The Answer You Don't Want to Know

The next day.

Coulson received a call from director Nick Fury.

"Coulson, are you getting carried away?"

"It hasn't even been that long. Last time it was airplane repairs, and this time it's a thirty-million-dollar bill."

"What are you trying to do? Do you even want to keep that Dream Team of yours?"

Hearing the director's roar, Coulson smiled awkwardly, then said, "Sir, this time wasn't without gains. We learned the location of Otogakure's newest base, so future cooperation should be more convenient."

"That way, it won't just be me. The bureau can also carry out some cooperation and commissions with Otogakure."

Hearing Coulson's reply, Nick Fury nodded, but still roared, "But thirty million is still no small amount."

"You and your team will cover one-third of that cost, out of your budget."

Coulson shouted, "Sir, isn't that a bit too much?"

"That's final."

After saying that, Nick Fury hung up.

Then he wrote in the file: Cooperation reached with Otogakure, involving maintenance expenses of one hundred million dollars.

Three days later.

The Helicarrier cruised through the air while Coulson underwent a physical aboard the aircraft.

By now, he had been running on the treadmill for a full three hours, but not a single drop of sweat had run down his body.

Simmons looked at the data and said, "Sir, your blood pressure, heart rate, and biochemical data are all excellent, far beyond ordinary people. All that's left now is the blood draw."

Coulson stopped the treadmill and looked at Simmons. "You know I don't like the feeling of being stabbed."

Simmons smiled. "An ordinary needle couldn't pierce your body anyway."

Then she asked curiously, "Have you been feeling unwell recently?"

Coulson removed the monitoring equipment from his body and asked at the same time, "Why do you ask?"