Quinn's words caused everyone to look at Fury with suspicion and uncertainty, wondering what he'd done in private to cause such a massive impact...
Those assigned by Fury to carry out this mission were all agents trusted to a certain extent. They all had some understanding of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Quinn, who was included in classified files but remained under close surveillance.
Although S.H.I.E.L.D. was indeed a United Nations organization with the mission of maintaining peace on Earth, not all countries recognized S.H.I.E.L.D.'s legitimacy. Some even prohibited them from operating within their borders. In certain missions, S.H.I.E.L.D. often did things that violated local laws—or even human morality—for what they deemed "the greater good."
As for Quinn... although it was still uncertain whether his "ability to foresee the future" was genuine, he clearly possessed the ability to obtain information without conventional inquiry.
Add to that the current situation, which felt like a standoff...
Therefore, when they heard Quinn's words, they subconsciously didn't consider that he might be lying.
But Fury merely frowned slightly before relaxing, adopting a "keep making things up" attitude.
Immediately, some people felt Quinn was bluffing and that they'd been deceived. After all, S.H.I.E.L.D. was an organization dedicated to maintaining world peace, even if its methods weren't always honorable.
As S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director, it was perfectly normal for Fury to do some morally gray things in private.
Quinn was merely exploiting this common knowledge to bluff and deceive people.
Others fell into doubt. Regardless of how many questions remained, Quinn's ability to obtain information seemingly out of thin air was real. He was indeed a dimensional traveler, and he'd formed alliances with other travelers.
They possessed the most accurate intelligence and overwhelming power. There was absolutely no reason for them to lie about such matters at this moment.
Still others felt Fury was feigning composure. These were Fury's close confidants, well aware of his character, and they believed he was absolutely capable of such actions. Given the circumstances, their suspicions were understandable.
But what exactly was the truth?
All three interpretations were present.
Indeed, as Quinn said, Fury had done many morally questionable things in private.
But Quinn was wrong about two things: first, the impact of the incident being exposed would be far more catastrophic than just World War III; second, Fury himself didn't know exactly what all he'd done.
Ever since witnessing the Skrulls' ability to perfectly replace someone—even replicating their DNA and memories through shapeshifting—Fury had become unable to fully trust anyone or anything. He always kept backup plans for everyone and every project.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was an organization funded by the United Nations, but Fury worried that one day these high-ranking human leaders would take action against S.H.I.E.L.D. So he'd secretly established covert bases around the world to provide S.H.I.E.L.D. agents with escape routes if that day ever came.
At the same time, he also distrusted S.H.I.E.L.D. itself. With the help of Skrull technology and manpower, he'd diverted funds from S.H.I.E.L.D. to build spaceships and establish S.W.O.R.D. in space.
Furthermore, his Avengers Initiative wasn't intended to operate within S.H.I.E.L.D.'s framework, but rather to exist independently.
Moreover, over the years, S.H.I.E.L.D. had collected many advanced technologies and mysterious items from around the world, each possessing tremendous power.
To prevent these items from falling into enemy hands, Fury had made contingency plans for each one.
These preventative measures were all carried out in secret—some so secretly that he'd locked away his own memories of them, only recalling them when specific triggers occurred.
However, the "contingency plans" themselves also carried risks, so he'd created additional "contingency plans for the contingency plans," which unfolded like nested dolls. Eventually, they formed a spider web that kept spreading outward. He himself couldn't remember exactly how many things he'd done.
Sometimes, he felt he was the most unstable factor in the world. Several times, he'd wanted to make contingency plans for himself.
But each time he tried, he'd discover something from subtle clues.
He'd already done it.
He himself didn't know the specifics of those arrangements.
Therefore, upon hearing Quinn's words, Fury first suspected Quinn was bluffing, then he doubted himself—wondering if he really had done so many dangerous things. Finally, he remembered certain clues, began panicking internally, but remained as calm as stone on the surface.
But only for a moment. Then Fury truly calmed down.
Whether Quinn was bluffing or had discovered some secret to use as leverage, as long as Fury didn't push him too hard, Quinn wouldn't choose to expose it. Otherwise, there'd be no need to threaten him in the first place.
After resolving the crisis that threatened to expose his secrets, Fury became intrigued by the figure beside Quinn—the one whose entire body, except for the head, had undergone mechanical modifications. The same figure Fury had previously described as coming from "a world full of dangers" and being "exceptionally adept at hiding and disguising."
"If you really think I'm doing something harmful to society in private, you can report me to the World Security Council or expose me online. But don't try to threaten me."
Fury shrugged, looking innocent, and continued, "But even though I think you're talking nonsense, I'm still largely willing to believe you because of your demonstrated abilities. What exactly did you mean when you said 'this world is full of danger'?
What is that organization you mentioned that's so good at hiding and disguising itself?
That guy next to you with the mechanical modifications—he's also a dimensional traveler, isn't he? The firepower he possesses exceeds the limits allowed by US law, not to mention he hasn't been authorized to possess any weapons at all!"
Quinn was momentarily stunned by Fury's three rapid-fire questions.
Is this guy really courting death, or is he taking advantage of my unwillingness to expose him publicly?
Quinn's reason for not wanting to expose Fury and Hydra wasn't concern about ruining some predetermined plot. In fact, as a completely new universe that had branched off, it was still unknown whether this world would follow the path of any movie timeline.
However, once the shady dealings of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra were exposed, all sorts of supernatural events hidden in the shadows of human society would surface. At that point, people would become more accustomed to supernatural phenomena and would grow more indifferent to them.
When that happened, it would become much more difficult to rely on extraordinary abilities to induce emotional changes in people and gain Prayer Points.
Quinn naturally wouldn't do something so thankless and counterproductive.
But he didn't want to be manipulated by Fury either. So after a brief moment of stunned silence, he couldn't help but burst into laughter. After a long while, he replied, "You ask me what the danger on Earth is? The greatest danger in the world is you, Fury!"
Upon hearing this, Fury's expression changed.
Because he often felt that way himself.
But before he could ask another question, Quinn got into the car and said coldly, "As for that organization and Genos... didn't you claim to be the controller who monitors all threats to Earth and nips them in the bud?
Go investigate it yourself!"
Character Notes:
Genos - From: One Punch Man - The cyborg with mechanical modifications mentioned by Fury. In his original series, he's a hero who seeks to become stronger and hunt down the cyborg that destroyed his hometown. Here, he appears to be working with Quinn as another dimensional traveler.
Skrulls - From: Marvel Comics/MCU - Alien shapeshifters who can perfectly replicate anyone, including their DNA and memories. Fury's past encounters with them have made him deeply paranoid and unable to trust anyone completely.
S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Department) - From: Marvel Comics - Space-based counterpart to S.H.I.E.L.D. that deals with extraterrestrial threats. Fury has been secretly building it using diverted S.H.I.E.L.D. funds.
Hydra - From: Marvel Comics/MCU - Secret terrorist organization that has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. at its highest levels. Their existence is one of the secrets Quinn is threatening to expose.