Dark clouds shrouded the night sky, with sparse starlight dotting the black expanse. Only a crescent moon illuminated the bustling city below...
Rows of towering skyscrapers stood like a steel and concrete forest, casting long shadows under the pale moonlight, resembling a colossal beast lying dormant in the darkness.
Beneath the silent night, Daredevil (once again clad in his red devil suit) crouched low atop a high-rise building.
His superhuman senses that far surpassed those of ordinary humans replaced his sight as he surveyed the clamorous city veiled in darkness.
Countless sound waves vibrated through the air... car horns, conversations between pedestrians, even the howling of the cold wind... all transformed into discernible information within his mind.
These fragmented and complex details coalesced into a clear mental image...
Half-crouched on the rooftop like a lurking predator, he murmured in a low voice, "So many people… There must be at least several hundred in that building, all spread across different floors. The lower levels are the most crowded, and the Hand's ninjas are among them. Their heartbeats are slow, so they are easiest to pick out."
Though blind, his extraordinary senses allowed him to navigate the world unimpeded, perceiving it in a way few could.
A crackling signal buzzed in his earpiece, followed by a gruff voice:
<...Explosives are set, at around thirty detonation points. If triggered simultaneously, this building will crumble like a sandcastle... boom! One big wave, and it's gone!..>
The Punisher, an expert in demolitions and ambushes, had already infiltrated Midland Circle Financial and planted his homemade timed explosives.
This was his plan... with just the four of them, facing the Hand's army of ninjas was impossible. So why hesitate? Blow the whole building sky-high and wipe out their stronghold in one strike!
...
"From what I've gathered, Alexandra hasn't been seen in a long time. Danny Rand is probably being held underground in that giant excavated pit. That's also where the Hand dug up the dragon bones."
Jessica stood on the crowded street, hands stuffed in her pockets like a loitering drifter.
Across from her loomed Midland Circle Financial, the Hand's secret base.
Their group had already learned the Hand's true motives from Stick. They knew Danny Rand had been taken because of his identity as the Iron Fist of K'un-Lun...
But what shocked them more was the revelation that beneath this bustling area near Manhattan lay the skeletal remains of an ancient creature, and the Hand's entire operation revolved around unearthing it.
"It feels like we've stumbled into some third-rate comic book plot... Evil villains seeking immortality and willing to destroy a whole city. And here we are, just four people recklessly trying to stop their grand scheme..." Jessica chewed her gum, sighing at the absurdity.
She'd only taken a missing person case (helping a housewife find her long-lost husband), and now she was tangled in the machinations of a sinister organization.
This ridiculous turn of events left the superpowered brunette deeply annoyed.
<...Besides being a private investigator, moonlighting as a heroine isn't so bad...>
Luke Cage's teasing voice crackled through the earpiece...
After days of meticulous preparation, the four street-level heroes of Hell's Kitchen were ready. Tonight, they would rescue Danny Rand and destroy the Hand's lair!
…..
~Midland Circle Financial, Conference Room~
Madame Gao, Murakami, Sowande, and Bakuto arrived one after another...
They had received Elektra's message: Danny Rand had opened the door beneath the building. Now, they were here to discuss how to excavate the dragon bones and transport them to safety.
The four exchanged glances, their eyes conveying unspoken calculations.
Finally, Murakami broke the silence, "I have close ties with Yashida Pharmaceuticals. We can transport the bones to Japan first..."
Madame Gao nodded in agreement as her own influence in Japan ran deep.
However... Sowande, whose power base lay in Africa, and Bakuto, who typically operated alone, hesitated.
With Alexandra dead, the Hand's five factions had fractured. Each of them now harbored ambitions of becoming the sole leader.
Elektra sitting in that seat was only a temporary measure. None of the four would ever accept the Black Sky ruling the Hand.
"Figure out your plan. The door is open, we can start excavating the bones anytime." Elektra's tone was indifferent, and her expression cold.
Her sharp gaze swept over the four in the room, a glint of icy killing intent flashing in her eyes, growing stronger by the second.
The usually reticent Bakuto spoke up, "You've mobilized a large number of ninjas tonight. Planning some major operation?"
The other three also turned their attention to Elektra. They had been wary of the Black Sky, fearing that she might eliminate them to seize control of the Hand.
"We've reached an agreement with Mr. K. He intends to use the Hand's forces to clean up Hell's Kitchen's gangs." Elektra's answer was dismissive.
Her piercing stare made Bakuto lower his eyes, saying nothing more. He was merely cautious, but upon reflection, with the dragon bones still unexcavated, it wasn't the right time to strike...
The shrewd Madame Gao studied Elektra closely. She sensed something… different about the Black Sky, which stirred an inexplicable unease in her.
Just as the four were lost in their own thoughts, a shrill alarm blared through the building. Chaos erupted as shouts and footsteps echoed from within.
Elektra's expression darkened, "We're under attack!"
Murakami's face twisted in anger, "It must be those troublemakers from Hell's Kitchen!"
This was the worst possible timing for interference.
Moments later, elite ninja guards reported the situation: Daredevil and his allies had breached the building and were charging toward the underground excavation site.
Hearing this, the group shot to their feet, their eyes burning with fury and impatience... all except Madame Gao, who remained composed.
"This is the perfect chance to wipe them all out!" Sowande's voice dripped with malice.
He had long wanted to eliminate Daredevil and his allies.
Bakuto agreed, "Since they've come for us, let them learn the price of crossing the Hand!"
Murakami was the first to stride out of the room, leading his ninjas toward the underground site. At this critical moment, the dragon bones could not be compromised... they were tied to his life, and the Hand's future!
The others followed swiftly.
Elektra walked at the forefront, a faint smirk curling her lips...
Just as Sean had predicted... the curtain had risen, and the show was about to begin...
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Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01