Assessment Report

"So this Dr. Lin, through a so-called 'lab accident,' has gained at least two abilities: 'animal telepathy' and 'plant control.'"

At S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Trident Headquarters, Director Nick Fury sat at his desk, chin resting on his hands, looking at the two subordinates reporting to him:

"Melinda, while intuition can be sharp sometimes, as a senior agent, I don't believe you'd base a judgment like this on gut feeling alone."

"Yes, Director."

Melinda spread her hands, clearly confident in her assessment:

"In fact, both Coulson and I noticed that Dr. Oaks Lin, though he grew up in New York, behaves more like a Chinese person, and he instinctively gravitates toward Chinese people. That likely comes from his father's influence. And one trait of the Chinese, especially their intellectuals, is humility."

"You mean he'd habitually hold something back, and what he shows isn't the whole picture?" Nick Fury caught on.

"Of course, it's just an inference. But don't forget, there's also his unusual public transit records, travel logs, and the Amazon Rainforest." Melinda nodded.

"Facing an organization like ours, holding back isn't surprising. After all, if not for that 'Benevolence Society' incident, he'd have held back even more."

Fury accepted Melinda's judgment—after all, he himself was a man who habitually held back... a lot.

Comparing himself to Oaks, he was still the more formidable one. Fury blinked his lone eye in satisfaction and turned to his other subordinate:

"Coulson, what's your assessment?"

"Safe, Director."

Coulson smiled slightly, equally confident:

"Based on this meeting and the investigation into his past, I believe Dr. Oaks Lin is a safe target. He knows what his abilities mean, knows what he can do, and more importantly, he has used—and will continue to use—his abilities for the right path. The founding of the Benevolence Society is a heartening thing—it originated from an act of kindness and mercy, which saved hundreds of lives while also solidifying Oaks' convictions."

Coulson let out a soft sigh:

"Melinda and I were on-site, Director. To be honest, in our line of work, we don't often see crowds cheering like that—especially among the lower-class folks."

As senior agents, their missions were either hostage rescues or classified intel grabs, or dealing with terrorists and hazardous items. If those missions didn't end in casualties and a bunch of people wailing in grief, that was already a win.

"Right, their joy was genuine."

Melinda smiled, agreeing with Coulson:

"For a Level 7 Mission, even if the scope was small, this was the most gratifying one I've had."

"Looks like my two excellent subordinates are both quite fond of this kid."

Nick Fury grunted. With his personality, even if these two praised the guy to the skies, he'd stay on guard:

"His Benevolence Society—it's a nonprofit now?"

"Yes, Director. I handled the paperwork for him. It's a nonprofit dedicated to environmental protection."

Coulson's expression turned odd:

"Speaking of which, he even listed his shop assistant's name on it. I imagine he's busy right now trying to explain his 'abilities' to him."

Nick Fury stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked out the floor-to-ceiling window. At the turn of autumn to winter, New York's greenery was dwindling fast:

"That's his own business. And that Ecological Test Site, 'Little Rainforest'—Coulson, you know what that means."

"Yes, Director."

Coulson understood perfectly. In Little Rainforest, every fruit tree was a one-of-a-kind modified plant—a bizarre species capable of generating massive economic benefits and alleviating famine to a great extent! These were all Oaks' research results. Compared to them, the Recovery Serum and air-purifying greenery were several tiers lower in value!

"But Oaks has made it clear that these plants, like his potted ones, can't be mass-produced yet. They still need time."

"Time is worth it."

Nick Fury finally let out a bitter smile:

"He's given me a dilemma—what attitude should I take toward handling his special abilities?"

Knowing that Oaks was likely holding something back, Nick Fury was genuinely stumped.

No help for it—his paranoia ran too deep.

What if the guy was just putting on a front?

What if he could create even more dangerous plants?

What if his goal was to leverage this for other gains?

What if...

In short, too many possibilities.

But Nick Fury understood that what Oaks had shown was like a bait, hooking him firmly. Though Fury had little interest in environmentalism, he knew full well what kind of positive impact the man's research could have on the world.

Unreplicable abilities were at most a hassle—S.H.I.E.L.D. had dealt with that plenty of times before.

But plant seeds were an exception.

If he truly meant well, once he succeeded, he alone could eliminate famine.

Besides, there was Goose.

"Looks like I'll have to meet him in person and talk this through."

Uncontrollably, Nick Fury felt the old plan he'd written after Goose's owner left rise up in his mind again.

Emerald Dream Greenery Shop.

"Wood Release? Hashirama Senju?"

Antonio Zhang, classmate Zhang Shuren, was staring wide-eyed at the potted plants swaying to music all over the room, practically drooling:

"If I transplant your cells, can I get that ability?"

"...Watch fewer cartoons!"

Oaks coughed. He'd prepared so much explanatory material, but now it seemed for this guy, just showing him the results was enough.

And at this point in time, kid, you have no idea how terrifying Hashirama Senju is...

"Anyway, all you need to know is that this was an experimental accident—an unrepeatable scientific miracle. On the animal side, it's animal telepathy; on the plant side, it's plant manipulation."

After emphasizing key phrases like "experimental accident," "unrepeatable," and "science," Oaks dejectedly realized Zhang hadn't absorbed a word.

The guy's attention was now on Moco and Coco.

Well, that hamster—Oaks had already tossed it into Little Rainforest. It probably wouldn't survive the night there.

"Oh~ little darlings, big brother is just too—happy today!"

Zhang hugged the two little ones with a blissful expression, then Goose jumped onto his head and slapped him awake with a paw:

"Uh, sorry Goose, time for the canned food."

"Little darlings, follow big brother~"

Zhang was about to head upstairs with light steps when he suddenly turned back and asked:

"Mr. Oaks, what was those two little ones' first impression of me?"

Seeing Zhang's hopeful look, Oaks mercilessly crushed his fantasy:

"Those two are wondering, 'Who's this idiot?'"

Zhang: "..."

"Meow!"

"Ah! Mercy, mercy! I'm getting the cans now..."