After Matt's grueling training with Stick, his skills had improved significantly, but Stick didn't leave immediately after this session.
"Matt, several of our operatives have gone missing in New York. They were investigating The Hand. After you mentioned encountering their ninjas in the New York underworld, I dispatched people to investigate. It appears they are indeed here," Stick stated in his usual emotionless tone.
Matt frowned, asking, "Are we going to confront them?"
"Not yet. I need to return and prepare. With just us, it would be suicide. I'll return with reinforcements. I trust you're not reckless, Matt." Stick departed New York after saying this.
Matt was indeed not reckless; he wouldn't foolishly rush into a solo suicide mission. However, the cautious Matt would choose to gather information beforehand.
Matt had the best hearing in all of New York, but gathering information required more than just ears. There were many who were better at collecting intelligence. Matt was here to find that person today.
After leaving a signal, Matt waited on the rooftop. Soon, a voice spoke behind him: "You actually contacted me! This is truly incredible!"
The newcomer's face was stern, and he wore a black trench coat. It was, of course, Frank Castle, The Punisher, known for his ruthlessness and brutality.
Matt heard clearly that although Frank used exaggerated words, there wasn't a hint of emotion in his tone. Matt exhaled and said to Frank, "There's a big case, and I need your help."
Although the two of them didn't see eye-to-eye on how things should be handled – one for protection, the other for punishment – their work often overlapped.
Frank said seriously, "What is it? What's the lead?"
"An organization called The Hand is in New York, and they're selling drugs, trafficking people, and dealing arms like a regular gang, but that's just the surface. I received information that they have a big move coming up. Although it's not clear what it is, I can confirm that it will be much more dangerous than those gangs."
Matt didn't reveal too much to Frank, not because he was afraid of Frank leaking information, but because he was afraid of Frank going straight to their doorstep and killing everyone.
As expected, Frank immediately wanted to kill people when he heard this. "Tell me where they are quickly; these vermin must be eliminated immediately."
Matt shook his head. "Not yet. The enemy's forces are too large, and the two of us can't defeat them. I have help on the way to New York. What we need to do now is gather information. That's the reason I'm looking for you."
Frank didn't argue further, not because Matt had convinced him, but because Frank, with his special forces background, was adept at planning and executing decapitation missions. "How long until your help arrives?"
"Just a few days, soon!"
Frank nodded. "Then come meet my help." He then left the rooftop. Curious, Matt followed Frank, wanting to see who would team up with the cold Frank.
The two arrived at a deserted bar. There were only a few customers scattered around, but the woman at the bar, drinking heavily, was particularly eye-catching. Matt could even hear her exaggerated gulping sounds.
Jessica had become inseparable from alcohol after leaving S.H.I.E.L.D. She was especially fond of this bar and frequented it often.
Nick Fury had once mentioned Jessica to Frank, hoping Frank could straighten her out, but Frank wasn't a zealous babysitter.
"Jessica! We have a job to do! A big one!"
"Leave me alone, I'm drinking! Get lost! Hic~~~" Jessica wasn't even sure who she was anymore.
Frank could only turn to the bar owner and say, "Clear everyone out. We have important business tonight. Don't play games with me, Luke Cage!"
The burly black man stared at Frank for a long moment before choosing to close up shop early. "What's this all about? My business tonight is on your tab."
Frank scooped up a glass of ice water and splashed it in Jessica's face. "Are you awake?" Without waiting for Jessica's response, he continued, "Matt, explain things to them."
Matt sat at the bar and slowly began,
"Kingpin controls forty percent of the gang business in New York, and the rest is divided up. Recently, The Hand has emerged in New York, eating away at the business of smaller gangs. They specifically raise blind people to transport drugs, and they abduct women and children. I recently received information that they're planning something big. I intend to figure out their plans first and then eliminate them once my allies arrive. I need your help with this."
Jessica was furious when she heard about the blind people being raised, and the abduction of women and children was unforgivable. She immediately agreed, "I'm in! Count me in!"
Matt gave a soft laugh, "Thank you!"
Frank then looked at Luke Cage, "What about you?"
Luke Cage gave a wry smile. "I'd love to refuse, but I'm afraid you'd come after me first."
The next night, Matt and the others snuck into The Hand's drug manufacturing plant, hoping to gather information. Even if they didn't get any intel, taking out a drug factory would be worth the effort of going out so late.
Matt and Frank were a team, infiltrating the factory. Jessica and Luke Cage were providing support outside.
The factory was heavily guarded by Ninjas, as it was one of The Hand's key assets. Matt and Frank were both highly trained and capable of handling these sentries, but Jessica and Luke Cage were a bit outmatched.
Matt and Frank worked well together, perfectly avoiding the patrolling Ninjas and entering the factory without arousing suspicion.
However, Jessica's team encountered problems. A female Ninja named Shin discovered Jessica and Luke Cage lurking outside the factory.
Shin was one of The Hand's five fingers and Murakami's prized student. She had immense confidence in her abilities and charged at the two alone.
After the alarm was raised, Matt and Frank stopped hiding. Frank's exceptional marksmanship allowed him to hit every shot, almost always a headshot.
In terms of body count, neither Jessica with her super strength nor Luke Cage with his unbreakable skin could keep up with Frank's carnage, let alone Matt.
The first time Matt encountered the Hand ninjas, he couldn't handle even one. Now, he could take on a whole group. After the four of them teamed up, they quickly dispatched most of the ninjas, excluding Shin.
Shin's swordsmanship was exquisite; apart from Luke Cage, who was invulnerable, the other three couldn't be certain of victory.
But with Luke Cage there, it was enough. The other three swiftly cleared the remaining ninja grunts, while Luke Cage firmly engaged Shin.
Shin was incredibly frustrated. No matter how he slashed, he couldn't even scratch the black, muscular man in front of him. He wanted to switch opponents to someone he could actually hurt, but he couldn't.
The other three would keep their distance from Shin, leaving him for Luke Cage. Even though their opponent was being utterly dominated by their teammate, who would intentionally make things harder for themselves?
While Matt and the others were entangled with the Hand ninjas, Zed and Woz arrived nearby.
After watching for a while, Woz asked Zed, "Your Majesty, the Demon King, aren't we going down there?"
"Wait a minute, the actors haven't arrived yet, we… Hey, they're here. We'll go down in a bit."
After the news of Matt and the others attacking the drug factory reached Madame Gao, she immediately rushed to the scene. Several of Madame Gao's Ninjas joined the battle, relieving Shin, who was struggling.
Shin flashed to Madame Gao's side and bowed his head, thanking her, "Thank you for the rescue, Madame Gao."
Madame Gao raised her hand, not particularly caring, "We're all family, no need to worry. Besides, they're trashing my place."
After speaking to Shin, Madame Gao turned to face Matt and the others, tapping the ground with her cane and said, "Daredevil, Punisher, and two newcomers! You're not bad! Submit or die, choose for yourselves!"
The irritable Jessica was instantly enraged, and she cursed, "I choose your mother!" After saying that, she quickly charged towards Madame Gao, but none of the Ninjas around Madame Gao stopped her.
Just as Jessica was about to smash Madame Gao's head, a cane suddenly swung out and directly knocked Jessica away.
"Young people these days! They don't understand how to respect the elderly. Kill them," Madame Gao said casually, shaking her cane.
"Wait! You can't touch them." Zed and Woz approached from a distance, forming a three-way standoff.
"Zi-O! I knew you'd come looking for me again! But I definitely won't help you activate the Ridewatch." Matt refused Zed before he could even say anything.
Zed didn't care. "You'll be begging me soon enough. But for now, I've got this old hag to deal with." Then, ignoring Matt, Zed went straight for Madame Gao.
"I'm curious about the power of Chi. How about you show me what you've got?"
Madame Gao chuckled. "A frog in a well, thinking you can stand against the power of Chi just because you have some armor? I'll show you."
Before they could even start, everyone else had already found their own opponents to prevent anyone from interfering with their fight.
Zed took out the Zikan Blade and wiped it. "Here I go!" He charged towards Madame Gao. Although Madame Gao looked down on Zed, she knew the importance of going all out, even when facing a rabbit. She drew the sword hidden in her cane and met him head-on.
Clang!
The clashing of metal was deafening. Madame Gao channeled all of her Chi into her hands, barely managing to withstand Zed's power.
Facing Zed's terrifying strength, Madame Gao wasn't flustered. Sidestepping the sword, she used her agile and petite frame to strike Zed's chest with a palm, injecting her Chi into his meridians to damage his internal organs.
Zed felt the presence of Chi, but it was completely incomparable to the power passed down by the old demon king.
Somewhat disappointed, Zed kicked Madame Gao away: "Is there anything more exciting?"
------------------------
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(End of Chapter)