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"Do you want to research superweapons, just as it's recorded in the diary?"
Hearing Nick Fury's decision, Tony Stark was momentarily stunned, then truly began to ponder.
In terms of creating superweapons to defend the world, Iron Man wasn't as conservative as Captain America.
After all, the future him had already done so, hadn't he? It was just an accident that almost wiped out humanity.
At this moment, knowing that Asgard's Destroyer could easily destroy a small town and that the future Chitauri invasion of New York would force humanity to resort to nuclear weapons, Iron Man increasingly recognized the necessity.
His Destroyer armor is a living example! So, Tony Stark actually approved of researching superweapons to defend the world.
Seeing Iron Man's reaction, Nick Fury nodded to himself. It seemed he had made the right choice in approaching Tony Stark. This man indeed had a vision beyond ordinary people, beyond the general public's limitations.
However, when Tony Stark looked up again, he refused Nick Fury.
"I agree with your suggestion to develop superweapons. Humanity indeed lacks the means to deal with extraterrestrial threats."
"But I won't research the Tesseract for you."
"I don't want the Insight project to become a reality."
Iron Man firmly shook his head.
Superweapons are important, but even more crucial is the purity of control over the power of superweapons! Once a superweapon is under control by an intelligence agency, the nature completely changes.
It would become a tool for those in power to vie for dominance, instead of a weapon to defend the world!
This is also why Tony Stark resolutely refused to hand over his armor to the government. Iron Man understood human nature all too well.
Not to mention, SHIELD itself was infiltrated by Hydra, and even the major weapons developed by the SHIELD Director were snatched by Hydra.
Under these circumstances, how could Tony Stark dare to cooperate with SHIELD?
Wouldn't that be working for Hydra in vain?
"The Insight project is indeed embarrassing, but Stark, you can't judge me based on things that haven't happened."
"In fact, that's the experience of another guy in a parallel world with the same name as me, strictly speaking, unrelated to me."
"You don't think I, as the Director of SHIELD, after reading the diary, can't handle potential risks, do you?"
Nick Fury assured Tony Stark.
If he really wanted to use the Tesseract to research secret weapons, he would definitely exclude all of SHIELD's resources!
He would use his private resources for everything, without a doubt.
Just like now, seizing Ivan Vanko's technology.
"I still refuse."
"If you want me to research the Tesseract, there's only one possibility: you hand the Tesseract over to me for independent research."
"SHIELD cannot intervene."
Tony Stark seriously made this request to Nick Fury.
Isn't that equivalent to handing over the Tesseract on a silver platter? What a joke! Naturally, Nick Fury could not accept such an arrangement.
"Regrettably, it seems we can't reach an agreement on this matter."
Nick Fury also shook his head, deciding to give up on this idea for the time being.
If the approach with Tony Stark didn't work, then he would have to settle for another qualified scientist.
"That's right, it seems so."
Iron Man nodded, then, after a moment of contemplation, brought up another matter, "But I think we might reach an agreement on another matter."
"Are you considering joining the Avengers now?"
Nick Fury couldn't help but glance at Tony Stark with his one eye. Had Iron Man come to realize something?
"That's a discussion for another time."
"Just because another version of me joined doesn't mean I will."
"What I'm talking about is another matter, the Winter Soldier."
Winter Soldier!
Nick Fury's heart stirred, his gaze sharpening.
The diary clearly stated that this person was a Hydra super soldier.
One day in the future, he would even try to assassinate Nick Fury himself!
Though he ultimately failed, Nick Fury couldn't ignore such a matter.
On another note.
As the Director of SHIELD, Nick Fury couldn't allow Hydra to control a super soldier assassin.
So, indeed.
Upon receiving relevant intelligence, Nick Fury naturally conducted a secret investigation into the Winter Soldier.
Unfortunately, the subject's secrecy was deeper than Nick Fury had anticipated.
To this day, Nick Fury had only found some superficial information, nothing more.
More detailed intelligence was not uncovered.
Having no choice, considering the risk of alerting the target, Nick Fury couldn't use SHIELD resources to investigate the Winter Soldier, only using his personal power for secret investigations.
Efficiency was even lower.
"You must have investigated him; he almost killed you."
"And he killed my parents, so he's our common enemy. We both want to find him."
"On this matter, I think we can collaborate."
Tony Stark continued, speaking earnestly to Nick Fury.
For Nick Fury, this naturally posed no problem.
Iron Man's proposal actually aligned quite well with what Nick Fury wanted.
"So, what have you found about this Winter Soldier?"
Nick Fury's lone eye twinkled, staring at Tony Stark.
"Jarvis!"
Iron Man summoned Jarvis.
The attentive AI immediately projected the related information in front of Nick Fury.
Nick Fury perked up, no longer delaying, and began examining the specific intelligence.
Among them were some pieces even he hadn't come across, which were very useful to him.
Undoubtedly, Tony Stark was not to be underestimated.
"What about you?"
"Is there anything I don't know?"
Tony Stark asked, his voice echoing, unable to resist inquiring."You're underestimating me, Stark?"
Nick Fury couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"If you can dig up some dirt, do you think I can't?"
Yes, you, Tony, have tech that far surpasses this era.
Even I, as the Director of SHIELD, can't help but praise Jarvis's brilliance.
But I have my advantages too!
Advantages Jarvis couldn't dream of!
After all, Jarvis can only operate online.
He can unearth things deeply hidden online that even SHIELD can't find.
But what about the traces beyond the internet?
Jarvis is out of his depth there.
On the contrary, as the Director of SHIELD, I am an expert in that field.
The vast resources and experience amassed throughout a spy chief's career are not to be underestimated.
"I indeed have something you'd find very interesting."
"Of course, I believe it could be of great help to you."
"I'll have Natasha bring the details to you later."
After pondering for a moment, Nick Fury made a decision as if it were obvious, "Perfect, Natasha is your assistant, after all. Let her stay here and work with you on the investigation into the Winter Soldier."
"From now on, she will act as a liaison between you and me."
Tony Stark couldn't help but give Fury a strange look, "I was actually thinking about firing her, did you plan all this?"
Iron Man wasn't lying.
Keeping Black Widow around was initially to use her as a double agent against SHIELD.
But now that he and Nick Fury have laid all cards on the table, Tony Stark wouldn't keep a spy by his side.
Tony had already decided to fire Black Widow the moment Fury left.
Despite Black Widow's stunning looks and fiery figure, which Iron Man found quite pleasing to the eye, thinking of such a beautiful woman as a spy made Tony Stark uncomfortable.
But plans change.
For now, he really had to keep Black Widow by his side.
Thus, they amicably agreed to collaborate on investigating the Winter Soldier.
"Stark, if you ever come around, feel free to let me know."
After discussing the main matter, Nick Fury didn't waste any more time with Tony Stark.
After greeting Iron Man, he left Stark's luxurious home.
"Director, where to next?"
Back in his car, Agent Hill swiftly started the engine, inquiring about Fury's next move.
"Let's check on the Captain."
After a moment of thought, Fury gave Hill this answer.
Agent Hill didn't ask any further questions unnecessary for her to know, efficiently drove the car, taking Nick Fury to the base where Captain America was housed.
After making his presence felt at Captain America's and indirectly probing his attitudes, Fury left.
No choice.
Although Fury desperately wanted Captain America to join the Avengers immediately, the Captain's condition was not great.
Nick Fury was well aware of the principle of hastening slowly.
It seemed he had to visit Captain America more often in the future.
After leaving Captain America, Fury reappeared before Zhou Cheng.
"Mr. Satan, I've come to see if there's any chance you might change your mind."
Facing Zhou Cheng, Nick Fury was much more direct, quickly explaining his visit after some brief courtesies.
Zhou Cheng spread his hands helplessly: "If that's the case, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I haven't changed my mind."
"And I don't think I'll change it in the future either."
"So, if it's still about the Avengers, it's best not to waste any more time."
Zhou Cheng's refusal was very clear.
Nick Fury wasn't too surprised by this and didn't insist too much.
"Understood."
Fury nodded, then stared straight at Zhou Cheng, "Mr. Satan, what if SHIELD hires you to handle some... special and difficult matters?"
Although Fury was being tactful, he believed that as the owner of the notebook, Zhou Cheng understood what he meant.
"That depends on two important factors."
Zhou Cheng seriously held up two fingers, "First, if your offer is right, and second, if I'm in a good mood."
Being a mercenary, considering the offer is justifiable, but requiring a good mood might seem a bit capricious.
Fury couldn't help but silently criticize.
"Mr. Satan, I have a feeling this won't be our last meeting."
After leaving this rather pretentious remark with Zhou Cheng, Fury left again.
"Director, the situation in New Mexico has been arranged."
It had to be said that Coulson was quite reliable; not long after returning to SHIELD headquarters, Fury received Coulson's report.
At the same time, Alexander Pierce in the Triskelion's top floor office also received the same report.
"Nick is deploying agents to New Mexico?"
"Because a hammer is going to fall from the sky?"
Alexander Pierce, intrigued by this intelligence, wondered where Nick Fury had gotten his information. Considering how seriously he was taking it, the hammer falling from the sky must be something significant!
As a former Director of SHIELD and now the head of Hydra, Pierce had encountered many extraordinary artifacts before.
He was quite interested in this hammer that would fall from the sky.
If possible, Pierce naturally intended to bring the artifact into Hydra's possession.
However, this matter was still in its early stages and didn't require haste.
Pierce needed only to let Hydra's infiltrators stay in New Mexico for now, keeping an eye on developments.
Doing anything more might alert Nick Fury, who was already suspicious by nature.
No, Nick Fury must have already noticed something!
Pierce's expression became grave.
After capturing Ivan Vanko, the subsequent actions had completely isolated Hydra!