บท 499: Chapter 498: Task
In the HYDRA base-
Pierce's virtual image appeared in the base, and on a nearby computer screen appeared Zola's avatar.
"Pierce, your three Winter Soldier operatives have been exposed."
"SHIELD is mobilizing global cameras and extensively searching for them."
"If they reappear in public, they have a high chance of being exposed, and you cannot send them to the Sand Puppet Store for further transactions."
"You need to find a new group of people to conduct the dealings."
Upon hearing Zola's words, Pierce seemed somewhat resigned. Although he controls many Winter Soldiers, the exposure of three of them in this incident resulted in a loss, especially given SHIELD's full investigation. Mobilizing these three individuals now became more difficult.
Fortunately, the three Winter Soldiers returned with the physical enhancement serum, avoiding a total loss. However, these three soldiers now need to be silenced and put away for some time.
Pierce shook his head and said, "Bad luck. They ran into Coulson after the transaction. Fortunately, the physical enhancement serum remained intact, so it wasn't a complete loss."
"As long as we can replicate the physical enhancement serum, this loss isn't too significant."
"At least none of our operatives were harmed."
Upon hearing Pierce's words, Zola did not dwell on the issue but instead asked directly:
"Are we going to research this physical enhancement serum directly, or wait for SHIELD to conduct their research first and then pick up where they left off?"
After pondering for a moment, Pierce spoke, "Let Nick Fury and his team conduct the research first. Although we have a sample, replication is not easy. A single dose of physical enhancement serum may not yield much."
"In due time, we can use SHIELD's research data to further our work, increasing our chances of success."
"If SHIELD can directly replicate the serum, that would be even better. We wouldn't lose anything in that scenario."
Upon hearing Pierce's plan, Zola realized it was the best approach.
"Pierce, let's proceed with replicating the physical enhancement serum according to your plan."
With those words, Zola logged out, and Pierce turned off the communication device.
...
The next day-
Agent Ward led Kabuto to the SHIELD historical museum, where the achievements of SHIELD since its founding were on display.
Ward explained the history of SHIELD to Kabuto, from its founding as the Strategic Science Reserve and its dismantling of Axis Powers plots, its defeat of HYDRA, and Captain America's efforts to disarm bomb threats and save the world.
Kabuto listened attentively to Ward's narration. Although Ward's storytelling skills weren't the best, Kabuto still appeared very interested.
"Captain, why haven't there been more powerful soldiers since Captain America?"
Upon hearing Kabuto's question, Ward explained, "When Captain America took the serum and became a super soldier, the serum's researcher was assassinated, and the serum's data was destroyed, so no one else has been able to become a super soldier since then."
As Ward said this, his tone was filled with regret—not only because he couldn't fight alongside Captain America, but also due to the loss of the serum.
Kabuto asked, "Serum?"
Ward explained, "It's a substance similar to the physical enhancement serum, developed in the last century. Aside from Captain America, no one else has been successfully injected with it."
"While this substance is highly valuable to us, it might not mean much to you ninjas, since the ninja village is selling something similar to it and it seems to be widely available."
Kabuto shook his head. "It's not that simple. Only those from the big ninja villages who are well-trained in the ninja schools don't worry about the physical enhancement serum."
"For ordinary people outside the ninja villages like us, obtaining even one dose of physical enhancement serum is very difficult."
At that point, Ward focused on the phrase "ordinary people outside the ninja villages." He did not yet realize that Kabuto's location was not on Earth.
He was about to ask Kabuto a question when his wrist-mounted computer began to vibrate with a notification.
Ward checked it and saw he had received a new mission. After reviewing the details, he said, "It looks like we have a new mission."
Ward removed it from his arm and handed it to Kabuto, saying, "Take a look at the mission details. You'll be primarily responsible for this one."
Kabuto took it and replied, "Alright."
Kabuto quickly read the contents, which were quite straightforward: he was to go to the Sand Puppet Store to commission and investigate the three individuals Coulson had encountered outside the puppet store the previous day.
The task was to find out who they were and what transactions they had conducted at the store.
The mission report also contained the appearances of the three individuals, and SHIELD had authorized Kabuto to use as many energy blocks as necessary for the task.
After reading the mission, Kabuto looked at Ward. "Captain, we need to request a batch of energy blocks first. This mission might require a significant amount."
Ward remembered the mission stating that Coulson had offered 50 energy blocks and had been directly refused, then told to leave the puppet store.
"How many energy blocks do you plan to request?"
"Let's request 200, just in case. We'll see how Hidden Sand Village responds."
"This kind of information task, directly buying client details, might need a high offer for them to agree."
...
After receiving 200 energy blocks from Warehouse 1, Kabuto and Grant Ward drove to the Sand Puppet Store.
When they were close to the store, Ward stopped the car and took out a set of Bluetooth headphones with listening devices.
"Kabuto, place the listening device in your sleeve and put on the headphones. I won't be going inside this time, so I can request authorization and adjust the budget if needed."
Kabuto accepted the equipment from Ward. "Alright, Captain. It's best for me to handle this alone, as a ninja. Communication might be easier this way."
"I assume the agency assigned me this task for the same reason."
Ward nodded and watched Kabuto equip the devices. Once he was ready, Ward started the car and drove them to the entrance of the Sand Puppet Store.
Kabuto exited the car without carrying a briefcase; instead, he stored the energy blocks in a sealed scroll for more convenient carrying.
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