Japan's buildings—was doomed.
By the time the blaze was finally extinguished, all that remained was a charred ruin. Nothing inside had survived.
At that, the crowd outside the barricades erupted in despair, sobbing like children robbed of their mothers.
One man, overcome, screamed something in Japanese before staging a dramatic seppuku right there in the street.
Only to end up writhing on the ground, howling in pain.
From the back of the crowd, Hawk watched with a faintly satisfied grin.
But the show was over. It was time for business.
Smiling, Hawk borrowed a phone from a bowlegged young woman nearby and dialed Sharon Carter.
Because he had just realized something important: he didn't know where S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Japanese division was located.
Sure, Hydra's "Second Uprising" threatened the world.
But in truth, it was still contained within S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ranks. Ordinary people didn't even know it was happening—just as in New York. If Sharon hadn't escaped to Gwen's house, Gwen would have been just as oblivious as any civilian.
The same was true here in Japan.
But that was fine.
He didn't know where the division was, but someone else did.
Sharon, now en route to Washington with Captain America and Natasha, frowned when an unfamiliar Japanese number popped up. She almost hung up, then thought better of it and answered.
"Hawk?"
"Yeah. Where's S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Japanese base?"
"Uh…"
She gave him the address, then couldn't help asking, "You didn't even know where it was, and you flew all the way there?"
Hawk shrugged. "It was urgent. I only thought about it after I landed."
"Fine. Oh, Hawk—Captain America came looking for you earlier. He wants you to—"
"I know," Hawk cut her off. "You go first. If I decide to come, you'll know. And don't call this number—it's borrowed."
He hung up.
He already knew Sharon wanted to recruit him for their big stand in Washington.
But what if he was wrong about Anna? Better not to promise something and break his word later.
A man's worth was his word.
He'd decide after seeing Anna with his own eyes.
So, handing the phone back to the blushing young woman—who looked ready to throw herself at him—he simply thanked her and disappeared from sight.
He was here to work, not flirt.
And above all—Hawk was loyal to one woman only.
…
Meanwhile, Sharon pocketed her phone as their convoy neared Washington. Natasha looked at her quickly.
"What did he say?"
"He told us to go ahead."
Sharon frowned. "His tone was… odd."
When Hawk had first returned to New York, his killing intent had been so sharp Sharon was sure Hydra's fate would mirror Wakanda's—annihilation.
But afterward, he had told her it was up to them now.
And now: you go first.
That sounded like hesitation. Like Hawk was weighing a choice.
Sharon scowled. "I think there's something we don't know."
Natasha thought for a moment, then said quietly, "I might know what it is."
"What?" Sharon pressed.
"This is supposed to be Level 7 intel. You're only cleared for Level 6. But at this point, it doesn't matter." Natasha's tone hardened. "Hawk has a friend. Anna. And she's Hydra."
Sharon's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Before, we weren't sure. Now we almost are." Natasha explained, "Hand said Hawk took a call before leaving New York. He called her Anna. You also said his attitude changed after that call. That explains it."
Sharon's brow furrowed. "So he went to Japan for…"
"Not sure. Maybe he uncovered something after we left."
Natasha shook her head. "But actually, this is good news."
Sharon blinked. "How's that?"
"Best case—he helps us. Worst case—he helps Hydra. But he already told you he'd sit this out." Natasha smiled faintly. "That's good enough. Because what you don't want is Hawk fighting for Hydra."
Sharon exhaled, realizing she was right.
Natasha added, "This proves Hawk leans toward neutral good. If he were chaotic, he'd have picked a side already."
Sharon nodded slowly. It was true.
And truthfully, it was a relief.
She thought back to last Christmas, when she'd skipped her holiday just to clean up Hawk's messes. Maybe it hadn't been for nothing after all.
She murmured, "I just hope Hawk finds out this Hydra Anna has been lying to him."
Natasha nodded. "Me too. If he does, Hydra's finished."
If Hawk joined the fight, Hydra wouldn't stand a chance.
But for now, he hadn't decided.
So…
Their comms crackled with Victoria Hand's voice from the New York command center:
"Attention, the Security Council convoy is approaching. Natasha, you're up. Sharon, provide support."
"Copy."
"Understood."
Both women readied their weapons, eyes narrowing as the convoy rolled onto the bridge toward Triskelion HQ.
…
"Achoo!"
Far away in Japan, Hawk sneezed. He rubbed his nose and glanced at the photo on the desk of the Japanese division's commander.
Two women.
One was Anna.
The other—green hair like fresh bamboo leaves.
Who was she?
As Hawk studied the photo, footsteps sounded outside.
The office door opened.
And in walked Madame Viper, Ophelia Sarkissian.
Their eyes locked.
…
(End of Chapter)
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