You're in trouble, Fury

The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

"Coulson, have you heard that rumor?"

Coulson was happily sipping his coffee and slacking off when Hawkeye suddenly came over and said something completely out of the blue.

"A rumor? What rumor?"

He figured it was just some piece of useless gossip, and Coulson wasn't interested in the slightest.

He was quite happy with his current job and didn't want any trouble.

He'd just bought a house, after all. He didn't want to lose a job he was perfectly happy with.

"That Director Fury might be getting fired."

"How could that possibly happen?"

Coulson didn't believe the rumor at all. He was one of Director Fury's trusted subordinates, so if something like that were really happening, how could he not know about it?

Still, Director Fury had seemed worried lately, which did concern him. But that was more likely because of how busy he'd been with work, wasn't it?

"Why couldn't it happen? Haven't you—"

Hawkeye stopped mid-sentence. Puzzled, Coulson followed his gaze and saw Alexander Pierce, Director Fury's former superior, heading toward the director's office with a young Asian man.

"Maybe something really big is about to happen."

Coulson stared blankly as he spoke.

"Alexander, you can't do this to me!"

Nick Fury roared furiously at the two men standing before him.

The moment they'd walked in, Alexander had announced that the young Asian man beside him, Xia Ling, would replace him as director.

The reason was simple: Fury had been caught embezzling public funds.

"I went to war for this country!"

"You embezzled public funds."

"I shed blood for this country!"

"You embezzled public funds."

"I've worked diligently all these years and done plenty for you!"

"You embezzled public funds."

Nick Fury was absolutely livid. How much dirty work had he done for them over the years? How many times had he served as their hatchet man?

And now, just because he'd embezzled a little—no, taken a little of the salary that was rightfully his—he was getting fired?

"Fury, don't get worked up. Calm down and hear me out. This is the best outcome I could get for you."

Alexander sighed as he looked at the capable subordinate standing before him.

Hydra had grown and prospered over the years thanks in no small part to this old subordinate, whom he himself had promoted.

But now, it was time to say goodbye.

Alexander believed he'd treated Fury fairly. The embezzlement had been reported to the Security Council.

If he hadn't spoken up for him, prison would have been the One-Eyed Dragon's permanent home.

"So even if I'm getting fired, why parachute in an Asian guy to be director?"

Alexander frowned, but before he could speak, Xia Ling stepped forward and answered first.

"I'm sorry, but that's the Security Council's decision. You have no right to know."

Seeing Xia Ling already acting like he was the director, Nick Fury could barely contain his anger.

He'd said those exact words to other people countless times. He'd never expected someone to throw them back in his face.

This was just—

"Fury, you may not know this, but Director Xia is an exceptionally talented man. He's more than capable of taking over your responsibilities, so you can leave in peace."

Sensing the tension in the air, Alexander hurried to smooth things over.

Realizing there was no way to change what had happened, Nick Fury forced down his anger and prepared to pack his things and leave the place he'd been so devoted to.

But Xia Ling's next words stopped him in his tracks.

"Former Director Fury, although you're old and ugly, a pain to deal with, fond of embezzling, and always more of a liability than an asset—"

Nick Fury clenched his fists and fought to contain his fury. He forced the words through his teeth. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that although you haven't accomplished anything over the years, you've at least put in a little effort. How about becoming my deputy director?"

"Motherfucker, I don't need anyone's charity!"

Nick Fury gritted his teeth as he spat out the words. He was a veteran who'd fought for his country for years, and now this kid had dismissed all his achievements with a single sentence and offered him a deputy director position as charity?

As if!

He didn't want it!

Nick Fury started packing his things, but his friend Alexander tried to talk him around. "Fury, I recommend that you accept Director Xia's appointment.

"The Security Council has frozen all your assets. Every last one of your safe houses is gone too. You still need somewhere to live."

Nick Fury froze, then asked in disbelief, "So you're saying I don't have a single cent left?"

"To be precise, you don't even have a place to stay. Former Director Fury, you're about to become homeless."

Xia Ling chimed in at just the right moment, kindly reminding the former director of his current situation.

"Then I really have you to thank for that!"

Nick Fury ground out the words, never slowing his movements.

He didn't want to stay here any longer. He needed to finish packing and get out.

"Wait, Former Director Fury. I forgot to tell you that you don't need to pack. These are all the agency's assets. They don't belong to you."

At those words, not only did Nick Fury glare at Xia Ling in fury, but even Alexander, who'd been watching from the side, was stunned.

"Director Xia, don't you think that's going a little too far?"

Alexander frowned. Black Egg was an old tool of his, after all, and seeing him treated like this inevitably displeased him.

"Oh, since Minister Alexander has put it that way, I suppose I can graciously let him take a pen."

"Spare me the fake kindness!"

A cold glint flashed in Nick Fury's eye. "Even if I don't get a single cent, I can still get by just fine. I'd rather starve to death, die out in the street, than accept a job from him!"

"Ah, I didn't realize Former Director Fury misunderstood me so badly. Forget it. Let's drop the matter."

Xia Ling sighed, then continued in a sincere tone. "Since Director Fury is so principled that he won't accept a backdoor rehire, I can understand.

"But it would be too cruel to make him experience the joys of life this way. Would Former Director Fury be willing to hear another suggestion?"

Nick Fury's eyebrow twitched. He couldn't quite figure out what the man was up to.

"Actually, I have quite a bit of money myself, and I own some land in Texas. Since Former Director Fury doesn't want to be a spy anymore, why not work on my Farm?"

Bang!

The door slammed shut with a deafening crash.

"What a hassle. Former Director Fury ran off so fast that I'll have to send an agent to deliver him the repair bill. What a waste of resources!"

Xia Ling spoke to himself, completely ignoring Alexander's gaping mouth beside him.