Inside an office building, Victor frowned as he stared out the window, his eyes heavy with unease. He had already witnessed Kurogai's methods firsthand. Ever since receiving Kurogai's orders, Victor had begun preparations, though in the back of his mind he had entertained his own schemes. But when today's news reached him, every stray thought of rebellion was swiftly crushed.
Victor wasn't a fool. Anyone in his position had their own sources, and through his network of informants, he quickly learned who had fought those two monstrous beings on the street. It was Kurogai—the same man who had threatened him not long ago.
The realization sent a chill through Victor's spine. A man who could go toe-to-toe with monsters like that was not someone he could afford to provoke. If Kurogai ever discovered Victor's small attempts at sabotage, Victor was certain his life would be forfeit.
Terrified, he ordered his men to dismantle every hidden plan and remove anything that might look suspicious. The risk wasn't worth it. He would do nothing unnecessary that might attract Kurogai's attention.
"I just hope this goes smoothly," Victor muttered, sighing deeply.
A quiet voice suddenly echoed behind him.
"What are you hoping for, Victor?"
Victor froze. That voice—far too familiar. With effort, he turned, and there sat Kurogai, calmly seated in front of him as though he had always been there.
"I-I was talking about the plan you mentioned earlier," Victor stammered. "I hope it goes well."
"I suggest you don't do anything foolish," Kurogai said, his tone calm but cutting. "Because the consequences are more than you can handle."
Kurogai's eyes pierced through him, clearly aware of Victor's attempt at deflection. Yet Kurogai didn't press further. There was no need. As long as he was here, Victor couldn't act against him. If Victor ever disobeyed, Kurogai could simply crush him without effort.
"Tell me the progress," Kurogai commanded. His voice carried no room for negotiation.
Victor swallowed and began his report. "The spacecraft is ready. Of course, no ship can guarantee absolute safety, but the design is stable. As for genetic testing and related preparations, those will take several more days."
"That's fine. Take your time with it," Kurogai replied evenly. "But one more thing—I need you to find an astronaut named Ben Grimm. Assign him to handle extravehicular operations."
Victor blinked but quickly nodded. "Yes, understood!"
Once Kurogai had made his point clear and issued his orders, he rose and left. Soon he was back at Fisk's manor, where he had been staying.
For now, he would remain in New York. The coming days were critical, and Kurogai needed to ensure events unfolded as closely to the original course as possible. While waiting, he sparred with the Hulk to sharpen his combat skills, and of course, spent time with Susan, gradually strengthening the bond between them.
Meanwhile, the aftermath of the street battle rippled through the city. News spread quickly, impossible to contain. After all, both the Hulk and the Abomination were colossal beings, their fight leaving destruction in their wake. Entire blocks had been shaken by their clash. And when Kurogai himself stepped in, the spectacle drew even more eyes.
Eyewitnesses retold the story across New York, and soon it spread to other cities and beyond. The image of a lone figure standing against monsters captured people's imagination. To many, Kurogai was a hero.
America had always revered its heroes, and this man fit the mold, at least in their eyes. Some even began calling him an unknown guardian of the city. Tony Stark's sudden arrival at the end of the battle only fueled speculation. If only the public knew the truth—that Kurogai was no ordinary hero, and far from the kind of man who fit their polished ideals.
The military, however, was far less enthusiastic. The incident had been their fault to begin with, born from their reckless insistence on perfecting the Super Soldier Serum. Still, they couldn't publicly admit this. So, despite their bitterness toward Kurogai, they downplayed the incident and shifted the blame away from themselves.
For now, that meant no official action against him. But everyone knew—if the military truly chose to confront Kurogai, they would be the ones to suffer, not him.
And as the whispers grew louder, other forces began to take notice. In S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Director Nick Fury rubbed his forehead, already feeling the weight of another problem. His grand plan to form a team had yet to materialize, and now this unpredictable figure had entered the game.
Fury sighed. Kurogai Blackwood had just made things a lot more complicated.
____
Send Power stones.