"I haven't fully grasped all the information about Akatsuki."
Uehara Naraku frowned, his expression growing increasingly serious: "There is one thing I can tell you, Earth must find a way to secure a place within this organization, which is the task Director Fury assigned to me.
The Akatsuki is a Cosmic Peace Organization, and it may very well determine the fate of many planets, but Earth cannot entrust its destiny to others.
If Akatsuki is a kind of rule…
Then we must find a way to gradually master the rules.
At least now we know part of the rules; if Earth still has members in the Akatsuki, the battle of New York would become a battlefield between Akatsuki and the Chitauri, rather than leaving the planet to resolve the war itself..."
"…"
Admiral Ross fell into silence.
The Air Force Vice Admiral turned and consulted with a few elders beside him, speaking in hushed tones, whispering in the presence of Uehara Naraku.
This so-called debriefing was actually just a formality.
Since S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't find a candidate more suitable than Uehara Naraku, they casually wanted to assess Uehara Naraku to make one last check.
After a brief conversation, Admiral Ross considered him roughly suitable, and the World Security Council members also agreed… The only problem was exactly when Nick Fury would wake up.
No matter what…
This was essentially a power grab in Fury's absence.
In fact, it wasn't a power grab, as the documentation showed Uehara Naraku was very compliant with Fury's orders.
Or rather, Uehara Naraku respected any superior's orders, and seemingly hadn't committed any major transgressions.
"Well then, Special Agent Uehara."
After a brief chat, Admiral Ross's gaze fell again on Uehara Naraku: "During Director Fury's convalescence, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence duties will fall on your shoulders. I hope you can take on the role of acting director..."
"Acting Director?"
Uehara Naraku lifted his head in disbelief.
"Yes."
Admiral Ross opened his hands and explained: "Due to Nick Fury's assassination, S.H.I.E.L.D. was leaderless for quite a while, and someone must carry Fury's responsibilities..."
Admiral Ross looked at Uehara Naraku intently and continued seriously: "You represent Earth within the Akatsuki and thus need a considerable position..."
This was their most crucial consideration for choosing Uehara Naraku.
Compared to others, Uehara Naraku had a unique advantage.
No one can determine whether Earth will face interstellar war in the future; cultivating a qualified Earth representative in advance is undoubtedly not a bad thing...
To be honest…
If some present could obtain a portion of the Tesseract's power and join Akatsuki as Earth's representative, they might at least secure a high-ranking position in the White House...
Admiral Ross glanced at the stunned Uehara Naraku, chuckled lightly, and continued discussing the World Security Council's and military's support for Uehara Naraku as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director.
"You're Akatsuki's representative on Earth…"
"You're also part of the Avenger initiative..."
"We found no one more suitable than you, at least while Fury recovers, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations will be entrusted to you..."
Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz…
The phone's monotonous vibration interrupted Uehara Naraku's attempt to speak, and Tony Stark's avatar frequently flashed on the call screen...
"Sorry, I have to take a call."
Uehara Naraku touched his phone and continued softly: "It should be news that Director Fury's surgery was successful. I must rush back to New York..."
"Uehara…"
Tony Stark's voice carried some hesitance and anxiety; he cautiously continued: "Fury's surgery failed… He passed away a minute ago…"
"…"
Uehara Naraku fell into an eerie silence.
At this moment, there's no need to ponder further; Uehara Naraku instantly presumed Nick Fury's likely fake death situation, not least because Fury often favored such tactics...
Moreover…
Uehara Naraku was previously at Fury's side; he had verified there was no significant threat to Fury's life after being shot before taking him to the hospital...
If Nick Fury truly died beside Uehara Naraku, he would have already used the Time Gem to reset time!
The question is…
Why did Fury choose to fake his death?
Does he perhaps distrust his successor?
If in the original world, Fury elected to use a fake death to deceive Alexander Pierce and Hydra, it could be understandable… Why now would Fury fake his death? Just to clear S.H.I.E.L.D. of Hydra spies?
After finishing his conversation with Tony Stark, Uehara Naraku reported Fury's death to Admiral Ross and the World Security Council, shocking everyone.
"…"
Admiral Ross glanced at Uehara Naraku, then at others present, slowly continued: "Special Agent Uehara, it seems it's time to address you as Director Uehara; let Director Uehara Naraku take office immediately!"
New York.
Inside Stark Secret Hospital.
Tony Stark hung up his phone, glanced speechlessly at Nick Fury lying on the bed: "Even fake death must be hidden from Uehara?"
Yes.
This was at Nick Fury's behest.
This mysterious act by the S.H.I.E.L.D. director, deciding to fake his death, left Tony Stark slightly baffled by Fury's intent; is there truly such a necessity?
"Keep it from him... for now."
Nick Fury looked at Tony Stark and sighed lightly: "There's only this one chance to eliminate Hydra's moles in S.H.I.E.L.D.… Only when I'm 'dead,' will they reveal themselves."
"That's not easy to say..."
Tony Stark still seemed hesitant, slowly continuing: "Speaking of which, it appears Uehara Naraku is set to become the new director of S.H.I.E.L.D.…"
"… Isn't that even better?"
Nick Fury slowly closed his eyes and continued softly: "Neither S.H.I.E.L.D. nor the Avengers will face any major upheaval..."
Nick Fury suddenly opened his single eye and coldly said: "Plus, we can watch what those people plan to do after assassinating me!"
Besides…
Uehara Naraku becoming S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director isn't bad…
Amidst the bloated and infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., a superhero director could ensure his safety… Besides, Uehara Naraku isn't only part of The Avengers but also within the Cosmic Peace Organization.
He indeed requires a higher-ranking position.
Of course.
Nick Fury also harbored doubts about Uehara Naraku.
Thus, instructing Tony Stark to hide his fake death from Uehara Naraku was due to inherent suspicions. This seasoned level ten agent wouldn't trust anyone after experiencing assassination attempts...
But what Fury didn't anticipate was Uehara Naraku's first move after taking the role of S.H.I.E.L.D. director was to visit Stark Hospital to pay respects...
That was rather unexpected…
Actually, this isn't surprising…
It at least indicates this subordinate still has a conscience.
Tony Stark could only claim Fury's body had been taken to a New York crematorium, slowly switching the topic: "Hey, hey, now that you've succeeded Fury in becoming S.H.I.E.L.D.'s new director, what will you do? Gather everyone?"
"I don't know..."
Uehara Naraku shook his head and then spoke softly: "I suppose first we should try to track down those Hydra members, slaughter them in revenge for Director Fury... As for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s affairs, the World Security Council will help manage."
Uehara Naraku slowly leaned his head against the wall, sensing Nick Fury's stifled breathing from the room behind the wall.
This guy…
He truly is faking his death!
Is this old superior no longer trusting him?
Darn it…
Didn't have enough of being shot?
Why doesn't this jerk Nick Fury trust him? Just because he took over as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director?
Is he even human?
Uehara Naraku sighed inwardly, his eyes flashing a hint of ridicule, while idly chatting with Tony Stark, expressing his attitude towards the hidden Nick Fury.
"Fine, just let it be; I never intended to become S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director anyway, handing over all those troublesome powers directly to them. I'll be like Captain Rogers, merely executing tasks..."