Let's Work Together

When Jack met Kingpin, it was around five in the evening. He had spent the entire day in Hell's Kitchen handling S.H.I.E.L.D. business.

He had honestly and diligently played the role of an office worker for a day, cleaning up the mess he had created in Hell's Kitchen.

He had originally planned to head home after work, make some authentic Chinese food, and watch an American TV show or something.

Then Kingpin, that bastard with no sense of timing, showed up!

Since Kingpin had already learned about Jack from Director House, especially that Jack knew the special significance of the name "Kingpin,"

Wilson Fisk, as he was really called, did not bother pretending to be some renowned New York City philanthropist in front of Jack. He directly assumed the bearing of the underworld emperor, Kingpin.

An extra-long black Lincoln, not a single bodyguard inside, and a commanding seated posture that fully displayed the style of an underworld emperor.

Inside the car, Jack drank Kingpin's fine liquor. This three-hundred-thousand-dollar bottle of whiskey, through both its taste and psychological effect, gave Jack a glimpse of the true side of this underworld emperor.

Money? What was money?

A three-hundred-thousand-dollar bottle of liquor? I keep twelve of them in this car!

Even if you're someone whose allegiance is unclear, if you want a drink, then drink!

Would I, Kingpin, really fuss over one bottle of liquor with you?

This nouveau riche who was even more extravagant than Tony in certain ways made Jack secretly click his tongue. If the system had never appeared, he might have considered following this big shot.

After half a bottle of liquor was gone, Kingpin still had not spoken. His many years in the mafia had taught him something.

Sometimes, keeping silent was more effective than opening one's mouth to question someone.

Just as Kingpin had expected, after he kept his mouth shut, Jack spoke first. But what came next left him dumbfounded, to the point that he wondered whether he was really speaking with a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

"I hope you attack the DEA or S.H.I.E.L.D. Attack them under the pretext that they attacked Hell's Kitchen."

"I believe Mr. Kingpin wants to do the same, doesn't he?"

At two meters tall and two hundred kilograms, every tiny reaction from the bald giant appeared greatly exaggerated.

So when Kingpin suddenly straightened his back and shifted from a relaxed state into a serious one, Jack sneered inwardly.

Playing that game of 'whoever speaks first loses momentum' with me?

Did you think S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agent training did not include knowledge and practical exercises on this sort of thing?

This game did make the first speaker seem lower in status, but refusing to play by the rules was one way to break the deadlock.

After recovering from his surprise, Kingpin finally asked, "Agent Jack Wilson, what do you mean by this?"

Jack picked up his glass and filled it with whiskey. Then, under Kingpin's gaze, he slowly drank half of it before continuing.

Expert at keeping people in suspense.jpg

You want me to answer every question?

Then you'll have to wait until I finish this glass!

"It means nothing else. What S.H.I.E.L.D. and the DEA organized last time was my doing."

"Yes, I know. That is why I am curious why such a righteous person as you wants Hell's Kitchen to retaliate."

"Because I want chaos. A great chaos. Can you make that happen?"

A contemptuous smile appeared on Kingpin's face. He shook his head, then said, "I can, but I will not let you use me as a weapon. If not for my old friend Pierce, I would have sent someone to take your life long ago. So with me, you—"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Jack cut Kingpin off. "Didn't your informants tell you that I'm currently dating Pierce's daughter, Jenny Pierce?"

"Do you think I'm just an ordinary Level Six Agent?"

"Pierce will die someday, and the one who inherits everything he leaves behind will be me!"

"Mr. Kingpin, you run such a massive business. I believe you have a good eye and need to maintain friendly relations with many different forces."

"If Pierce dies one day and S.H.I.E.L.D. decides to come after you, who do you think will stop S.H.I.E.L.D. for you?"

After silently listening to Jack, Kingpin saw a shadow of his younger self in him: equally young, equally ambitious...

But the difference was that this young man before him was far too naive.

He had obtained Jack's file several days ago.

Provided as a friendly favor by Pierce.

He had already read through Jack's more than twenty years of life. This ambitious fellow had not experienced the same miserable past as him. He had never endured immense pain and torment, yet he wanted the same status Kingpin possessed?

Too young... young man!

Kingpin suddenly threw a punch at Jack, but Jack caught it barehanded on the spot!

"Not bad. I used thirty percent of my strength, and you actually caught it. It seems you really are qualified to stand before me and make demands."

Kingpin's eyes were filled with approval. He and Jack had no grudge at the moment, and Jack clearly wanted to throw in with him, so his tone was quite relaxed.

Compared to Kingpin's ease, Jack felt miserable. He had thought that with one ton of strength, he could at least count as a major player in this early period before The Avengers began.

Yet the moment he encountered Kingpin, he was completely outmatched...

Kingpin's seemingly casual punch had required Jack to use all his strength just to catch it.

No wonder he was an enemy even Spider-Man, Punisher, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and even the X-Men found difficult to defeat!

With that nearly inhuman monstrous strength alone, even Captain America would probably be left red-faced and bulging with veins!

After all, Captain America was a beast of a man who had once used only his arms to forcibly hold back a helicopter trying to take off for a full minute.

Putting aside his contempt and that Homelander mindset of having the system and therefore being invincible, Jack lowered his hand and sincerely apologized to Kingpin.

He also hoped Kingpin would allow him to participate in part of Hell's Kitchen's business.

Kingpin did not grow suspicious when Jack wanted to join Hell's Kitchen, because S.H.I.E.L.D. already had informants in Hell's Kitchen. Now, someone wanted to openly do business.

"Then join. I, Kingpin, never refuse any friend, even... a friend like you!"

Kingpin extended his large hand and firmly shook Jack's.

The two exchanged smiles. These two like-minded scoundrels clearly found each other much more agreeable now.

But inwardly...

"Heh, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent dumb enough to come along once in a century. If you want to board this pirate ship, then go ahead. But when you want to get off, it will no longer be up to you."

"Heh, another bald guy whose abilities are absurdly strong in certain areas. Sooner or later, I'll find a way to wipe out you Marvel baldies without losing Evil Points!"