"Welcome back, Captain."
As Captain America opened his eyes, Agent Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. greeted him with visible relief. But Steve Rogers' expression was filled with alarm. Without a word, he shoved Coulson aside and bolted from the room.
His memories were still locked in the battle against Red Skull—everyone around him felt like the enemy.
Bursting out of the tent into the freezing white expanse, Steve found himself in the middle of an icy wasteland. Disoriented, he looked around, his breath visible in the frigid air.
Nearby, Arakawa Zenkichi approached him with a calm smile. "Steve Rogers, your memory seems a bit scrambled. Don't worry, just take a moment and listen to what we have to say."
Waking up Captain America had earned Zenkichi a notable achievement point from the system, putting him in an excellent mood.
But Steve's instincts told him otherwise. His eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he charged at Zenkichi, treating him as a threat.
Zenkichi didn't move. He simply smiled. "You want to fight me?"
Steve Rogers was impressive—for a human. Enhanced by the Super Soldier Serum, trained in hand-to-hand combat, and wielding a vibranium shield, he was indeed formidable... for his time.
But Zenkichi wasn't just anyone.
With a single finger, he unleashed a wave of spiritual pressure. It was like a mountain crashing down.
Steve's knees buckled under the immense force. Gravity itself seemed to betray him, pinning his limbs to the frozen ground.
"Wait!"
"Zenkichi, please show mercy!" Coulson rushed forward, followed by several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
Zenkichi calmly responded, "Relax, I'm just helping him calm down."
Relieved, Coulson approached Steve. "Captain, my name is Coulson. I'm a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. You're no longer in the war. It's been seventy years. We just recovered you from the ice."
Steve's eyes widened in disbelief. The words seemed distant, surreal.
Coulson gave a warm smile. "I know it's a lot to take in, but you're safe now. We'll help you catch up."
Zenkichi released the pressure holding Steve down. Together with Coulson, they helped him to his feet and boarded the transport aircraft.
As they flew toward New York City, Steve grew quieter, observing the unfamiliar technology around him. Slowly, reality began to sink in.
Then the skyline of modern New York came into view.
Skyscrapers taller than he ever imagined. Billboards flashing with colors and sounds that didn't exist in his time.
Steve sat in silence, his voice a whisper, "It's true… Seventy years... I missed my date."
The thought of Peggy tugged painfully at his heart.
At his request, Coulson arranged for him to visit his remaining friends—but first, Steve needed to be officially registered with S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Captain, welcome back."
The African S.H.I.E.L.D. director greeted him warmly despite being buried in reports about Hydra.
As Steve overheard agents discussing Hydra, his gaze sharpened.
"Hydra…?" The name ignited something deep within.
He turned to the director. "Hydra's still active?"
The director hesitated, then gave a grim nod. "They've infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. We've only uncovered the surface. It's much worse than we thought."
Steve stood up straight, his voice clear. "Then I want in."
The director looked at him with respect. "Your story's always been one of courage, Captain. But the Hydra we face now isn't what you fought back then. They're hidden, patient. This will be a long, difficult war."
"You'll need to adapt to this new world, Steve. Learn what's changed—and how to fight again. For now, you should reconnect with those from your past. I've approved it."
Steve hesitated, but eventually nodded. He had to catch up with this world before he could protect it.
Meanwhile, despite their recent defeats, Hydra had not given up. Their eyes were still on Venom—the alien symbiote that could grant terrifying power to its host.
They had initially planned to steal the symbiote from S.H.I.E.L.D., but Zenkichi had already taken it out of their reach.
S.H.I.E.L.D. itself had wanted the symbiote too. The power it contained was too great to ignore.
Some of Hydra's operatives, who had escaped detection, contacted associates with knowledge of alien biotechnology. Among them was Obadiah Stane.
He allied himself with Hammer Industries and together they rescued Whiplash, a genius with extraordinary technological skill. The three formed a dangerous alliance to take down Tony Stark.
As the situation escalated, Stark—battered and outmatched—sent out a desperate distress call.
And Zenkichi answered.