Fury took out a document and handed it to the others.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. Communication Protocol?"
Fury said, "If I am attacked, the first thing you must do is inject me with Pufferfish Toxin B to lower my heart rate and induce suspended animation."
"The enemy is in the dark, and we are in the light. We must reverse this situation to turn the tide."
This was a temporary solution Fury had racked his brain to come up with.
Although he could mobilize more resources openly, his every move would be noticed by those with ulterior motives. This also meant he found it difficult to make further arrangements.
In fact, he had also considered cooperating with Aaron.
He thought about it for a long time and realized this was Aaron's 'open scheme'. He wanted to pit himself against Hydra.
But Aaron had no need to do that. Perhaps, he simply wanted to watch the fun.
Coulson hesitated, saying, "I think we can think of a better way."
"For example... seeking Aaron's help."
Barton shook his head. "He won't agree."
There was something else he didn't say.
Because Fury had deliberately stalled multiple times, the agreement they had finalized long ago had never been fulfilled. This meant the possibility of cooperation between the two sides was slim.
Fury also understood this point.
He was filled with remorse. If he had known Aaron was so abnormal, he definitely wouldn't have deliberately delayed.
"Hill, where are those things?" Fury asked.
Since he had identified the crux of the problem, the best way forward was to mend their relationship.
Even if they couldn't get Aaron's help, it was fine. They only needed to ensure that the relationship between Aaron and S.H.I.E.L.D. was better than his relationship with Hydra.
Hearing this, Hill, who was diligently writing a resume with her head down, pulled out another document and handed it over.
Fury looked at it, these were S.H.I.E.L.D.'s treasures. They contained the valuable lives of countless excellent agents.
However, when he thought that some of these agents were from Hydra, his mood improved slightly.
Subsequently, Fury and the others gathered around the communication protocol to further refine the subsequent plan.
This discussion lasted an entire night.
The next day.
Fury and the others stood by the door, sporting dark circles under their eyes. They stared unblinkingly outside the door.
Coulson glanced at the time: exactly nine o'clock.
"Director, did he say he would come today?"
Fury stated confidently, "If he said today, then it must be today."
"Maybe it might be in the afternoon?" Coulson felt dizzy and muddle-headed.
He had spent the entire night drinking with Thor and Loki, and apparently even hooked up with a girl?
Then he was called back to discuss matters all night long.
Coulson, who was middle-aged and felt his body was giving out, felt like he couldn't keep going much longer.
Fury shook his head. "According to his schedule, he generally doesn't do serious business in the afternoon."
Or... Aaron never does serious business.
The group waited and waited, and soon ten o'clock passed.
Just as they were starting to wonder if Aaron would only arrive in the afternoon, the figure, like a savior descending from heaven, finally appeared in their sight.
The group simultaneously sighed in relief.
This lord has finally arrived!
As soon as Aaron had one foot across the threshold—
"Welcome, Mr. Aaron."
Natasha, Coulson, and the others greeted him with smiles.
Aaron was surprised. "What are you doing?"
He looked around, then withdrew his foot. Then he stepped across the threshold again.
"Welcome."
"!!!"
Since when did S.H.I.E.L.D. become a supermarket?
Fury, sensing the faint gazes directed at them from the lobby, coughed.
"Mr. Aaron, what you need is inside. Please follow me."
Although he was thick-skinned, this overly flattering behavior was still too embarrassing.
Aaron followed behind them, looking around the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
He had to admit, the atmosphere here was different from other companies.
People coming and going were all rushing about. Occasionally, people discussed things, but they spoke very quietly.
Nobody rested, it was as if they wished they could split themselves in two to work more. The efficiency was top-notch.
Just as Fury and the others reached the eighth floor, a man with short blonde hair and glasses walked over from the corridor. He was very surprised to see Fury and the others.
"Nick, what's wrong with you guys? Didn't you rest well last night?"
He looked up at Aaron, becoming even more surprised. Then, wearing a bright smile, he proactively walked up to shake Aaron's hand and introduce himself.
"Isn't this the God of miracles? I never thought you would come to a place like ours."
If it had been before, Fury wouldn't have questioned why Pierce was here. But today, he instantly felt something was wrong.
Normally, Pierce never came here. If he went anywhere, it was the Triskelion Building.
Why did he suddenly appear in New York after they had just spent one night discussing things here?
Even more coincidentally, why did Pierce happen to run into them just after they brought Aaron up?
Fury and the others exchanged subtle glances.
"Sir, do I know you?" Aaron feigned confusion.
He truly had never seen the man before.
Pierce's smile became slightly awkward. "My apologies, I was simply too excited to see you in person."
"I am Alexander Pierce, the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., currently working for the United Nations Security Council. I have long heard of your great name. I didn't expect to run into you here today."
"It is truly an honor."
"Mr. Aaron, I am a fan of yours. Your talent, just like your handsome appearance, is unattainable."
Pierce shook his hand firmly, his enthusiasm slightly overbearing.
Seeing that Pierce was about to steal the spotlight, Fury suddenly felt a sense of crisis and quickly stepped forward.
"Alexander, today I am here on the President's orders to bring Mr. Aaron to look for 'inspiration.' If you have other matters, please attend to them first."
Pierce laughed heartily. "So it was the President's command. Although S.H.I.E.L.D. usually doesn't allow outsiders to enter freely, if it's Mr. Aaron, then there's no problem."
"I have finished my business and was about to leave, but since Mr. Aaron has arrived, I might as well give him a tour."
You old bastard, get lost!
Fury increasingly felt that Pierce was suspicious.
Could he really be the head of Hydra?
Fury gave a signal.
Coulson reacted immediately. "Mr. Pierce, I have a very important matter I need to report to you."
"What could be more important than properly accompanying Mr. Aaron?" Pierce looked displeased.
"It might concern the United Nations..." Coulson looked troubled.
Seeing this, Pierce knew he couldn't be too enthusiastic.
Since they had brought up international security, if he didn't show concern, he would arouse Fury's suspicion.
"I apologize, Mr. Aaron. Next time, I will definitely give you a proper tour." Pierce expressed his apology again.
But Aaron didn't show much of a pleasant expression. He merely nodded slowly.
Then he followed Fury away.
A flicker of dissatisfaction crossed Pierce's eyes. But he quickly returned to normal and began discussing United Nations security issues with Coulson.
It was simply that the existence of Asgard had been confirmed, and they might establish an "embassy" on Earth.
After hearing this, no matter how unhappy Pierce was, he listened very carefully now.
This matter was of great importance.
***
[New Book]
DxD: Trait Plunderer
Tranmigrating to a mashup anime world, Tatsuma obtains the Trait System. With it, he can acquire traits from a target by defeating them.
[Congratulations on successfully defeating Issei Hyoudou.]
[Boost: When activated, strength boosts once every ten seconds. The Boost limit is affected by physical ability.]
[Congratulations on successfully defeating Yuji Itadori.]
[Athlete: Training effect +300%, more likely to trigger Black Flash in combat.]
[Congratulations on successfully defeating Siegfried.]
[Demon Sword Controller: Swordsmanship Talent +1000%, can use any sword regardless of conditions, physical stats slightly increased when holding a sword.]
Additionally, new functions are unlocked each time his strength reaches a new level.
[Ding! Host's strength has broken through to Level 2, unlocking the trait upgrade function!]
[Ding! Host's strength has broken through to Level 3, unlocking...]