"I heard that based on the addresses I provided, you did indeed destroy three heroin processing Bases disguised as laundries, didn't you?" Makima looked at Fury with a smile. "Of course, we aren't narcotics officers, but the things inside..."
"They weren't just as simple as drugs, were they?"
Fury remained silent for a moment. His originally tense body leaned back slightly, and his tone softened a bit. "Indeed. The intelligence regarding The Hand was very valuable. We discovered some things at the scene that modern medicine cannot explain..."
"We are sending people to study them."
"However..." Fury's tone shifted as his single eye narrowed slightly. "The core mentioned in your intelligence—the Dragon Bone buried beneath New York—we haven't even dug up a single piece yet. The engineering department turned the place upside down and only found a pile of mud and subway ruins."
"The vast majority of the intelligence you provided was correct, but that doesn't mean I will blindly trust your every judgment, especially when it involves... a skeleton that can catch fire."
"Since the vast majority was correct, why not offer a little bit of trust?"
Makima tilted her head slightly, appearing somewhat puzzled.
Hearing the word "trust," Nick Fury suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh.
It was a smile full of the vicissitudes of life.
He slowly stood up, walked around the desk, and stood before Makima.
He pointed to his left eye, covered by a black eyepatch, his voice low and raspy.
It carried an oppressive weight that only a man who had experienced mountains of corpses and seas of blood could possess: "Trust?"
"The last time I chose to trust someone, I... lost this eye."
The air seemed to freeze.
This classic line, paired with Fury's large black face written with stories.
Anyone unaware of the truth hearing this would imagine an epic drama of betrayal, sacrifice, blood, and tears.
However—
Su Modie looked at the one-eyed Braised Egg in front of her, who was acting so naturally cool, and almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
This damn cat lover is quite good at making up stories.
Su Modie naturally knew how Fury became one-eyed—it wasn't because of any betrayal at all. It was because in his youth, he was obsessed with cats and, due to being too perverted about it, he was scratched by a ginger cat kept by Captain Marvel, which was actually a Flerken.
This hakini is looking for some hakimi love again; he really knows how to build a persona for himself!
Honestly, he has no shame at all!
Although Su Modie was already rolling on the floor laughing internally, on the surface, Makima maintained that perfect poker face.
She looked at Fury and nodded slightly. "I stand corrected, Director."
Fury was very satisfied with Makima's reaction.
No excessive flattery, and even less trembling like some newcomers.
Excellent psychological quality; she's a good prospect.
Even though the "Dragon Bone" wasn't excavated, the two solid achievements of The Hand's stronghold and the Ghost Rider were right before his eyes.
S.H.I.E.L.D. truly lacked such capable and courageous talent.
"Very well. In view of your outstanding performance in this operation and the fact that the intelligence you brought indeed allowed us to avoid a potential disaster, your security clearance level is raised to Level 6."
"This usually requires five years of seniority for a field Agent." Fury waved his hand. "In addition, I've approved three days of paid administrative leave for you. Although you look fine, protocol is protocol. Go home and get some sleep, Agent."
"Thank you for your trust, Director." Makima bowed elegantly and turned to leave.
It wasn't until Makima walked out of the office that Fury sat back down in his chair and muttered to himself, "A woman's intuition... Hmph."
For some reason, he felt that in the look Makima gave him just now, there was a kind of... mockery, as if she had seen right through him?
It was probably just an illusion.
After all, besides Carol, no one had dared to look at him like that.
In the hallway, before she had even left S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, that bald Agent Sitwell approached her with a fawning expression.
"Congratulations, Miss Makima! I've heard everything—Level 6 clearance! It's simply a miracle!"
Makima toyed with the new ID card in her hand, appearing to be in a good mood.
She was now at the same level as Sitwell, just with slightly less seniority. For a newcomer with "no superpowers," her promotion speed was already abnormal. But for the highly controlling Makima, this was only the beginning.
Level 6 in S.H.I.E.L.D. belonged to senior Agents who could access most non-top-secret files and command regular tactical teams.
But Level 7 was the true watershed. That was the level of Coulson, Hawkeye, and Black Widow, meaning one had officially entered the core circle of S.H.I.E.L.D., with the eligibility to access the prototype of the "Avengers Initiative" and those truths that could overturn one's worldview.
Level 8 further up was the backbone of the entire S.H.I.E.L.D., basically consisting of high-level management overseeing large projects.
Like Victoria Hand, for example.
This woman, despite being much less famous than others, was a truly tough character.
Her personality was cold-blooded and rational, looking every bit like a villain. She didn't get along well with Coulson and sounded like another HYDRA mole in S.H.I.E.L.D., but in reality... she wasn't HYDRA at all. She even remained loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. throughout—an absolute protagonist-aligned good person!
Talk about nonsensical.
The contrast was too much!
More importantly, this woman was also a lesbian.
Su Modie still liked this strong woman, especially her counterpart in the comics who once became the Deputy Director of H.A.M.M.E.R.... definitely a top-tier ruthless person!
As for the level of a Commander like Hill, they possessed the authority to deploy Helicarriers and even knew the nuclear deterrent codes.
The final Level 10 was the rank of the current Director Fury and the former Directors.
Of course, these levels didn't represent everything.
Even though Nick Fury was Level 10, there were many secrets he couldn't touch.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been forced by HYDRA in the future to rely on faking his death just to gain a slim chance of survival.
Sitwell lowered his voice, continuing to report like a loyal old dog. "Mr. Pierce just contacted me. He is very interested in your performance this time and is keeping an eye on you."
"However..." Sitwell paused. "Please rest assured, according to your wishes, I haven't told Mr. Pierce that you are actually one of our own. He just thinks you are a prospect with great potential and hinted that if there's a chance, I should try to recruit you into our greater cause."
This was also Makima's intention.
A coward like Sitwell was easy to fool, but Alexander Pierce was no pushover.
Casual deception would likely not hide anything from this old fox... She had to find an opportunity to meet this former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, as well as a certain hundred-year-old lonely old man who was still being brainwashed and controlled by him.
Makima pressed the elevator's down button and turned her head. Those golden ringed eyes swept over Sitwell indifferently.
"Not bad, Sitwell. Keep it up; keep him dangling."
"I am very interested in that greater cause of yours, but not right now."
*Ding—*
The elevator doors opened.
Makima stepped inside. As the elevator doors were about to close, she gave Sitwell an unfathomable smile. "I am currently on leave, Agent Sitwell."
"Nothing is more important than going home."
As the elevator doors slowly shut, Sitwell couldn't help but shiver.
Clearly, it was the warm phrase "going home," but why did it sound so full of murderous intent coming from Makima's mouth?
Indeed.
After all, in that luxury New York mansion, a certain Purple-haired Bomb Girl had probably been getting a bit too carried away these past few days.