Nick Fury's Judgment

"There are two points of doubt."

Coulson fully understood just how tricky the situation was.

Even if Dr. Lin himself posed no threat, the fact that he had earned the orange cat... the Flerken's trust alone made him a major potential threat.

The Flerken clearly trusted Dr. Lin immensely and was even willing to obey the clerk, who was also aware of her danger.

"First, none of Dr. Lin's previous records showed that he owned a cat. His credit card records only began showing purchases of canned cat food and snacks on the night of the twenty-second of last month, which was his birthday."

As a global organization, it was nothing more than a flick of the finger for the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division to obtain an ordinary person's purchase records.

"In other words, this orange cat... the Flerken, only came into contact with Dr. Lin that day. Coincidentally, Dr. Lin's clerk, the international student Zhang, also moved into Dr. Lin's house that day."

Coulson paused there and glanced at Melinda with lingering fear.

"And... while investigating Dr. Lin's surveillance footage throughout Brooklyn that day, I found... a report involving a small Black gang in the slums."

"Two young Asian men, one red-haired and carrying an orange cat, the other black-haired and wearing glasses.

"They used witchcraft to eliminate four gang members. Of the other members who were present, two suffered mental disorders, and only one remained relatively normal. After waking up, he chose to report it to the police."

"Witchcraft..."

Nick Fury sighed.

"The characteristics match perfectly. The so-called witchcraft was the scene when the Flerken attacked."

That horrifying sight remained vivid in his memory, even after thirteen years.

"Wow, looks like I really need to buy a few potted plants to thank that fellow countryman."

Melinda patted her modest chest, once again realizing just how close she had come to danger.

"But, Director, although you've explained the biggest point of doubt in this matter—the Flerken."

Coulson pulled out a new report.

"There's still another major point of doubt. Dr. Lin returned from the slums to the shop with the international student Zhang Shuren, but surveillance footage throughout Brooklyn never captured any record of him going to the slums!"

"It was as though he appeared there out of thin air!"

"Oh?"

Nick Fury raised an eyebrow, took the new material from Coulson, returned to his desk, and sat down to read it.

Melinda, meanwhile, gave Coulson a strange look.

"It isn't unusual for surveillance not to catch someone, especially in the slums. That's perfectly normal. Besides, his shop has a back door."

"Normally, that would indeed be perfectly normal."

Nick Fury, who was reading the report, tapped a page with his finger and looked up.

"But taken together with another point of doubt, it becomes rather strange."

"Yes, Director."

Coulson continued.

"Out of curiosity, I investigated all of Dr. Lin's travel records. The result was... no result."

"No result? Coulson, has anyone ever told you that your habit of building suspense makes people want to punch you in the face?"

Melinda's threat seemed to work. Coulson coughed and hurriedly continued.

"Uh, there really was no result. Since graduating from school, Dr. Lin had never used public transportation.

"All his records for buses, subways, trains, planes, and even ships were completely clean. His credit card did not even show any fuel purchases!"

Coulson's face was filled with undisguised astonishment.

"And Dr. Lin owned a car. That car even had several recent traffic violations, yet it had never been refueled! And Melinda, do you remember where he went?"

"The Amazon Rainforest."

Melinda realized the problem.

"And even then, there were no flight records?"

"Not only were there none, there were not even any records of him leaving the country."

Nick Fury answered, interlacing his fingers beneath his chin as his brow furrowed slightly.

"Yet he had package delivery records to Manaus, a city in the Amazon Rainforest, more than once. Don't tell me he mailed himself to the Amazon."

Then he looked at his two subordinates questioningly.

"Finally, shortly after you began the mission, someone in the U.S. Air Force checked Dr. Lin's departure records from the past three days.

"The authorization came from Colonel James Rhodes of the Air Force Weapons Development Division."

"Tony Stark..."

Melinda gave Coulson a teasing glance.

"Looks like their relationship is more than just customer and shop owner."

"Of course. Tomorrow, Tony Stark will announce the establishment of the New York Environmental Protection Foundation, with the two of them as partners. Stark is funding it independently."

Nick Fury sneered.

"Their relationship really is complicated."

"Then, Director, do we need to take any action before he returns?"

"No. Even when Goose was with her... ahem, its original owner, she never displayed such stability. So we'll wait and see."

Nick Fury knew his own limits. Even if he brought Goose back, what could he do?

He could not exactly keep a muzzle on her forever. If that big sister found out, she would not slap him to death?

"Although Dr. Lin is somewhat mysterious, everything he has done so far has been exemplary and highly beneficial to human society. We should meet him in person before making further plans."

Although Nick Fury claimed that he trusted no one, he had great faith in Goose's ability to judge people.

Thirteen years ago, the three people she had come into contact with included one who saved Earth and was still saving different planets, one who became the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the other who became the founder of S.W.O.R.D.

After leaving the Tesseract in his office thirteen years ago, she had vanished without a trace. Now, she had suddenly appeared beside a mysterious biologist...

What wonderful story would unfold with the two people she had chosen this time?

Nick Fury could not help feeling a little expectant.

"Continue investigating every bit of information on Dr. Lin. Leave no stone unturned!"

He formally issued the order.

"Melinda, Coulson will lead this matter, and you will assist him. When Dr. Lin returns, Coulson will make contact with him, while you handle support."

"Yes!"

A week passed quickly, and a refreshed Oaks returned to New York once more.

This period of secluded cultivation in the Amazon Rainforest had enabled him to call upon half of the rainforest's Nature Force.

This also meant that he could try to search for Bruce Banner, though Banner had likely already left the rainforest's boundaries.

Now, with the vast Nature Force of half the Amazon Rainforest supporting him, Oaks could receive a small boost of Nature Force even in New York.

This was an important step toward linking with Earth's Biosphere. With this foundation, Oaks could further carry out his plan.

"Hey, Goose, I'm back!"

Zhang had not returned yet. As Oaks opened the shop door, he saw Goose happily pawing at a strange little ball.

As Oaks watched the points of light flickering across the ball, his eyes narrowed slightly.