You're in Trouble, Fury

Homeland Strategic Defense Attack and Logistics Support Bureau.

"Coulson, did you hear that rumor?"

Coulson was happily slacking off while drinking coffee when Hawkeye suddenly leaned in and said something out of the blue.

"Rumor? What rumor?"

He figured it was just some boring gossip and wasn't interested at all.

He was very satisfied with his current job and didn't want any trouble.

He had just bought a house and didn't want to lose this satisfying job.

"It's about Director Fury possibly getting fired."

"How could something like that happen?"

Coulson didn't believe the rumor at all. He was one of Director Fury's confidants, so how could he not know if something like this were happening?

However, Director Fury's recent worried expression did bother him, but that was more likely due to his busy workload?

"Why couldn't it? Didn't you..."

Hawkeye froze mid-sentence. Coulson, feeling strange, followed his gaze and saw Alexander Pierce, Director Fury's former superior, leading an Asian youth towards the Director's office.

"Perhaps, something truly big is about to happen," Coulson said blankly.

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

Nick Fury roared at the two men in front of him, furious.

It was because as soon as they entered, Alexander announced that the Asian youth beside him, named Xia Ling, would replace him as Director.

The reason was simple: his embezzlement of public funds had been discovered.

"I fought on the battlefield for my country!"

"You embezzled public funds."

"I bled for my country!"

"You embezzled public funds."

"I've worked diligently all these years, doing a lot for you!"

"You embezzled public funds."

Nick Fury was absolutely incensed. He had done so many dirty jobs for them over the years, acted as their enforcer countless times.

And now, just because he embezzled a little bit, took a little bit of his own salary, he was going to be fired?

"Fury, don't rush. Calm down and listen to me. This is the best outcome I could negotiate for you."

Alexander sighed, looking at his capable subordinate.

Over the years, their Hydra organization had grown and prospered, thanks in large part to this old subordinate he had personally promoted.

But now, it was time to say goodbye.

Alexander felt he had treated him fairly. The matter of embezzled public funds had reached the Security Council.

If he hadn't interceded for him, prison would have been this one-eyed man's eternal home.

"So, even if I'm getting fired, why is an outsider being appointed as Director?"

Alexander frowned. Before he could speak, Xia Ling cut in.

"I apologize, but this is a decision by the Security Council, and you have no right to know."

Seeing Xia Ling acting like the Director already, Nick Fury could barely contain his rage.

He was the one who always said that to others, but he never expected to be on the receiving end of it himself.

This was simply...

"Fury, you may not understand, but Director Xia is a highly capable individual, perfectly suited to take over your responsibilities. You can leave with peace of mind."

Alexander sensed the tense atmosphere and quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

Realizing the situation was irreversible, Nick Fury suppressed his anger and prepared to pack his things and leave the place that haunted his dreams.

Unexpectedly, a sentence from Xia Ling made him freeze.

"Former Director Fury, although you're old and ugly, so troublesome, prone to corruption, and always screwing things up..."

Nick Fury clenched his fists, suppressing his rage, and forced out through gritted teeth, "What exactly do you want to say?"

"I want to say that while you haven't earned any merit over the years, you do have some credit for your hard work. How about you be my Deputy Director?"

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

Nick Fury gritted out the words. He was a veteran soldier who had fought for his country for many years, only to have all his achievements negated by this kid's words? And he was offering him a Deputy Director position as charity?

Pfft!

He didn't want it!

Nick Fury was packing his things when his friend Alexander beside him advised, "Fury, I suggest you accept Director Xia's appointment.

The Security Council has frozen all your assets, and every safe house you built is gone. You need to live, after all."

Nick Fury paused, then said in disbelief, "So, you're saying I don't have a penny left?"

"To be precise, you don't even have a place to live anymore, former Director Fury. You're going to be a vagrant."

Xia Ling chimed in at the opportune moment, kindly reminding the former director of his current predicament.

"Well, I certainly thank you for that!"

Nick Fury gritted his teeth as he said this, not stopping his packing at all.

He didn't want to stay here any longer; he just wanted to finish packing and leave.

"Wait, former Director Fury, I forgot to tell you, you don't need to pack anymore. These are all agency assets; they don't belong to you."

As soon as he said this, not only Nick Fury looked at Xia Ling furiously, but even Alexander, who was watching from the side, was stunned.

"Director Xia, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Alexander frowned. Black Pepper was his old lackey, after all, and being treated like this made him uncomfortable.

"Oh, since Minister Alexander says so, I'll reluctantly let him take a pen."

"No need for your fake concern!"

A cold glint flashed in Nick Fury's eyes: "Even if I don't get a single cent, I can still live well. I'd rather starve to death on the streets than accept his employment!"

"Sigh, I didn't expect former Director Fury to misunderstand me so much. Fine, let's drop this matter."

Xia Ling sighed, then said sincerely, "Since Director Fury has such noble integrity and doesn't want to take the back door to be re-hired, I can understand.

However, it's too heartless to just let him experience the joys of life like this. I wonder if former Director Fury would be willing to listen to another suggestion of mine?"

Nick Fury's eyebrows twitched; he was a bit confused about this person's intentions.

"Actually, I'm quite wealthy myself and own a piece of land in Texas. Since former Director Fury no longer wants to be a secret agent, why not come work on my farm?"

BANG!

The door slammed shut with a loud noise.

"What a hassle. Former Director Fury ran off so quickly. Now I have to trouble an agent to deliver the repair bill for the door to him. What a waste of resources!"

Xia Ling muttered to himself, completely ignoring Alexander's jaw, which had dropped so wide it could fit an egg.