Chapter 55: The Triad Focuses on the Hand Association

A certain secret laboratory.

Whitehall listened to his subordinate’s report, set down the scalpel, and clasped his hands behind his back as he pondered for several minutes.

The most crucial plan was not yet complete; it was not the time to fall out with S.H.I.E.L.D., lest the World Security Council grow suspicious. In that case, Pierce might not be able to hoodwink those wily, seasoned politicians.

Pierce, along with Garrett and Silver, was fully engaged in a game of wits with Fury and Hill. None of the embedded agents could be moved. The other heads of Hydra each had their own agenda. This operation had been orchestrated by Whitehall himself, with the aid of Clairvoyant.

Yet, it had ended in failure.

Hawkeye’s sudden appearance had saved Black Widow, and not a single jar of the liquor smuggled out from the “Azeroth Specialty Shop” had been seized.

Even the “Master Wang,” whom they had thought would be easy to handle, turned out to be just as formidable as Black Widow. The seven elite agents sent against him were now missing, their fate unknown—perhaps successfully committing suicide, or perhaps already captured by S.H.I.E.L.D., which would inevitably lead to the leaking of critical intelligence.

The appearance of the “Iron Fist of K’un-Lun,” and his astonishing defeat of the Winter Soldier, had made Whitehall realize the power of “chi.” Combined with his investigation into the Darkhold, this was why he set his sights on Master Wang and those medicinal liquors.

Dissecting that immortal Inhuman woman had given Whitehall the same longevity, but not superhuman combat abilities.

He hoped to study the medicinal liquor and Master Wang’s body to acquire the power of “chi,” and also to glean information about K’un-Lun from Master Wang—his ambitions were vast.

But now, the plan had failed, and their actions had only alerted S.H.I.E.L.D., who would certainly keep a close watch on the “Azeroth Specialty Shop” and Master Wang.

For now, Master Wang could not be touched; the bigger picture must be preserved.

S.H.I.E.L.D. would undoubtedly study those medicinal liquors, and once any results came in, either Clairvoyant or Pierce would be able to get their hands on them. But that would take time. Whitehall was unwilling to wait, and even less willing to pin his hopes on others, even if they were Hydra.

Whitehall flexed his hands.

There were more than just one kung fu master in the world, and power did not only come from “chi.”

Hydra’s intelligence resources surpassed even S.H.I.E.L.D.’s.

He, having lived nearly ninety years, knew more about the relationship between the Hand and K’un-Lun than that black director ever could.

After some thought, Whitehall issued three consecutive orders.

“Cancel the operation. Everyone withdraw. Kill anyone who might have been compromised—leave no one alive.”

“Investigate the Hand with full force. Uncover the identities and whereabouts of the Five Fingers, and report at once.”

“Contact Pierce and Garrett through secret channels. I want the 084 container stolen from me by the Howling Commandos... Tell them, whatever it takes, I must have what’s inside that box!”

…

S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion Headquarters.

Director’s office.

Fury listened to Natasha’s report, adjusted his eyepatch, and said, “Azeroth Signature Essence Liquor... what a terrible name. Agent Romanoff, keep one jar for your own use. Send the rest to the Science Division and assign their best personnel to study it.”

Standing at attention, Hill handed Fury two dossiers. “The Science Division is overwhelmed with work and can’t spare many people. I suggest we select top students from the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy who haven’t yet graduated. These two are excellent candidates.”

Fury glanced at the files. “Leo Fitz, specializing in mechanical engineering; Jemma Simmons, specializing in biochemistry. The most outstanding students in the Academy’s history? Future backbone of the Science Division? Fine, assign them to work with the Science Division. And Master Wang wanted custom high-tech gear, didn’t he? Give that job to them too!”

“Yes, sir,” Hill replied, her expression unreadable.

The Director clearly valued the essence liquor but was perfunctory about Master Wang’s request.

How capable could two not-yet-graduated students really be? Surely not on par with the Science Division’s seasoned scientists?

Still, the Science Division was currently overwhelmed, with limited manpower. It truly would not be appropriate to assign special personnel to create high-tech gear for an outsider. The Director’s decision was sound.

“Agent Romanoff, interrogate the Hydra captives yourself—see if you can break them. I trust no one else for the job,” Fury said, his single eye fixed on Natasha. “Maintain contact with Master Wang. Investigate the Hand. You and Agent Barton will work together. Provide assistance as needed—no need to report to me.”

Natasha hesitated. “And Hydra...?”

“Hydra is mine to deal with.”

Fury waved her off, and Natasha turned and left. Seeing this, Hill also exited, leaving Fury alone in the office.

He turned and gazed out at the swirling clouds, his mood dark.

The postwar Operation Paperclip had brought in swathes of enemy scientists, including some from Hydra.

In the early days, there had been quite a few Hydra members within S.H.I.E.L.D., some in positions of significant power.

These people had served in S.H.I.E.L.D. for decades.

But had they truly served S.H.I.E.L.D., or Hydra?

How many more had they recruited in secret over the years?

How many within S.H.I.E.L.D. today were truly loyal?

Was S.H.I.E.L.D. still S.H.I.E.L.D.—or had it become Hydra?

To avoid triggering a full-scale investigation by the World Security Council, and to reassure the United Nations and various governments, the Hydra probe could not be made public.

Pierce was working hard to smooth things over with the S.H.I.E.L.D. directors, suppressing the matter.

All covert operations had to be personally directed by Fury.

He did not know whom among his subordinates he could trust.

Coulson?

Natasha?

Barton?

Hill?

Silver?

Garrett?

Even his superior, Pierce, might not be reliable.

Perhaps the only one he could trust was himself...

“I must assemble the Avengers as quickly as possible to face the mounting threats—including Hydra!”

“Master Wang and the K’un-Lun he represents seem to be at odds with Hydra. Perhaps we can work together!”

Fury pondered a moment, then took out his communicator and dialed.

A few seconds later, the call connected.

Fury considered his words carefully. “Master Wang, this is Nick Fury. The information you requested has been delivered. I want to know the origin of Hydra, and its current situation.”

After a brief silence, Old Wang’s voice came through:

“Hydra—the world’s largest criminal syndicate...

About fourteen hundred years ago, the Kree captured a Mayan warrior and experimented on him with Terrigen Mist, creating the first Inhuman—Hive...

Hive possesses the ability to control the minds of other Inhumans—a born leader...

The other Inhumans and humans joined forces to banish Hive to a distant planet...

His followers founded Hydra, with the aim of bringing Hive back to rule the Earth...

Over time, Hydra splintered into many factions, their philosophies diverging and evolving...

Today’s Hydra is actually a branch founded by the Red Skull during World War II, inspired by the ancient Hydra’s ideology. Their ultimate goal is world domination, but they are not the original...

‘Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.’

Hydra is everywhere.”

…

Azeroth Specialty Shop.

After hanging up, Old Wang’s lips curled into a wry smile.

Fury thought he could trade information on New York’s gangs and criminals for secrets about Hydra? Dream on!

In the end, Old Wang revealed only the origins of Hydra.

If Fury wanted more, he would have to offer valuable intelligence or something worthwhile in exchange.

Old Wang rubbed his distended belly.

The call had lasted half an hour, and throughout, Fury seemed intent on recruiting him—and the Iron Fist behind him—into the Avengers, forging deep cooperation with K’un-Lun to confront Hydra together.

If he weren’t an imposter, he might actually have agreed...

Wait...

Old Wang narrowed his eyes.

Perhaps it wasn’t impossible to become the true Iron Fist and acquire the power of the dragon Shou Lao.

And all of this would have to start with the Hand.

“There are so many in the Hand. Robbie may not be able to handle them alone!”

“It seems I’ll have to intervene personally!”