"Akatsuki is a cosmic organization pursuing peace."
Nick Fury's words struck a chord with Uehara Naraku.
After he finished speaking, Nick Fury glanced at Uehara Naraku, whose brows had relaxed, and softly reassured his subordinates: "Don't worry about becoming a member of Akatsuki, this will be our chance for Earth to gradually contact the universe."
"Yes."
Uehara Naraku slowly nodded.
Nick Fury, satisfied, knocked on the table and began eloquently sharing the intelligence he had on the Akatsuki: "From our observations, the Akatsuki's situation is somewhat similar to our own International Peace Organization; they also have an Interstellar Peacekeeping Army..."
Nick Fury shook his head and continued: "However, Akatsuki's requirements are strict. Being able to join them means not only representing one's planet but also possessing some incomprehensible superpowers..."
"..."
Uehara Naraku hesitated and nodded.
In fact, the current internal members of Akatsuki do not actually have representatives from other planets, only the top powerhouses from various worlds.
Nick Fury looked at Uehara Naraku and said softly: "Uehara, it seems you have obtained the Tesseract's energy and become a new superhero. How does it feel?"
"Very... strong, I guess?"
Uehara Naraku furrowed his brows, slowly clenched his fist, and a faint blue gleam appeared on his fist.
This was the power Uehara Naraku obtained.
Or rather, this was the Tesseract energy absorbed by Uehara Naraku, and judging by this energy, it indeed seemed powerful.
"You're not the first to obtain this kind of power."
Nick Fury gave Uehara Naraku a deep look and continued in a serious tone: "Back then, during the space arms race, the country devised Project Pegasus, which led to an alien attack incident. At that time, the female pilot Carol Danvers gained this power..."
A hint of nostalgia showed in Nick Fury's single eye, and he sighed softly: "Back then, Danvers used her power to defeat an alien fleet that attempted to destroy Earth, and she named herself Captain Marvel..."
These were all events from Nick Fury's younger days.
In those days, Nick Fury was still very young, just an elite agent responsible for investigations, and the now-defected Special Agent Coulson from the upper ranks of S.H.I.E.L.D. was just an intern following Fury around.
After recounting the story of Captain Marvel Carol Danvers, Nick Fury gently explained: "Precisely because of what happened with Danvers, I began preparing the Avenger plan, to form a superhero squad to meet crises..."
"..."
Tony Stark couldn't help but interject: "Why didn't you talk about this before? What about that Captain Marvel? Shouldn't she be on the Avenger's list too?"
If they had such a powerful Avenger...
Would they have struggled so much in the New York battle?
"She was the first member of the Avenger plan."
Nick Fury glanced at Tony Stark and explained: "But the power Danvers has destined her for even greater responsibilities; she's still out in space resolving potential crises threatening Earth."
"Alright..."
Tony Stark shrugged and looked at Uehara Naraku next to him: "Now that Uehara's joined Akatsuki, won't he eventually fly to space too?"
This outcome is almost inevitable.
The interstellar organization Akatsuki can't let Earth solely enjoy Akatsuki's protection; Earth will also need to assist Akatsuki in maintaining peace. Uehara Naraku, as the only intern from Earth in Akatsuki, is indeed a rare representative the planet can offer...
"With great power comes great responsibility."
Nick Fury patted Uehara Naraku's shoulder and said softly: "The Akatsuki has always wanted to invite Danvers to join them. Now you're replacing Danvers in Akatsuki, which roughly equates to representing Earth in Akatsuki..."
"..."
Uehara Naraku remained silent.
When has Akatsuki always wanted to invite Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, to join them? How come he, as the leader, didn't know about this?
Is Nick Fury making things up?
Clearly, he just casually mentioned Captain Marvel to Nick Fury through the mysterious masked man, so that Fury would accept that there is indeed a precedent for Uehara Naraku having the power of the Tesseract...
As for representing Earth...
Isn't this kind of thing quite ordinary for Uehara Naraku?
As long as Uehara Naraku is willing, he, as the leader, can ensure Akatsuki protects Earth's interests; if not, he can use Akatsuki's name to turn around and suppress Earth...
This is probably having the best of both worlds?
Uehara Naraku glanced at Nick Fury, the current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and slowly lowered his head, as he already had an idea...
Perhaps he can use his position in Akatsuki to more smoothly secure the future position of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. After all, a Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. seems like a representative of Earth!
Although Nick Fury currently doesn't seem to be looking for a successor, Uehara Naraku has already started making plans to get Fury out of the position...
Or, according to Hydra's original plan, let Fury fake his death and escape as his fate originally intended.
This way, Uehara Naraku can go along with Hydra's affairs while holding the position of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Besides, Uehara Naraku can use the title of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. to fool The Avengers, pretending to be Nick Fury's puppet controlling S.H.I.E.L.D., and thus completely control the intelligence channels of The Avengers.
However, if that's the case...
He will have to deal with his former superior, Alexander Pierce.
He has no choice.
Pierce knows too much.
If Alexander Pierce ever suddenly and happily boasts to Nick Fury that they, Hydra, have taken back the position of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., wouldn't that sabotage his future as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Nick Fury still didn't know that Uehara Naraku was broadening his thinking to the point of replacing him, and this current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. was still diligently teaching Uehara Naraku.
"...Uehara, besides owning a powerful Superpower Legion, Akatsuki also has extensive information channels; we need to find a way to investigate whether Akatsuki has left anything on Earth..."
"...Yes."
Uehara Naraku slowly lowered his head.
"Alright."
Nick Fury patted Uehara Naraku's shoulder gently and said: "I still need to check on Hydra and that Death Goddess Hela from Asgard. You all just finished the war, take a good rest..."
"Hmm."
Uehara Naraku nodded again.
The people in this world are very busy. Uehara Naraku also needs to go and receive the Time Gem the future person returned to him, and Nick Fury needs to handle the troubles caused by Death Goddess Hela and her Hydra.
It's really exhausting...
It seems like ever since Uehara Naraku joined S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury, as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., has never been idle. He just finished the New York battle and now has to start looking for information on Hydra and Hela...
It's really too tiring...
Fortunately, all these things were orchestrated by Uehara Naraku himself.
Once Uehara Naraku succeeds in becoming the future Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., he can create some troubles himself while holding the intelligence on those troubles, ensuring he won't be as exhausted as Nick Fury.