Hydra Exposed, $600 Billion in Astronomical Compensation

"Sir, the spokesperson who came this time is no ordinary man."

On the other end of the phone, Sitwell, his bald head gleaming, pulled up an electronic file and explained:

"After Dr. Zola's comparison, we confirmed that this man's true identity is Colonel Helmut Zemo, the former head of Sokovia's intelligence department. He commands a secret assassination squad known as the [Echo Scorpion]."

"That barely explains it..."

Alexander Pierce's anger eased slightly at those words.

"Still, judging by how cautious they are, it isn't hard to guess that what they plan to expose tomorrow is most likely connected to Strucker's secret experiments in [Sokovia]."

"There's no choice. It seems we can only take a risk now."

"Have the Winter Soldier get ready. He must eliminate that man before the meeting begins tomorrow!!"

The next day.

A black Chevrolet Suburban slowly drove out of a hotel's underground parking garage.

Then, amid the roar of its engine, it sped off and vanished at the end of the street.

However, when it was only two blocks away from the UN Headquarters,

the traffic light at the intersection, which had just turned green, changed back to red.

Before the Chevrolet Suburban's driver could react, four police cars rammed straight into it from four different directions.

Bang...!!!

A burly man with shoulder-length hair and black tactical gear stepped out of one of the cars.

He raised his metal-glinting left arm and smashed the rear window of the Chevrolet Suburban with a single punch.

However,

when he prepared to open fire, he discovered that the rear seats were completely empty.

No!

Rather, there was only a small holographic projection device capable of simulating another person's image.

Due to the violent collision just now, the projected image of Zemo flickered several times before disappearing completely.

"Mission failed. The target isn't in the vehicle!!!"

"Good morning, dear viewers. In just over ten minutes, a special United Nations conference will be held in the United Nations City behind me. The conference was initiated by [Sokovia], an Eastern European nation that has suffered through more than a decade of war..."

Before the conference had even officially begun, the grounds outside United Nations City were already packed solid with reporters and photographers who had rushed over after hearing the news.

To most of them, [Sokovia] was merely an obscure little Eastern European country.

Some had never even heard of it before.

Yet these journalists, with their keen instincts, had caught the scent of a major scoop.

And it was the guaranteed kind.

So, in order to get firsthand information from the conference before anyone else, many people had arrived early to secure a favorable spot.

Before long, an armored vehicle slowly pulled up before the gates.

After undergoing a rigorous security inspection, it was finally allowed into the grounds and parked in front of the [International Conference Building], where the press conference would be held.

The door opened, and Zemo calmly arrived outside the designated conference hall on the third floor.

He raised a hand to straighten his expensive custom-made suit, then pushed open the door... and, under the astonished gazes of the Security Council members, walked steadily onto the podium.

"I am Baron Helmut Zemo, Sokovia's newly appointed foreign affairs spokesperson. On behalf of all Sokovian people who have suffered beneath the ravages of war, I have come to demand an explanation from the Security Council for the injustices we have endured without cause over these past ten-plus years..."

"Excuse me, sir, but allow me to interrupt."

At that moment, Sitwell, seated in the front row, pulled the microphone closer and interrupted indignantly:

"Baron, before you begin your formal statement, I would like to express, on behalf of all Security Council members, our deep disappointment over Sokovia's previous refusal to accept peacekeeping forces."

"This has invisibly intensified international tensions and placed the honor and authority of the Security Council under an enormous challenge!!!"

Hydra people?

They were already jumping out so impatiently?

"That is exactly what I was about to say..."

At that moment, Zemo was like a drawn sword, his sharpness fully revealed as he retorted directly:

"We have all been deceived, because the forces dispatched by the Security Council were not real peacekeeping troops at all, but... [Hydra]!!!"

"[Hydra]???"

Whispers immediately broke out in the conference hall.

Most of the attendees wore confused and bewildered expressions.

It was as if they had never heard of this organization before.

On the other hand, the older attendees all showed shock when they heard the name.

"Does anyone know what Hydra is?"

At last, someone quietly voiced the question on everyone's mind.

"That was a Nazi organization from World War II. But shouldn't it have been wiped out long ago? How could it possibly have survived until now?"

"That's right. Even if Hydra still exists, it could never have infiltrated the Security Council... Our Security Council represents justice and order!!"

Facing everyone's doubts, a cold smile curled across Zemo's lips.

Impossible?!

If what Boss said is true, forget the Security Council—even S.H.I.E.L.D. has long since been infiltrated like a sieve!

Yet he did not rush to answer their questions.

Instead, he continued speaking:

"When our resources were secretly controlled by the [Hydra organization], turning us into a cash machine for their weapons development and wars,

the people of [Sokovia] suffered the threats of hunger and death amid the flames of war..."

"More than a decade ago, [Sokovia] was still a peaceful and prosperous nation. But after troops waving the banner of peacekeeping—

troops that were in fact [Hydra]—arrived, the shadows of war and fear completely engulfed the entire country."

"Our people have waited too long in despair and oppression, but that does not mean we will simply compromise."

"We will seize every opportunity to resist and reclaim our lost homeland from those vicious criminals... And the facts have proven that we succeeded!!"

"Today, [Sokovia] is no longer what it once was. We will never again tolerate any external force desecrating that peaceful land.

We have the right to enjoy peace, the strength to preserve it, and the willingness to contribute our share to world peace..."

"Furthermore, given the Security Council's grave oversight in this matter, we will later apply to the International Court for compensation of $600 billion!!!"

Σ(⊙▽⊙"a?!!

What, $600 billion???

Why the hell don't you just rob us!

No, even robbery wouldn't be this fast.

Many people were stunned by the astronomical figure!!!