Everything has been detonated.
The battle at the Arkansas military base ruins is nearing its end.
With the simultaneous attack of Tony Stark and Rhodes, Ivan Vanko's body was hit by two energy beams, causing the steel armor on him to explode instantly!
This man, in his final moments, looked at Tony Stark and Rhodes, a mocking smile appearing on his face: "Hahaha... Tony Stark... you've been marked by the sharks... the shadows under the deep sea... you can't escape, Stark!"
"Hmm?"
Tony Stark lifted his faceplate, his brow slightly furrowed.
Although Ivan Vanko has fallen in battle, it doesn't mean this whole incident has ended; Hydra, standing behind Ivan Vanko, is still restless.
Rumble...
A Quinjet landed on the ground.
Nick Fury, with a dozen S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, walked down, his expression unusually heavy, ignoring the death of Ivan Vanko.
Nick Fury didn't even bother to recover the steel armor from him.
Nick Fury was very clear that the key to steel armor is the energy drive, and only the Ark Reactor and new element energy plate developed by Tony Stark can perfectly drive a piece of steel armor.
Nick Fury waved his hand, dissuading Tony Stark's intent to greet, gesturing for his agents to spread out: "Go check, see how many survivors are left in the Arkansas base, rescue them immediately..."
"Yes."
A group of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents immediately dispersed.
Fortunately, the infrastructure quality of this military base was decent; a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents quickly found a few survivors, even a squad.
Nick Fury looked at these survivors, a hint of complexity flashing on his face, he slowly walked to a survivor's side, lowering his voice as he whispered in his ear.
"Long live Hydra."
"..."
The survivor showed a hint of surprise on his face, then stared tightly at Nick Fury in front of him, unable to suppress the joy in his eyes.
The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. is also one of their Hydra?
"Long live Hydra!"
"..."
Nick Fury rarely remained silent, simply patting this survivor on the shoulder, then walked toward the next survivor.
Seventeen survivors!
All seventeen are Hydra members!
The Arkansas S.H.I.E.L.D. base is entirely Hydra!
Simply a secret base for training agents and field personnel is entirely Hydra; how many Hydra have infiltrated the whole of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Nick Fury received the message from Natasha on the plane.
The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. had a certain mental preparation beforehand; however, personally confirming this truth, Nick Fury's mood remained overwhelmingly complicated...
If the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Alexander Pierce, was Hydra's leader, who knows how many Hydra agents he secretly planted into S.H.I.E.L.D.!
A new war between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra is about to start!
The only problem is that the number of Hydra agents within S.H.I.E.L.D. is immeasurable; even Nick Fury himself can't clarify how many Hydra are there;
At present, Nick Fury could only trust a few agents within S.H.I.E.L.D., especially those useful, not exceeding five fingers in number.
Clint Barton, Natasha Romanoff, and the rookie agent Nick Fury himself mentored, Coulson...
Uehara Naraku could also count as one.
Simply, his personality makes it difficult to imagine him as a spy. Who would be brainless enough to send someone like him as a spy?
"Stark."
Nick Fury reached out to shake Tony Stark's hand, speaking softly: "I might have some business to handle here, you can head back to California, we'll meet again in Washington in half a month."
"Depends on my schedule..."
Tony Stark nodded, inviting Major Rhodes to don their faceplates, flying their steel armors into the sky.
After they had left.
Nick Fury took out his handgun, chambered it with a click, and quietly commanded his brought agents.
"Take everyone here and detain them secretly."
This isn't the primary issue here.
The real trouble is the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
Nick Fury disregarded any evidence, having seen the information Natasha obtained from Hammer Industries, directly deeming Alexander Pierce as Hydra's leader.
However, before Nick Fury could make a move, an emergency message came from Washington, facing military pursuit, Pierce hadn't thought of seeking exonerating evidence for himself and had to flee Washington directly under duress.
Among those ordered to capture him, there were allies who sent him messages; responsible for capturing him, there lingered their Hydra subordinates...
Rather than say Alexander Pierce successfully escaped, it would be more accurate to say he's only moved houses, even remotely directing Hydra members within S.H.I.E.L.D...
If it wasn't for Justin Hammer's massive disruptions, leading to military involvement, Alexander Pierce might have been able to kill Nick Fury and replace him with a Hydra associate as a puppet director.
The entire S.H.I.E.L.D. has undergone scrutiny.
In just three days, Advanced Agent Hittwell and Field Commander Crossbones defected one after another, throwing S.H.I.E.L.D. into complete chaos.
And within less than a week of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s formal review, a group of Hydra brazenly launched attacks everywhere to incite war, reigniting the conflict between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra.
The pre-war review became a joke.
Everyone knows that the current situation is no longer suited to continue reviewing just how many internal spies remain in S.H.I.E.L.D. Now they need to deal with Hydra's assault returning after decades!
Nick Fury, overwhelmed with stress, also couldn't help but consider abandoning this mess that is S.H.I.E.L.D. He doesn't entirely need an airtight organization.
Simply let go of S.H.I.E.L.D...
Allowing it to be infiltrated by Hydra is of little concern, for he is about to reassemble an elite squad; as long as there is a Superhero Squad, they can swiftly defeat any threatening enemy.
"Speed up the Avenger plans..."
Nick Fury sat in his office, holding his forehead in thought for a while, then quickly dialed an internal phone on his desk: "Send me all the action reports of Special Agent Uehara Naraku."
"Special Agent Uehara's?"
"Yes, hurry up."
Two weeks ago.
The Hydra incident erupted; even though Nick Fury trusted Uehara Naraku, he had no choice but to have Uehara Naraku transferred to S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters for a symbolic review.
However, with Hydra recklessly starting its activities, the combat-capable Level 7 agent Uehara Naraku had to be dispatched on missions, causing Nick Fury to cancel Uehara Naraku's detention and review.
Honestly speaking.
If it weren't for Uehara Naraku's continuous reports about Hydra near Tony Stark, Nick Fury might not have discovered Hydra's traces for a long time...
This guy couldn't possibly be with Hydra.
The Hydra spies identified within S.H.I.E.L.D. generally display extreme diligence, but merely by Uehara Naraku's modus operandi can it be confirmed that this guy is definitely not in cahoots with Hydra...
Furthermore...
There is also evidence.
While active in India, Uehara Naraku constantly faced assassination attempts from numerous Hydra members, all of whom he eliminated, including Hittwell and a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. defectors...
While S.H.I.E.L.D. hunts Hydra members, Hydra is also secretly hunting S.H.I.E.L.D.'s elite agents.
"What's more."
Nick Fury considered it for a while and continued: "Send me all the materials on Dr. Bruce Banner, including all recent news about the big Hulk, and arrange a meeting with General Ross..."
Compared to the destruction of the Arkansas military base, another news item is more lively.
The Hulk suddenly appeared, engaging in a battle with the military at a school, resulting in multiple deaths or disappearances, with videos immediately uploaded online.
No one expected the matter to be unresolved...
The Hulk clashed with another massive monster in New York, all of New York witnessing this Giant battle, causing the military to lose face completely...
Nick Fury saw the power of the Hulk and noticed the personality of the Hulk's real self, Bruce Banner. He wants to make the Hulk one of the candidates for the Avengers Squad.
Initially, the recent Hydra incident prevented S.H.I.E.L.D. from holding its head high in front of the military, depriving Nick Fury of any chance to intervene in this matter.
Fortunately, with the outbreak of the New York incident, the ever-defeated General Ross, who had been in charge of the Hulk project, created a window for Nick Fury to step in, as each attempt to hunt and capture the Hulk resulted in losses.
But that's not enough.
Nick Fury needs enough cards to play, he must at least prove he can handle the Hulk's troubles.
Coincidentally, he has a card; it's the willingness of Tony Stark to accept the Avengers Plan, and Tony Stark even wishes for the Avengers Squad to quickly form because Tony Stark has already set his sights on threats from space.
"Hey, Tony."
Nick Fury dialed Tony Stark's number, speaking slowly: "A person suitable to become an Avenger recently encountered some trouble, and might need you to solve his problem. You should have heard his name..."
"Who?"
"Dr. Bruce Banner."
After mentioning this name, Nick Fury added: "Perhaps you should know his other name... Hulk."
"Leave it to me!"
Tony Stark took on the task but suddenly became curious: "I've found some information about him, and he can't control his emotions, right?"
"According to my sources..."
A glimmer of sharpness appeared in Nick Fury's eyes: "Recently, agents investigating Bruce Banner found that he might be able to control his transformation..."
"Haha, you trust what S.H.I.E.L.D. agents say?"
Tony Stark's voice on the phone was full of mockery towards S.H.I.E.L.D.: "I've heard, is there even a trustworthy agent left in S.H.I.E.L.D. now?"
S.H.I.E.L.D. has no good reputation among all upper levels in the United States because Hydra infiltrated them for so many years. They've been in a state of ridicule lately.
"All you need to do is meet with the military's General Ross..."
After providing a name, Nick Fury added again: "Also, the information about Dr. Bruce Banner was provided by Special Agent Uehara."
"Only that guy is somewhat credible..."