Natasha Romanoff was startled. She thought she had concealed herself well, so how did this guy discover her?
"I don't have a gun on me. You can search me if you like," Natasha said, spreading her arms to Johnson.
Natasha eyed Johnson, ready to subdue him in moments if he dared approach.
"I'll say it again, throw out the gun you have on you. Don't make me put a hole in your forehead," Johnson threatened, his expression unwavering.
Natasha's smile faded. It seemed this guy wasn't bluffing; he really knew she was armed.
"Alright." Natasha shrugged helplessly, retrieved a gun from her waist, and tossed it aside, giving Johnson an innocent look. "There, it's gone now."
Ethan Walker, inhabiting Johnson, wasn't convinced. Black Widow was known for her dual guns. What did she mean by discarding only one?
"There's another one! Make her throw it out!" Ethan insisted, wanting to avoid any mishaps.
"You still have another gun! Throw it out quickly! Don't make me repeat myself!" Johnson barked, glaring at Natasha.
Natasha felt a bit frustrated. How did he know?
With the looming threat, she knew she couldn't dodge at such close range. She lifted her skirt, revealing black tights with a gun tucked inside her right thigh. Natasha removed it and threw it on the ground.
Natasha looked at Johnson, saying helplessly, "This time, it's really gone."
"Very good! Make her come over! Then you'll be free," Ethan was excited. With the danger eliminated and her approaching, he could switch hosts. He had been in a man's body long enough.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of joy crossed Johnson's face. He aimed the pistol at Natasha and shouted, "Walk over slowly. You'd better not make any sudden moves! Believe me, my bullet will definitely be faster than your actions!"
With Ethan's influence, Johnson had become slightly superhuman, his reflexes and fitness matching Natasha's.
Natasha raised her hands and slowly advanced. A hint of joy flashed in her eyes. She was Black Widow, a Superhero Agent. Even without a gun, she could subdue Johnson at close range.
Both were unaware of each other's thoughts. Johnson believed that once Natasha approached, he'd be free of the symbiote. Natasha thought that once close enough, she'd take down this bold gangster.
Ethan was equally excited. With Natasha as his host, he'd replicate the genes of the Green Hulk, Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, and more. What could Thanos do against him then?
Moreover, Natasha—Scarlett Johansson—was a goddess to many. He could get close to her, couldn't he?
Just two meters apart, as Natasha prepared to strike, Johnson stumbled unexpectedly. He instinctively grabbed Natasha's skirt, tearing it and causing Natasha to fall onto him.
Taking advantage of the moment, Ethan transferred from Johnson's back to Natasha's tights, hiding beneath her auburn hair.
Natasha quickly kicked away Johnson's pistol, restraining him with ease.
Something felt off to Natasha. This was too smooth, as if pre-arranged. Johnson's eyes held a mix of relief and pity, which puzzled her.
Ignoring the oddities, Natasha dragged Johnson outside.
Outside the factory, the police were stunned to see Natasha escorting Johnson. They recognized him as the notorious gangster they had been surrounding.
"You'll hold this guy for now. Someone from above will come to take him away," Natasha instructed, her tone indifferent.
Internally, Natasha was annoyed. What was Nick Fury thinking? This guy had powers? If he did, how could he be subdued so easily? She'd definitely protest when she got back.
"No problem, ma'am. Care for a drink sometime?" the police chief invited, smiling.
"No, thank you. I need to go home and rest now," Natasha declined with a smile.
"That's a real shame," the chief remarked, then turned to manage the cleanup.
As Natasha walked away, she pondered Johnson's final gaze. This wasn't the demeanor of someone capable of such deeds. Was there someone else behind it?
But then she smiled. She wasn't a detective; such matters were for Nick Fury to investigate. She'd just follow orders.
Unbeknownst to her, a pool of black liquid was slowly infiltrating her tights.
## Chapter 3: First Meeting, Please Take Care of Me
"Natasha, how was the mission?" Nick Fury's voice crackled through the phone, his tone light.
"You are truly wasting my time. I suspect you're retaliating against your subordinates," Natasha complained.
"What happened?" Nick Fury asked, surprised.
"You said this guy was a mutant. He seemed like an ordinary person to me, a clumsy thief at best. He doesn't seem capable of killing drug kingpins," Natasha replied.
In her brief encounter, she knew Johnson wasn't someone who could eliminate drug kingpins.
"This... I'm not sure either," Nick Fury admitted, puzzled. How could someone who silently eliminated drug kingpins not be a mutant?
If S.H.I.E.L.D.'s information was wrong, what could be trusted?
"I've caught the person for you. The rest is up to you. Just don't disturb my vacation again," Natasha said, yawning.
She suddenly felt an unusual fatigue but dismissed it and hung up.
Nick Fury pondered Johnson's situation, awaiting his arrival at S.H.I.E.L.D. for answers.