While Nick Fury pondered the dangers and potential benefits of ninjas, elsewhere, Barton learned that S.H.I.E.L.D. had recruited a ninja and was conducting strength tests.
He immediately geared up and rushed over, eager to participate in testing the ninja's abilities and to gauge his own level among ninjas.
Kabuto had completed the necessary procedures for joining S.H.I.E.L.D. with the agents by his side. Now, one of the agents spoke up, "Now, it's time for your strength test. What do you need to prepare?"
Kabuto looked at him and asked, "Can I use ninja tools?"
"You'll have someone to spar with later, and you can use ninja tools."
Kabuto opened a leather case containing shurikens, kunais, and a forehead protector made of Adamantium alloy that Coulson had given him.
He took out the shurikens and kunais and put them in his ninja tool bag. As for the forehead protector with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo engraved on it, Kabuto chose not to wear it and kept it in the case.
The agent looked at the three leather cases that Kabuto carried and said, "Your dormitory is ready. You can put your things there first."
Kabuto smiled humbly and said, "Could you please lead me to the dormitory then? I'll put my things away first."
"Sure, follow me."
"Your dormitory is in the rest area, a single room with all the necessary facilities, although it's not very big, it has a bathroom and kitchen."
"That sounds nice."
"Yeah, it's not common for people to have their own rooms at headquarters."
"It seems that the Director values you very much, after all, you're the first ninja to join S.H.I.E.L.D."
Kabuto didn't find it strange at all and replied, "Well, most of them are ninja from ninja villages. They're not like me, with the right to join other organizations."
As they conversed, they soon arrived at the door of a house in the rest area, after taking the elevator. The agent took out a card, opened the door, and handed the card to Kabuto.
"This is the key to your room, as well as the access card to enter the Triskelion. Your information is stored inside, and you'll need to swipe the card to enter the building."
"After the strength test, I'll give you a copy of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s rules and regulations, which you need to memorize."
"Also, there are many restricted areas in the Triskelion. You won't be able to enter without permission, so you shouldn't wander around, or alarms will go off."
Kabuto nodded in acknowledgment and entered the room.
Inside the room, Kabuto took a look around. It was a nicely decorated fifty-square-meter suite. After placing the three leather cases on the coffee table in the living room, Kabuto walked out of the room.
He closed the door and then said to the agent standing by, "Let's go. We'll proceed with the strength assessment."
Seeing that Kabuto was ready, the agent led him to the assessment area.
Kabuto's sparring partner was someone who had been injected with a strengthening serum.
The location for the sparring between the enhanced agent Hawkeye Barton and Kabuto was not inside the Triskelion but in a nearby factory.
This factory, about the size of three basketball courts, had a wooden floor, making the place quite spacious.
Barton arrived fully armed, carrying a bow made of Adamantium alloy equipped with high-tech devices for controlling arrow replacement. His quiver contained three types of arrows: explosive arrows, specialty arrows made of vibranium, and the most numerous type made of secondary Adamantium alloy.
All three types of arrows were highly lethal, albeit costly. In addition to the quiver on his back, Barton also carried a 60-centimeter-long dagger on his waist as his melee weapon.
After observing the sparring area, Barton chose a suitable shooting position and waited.
…
Meanwhile-
In a meeting room at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion, Nick Fury was accompanied by several high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. officials and members of the science team. In front of them was a huge screen displaying the live feed from the sparring location.
Maria Hill, Phil Coulson, and Nick Fury watched the screen attentively as an agent operated the equipment, transmitting the footage of the sparring area to the screen.
Nick Fury turned to the members of the science team and said, "Based on the electronic devices and video recordings, calculate the opponent's speed, strength, explosive power, and other data. The Chakra Monitoring Center will also cooperate with you to monitor his Chakra burst intensity."
One of the members of the science team quickly tapped on the computer and replied, "Yes, sir."
Maria Hill then asked Nick Fury, "Do you think Barton can accurately test the opponent's strength? Despite having been injected with the strengthening serum, his physical qualities are still far from those of a ninja, according to known data."
"What's the significance of such a test? Aren't you concerned about one-sided dominance or the potential loss of Barton as an asset due to a mistake on the opponent's part?"
Nick Fury shook his head in response to Hill's sharp question. "He's just a wandering ninja, not even from a small ninja village. According to the intelligence we've gathered, the power hierarchy is: Major Ninja Village > Small Ninja Village > Wandering Ninja.
Moreover, Barton's enhancement has significantly increased his strength, especially when combined with his bow and arrows."
"If Barton, in his current state, can't even contend with a wandering ninja, I'm worried about the future."
Hearing Nick Fury's explanation, Hill didn't press further and waited for the match to begin.
However, Agent Sitwell spoke up, "While both sides possess formidable strength, I'm more concerned about another issue."
"According to our S.H.I.E.L.D. tradition, every recruit from outside needs a supervisor to guide them, helping them understand the knowledge and combat abilities required of agents and providing emotional support."
"Having such a person present can deepen the recruit's recognition of S.H.I.E.L.D. and its agents."
"As for Kabuto, who will be his supervising agent?"