Mission

Inside the Hydra Base.

Pierce's virtual image appeared in the base, and at that moment, Zola's portrait appeared on the computer next to him.

"Pierce, your three Winter Soldier have been exposed."

"S.H.I.E.L.D.. is mobilizing cameras worldwide for a massive search."

"If they reappear in public, there's a high chance they'll be exposed, and we can no longer arrange for them to go to the Sunagakure Puppet Shop for transactions."

"You need to find a new team to cooperate with."

Hearing Zola's words, Pierce was also somewhat helpless. Although he controlled a considerable number of Winter Soldier, three of them had been exposed this time, which was still a significant loss for him. With S.H.I.E.L.D. investigation, it had become troublesome to use these three soldiers.

Fortunately, the three of them brought back the Physical Enhancement Serum safely, avoiding a complete loss. However, these three Winter Soldier need to remain silent for a while and store it away.

Pierce shook his head and said, "Bad luck. We ran into Coulson right after the deal. Luckily, we didn't lose any of the Physical Enhancement Serum, which is a blessing in disguise."

"As long as we can replicate the Physical Enhancement Serum this time, this loss is nothing to us."

"After all, none of our people were injured or killed."

Upon hearing Pierce's words, Dr. Zola did not elaborate on the matter but instead asked directly:

"Should we start researching this Physical Enhancement Serum directly, or wait until we finish researching the one that S.H.I.E.L.D.. brought back, and then pick up where we left off to continue replicating it?"

After a moment of contemplation, Pierce said, "Let Nick Fury and the others conduct their research first. Although we have a sample, replicating it won't be easy. Perhaps one dose of Physical Enhancement Serum won't be enough to produce any results."

"Then we can use S.H.I.E.L.D..'s research data to continue the unfinished research; that will give us a better chance of success."

"If S.H.I.E.L.D.. can figure it out directly, that would be even better, then we wouldn't suffer any losses."

Upon hearing Pierce's arrangement, Zola knew it was the best approach.

"Pierce, the matter of replicating the Physical Enhancement Serum will proceed as you planned."

After speaking, Dr. Zola logged off and left. Pierce, seeing Zola leave, also turned off his communicator.

······

the next day.

Agent Grant Ward led Yakushi Kabuto to the S.H.I.E.L.D.. history museum, which displays the honors that S.H.I.E.L.D.. has achieved since the establishment of the Strategic Scientific Reserve.

Grant Ward recounted to Yakushi Kabuto how the Strategic Scientific Reserve, the precursor to S.H.I.E.L.D.., thwarted the Axis Powers' conspiracy and defeated Hydra, and how Captain America defused a bomb crisis and saved the world.

And since then, how many times has S.H.I.E.L.D.. saved the world and thwarted the evil schemes of conspirators?

At this moment, Yakushi Kabuto listened to Grant Ward's story with great interest. Although Grant Ward's speaking skills were not very good, Yakushi Kabuto showed great interest.

"Captain, how come there haven't been any more powerful warriors since Captain America?"

"Has a fault line appeared?"

Upon hearing Yakushi Kabuto's words, Grant Ward explained, "Captain America took the Super Soldier Serum and became a super soldier, but after him, the doctor who researched the Super Soldier Serum was assassinated, the Super Soldier Serum's data was destroyed, and no one has become a super soldier since."

Grant Ward's voice was filled with regret as he spoke, not only for not being able to fight alongside Captain America, but also for the disappearance of the Super Soldier Serum.

Yakushi Kabuto asked, "Super Soldier Serum?"

Grant Ward looked at Yakushi Kabuto and explained, "It's something similar to Physical Enhancement Serum. After it was developed in the last century, no one except Captain America has successfully injected it."

"Although this thing is very valuable here, it might not be much to you ninjas. After all, even ninjas in ninja villages are selling it, so it must be something that's completely common now."

Yakushi Kabuto shook his head and said, "It's not that easy. Those righteous ninja Ninja Academy students from the great ninja villages wouldn't worry about Physical Enhancement Serum."

"For ordinary people like us outside of ninja villages, obtaining a Physical Enhancement Serum is very difficult."

Grant Ward's attention was focused on the phrase "ordinary people outside the ninja village," unaware that Yakushi Kabuto was not on Earth.

Just as Grant Ward was about to ask something, his handheld computer on his arm suddenly vibrated.

Grant Ward opened his personal combat handheld computer and saw that he had received a new mission. After checking the mission details, he said, "Looks like we've got a mission."

Grant Ward took the handheld computer off his arm and handed it to Yakushi Kabuto, saying, "Take a look at the mission details. You'll be primarily in charge of this mission."

Yakushi Kabuto took the handheld computer and replied, "Okay!"

Yakushi Kabuto quickly looked at the contents of the document. The task was very simple: Yakushi Kabuto to the Sunagakure Puppet Shop to conduct an intelligence gathering operation and investigate the three people that Coulson had seen at the Puppet Shop's entrance the day before.

Investigate the other party's identity and what transactions were conducted at the Puppet Shop.

The mission report also included the three individuals' appearances and specifically approved that S.H.I.E.L.D.. would provide all the Energy Block needed for this intelligence mission.

After reading the mission details, Yakushi Kabuto looked at Grant Ward and said, "Captain, let's apply for a batch of Energy Block first. The demand for this mission might be quite high."

Grant Ward recalled that the mission mentioned Coulson had offered 50 Energy Block, which Coulson refused outright and kicked out of the Puppet Shop.

"Dou, how many Energy Block do you need to apply for this time?"

"Request 200 as a reserve, and see what Sunagakure says."

"For intelligence missions like this, where you directly buy customer information, the other party might not be willing to take on the task if the price is too low."

······

After collecting 200 Energy Block from Warehouse 1, Yakushi Kabuto and Grant Ward drove to the Sunagakure Puppet Shop.

Just as the car was about to reach the store entrance, Grant Ward stopped and took out a Bluetooth Headset with a listening device.

"Dou, put the listening device in your cuff and put on the earpiece. I won't go in this time. If the other party's demands are too high, I can apply for the necessary permissions and pricing for you from outside."

Yakushi Kabuto took the equipment Grant Ward handed him. "Okay, Captain. I happen to be a ninja, so it might be easier to communicate alone."

"I suppose the bureau thought the same thing when they assigned this task to me."

Grant Ward nodded, and after seeing that Yakushi Kabuto had taken the equipment, he started the car again and soon arrived at the entrance of the Sunagakure Puppet Shop.

The Yakushi Kabuto out of the car without carrying any suitcase; he had packed all the Energy Block into Sealing Scroll for easier transport.