In contrast to the previous storyline, this time Nick Fury specifically came to find Iron Man, not just to form the Avengers.
That quiz system was also one of Nick Fury's targets.
"Colson should have told you everything that needed to be said, right?" Iron Man shrugged and said casually.
"Indeed, he did tell me, but I still want to hear your thoughts," Nick Fury replied.
"After all, aside from your personality flaws, you're a rare genius and might notice things that Colson missed."
Nick Fury spoke with a serious expression.
Iron Man then began talking with Nick Fury about the quiz system, but he didn't provide any new information.
Colson was an agent, and in terms of intelligence gathering and information integration, he was actually better than Iron Man.
This quiz system was beyond Iron Man's level of knowledge as well, and when it came to understanding and analysis, Iron Man didn't offer any groundbreaking insights.
"Then, Mr. Stark, could I see your Tesseract fragment?" Nick Fury made the same request again.
"Sorry, it's not personal against you, but the Tesseract fragment is my private possession, and I won't show it to anyone." Iron Man refused without hesitation.
The Tesseract fragment was a magical object capable of granting life to metal and transforming it into mechanical lifeforms, an irresistible allure for a tech enthusiast like Iron Man.
In his eyes, aside from his armor, nothing was more important than the Tesseract.
Moreover, the Tesseract fragment was a consumable—its energy was depleted little by little with each use, which only made Iron Man value it even more.
"That's truly a shame," Nick Fury said with regret but didn't push further.
He then stood up, bade farewell to Iron Man, and left Stark Tower.
"Tony, why did the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. come to find you? Did something happen?" After holding her curiosity for a while, Pepper Potts couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing, after my real identity was exposed, these kinds of troublesome things are bound to happen." Iron Man casually brushed it off.
Neither the Avengers nor the quiz system matters were things Iron Man was willing to share with Pepper right now.
"So what were you doing when you admitted you were Iron Man?" Pepper asked, not so pleased.
To ordinary people, Iron Man announcing his identity might seem like just a juicy gossip, nothing more.
But to those in the upper echelons, the sudden appearance of the Iron Man armor was a game-changing bombshell, one that could potentially alter the world's power structure.
What Iron Man didn't know was that many, including military, the Department of Defense, big clients of Stark Industries, and even international elites, had reached out to Pepper Potts, all wanting to purchase the Iron Man armor.
So after Iron Man explained himself, Pepper Potts subconsciously assumed that Nick Fury came for the Iron Man armor, without much suspicion.
After getting rid of Pepper, Iron Man returned to his work.
In the time that followed, he developed a set of drones specifically designed for scanning and detection on the ocean's surface.
Once his tasks were sorted, Iron Man took his specialized equipment and flew toward the distant Arctic Ocean.
Meanwhile, by the time Iron Man set off, Black Widow had already arrived in the Arctic region, leading a tactical team to search for Captain America.
...
The Tri-Cornered Wing Building.
In a luxurious office on the highest floor.
"Nick Fury sent Black Widow to lead a team to search for Captain America in the Arctic?"
The former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., now the World Security Council Minister, Alexander Pierce, looked at Crossbones in front of him, a look of surprise on his face.
Wasn't Captain America already dead? Why would Nick Fury suddenly send people to search for him?
—Even though the tactical team sent by Nick Fury consisted entirely of his trusted subordinates, Pierce had no idea that S.H.I.E.L.D. had already been infiltrated by Hydra to an appalling degree.
The loyalty of his subordinates and their allegiance to others were, in fact, unrelated.
Thus, Nick Fury's every move was practically transparent to Pierce.
"Director, since Nick Fury has already sent out the search team, it means he must have enough evidence to prove that Captain America is not dead!"
Crossbones said in a low voice to Minister Pierce.
Minister Pierce nodded.
Then a deep, knowing smile appeared on his face: "Captain America… He's an old friend."
Compared to Iron Man, Colson, and the others, Minister Pierce quickly accepted this seemingly absurd fact.
The reason was simple: Pierce had a special forces operative from World War II, the Winter Soldier.
Ironically, the Winter Soldier was also Captain America's comrade and close friend.
If the Winter Soldier could survive all these years, then why couldn't Captain America still be alive?
"Director, what should we do? Should we eliminate him?" Crossbones asked, his voice full of killing intent.
Hydra was expelled by Captain America, and even their former leader Schmidt was killed by Captain America, causing their power to be almost eradicated.
Hydra held a deep, personal grudge against Captain America.
"No, Captain America is the only perfect super soldier in the world. It'd be a shame to just kill him."
Minister Pierce shook his head, "Moreover, an American hero, the super soldier who once eliminated Hydra, now serving Hydra, wouldn't that be an interesting development?"
"Director, with all due respect, Captain America could never serve Hydra." Crossbones disagreed.
"He will, just like the Winter Soldier," Minister Pierce said with a knowing smile.
Crossbones immediately understood: Minister Pierce didn't intend to try to recruit or persuade Captain America, but rather to turn him into another pure tool for killing.
It was, indeed, a good idea.
"Director, he'll be even better than the Winter Soldier," Crossbones said with an expectant smile.
"Keep a close watch on the rescue team. Once they find Captain America, take him immediately! I'll send the Winter Soldier to carry out this mission, and you'll provide full support!"
Minister Pierce made the decision.
"Understood, Director!" Crossbones responded loudly.
(End of Chapter)