Chapter 6
The sun's energy continuously strengthened Yang Jian's body.
Along with it came an indescribable comfort—like an infant returning to the womb, wrapped in absolute safety and fulfillment.
His consciousness began to blur. His eyelids grew heavy.
"Just a short rest."
His thoughts slowed. His body relaxed fully in the solar energy, floating as if in a warm ocean.
Finally, his eyes closed completely. He slipped into a strange, suspended hibernation.
The energy automatically formed a protective cocoon around him, continuing to draw in solar radiation.
Inside the cocoon, his abilities steadily rose.
[Energy Absorption Efficiency: 85%… 130%… 355%…] …
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
Agent Phil Coulson knocked lightly on the director's office door. A low voice answered from inside.
"Come in."
As he entered, he saw Nick Fury standing with his back to the door, one eye fixed on a framed poster on the wall.
Coulson glanced over—it was a WWII-era Captain America propaganda poster.
"Director, latest from Hell's Kitchen." Coulson placed a tablet on the desk.
"Kingpin is dead."
Fury turned slowly, expression unreadable.
"Cause?"
"Officially an accident, but our people detected anomalous energy readings at the scene." Coulson pulled up the data.
"What's stranger: the takeover of his entire empire didn't go to any known mob boss. It went to one man."
He paused. "A Chinese national who never appeared in any file. Name: Yang Jian."
Coulson pronounced the name in Mandarin—standard for a senior agent fluent in multiple languages.
Fury picked up the tablet. His single eye scanned the photo of a black-haired young man standing in what had once been Kingpin's office. A faint, confident smile played on his lips.
"Background?"
"Completely blank." Coulson shook his head.
"It's like he materialized out of thin air. No entry records from a week ago, no education history, no digital footprint. Yet yesterday he completed legal transfers of all Kingpin's assets—including overseas accounts and properties that should have taken months, not hours."
Fury's brow furrowed slightly. "Power assessment?"
"Eyewitness accounts." Coulson scrolled.
"He may possess some form of energy manipulation. Researchers from the company claim he crushed a metal door handle with one hand. Several mentioned his eyes glowing."
Yang Jian hadn't bothered having Bullseye hide his identity. As a Superman-level being, he had no need for secrecy.
"Enhanced individual?"
"No record in our database." Coulson added,
"Also, Bullseye now works for him—and he's stronger. Last night in the docks, he single-handedly dismantled an entire Irish mob crew. Strength and speed far exceed his old file."
Fury set the tablet down and walked to the window. Washington D.C. glittered below in the night.
"Put him under Level 7 surveillance. No contact. I want to know who he meets, what he does, even what he eats."
"Already in progress." Coulson nodded.
"One more thing, Director. Bruce Banner is back in New York."
Fury turned faster this time.
"Banner?"
"Yes, but quiet." Coulson opened another file. "He met secretly with General Ross's daughter Betty. Less than two hours, then vanished. Our tail lost him."
Fury's eye narrowed in thought. "Does Ross know?"
"Unlikely. The meeting was extremely discreet."
"Keep eyes on him—discreetly." Fury returned to his desk.
"That self-proclaimed 'Thor' from New Mexico—any more sightings?"
Coulson shook his head. "Nothing reliable since the New Mexico incident. Though…"
He hesitated. "London station reports a red-haired woman asking about him. Description matches Dr. Jane Foster."
Fury gave a quiet "Hm," signaling he'd noted it.
Coulson understood the conversation was ending. He gathered his tablet to leave.
"Coulson." Fury stopped him.
"This Yang Jian—I'm certain he's more than just another enhanced. Accelerate the investigation."
"Understood, Director."
After the door closed, Fury looked back at the Captain America poster, then opened a drawer and pulled out a folder labeled Avengers Initiative.
He flipped to a new page and wrote Yang Jian followed by a question mark.
Outside, a full moon hung high.
38 million kilometers away, on solar orbit, the energy cocoon around Yang Jian pulsed gently.
New York – Hell's Kitchen S.H.I.E.L.D. Secret Surveillance Post
Agent Coulson stood inside a van disguised as a telecom repair vehicle, watching the towering building through one-way glass.
Kingpin's former empire core now bore a sleek new sign: Yang International.
"All teams, attention. Target building has four primary access points: underground garage, main entrance, side fire stairs, and rooftop private helipad." Coulson adjusted his earpiece, voice low.
"Team A on ground visual, Team B electronic intercepts, Team C—"
His words cut off.
Less than two meters away, a man had appeared without a sound.
Bullseye.
Dressed in a tailored black suit, the golden bullseye tattoo on his forehead glinted faintly in the dim light.
A faint smile curved his lips; his eyes were ice-cold.
Coulson's instincts snapped taut, but he kept his face calm.
"Lester. Long time no see." Coulson smiled, as if greeting an old acquaintance.
"Coulson." Bullseye tilted his head, voice laced with mockery.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. getting this sloppy? Not even bothering with proper camouflage?"
Coulson shrugged. "Routine business. New York's been restless lately. We have to ensure public safety."
Bullseye let out a low chuckle and stepped closer.
The movement was light, but Coulson felt unmistakable pressure.
"Public safety? Or are you looking for trouble?" Bullseye narrowed his eyes.
Coulson didn't back down, smile still professional. "Just doing our job, Lester. If your new employer needs any cooperation, S.H.I.E.L.D. is happy to assist."
Bullseye stared for several seconds, then grinned wider. "You know, Coulson? My current boss doesn't like being watched."
"Understood." Coulson nodded. "But rules are rules."
Bullseye patted Coulson's shoulder—lightly.
But Coulson knew: if Bullseye wanted, that touch could shatter bone.
"Friendly advice."
Bullseye leaned in, voice dropping. "Don't cross the line. Next time it might not be me standing here."
Coulson's gaze darkened, but he remained composed. "Is that a threat?"
"No."
Bullseye stepped back, smile widening. "It's a warning."
With that, he turned and walked away—casual as a stroll.
But one second later, his figure vanished into the street shadows, moving at inhuman speed.
Coulson exhaled slowly and pressed his earpiece. "All teams, pull back immediately."
"Sir?" Confused voices crackled back.
"Execute." Coulson's tone was firm.
He pulled out an encrypted communicator and dialed Fury's direct line.
"Director, we've been made."
"Expected." Fury's voice was steady.
"Bullseye?"
"Him."
"But his speed and strength—far beyond projections."
"Looks like Yang Jian gave him an upgrade." Fury paused. "Pull everyone back. We need to reassess."
"Understood." Coulson nodded, but his eyes lingered on the building's top floor.
He knew this was only the beginning.
Bullseye's warning wasn't idle.
And that enigmatic Yang Jian…
What exactly was he planning?
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