Above Japan, in an aircraft carrier~
At this moment, Nick was seated in his office chair, his face calm, but his eyes filled with fury.
He hadn't expected that after just a short trip to the Middle East, Anbei Rinzan would be gone.
The man's death wasn't the real issue. What worried Nick was whether or not Anbei Rinzan had left any evidence of their collaboration behind. If their meddling in the election of the national leader was discovered, his position as director would be over.
Worse yet, he couldn't entrust this delicate matter to anyone else. Though Maria was loyal, she was more of an administrator and ill-suited for this kind of covert work.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Nick straightened up immediately.
"Come in."
As the door opened, Natasha and Barton walked in, and Nick's eyes brightened.
"How did the mission go?" he asked.
"Director, we found Murakami and had a friendly conversation. It turns out he doesn't know anything about the zombie virus. He also doesn't care about the Hand in Japan, so we came back."
"Hmm, I have a very important task for you two."
"What task?"
After listening to the details, Natasha and Barton exchanged strange looks but didn't say anything. They silently left the room.
Nick sighed in relief as they left. With them on the case, the mission would most likely succeed.
Another knock came at the door.
Maria walked in without waiting for permission this time.
"Director, General Ross has spotted Dr. Banner on the streets of Harlem, Manhattan, New York!"
"What's the situation?"
"Still unclear for now."
Nick rubbed his temples.
Japan was a complete failure. Nothing could stop Yashida Mariko from becoming the nation's leader now.
It was time to head back.
"We're returning to New York. And tell Tony it's time to take action."
"But, Director, Tony seems to be having some problems. He's been holed up at home for a while now and hasn't been seen."
"What happened?"
"We don't know, but his personality has definitely changed."
"It looks like Natasha will need to infiltrate his life and figure out what's wrong."
After giving the order, Nick felt even more exhausted. It seemed that the world was increasingly slipping out of his control.
....
Because of the time difference, it was nighttime in New York.
Banner was walking with Elizabeth towards Dr. Stern's lab, the one belonging to "Mr. Blue."
But suddenly, he stopped.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked, looking at her boyfriend in confusion, her eyes filled with affection.
The last ten days had been the most unforgettable of her life. After all, the thing could grow several times larger, filling her entire body and soul.
Banner looked around suspiciously but, after a while, found nothing and shook his head.
"Nothing, let's keep going."
"Okay."
After walking a little further, Elizabeth hesitated and asked, "Are you sure you want to suppress the gamma cells in your body?"
"Of course. Didn't we agree on that?"
"But..." Elizabeth was hesitant but, thinking of something, blushed and stopped talking.
"But what?" Banner asked.
"Never mind, it's nothing."
Elizabeth was secretly worried that if Banner could no longer turn into the Hulk, she would lose her greatest source of joy. She wasn't sure if their relationship would survive.
Unaware of Elizabeth's concerns, Banner remained lost in thoughts of a better future.
Suddenly, a tranquilizer dart shot out and hit Banner's neck.
"Ugh..." Banner felt his body weaken immediately.
"Banner!" Elizabeth screamed, rushing to hold him, her face filled with anxiety.
In the next moment, a group of fully armed soldiers appeared, led by an elated General Ross.
"Hahaha, that was easier than I thought. It seems Adam was right after all," Ross said.
When purchasing Umbrella's strongest products, Adam had given him a piece of advice: Banner, under normal circumstances, was just like any other human.
So, after spotting Banner, Ross had ordered his men to use long-range tranquilizers.
Sure enough, Banner collapsed instantly.
"How could you do this?" Elizabeth rushed over to her father, shouting angrily. "He hasn't done anything wrong! He just wants to live a normal life. Why do you have to push him?"
Ross waved to the soldiers next to him.
"Hold her."
"Yes, General."
At his command, the soldiers grabbed Elizabeth. She struggled violently, screaming.
"No! You can't do this! Nooo..."
On the ground, Banner hadn't completely lost consciousness, but he felt incredibly tired. In his blurred vision, he saw Elizabeth being restrained, crying out desperately, though he couldn't see who was holding her.
The only thing he knew was that Elizabeth was in danger.
An overwhelming surge of anger welled up inside him.
"Don't... touch her..."
The next moment, his eyes turned green, and his body began to swell.
General Ross stepped back immediately.
"Damn it, how is he transforming even after being sedated?"
Elizabeth, seeing Banner change, stopped struggling and instead smiled with joy.
"Banner, I'm so glad you're okay. Run!"
Moments later, the Hulk emerged.
"Roar!"
With a thunderous roar, the nearby pedestrians scattered.
"A monster!"
"Run!"
"There's a green monster!"
General Ross didn't run. He only retreated with his men and turned to Emil at his side.
"It's your turn!"
Emil, fully recovered but with vacant eyes, seemed to have lost all hope in life.
At that moment, the Hulk jumped in front of Elizabeth, knocking the soldiers away before turning to glare at General Ross.
But Ross showed no fear. Instead, he smiled and said, "Hulk, I've got a surprise for you."
As his words fell, Emil's body began to expand, turning green. Unlike the Hulk's bright green, however, his skin was a darker, almost grayish green.
"Roar!"
After transforming, Emile had become a three-meter-tall beast, even larger than the Hulk. His body was covered in sharp bone spurs at the joints, with a row of spikes running down his back.
He looked even more terrifying and menacing than the Hulk.
This was Umbrella's latest product, combining the Hulk's cells with the Z-virus.
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