"What's wrong?"
Zenkichi looked at Nick Fury with mild curiosity. He couldn't quite figure out why the man had made such a remark.
"As a member of our S.H.I.E.L.D. team, the damages caused by your… activities will be covered by us," Nick Fury replied, his tone caught between resignation and irritation.
"Who told you that?"
Zenkichi frowned slightly. This was the first time he'd heard something so absurd.
"The United States military," Nick Fury answered with a bitter smile.
To be honest, he'd been just as surprised when he first heard it. But arguing with them was pointless—after all, their logic was sound, and their military power dwarfed even S.H.I.E.L.D.'s. Sometimes, the bigger fist wins.
"Looks like I'll have to go back and argue with them. How dare they try something like this."
Zenkichi nodded as if making a mental note, though his voice carried an edge that was more threat than idle comment.
"…"
Nick Fury was momentarily stunned. One second they were having a civil conversation, the next, Zenkichi was talking about picking a fight with the U.S. military?
What kind of logic is that? Fury thought.
Still, he didn't push the matter. Zenkichi's identity and abilities were far too unusual, and the last thing Fury wanted was to provoke him. If anything, treating the man like royalty seemed the safer choice. And, truthfully, Fury had enough frustration to deal with already—this situation was bizarre enough without adding more chaos.
"Let's get to the point," Fury said at last.
He glanced around at the assembled group, letting his gaze settle on each face before speaking again.
"I've noticed the crisis level here is rising sharply. Mutants, enhanced criminals, and dangerous individuals have been appearing with alarming frequency. Some show up almost every day. This is bad news for us—many of these people are not only highly mobile but also far stronger than the average operative. Some are even more powerful than we are.
"So, I've come to a decision: we should form an alliance. Work together to prevent these threats before they spiral out of control. What do you all think?"
The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of his words sank in. Several nodded slowly in understanding, though no one spoke immediately.
It wasn't a matter of confusion—it was hesitation.
Most of the people in that room were independent, strong-willed, and more than a little arrogant. Freedom was something they valued deeply. Joining an alliance meant committing to rules, obligations, and coordinated action—none of which sounded appealing to free agents and lone wolves.
Zenkichi broke the silence first. "I can go either way."
His voice was calm, almost casual, but his acceptance drew more than a few surprised looks. As someone outside any formal organization, his willingness to join was unexpected. Some, like the Hulk—now calm and composed—tilted their heads in mild astonishment.
Nick Fury's single eye widened slightly. Of all the people in the room, he hadn't expected Zenkichi to be the first to agree.
For Fury, this wasn't just a tactical win—it was a fan's dream. The Avengers, or at least the foundation of them, were starting to take shape right before his eyes.
"What?" Zenkichi raised an eyebrow at the stares. "It's just an alliance. It doesn't mean we're giving up our freedom."
His tone was laced with mild exasperation, as if the others were overthinking something simple.
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