Although the base was vast, the living quarters for Shen He and his inner circle were fairly compact.
The rooms were adjacent, making it easy for everyone to gather.
So when Shen He entered the reception room, it wasn't just Coulson and Steve Rogers waiting—
But also Violet, Ryougi Shiki, and Jeanne d'Arc.
Shen He smirked.
"Steve, looks like you're settling in well."
Steve Rogers, still dressed in casual military fatigues, turned away from his conversation with Coulson.
"You don't give me much time to 'settle in,' Shen." His gaze was sharp. "I heard about what you did last night. Colson and Fury aren't too happy."
Shen He simply shrugged.
"This is a war, Steve." He set down three cups of warm milk and a plate of cakes, then sat across from them. "In war, there's no such thing as too much."
Without another word, he handed the milk to Jeanne and Ryougi Shiki, slicing a strawberry cake for Violet.
It was clear—he wasn't interested in debating.
---
Coulson leaned forward.
"Mr. Shen." His tone was carefully measured. "Director Fury sent me to see if you require our assistance."
He paused.
"…Of course, public sentiment right now is unfavorable. There are protests, even riots, but—"
Coulson's eyes sharpened.
"For S.H.I.E.L.D., this is nothing more than a minor inconvenience."
Shen He nodded, as if expecting this response.
"Of course." His tone was casual. "A few riots won't topple the world's largest intelligence agency."
He took a sip of his drink, then set it down.
"But tell me, Coulson—what's the real reason Fury sent you here?"
Coulson hesitated.
"…Mr. Shen, you understand national security concerns. Ever since the Battle of New York, world governments have had to compromise. More restrictions, more surveillance. The public accepted it because they were afraid."
He folded his hands.
"And once you accept it once, it gets easier to accept again."
Shen He checked the time on his phone.
"Jarvis, the official press conference should have started. Put it on screen."
"Yes, sir."
A holographic screen lit up in the center of the room.
As expected—
The global press conference was broadcasting live.
A government spokesperson stood at the podium, addressing the world.
> "No comment." The official's voice was firm. "This incident is a national security crisis. Sensitive information has been leaked, our military secrets exposed to foreign threats. Those who fan the flames of hysteria are aiding our enemies. We have launched an investigation to track down the perpetrators—justice will be served."
Shen He turned to Coulson.
"You're already hunting them, aren't you?"
Coulson nodded.
"We have identified the group responsible—they call themselves the Rising Tide. They're exceptionally skilled hackers. Tracing them has been difficult, but—"
Coulson's voice hardened.
"—we are catching up. In fact, just before I arrived here, we made our first breakthrough. The arrests have already begun."
Shen He sighed.
"So, not all of them were in it for 'freedom of information.'"
After all, some hackers weren't fighting for truth—they were just chasing money.
And money leaves a much clearer trail than encrypted data.
"Jarvis, update me on that certain lady I asked you to track."
"She remains safe, sir."
"Good."
Shen He turned to Steve, his expression shifting.
"Steve—what's your take on this?"
Steve blinked. "My take?"
"You've read the files. You know about the Asgardians, about S.H.I.E.L.D.—" Shen He leaned back. "Tell me, do you think restricting personal freedom for the sake of 'national security' is justified?"
Steve was silent.
The weight of history rested on his shoulders.
Finally, he spoke.
"…I don't know."
Shen He frowned.
Disappointing.
In the original history, Captain America fought against mass surveillance and government control without hesitation.
But now?
Something was holding him back.
Steve looked up.
"What about you, Shen?"
Shen He smirked.
"Me?" He turned his head. "Shiki, tell them what you think."
Ryougi Shiki, who had been sipping her milk quietly, snorted.
"This is boring." Her tone was cold. "What people call 'justice' or 'security'—it's all just a matter of who benefits. The moment your side stops benefiting, you'll start calling it 'oppression.'"
She put down her cup.
"So yeah. It's all pointless."
Shen He grinned.
"There you have it." He spread his arms. "That's my answer."
In the end, ideals didn't matter.
Only the reality of power.
Right now, his position placed him against S.H.I.E.L.D., so he was playing the role of the people's champion.
But in the future?
That would depend on who held the leverage.
Because Shen He didn't believe in concepts—he only believed in people.
---
Steve exhaled.
"…Everyone thinks they're right," he murmured. "But at the end of the day, problems only get solved with fists."
He stood.
"If you need me to fight for the people, then I'm ready."
Even if he was lost, there was one thing Captain America never hesitated on—
The battle itself.
Shen He smirked.
"Then it begins."
---
Meanwhile…
Inside Shen He's mind, another presence stirred.
Lelouch Lamperouge.
He was on standby, waiting to be summoned.
And with the world heading into chaos—
It was time.
A dark-haired young man materialized, standing beside Steve. His piercing violet gaze locked onto Shen He.
Shen He gestured.
"Steve, meet Lelouch. I don't have time to explain, but—" He smirked. "—his battlefield is different from yours. Just follow my lead."
Lelouch nodded.
"I trust your plan."
Steve didn't question it—just nodded in return.
There would be time for answers after the war.
---
Coulson remained behind.
"…Mr. Shen, may I stay?"
Shen He raised a brow. "You want to be a double agent?"
Coulson smiled.
"Let's just say—I like knowing both sides of the game."
Shen He chuckled.
"Sure."
With one last sip of his drink, he leaned back.
"Welcome to the winning side."
---
Elsewhere…
Skye was furious.
She was watching the same press conference, her fists clenched.
> They're calling us criminals? Threats to national security? All I wanted was the truth! How dare they?!
Her laptop screen flickered.
A message appeared.
"If you want the real truth, follow my signal. —Zero."
Skye's eyes narrowed.
"…Who the hell are you?"
And just like that—
The real war for truth had begun.