Shendu Joins S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Natasha, report."

The moment Fury returned to S.H.I.E.L.D., he brought Natasha to his office. Before him was the "Chitauri spy dossier" Natasha had mentioned.

Natasha relayed what had been discussed in the meeting. Fury's brow furrowed tighter and tighter before his palm slammed down on the desk. "Ridiculous! Chitauri soldiers have already attacked Valmont's residence, so why are the other higher-ups still keeping silent?"

Bloodshot veins surfaced in Fury's eyes. He knew full well that without Valmont's power to control inanimate objects, his next plan would be impossible to carry out.

"They only control part of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s finances. Do they really think I don't know how much money they've embezzled?"

The more Fury spoke, the angrier he became. "Is Steve still watching them?"

Natasha looked at the enraged Fury and fell silent for a moment. "We lost him. The Chitauri used some method to shake Steve off."

"They shook him off? I know Steve's capabilities. Even if he lost them, he would have found some clue."

Fury picked up his communicator and asked Steve about the situation. As he listened to the information coming through, Fury's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Fine. Fine. Fine. So that's how those old bastards want to play it."

Fury had never imagined that, after learning Chitauri remnants still remained on Earth and had joined forces with Hydra remnants, those old directors would send S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to guard their own assets.

They had even issued orders to the agents carrying out missions outside with Steve, which was also why Steve had lost the trail.

As Natasha watched Fury's constantly shifting expression, she recalled what Shendu had told her before.

When people learned that their own interests were being harmed, those who valued money would not hesitate to abandon others to preserve their own interests.

Fury took a deep breath, his gaze repeatedly drifting toward the only safe in the office. Inside was the pager for summoning Captain Marvel.

He was hesitating. He only had one chance to call Captain Marvel, but if he did not use overwhelming force to suppress those ignorant old bastards, S.H.I.E.L.D. would only fall deeper and deeper into chaos.

"Bring Valmont here." This time, Fury did not negotiate. He gave a direct order.

S.H.I.E.L.D. moved quickly. In less than half an hour, Valmont appeared in Fury's office.

"Director? I thought I had already made it clear that I refused to join S.H.I.E.L.D."

The moment Shendu entered the office, he saw Fury hand over the previous S.H.I.E.L.D. recruitment documents.

Fury clapped his hands, and Natasha and Steve appeared behind Shendu.

"Director, what is the meaning of this?"

Shendu frowned. "Are you trying to force me into joining S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Fury sighed. "My apologies, Mr. Valmont, but this is the only way I can do things now."

"Aren't you afraid that after I join, I'll work with the mole inside S.H.I.E.L.D. to bring you all down?" Shendu threatened.

"Mr. Valmont, joining S.H.I.E.L.D. will only benefit you, never harm you," Fury said threateningly. "A creature that does not belong to this world can only survive in it by fully joining us."

"What if I keep refusing?" Shendu faced Fury down.

"Then it won't be up to you."

As soon as Fury's words fell, Natasha and Steve moved in coordination toward Shendu's back.

"Sorry, Mr. Valmont, but joining S.H.I.E.L.D. is for your own good." Steve joined Fury in explaining it to Shendu.

Shendu's gaze turned cold as he picked up the file folder before him.

The contents were simple: merely an employment contract. Shendu noticed the term of the contract—indefinite.

Shendu raised an eyebrow. "Indefinite? That doesn't seem proper, does it?"

Fury waved a hand. "It is indeed indefinite. You possess the power to control inanimate objects, and with a dragon's vitality, you are fully capable of serving for that long. Besides, your position must be guaranteed to always exist."

Shendu waved a hand. "Looks like there really is no room for negotiation."

When Fury saw Shendu sign the name "Valmont" on the form, he let out a sigh of relief. He had finally gotten him into S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Don't entertain any disloyal thoughts. This contract contains the power of the Mind Stone. The moment you have any thought that could harm S.H.I.E.L.D., you will suffer pain that ordinary people cannot endure."

Fury put away the contract. He had thought of this contract the moment he obtained the Mind Stone, and its purpose was to force Valmont into S.H.I.E.L.D.

Shendu waved it off as though he did not care.

Should I find a chance to take him out?

The moment Fury left, Steve said to Shendu, "Disrespect is a grave sin."

"No need. He is nothing more than a self-righteous ant. Does he really think the power in that contract can control me?"

Shendu recalled Fury's smug expression from earlier.

The moment Shendu had touched the file, he noticed the Mind Stone's aura lingering on it. In that instant, he understood Fury's purpose.

The Mind Stone had already been absorbed by him. The energy on the contract could not possibly affect Shendu now.

Since the other party believed his plan was flawless, there was no harm in playing along.

Some time later, while Shendu was still in Fury's office, he received a communication from Fury.

"Come to the surveillance room now, and make it quick. I don't want to repeat myself." Fury believed Shendu had completely submitted to him, so his tone was no longer as polite as it was with other agents.

"Fine, I'm coming." Shendu ended the call, the corners of his mouth rising uncontrollably. That idiot isn't even pretending anymore.

After giving Steve and Natasha some instructions, Shendu headed for the surveillance room.

"You took your time. Be quicker next time."

When Fury saw Shendu arrive, he first put him down verbally. Then he turned and walked to a tile, stepped onto it, and tapped it several times in a rhythmic pattern. A section of the surveillance room wall opened, revealing a secret passage.

At the end of the passage was a hidden chamber.

Shendu followed Fury into the chamber. It was also filled with surveillance equipment, but what it monitored was entirely different. The screens displayed satellites around the world, space fleets, the global agent network, and all kinds of extraterrestrial technological weapons.

Fury took an inconspicuous activation button from nearby. "Hold this. Use your ability to control this button."

Shendu acted as Fury instructed, and the button began moving through the air.

Fury's heart skipped a beat when he saw the button fly away. He immediately lunged forward and grabbed it.

"Idiot. You only need to make it press itself when necessary, according to your will."

Fury mocked Shendu. "You really are a beast from another world. You can't even understand human speech."

Shendu used the Mind Stone to suppress the anger in his heart, making his voice sound as humble as possible. "Yes, yes, yes. I'll change it right away."

Watching the humble Shendu, Fury cursed under his breath. "Remember this: this button is connected to the world's missile stockpiles. Only after receiving my orders can you use it to control those missiles and launch them according to my wishes!"

Shendu lowered his head without a word, looking as though he had completely submitted to Fury.

"Then next up are those old fools at the shareholders' meeting." Fury's voice turned cold.