After the fear came the relief of surviving a disaster and heartfelt gratitude. They had witnessed a miracle with their own eyes, and the person who created this miracle was right before them.
The lead Police officer was stunned, and the officers behind him looked at each other, slowly lowering their guns.
They had handled shootings and robberies, but they had never handled a scene like this, where "the masses support a superhero."
Watching this scene, the expression on Fujitora's scarred face did not change in the slightest.
He merely tilted his ear slightly, using Observation Haki to sense the emotions of the surrounding crowd, which were a mixture of gratitude, admiration, and awe. He spoke calmly, his voice carrying across the entire scene: "I have merely done my duty."
The two characters for "Justice" on the back of the Marine coat on his shoulders appeared particularly striking under the Police car lights.
"As a Marine, bearing the name of 'Justice,' one has the responsibility to protect the safety of civilians. This is not an achievement worth boasting about, but a duty that is expected."
Marine? Both Happy and that Police officer frowned.
The United States Navy did not have this kind of uniform, let alone a high-ranking general with such an Eastern face.
Moreover, the "Marine" he spoke of sounded like it referred to some massive, transnational organization.
However, the ordinary civilians present clearly wouldn't think that much. To them, this was a declaration filled with a sense of responsibility and justice.
"So cool!"
"This is a real hero!"
"Much better than those guys who only know how to cause destruction!"
It hadn't been long since the Battle of New York, and people's attitudes toward super-powered individuals were complicated.
They feared those alien armies that descended from the sky, and they still had lingering fears about that big green guy who smashed half of New York.
But at the same time, they also witnessed Iron Man carrying a nuclear bomb into the sky, and witnessed Captain America fighting bloody battles on the ground.
People need heroes, especially after a disaster.
And the appearance of Fujitora and Orihime Inoue happened to fill this psychological need.
One was powerful, calm, and filled with a sense of justice, while the other was gentle, kind, and could heal everything.
Their abilities—one controlling, the other saving—caused no collateral damage, perfectly matching the image of an "ideal hero" in the hearts of the public.
A bold young man even squeezed forward, holding up his phone, asking with a face full of excitement: "Mister! What is your hero codename? Is it 'Gravity Man' or 'Blade of Justice'? Can we take a picture together?"
Fujitora did not answer, just stood there quietly.
Orihime Inoue was startled by this sudden enthusiasm, waving her hands repeatedly, her face as red as a ripe apple, muttering: "No, no, no, I am not a hero—"
Happy watched this somewhat comical scene, but his mind was racing.
These two people were of unknown origin, and their abilities were terrifyingly powerful.
Especially that blind man named Fujitora; the power he displayed was likely not inferior to Thor.
He must, he must tell Tony about this immediately.
Just then, the outer perimeter cordon was pulled back, a few black SUVs drove in, and a group of Agents in black suits with cold expressions quickly took control of the scene.
The person leading them was a face Happy found somewhat familiar. Phil Coulson.
Coulson smiled as he walked through the crowd, his gaze quickly scanning the scene: Savin, who was suppressed into an unrecognizable shape; the unharmed Happy; the pitch-black theater windows; and Fujitora and Orihime Inoue standing in the center.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the "Justice" coat on Fujitora's shoulders, finally landing on Happy.
"Happy, it seems you haven't had a very peaceful night." Coulson's tone was as gentle as always, but there was a hint of solemnity hidden in his eyes.
"Coulson?" Happy sighed in relief; S.H.I.E.L.D. had arrived, and things could finally have an official conclusion.
"You came at the right time; the situation here is... a bit complicated."
Coulson nodded, his gaze turning to Fujitora and Orihime Inoue, revealing a professional, impeccable smile.
"The two of you, I am Agent Phil Coulson of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, or you can simply call us S.H.I.E.L.D."
"First, thank you very much for preventing a terrible disaster. In order to clarify the course of events, we may need to trouble you both to come with us to give a statement. Please rest assured, this is just a routine procedure."
His words were impeccable, both expressing gratitude and stating his official position.
Orihime Inoue looked at Fujitora somewhat nervously, not knowing how to respond.
Fujitora leaned on his cane-sword, his expressionless face turning toward Coulson, as if "scrutinizing" him in a way ordinary people could not understand.
After a moment, he spoke slowly. "Very well."
This answer was concise and powerful. The moment his voice fell, the familiar system panel appeared in Fujitora's mind again, this time emitting a soft green glow.
[Congratulations to Guardian Faction player—Fujitora Issho, for successfully saving 158 civilians and key plot character "Happy Hogan," gaining 30,000 reputation points.]
[Gained high favorability from key plot character "Happy Hogan," gaining reputation points: 2,000 points.]
[Current total reputation points: 32,000 points.]
There was no change on Fujitora's calm, unruffled face, but a ripple stirred within his heart.
Thirty-two thousand points.
He was a gambler, naturally sensitive to numbers. Saving one hundred and fifty-eight civilians, plus a "key character," equaled thirty thousand points. And the gratitude of that man named Happy was worth another two thousand points.
So that was it. The "rules" of this World calculated chips based on "protection."
The more people saved, and the higher the "value" of the target, the more generous the reward obtained.
This coincided with the "benevolent justice" he upheld.
It seemed the rules of this gamble were quite favorable to him.
Almost at the same time, Orihime Inoue also saw the panel pop up in front of her.
[Congratulations to Guardian Faction player—Orihime Inoue, for successfully saving key plot character "Happy Hogan," preventing his death, gaining reputation points: 3,000 points.]
[Gained high favorability from key plot character "Happy Hogan," gaining reputation points: 2,000 points.]
[Current total reputation points: 5,000 points.]
"Five thousand points?"
Orihime Inoue silently recited it in her heart, a bit surprised.
She had only done what she felt she should do, just like before in Karakura Town and Hueco Mundo, healing injured companions. She didn't expect to receive a "reward" here too.
And, the favorability of that uncle named Happy... Thinking of how he had solemnly thanked her just now, Orihime's cheeks felt hot again.
It was really great to be able to help.
She secretly glanced at Fujitora beside her. Above that man's head, the green shield emblem was still clearly visible, making her feel a strange sense of reassurance.
Having a companion, and such a reliable one at that, allowed her to find a little sense of belonging for the first time in this strange World.
Seeing that the two agreed, Coulson immediately signaled to the Agents behind him.
The Agents acted with trained efficiency; some went to deal with Savin, who was still pinned to the ground by invisible gravity, while others began to disperse the crowd and set up a tighter cordon.
"Coulson," Happy walked up, lowering his voice, "They are my saviors. Mr. Stark will want to thank them personally. I hope you will treat them with courtesy."
"Of course, Happy," Coulson responded with a smile, "We always hold heroes in high regard."
He turned to the side, making a "please" gesture to Fujitora and Orihime Inoue. "The two of you, please get in the car; it is no longer safe here."
Fujitora didn't say much, gripping his cane-sword, and took steady steps toward the black SUV. Orihime Inoue hesitated for a moment, then followed quickly.
The onlookers were blocked at a distance by the Agents, and could only watch helplessly as the tall blind man and the gentle girl were taken away by a group of men in black.
"Where are they taking the hero?"
"Are those the FBI?"
"Quick, take a picture! Tomorrow's headline is set! 'Mysterious Eastern Hero Appears in Hollywood, Battles Human Bomb'!"
The car door closed, shutting out all the noise from the outside World.
The space inside the car was large, but the atmosphere was somewhat stagnant. Coulson sat in the passenger seat, observing the two in the back through the rearview mirror.
Fujitora had his eyes closed, sitting upright, his hand never leaving his cane-sword, like a silent statue.
Orihime Inoue appeared a bit uneasy, curiously looking at the furnishings inside the car, her hands nervously placed on her knees.
Happy also sat inside, acting as a temporary buffer.
"Don't worry, Miss Orihime," he tried to make the atmosphere more relaxed. "Agent Coulson is not a bad person; they just... have rather complicated work procedures."
Orihime Inoue gave him a shy smile and nodded.
Coulson also spoke up: "We just want to understand the situation; after all, a person exploding in the sky is not something you encounter every day. Also, regarding your abilities... if possible, we would like to have them on file."
His tone was very sincere, but Fujitora still did not react.
The black SUV merged smoothly into the traffic, driving toward an unknown destination. Outside the window, Los Angeles was brightly lit, but for the few people in the car, tonight was just the beginning of a long story.