Lu Yi was really too straightforward!
Being direct isn't a flaw in itself, but because he was too direct, Natasha and Coulson were completely unprepared and were now utterly shocked.
Normally, a plot needs to build up before reaching its climax—the rise and fall of tension not only makes the story engaging but also gives the audience time to mentally prepare.
This was a serious matter. It required careful buildup to create the right atmosphere and ensure everything proceeded smoothly.
But Lu Yi was something else entirely. He never played by the rules. If he couldn't shock people with his words, he simply wouldn't stop!
"I forgot—you thought HYDRA had already been destroyed. Let's start from the beginning then!" Lu Yi joked.
Hearing such a big secret, there was no way they would let him "start from the beginning." They were so anxious they didn't even give Lu Yi time to speak.
"No need to start over—this is already shocking enough!" Natasha said sternly, her gaze fixed sharply on Lu Yi.
Coulson was the same, except his face carried a trace of sadness. He had always been a good person in S.H.I.E.L.D., with many friends.
If what Lu Yi said was true, then many people in S.H.I.E.L.D. might be HYDRA agents. He couldn't help wondering whether his own friends were among them.
Those comrades and friends who fought side by side with him through life-and-death missions—suddenly all becoming enemies. Even though he was a seasoned agent who had long accepted the possibility of betrayal—whether betraying others or being betrayed—this still made him extremely uncomfortable.
"Is there really HYDRA inside S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Natasha asked, ignoring Coulson's shifting expression as she took a deep breath.
"That's correct!"
"Weren't they destroyed already?"
"You just killed Red Skull, but he was only one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s leaders. HYDRA has a famous saying: Cut off one head, two more shall take its place. Killing a leader is useless. Only by completely eradicating HYDRA can you truly destroy it!"
Lu Yi revealed what could only be considered HYDRA secrets, completely unconcerned about whether Natasha or Coulson could handle it.
"Do you know how and when they infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Coulson asked, unable to hold back.
"After World War II ended, HYDRA's leader Red Skull was captured by Captain America. At the time, the Allied forces worked with the Howling Commandos to destroy HYDRA's last stronghold. Later, thanks to Peggy Carter and Howard Stark's efforts, S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded."
"What happened next?" Coulson asked, maybe because Lu Yi was explaining too slowly for his liking.
"At that time, S.H.I.E.L.D. had just been established and desperately needed scientists to help build its foundations."
"So that's when HYDRA snuck in!" Natasha interrupted.
"That's correct."
Hearing Lu Yi's confirmation, both Natasha and Coulson felt cold all over.
They already suspected HYDRA had been infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. for a long time, but they never imagined it went back that far—HYDRA agents had joined S.H.I.E.L.D. from the very beginning.
No wonder S.H.I.E.L.D. never discovered HYDRA's resurgence; no wonder they never found any traces of HYDRA.
The truth was that HYDRA had merged with S.H.I.E.L.D., two faces of the same coin. For decades, HYDRA had relied on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power—and the support of nations across the world—to continue growing.
Lu Yi continued explaining HYDRA's activities to help them understand how deep the infiltration went.
"The scientists recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. outwardly obeyed, but their loyalty always belonged to HYDRA. After enduring the toughest early period and gaining S.H.I.E.L.D.'s trust, they quietly began identifying and recruiting suitable people. HYDRA took root within S.H.I.E.L.D., then grew continuously thanks to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources and global influence."
"How do you know all this?" Natasha asked in confusion.
If Lu Yi knew HYDRA was within S.H.I.E.L.D., that was understandable—his intelligence network could tell him that.
But what he knew was too detailed. It made him seem like he himself belonged to HYDRA, which made Natasha suspicious.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. keeps certain files that can't be stored on computers, and HYDRA does the same. I found a high-ranking HYDRA member, followed him to the storage site, and discovered some deleted files."
"What else do you know? Do you have the list of HYDRA members?"
"No. I didn't have time for that, and I never even looked at the list. HYDRA only uses one contact channel, and I don't have time for your messy affairs, so naturally, I didn't get anything related to that."
Coulson fell silent for a long while, then asked, "Is there a HYDRA agent between the two of us?"
Even though Coulson felt Natasha didn't seem like a HYDRA operative, that was only a guess—and guesses meant nothing. He would always have doubts, just like Natasha now doubted him.
Yes—Natasha was beginning to suspect Coulson.
HYDRA had been infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. for so long that anyone could be HYDRA, including Nick Fury or Coulson.
She began to doubt her earlier assumptions, and naturally suspicion rose toward Coulson too. Her body instinctively tensed, ready to attack him at any moment.
But after hearing Coulson's question, she relaxed slightly. Normally, if Coulson were HYDRA, he wouldn't have asked that.
"Don't worry. Neither of you are HYDRA. You're both loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D.," Lu Yi said.
Hearing this, Natasha relaxed fully, and Coulson's hand moved away from his holster.
You can't blame them for being so tense—everything was too unbelievable. They didn't dare trust anyone in S.H.I.E.L.D., not even the person who had just fought alongside them.
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