At Oak Environmental Technology Company, Oaks and Banner were studying the remains of the Destroyer that Oaks had forcibly pried from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s grasp—
One of the Destroyer's arms, shattered by a single blow from Thor's hammer.
It was precisely because Oaks had not demanded the Destroyer's main body that Nick Fury had agreed so readily to this "deal."
"Oaks, there was really no need for you to confront S.H.I.E.L.D. over this..."
In the laboratory, Banner hesitated for a long time before finally voicing his complicated feelings about Oaks's actions:
"I don't think Nick Fury is a particularly magnanimous man. Your career could be seriously affected, and that would be a loss for both your ideals and human society."
"Don't worry, Dr. Banner."
Hearing Banner's concern, Oaks, who was wearing goggles and analyzing a fragment, smiled.
"Nick Fury isn't actually that lacking in grace. This way of getting along could be called our 'understanding'—
As long as everything is reduced to a transaction and the interests are divided appropriately, it won't affect cooperation between both sides.
This matter hasn't exceeded what he can tolerate. Otherwise, with that guy's suspicious nature, he would have had May or Carter watching us under all sorts of pretexts by now."
Banner opened his mouth, then somewhat annoyedly smacked his forehead.
When it came to scientific research, he was undoubtedly one of humanity's rare geniuses. But when dealing with agents he already held deep prejudices against, he still did not see things as clearly as Oaks did.
"All right, but Stark won't be able to get here for a while. You should wait until he arrives before leaving, right?"
After obtaining the Destroyer's remains, Oaks had told Nick Fury not to bother him for a while, whether he had business or not—
He was going to