Inside a fully enclosed interrogation room at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Trident Headquarters.
But at this moment, there were no prisoners, only Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff.
On the only table in the room lay a tablet, repeatedly playing a video in slow motion, at one-tenth of its original speed.
In the recording, Natasha's movements were ghost-like, every dodge, block, and counterattack precise to the millimeter.
Her opponents were five experienced Level 7 Agents, yet in front of her, they seemed like toddlers taking their first steps.
She could always anticipate the trajectory of their attacks half a second in advance, then defeat them with the most concise and efficient strike, without a single wasted movement.
"Five minutes and twenty-three seconds," Nick Fury's voice was low, his single eye glinting with scrutiny and vigilance, "You took down the elite team of five, including Ward, setting a new fastest record for all comparable tests in S.H.I.E.L.D. history."
He raised his head, his gaze like a knife, piercing directly at Natasha.
"Your previous report only stated that the target, Lynt, and his Apex Amplification Company, had mysterious backgrounds and immense financial resources. But you didn't explain why, after merely attending a banquet and dancing with him, you returned as if you'd almost become a Super Soldier."
Fury's tone intensified: "Your current neural reaction speed, muscle density, and dynamic vision have all undergone terrifying increases. Tell me, Natasha, what exactly happened? What did that Lynt do to you?"
Natasha's face was expressionless, but her mind was racing.
Of course, she couldn't say that she had suddenly gained abilities after sleeping with a man.
If she said something like that, Fury would only consider her a brainwashed lunatic and directly confine her to isolation.
"I don't know," she replied calmly, meeting Fury's scrutinizing gaze without the slightest evasion.
"As I wrote in my report, Lynt is a strange man. At the banquet, he merely helped me up, and I felt a strange warm current flow into my body."
"Warm current?" Fury's brows furrowed even deeper.
"Yes," Natasha continued her fabricated explanation, "After that, my senses became abnormally acute. When I tested upon returning, I was startled myself. I believe this might be an unknown biological hormone, or some kind of instant enhancement technology based on a genetic level. Lynt himself might just be a spokesperson; there must be an organization behind him that we can hardly imagine."
She cleverly shifted the focus from herself to speculation about the mysterious organization behind Lynt, which was precisely what Fury cared about most.
Fury fell silent, pacing back and forth in the room, his single eye gleaming.
Natasha's explanation sounded absurd, but it was currently the only plausible deduction.
Mutants, alien technology, ancient magic... there were too many bizarre things in this World; one more instant enhancement technology was not unacceptable.
"What's your recommendation?" Fury finally stopped.
"Continue contact," Natasha replied without hesitation, "This person, or rather the force behind him, is a huge threat to us, but also a huge opportunity. If we can master this technology..."
She didn't finish, but the meaning was clear. If S.H.I.E.L.D. could master this technology, the Avengers initiative could directly upgrade to version 2.0.
"I approve your plan," Fury finally decided, "You can continue to contact him in your personal capacity, and I will give you the highest clearance. But Natasha, remember your identity, remember who you work for."
"I will never forget," Natasha stood up, her tone firm.
Meanwhile, at Apex Amplification Company Headquarters, top-floor conference room.
The atmosphere was so oppressive it was almost solidified.
Lynt's voice was clear and steady, echoing in the silent conference room.
"First, strictly adhere to working hours. During non-mission periods, unexcused absence will result in the deduction of the current month's bonus."
"Second, any form of violent behavior within the office area is strictly prohibited. Violators will be fined a minimum of ten thousand U.S. dollars."
"Third, during missions, company-issued uniforms must be worn for identification and to establish brand image."
"Fourth, all actions must be conducted with the approval of Director Raven. Unauthorized actions are strictly prohibited."
"Fifth, and most importantly, all employees must sign a non-disclosure agreement. Those who leak company secrets will be personally dealt with by Chief Consultant Erik."
After Lynt finished speaking, the conference room was dead silent.
This group of desperadoes from the Brotherhood, you ask them to blow up a building, and they wouldn't bat an eye.
But asking them to follow these rules and regulations was more unbearable than killing them.
"Bullshit!"
Sabretooth was the first to erupt. He slammed his palm on the expensive conference table, and deep claw marks instantly appeared on the solid mahogany surface.
"I'm here to fight, not to be an office worker!"
"Victor, calm down," Magneto said in a deep voice.
Lynt, however, remained unfazed. He said to the receptionist, Betty, who was peeking in from outside: "Betty, make a note. The conference room table is damaged. Repair costs will be deducted from Mr. Victor's salary next month."
Victor: "???"
He felt like he was punching cotton, unable to vent his anger. Sanction him with money? What kind of tactic was this?
"Lynt," Magneto finally spoke, his sharp eyes fixed on Lynt, "You are trying to tame a pack of wolves, turning them into dogs."
"No," Lynt shook his head, meeting his gaze without backing down.
"I am equipping a pack of wolves with nuclear weapons with the most advanced guidance systems and safety switches. To let them know when to bare their fangs and when to retract their claws. To make every one of their attacks more precise, more deadly, and more valuable."
He paused, revealing a meaningful smile.
"After all, our goal is the stars and the sea, not playing house with the X-Men in this small pond called Earth."
The four words "stars and the sea" exploded in Magneto's heart like a bombshell.
His pupils suddenly contracted.
This young man, his ambitions were far grander than he had imagined.
Finally, Magneto picked up the pen and signed his name on his Chief Consultant contract: Erik Lehnsherr.
With the boss leading the way, although the others were reluctant, they all signed one after another under Raven's cold, warning gaze. A unique shareholders' meeting, or rather, an integration meeting, thus concluded.
Lynt looked at this list, knowing this was just the first step.
To truly transform this group of Beasts into a disciplined, modern army, there was still a long way to go.
But he had patience. And money.
Natasha walked out of the interrogation room and proceeded along the metal-cold corridor of Trident Headquarters, her face resuming its usual professional expression.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
She didn't stop walking, taking out her phone to look at the screen.
A text message from an unknown number, containing only one sentence:
"The act was good. Did Fury believe it?"