"Since you're here too, Nick, let's get down to business. It's time to show Mr. Stark just how serious we are about the future."
Pierce smiled and gave Fury a pat on the shoulder.
"Agent Fury, I've just upgraded your clearance to the highest level. I'm sure you understand what that means."
Upon hearing this, Fury's previously calm expression shifted. His eyes widened in shock.
"What do you mean?!"
"The meaning is simple. From this moment on, you're the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. As for me, I'll step into the background and focus solely on communication with the World Security Council. No matter how hard LexCorp tries to smear us in the U.S., in the end, we're still an international organization, aren't we?"
Pierce wasn't wrong. LexCorp's move to sever S.H.I.E.L.D. from America had hit them hard. However, they couldn't be wiped out just like that.
Whether or not the U.S. could still use the agency openly to serve its interests, their true purpose remained unchanged:
It was to handle supernatural events across the globe.
That was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s core mission.
Even if the grand notion of "protecting the world" was removed, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s capability in monitoring extraordinary events worldwide had been proven over the years.
No country, including the U.S., would truly give up on such an established system. Not if they wanted to avoid falling into chaos the next time some strange power surfaced out of nowhere.
So the idea of the agency disappearing completely was simply impossible.
But for Fury, this was never about global politics. What mattered to him was...
"You're changing directors at a time like this? Do you even realize the consequences?"
Even in an organization full of spies, a leadership transition came with growing pains.
Fury's sudden promotion to Director made it hard to gain the trust of agents from all over the world.
If this had happened under normal circumstances, with a gradual rollout and steady handover of power, taking over Pierce's role wouldn't have been difficult. But right now, with everything happening so fast, it was clearly a rushed decision.
Just as Fury was about to say something more, Tony suddenly spoke up.
"If you don't at least put on a show right now, are you planning to just let LexCorp take over America ahead of schedule?"
"What?!"
Fury was once again stunned. He couldn't understand it. How would refusing the leadership handover help LexCorp control the United States?
"Do you know what document Luthor keeps on his desk?" Tony asked. Both Pierce and Fury leaned in, listening closely.
"'The Great Conquest.' That's the name of it. Lex Luthor is a lunatic. He doesn't only want America. He wants the whole world. Currently, he's using public opinion as a weapon to force the government, which is already under his thumb, to sever all ties with you. And you plan to just cling to your so-called importance and wait it out? Do you really think Luthor is the kind of man to let something like this slide? Do you think Reid, with his psychic powers and insight into the human mind, would miss a chance like this?"
Fury fell silent for a moment. He knew full well that both of these men were intelligent and dangerous. But he still couldn't quite figure out how declining the position of Director would assist LexCorp in any way.
Tony didn't let him dwell on it for long.
"Originally, in LexCorp's plan, they were still eight years away from fully controlling the United States. And let me be clear—you have no way to stop it. Luthor has been playing by the rules since the beginning. He plans to use those eight years to reshape America as the Mayor of New York, Governor of New York State, and Chairman of LexCorp. He wants to overhaul jobs, security, and the economy. Everything will skyrocket. He'll use any method necessary except starting a war. Now you tell me, in that situation, what exactly can you do to stop Luthor from walking into the White House after eight years?"
The answer was obvious.
S.H.I.E.L.D. always talked about justice and peace. But if Luthor really delivered everything he promised, even if he turned the U.S. from a republic into a monarchy, as long as the public approved, the agency wouldn't be able to resist. And if LexCorp managed to push America ahead of the entire world, getting rid of the "two-term president" rule wouldn't be so hard either.
"Lex Luthor. Reid Pennyworth. They both understand human nature. With the people behind them, LexCorp is invincible. Unless S.H.I.E.L.D. has a superhuman hidden somewhere who can assassinate Luthor under Reid's protection, there's nothing you can do. Not to mention, the entire country is now angry. All eyes are on you. And your plan is to hide and wait it out? Can you really be that naive? If you don't make a move, Luthor gets to decide when this storm ends."
Tony's words finally made Fury start to see the bigger picture.
"If Pierce steps down publicly, takes responsibility, and passes the position to you, then public outrage will start to cool. Luthor won't risk losing the people's trust by attacking you head-on. But if you stay stubborn and refuse to adapt, regardless of whether LexCorp pushes the military to move against you, their private security forces could wipe you out and still receive public applause. That applause might just carry Luthor into the White House four years early."
By the time Tony finished, Fury had fully grasped the situation and didn't hesitate any longer. He accepted the proposal, took on the role of Director, and began a covert collaboration with Tony and Stark Industries.
"I do have one question, Mr. Stark," Fury said. "Why would you rather work with us than stay aligned with LexCorp? The conflict between Stark Industries and LexCorp doesn't seem that serious."
"The reason is not complicated."
The best disguise is no disguise at all. Tony answered directly.
"I want to find the hidden Hydra agents. I want to find the people responsible for killing my parents. And to do that, there are certain things I need to take back from LexCorp."
"I see."
That response put Fury at ease, and not just him, Pierce also let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Hydra, huh? Even though he was part of the organization himself, he didn't feel threatened. If Tony wanted S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help to hunt them, that wasn't a problem. Just hand over a few old abandoned bases and let the man clear them out. It would keep the cooperation alive and give Hydra time to grow stronger by leveraging S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark Industries's resources.
With a satisfied smile, Pierce left the office after officially handing over his authority. But what he didn't know was that Tony had been watching his every move. Things weren't nearly as simple as he believed.
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