"…I'm sorry." Nick Fury let out a long sigh. "Kagura, I actually know that given your personality, you'd never agree to this plan."
"Of course. Your plan sounds completely unreasonable. It seems more like the product of an anxious mind."
"Really?"
Nick Fury raised an eyebrow, his face showing no defense.
"This plan is something we've discussed for a long time. You're not reconsidering, are you? Aliens! The Cosmic Cube! Infinite energy! The threat of advanced civilizations!"
Kagura ran a hand through her long hair.
"I think there's nothing more to discuss regarding your plan to spread scientific technologies through the black market, Director Fury."
"I've told you, trust us, trust Rhodes Island Industries. We can build an effective global defense system. On the other hand, I believe that overdeveloping powers humanity can't fully control will only bring unnecessary threats."
"Alright, alright! You're right!" Nick Fury sighed. "Let's talk about how to handle these black market dealers."
"Destroy the hideouts, arrest the criminals, and eliminate the arms trade that's fueling crime. We'll wipe out the black market once and for all." At that point, Hawkeye interjected.
"This is something you've already promised, right, Director Fury?"
"You said if your tech distribution plan didn't gain the approval of all the Avengers, you'd use your connections in the black market to wipe out the whole network."
"I'll keep my promise," Nick Fury said helplessly.
"Kagura, you win this time. I'll respect your decision, withdraw all personnel and equipment, and destroy every arms black market hideout."
He lit a cigarette. "With this, the crime rate in New York will stop rising. The arms black market network will be completely destroyed."
"But, I hope you'll keep your word too."
Nick Fury's expression grew serious. "We truly need a global defense system. We need the means to fight off alien threats. If humanity wants to survive, these are necessities."
"Mm, I understand." Kagura nodded. "That's the reason Rhodes Island Industries exists. And the reason I exist."
———————————————————————
After Fury and the others left, Kagura sighed deeply.
In the end, it seemed that the global black market circle, including that of New York City, had become unexpectedly active due to SHIELD's involvement.
It appeared Nick Fury had been truly frightened.
Against advanced civilizations like Asgard, Earth's military was nothing.
Humanity, facing an existential crisis, was desperate enough to seek safety in these extreme ways. That much was understandable.
But as Kagura had said earlier, such a foolish plan could never be accepted by her.
If weapons far beyond current human technology were spread around the world, it would only lead to more chaos and conflict.
SHIELD could never control the kind of technology diffusion that would spread like wildfire.
Even if the secrets of the Cosmic Cube were fully unlocked in the process, before any alien threats truly arrived, humanity's own internal conflicts would likely destroy them first.
"It looks like the global defense plan really needs to be accelerated," Kagura muttered.
"Though Nick Fury says this, behind the scenes, he will never give up on researching the Cosmic Cube. The alien threat he fears will soon become real."
Time was running out.
When the space portal tore through the sky and terrifying alien armies rampaged, turning cities into infernos, Earth and human civilization would face their true test.
———————————————————————
Taking the elevator back to VIP Room 13, the security officer, code-named "FC," was leisurely sitting on the luxurious sofa in the room.
"FC, you're still here."
Kagura spoke as she approached.
She hadn't forgotten her decision. This "FC" was just a retired soldier looking to earn a living. She'd remove the mental influence on him shortly.
"Based on the gunshots earlier, I take it I don't need to keep working here?" FC smiled. "But honestly, the black market is always better off shrinking, isn't it?"
"Sorry, seems like I might've just made you lose your job, FC."
"No problem. Just need to find another one, no big deal," he waved it off.
"By the way, FC is just a codename. Since the boss is gone, I don't need to use it anymore. My name's Frank Castle. Just call me Frank."
…Huh???
"Ahem, so, Mr. Castle…" Kagura lightly touched his forehead.
"Sorry for messing with your brain earlier. Let me restore it now. Of course, for my own safety, you won't remember anything that happened here today."
"What? You messed with my brain? Hahaha, you're quite the unbelievable little girl."
Frank Castle laughed. "So, you're a psychic?"
"Who knows?" Kagura smiled. "But you'd better take care of your wife and kids. I don't want to create another Punisher in this world."
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing…" Kagura changed the subject. "By the way, do you want a thrilling, high-stakes job?"
"What kind of job?"
"One of those where you get to save the world on the side."
"Hahahaha! Sure, I can consider it."
"Well then..." Kagura smiled.
"Welcome to Rhodes Island Industries."
[Activate Electromagnetic Mental Interference]
———————————————————————
Frank Castle.
The infamous anti-hero known as the Punisher in the Marvel universe.
According to Kagura memory, Frank became the Punisher after witnessing a brutal mob execution, which led to the tragic deaths of his wife and children. In a fit of vengeance, he transformed into the Punisher, seeking to take down every criminal in a ruthless crusade.
Kagura couldn't help but wonder if her actions, along with SHIELD's crackdown on black market dealers and gangs, would somehow prevent Frank from ever facing that tragic fate.
The road to becoming an anti-hero is fraught with challenges. If it were up to her, Kagura hoped Frank could find peace and live a fulfilling life with his family.
Oh, and of course...
Had she known from the start that he was the legendary Punisher, she never would have dared to write him into a concept like "you're my dog."
She... she was terrified of being bitten to death by him!
The girl shuddered at the thought.
'Beep beep.'
The communicator buzzed.
"This is Bucky Barnes. I've destroyed the designated black market hideout. Wow, their weapons are really advanced. Where did they even get these from?"
Ah, She had almost forgotten about Bucky.
She tapped her forehead. "Good job, Mr. Barnes. Similar eradication missions will be ongoing for a while."
"No problem, I'm always on standby," Bucky responded.
"You're reliable, Mr. Barnes."
"No need to say more, Miss Kagura. It's you who gave me a second chance at life."
Hmm, Bucky was always so dependable!
But then, why did Nick Fury come up with such a crazy plan?
Kagura fell into deep thought.
In the original MCU timeline, he was always so calm, so... why now?
Could it be because of me?
Is my very existence causing this world to change, pushing it toward an unpredictable abyss?
Is this the butterfly effect at work?
She started questioning her own actions once more.
There was also something else that weighed heavily on her mind.
The task of forming a superhero team... she still hadn't completed it.
Was she just not skilled enough?
How much more would she need to do to truly say that she had formed a team?
And ultimately... was what she was doing even the right thing?
To answer these doubts, she decided to seek guidance.
There was someone—a "master"—who understood the wisdom of the ages, who knew everything, and who could help her find clarity.