Over the course of a month, Loren built himself a 2B to act as a robotic housekeeper.
On S.H.I.E.L.D.'s end, they were not idle either. After a month of effort, they finally managed to find a shred of a clue regarding Loren through image comparison with 2B.
Inside a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base, Nick Fury looked at the intel Coulson had brought back after a month of hard work, his expression very grave.
"You mean that man wearing the Bat Armor and causing trouble everywhere is likely the young master of the Morgan Family—Loren Morgan?"
"Yes, according to the intel we've gathered, this Loren Morgan is the prime suspect, exceeding 80 percent. But if we want to confirm it completely, someone must infiltrate his manor and conduct an in-depth investigation." Standing on the side, Coulson nodded and spoke.
"Infiltrate Morgan Manor! You really dare to say that, Coulson. Do you know what the Morgan Family represents? They're the biggest plutocratic family in our country. The person sitting in the White House even has to look at their family's mood to operate. Now you're actually saying we should infiltrate the Morgan Family. How is that any different from looking for death?"
Hearing Coulson say they should infiltrate Morgan Manor to investigate, before Nick Fury could say anything, Hawkeye Barton, who had just recovered from his injuries on the side, couldn't help but complain.
"I naturally know the power of the Morgan Family, but now all the clues point to Loren. If we want to know the truth, conducting an in-depth investigation is something we must do, unless we voluntarily give up on this truth and stop investigating further..."
"No, we cannot give it up. That Batman is lawless and poses a major threat to us. I will never allow him to develop freely. Even if he is Loren Morgan, he needs to be subject to reasonable supervision." Nick Fury wore a gloomy face, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
As the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the creed he had always strictly adhered to was that any threat had to be placed under the supervision of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Any existence that threatened the security of this planet, whether a person or an action, was unacceptable.
Once discovered, he had to take corresponding action—either destroy it on the spot or bring it under control.
Therefore, let alone the fact that Loren Morgan was still an Earthling, even if he were an extraterrestrial lifeform, he would never grant him preferential treatment.
With that said, he shifted his gaze to Natasha on the side. "Natasha, it's been a month. What's the situation with the Hulk?"
Hearing this, Natasha's expression looked somewhat unpleasant. "Things were going quite smoothly at first. I had already made contact with Dr. Banner, but a group of special operations personnel suddenly arrived and infuriated Dr. Banner. Then he transformed into the Hulk, killed everyone, and vanished afterward."
Hearing this news, Nick Fury couldn't help letting out a harsh curse. "Motherfucker, that damned old ghost Ross. I've told him many times to let us at S.H.I.E.L.D. handle the capture of Banner, but he just wouldn't listen. Now that things have turned into this mess, let's see what he does."
"Sir, General Ross has been hunting down the Hulk all this time, and the grudge between them runs far too deep. Getting him to give up is practically impossible."
"That damned old ghost Ross is as stubborn as a mule. But we aren't pushovers either. You will continue to be responsible for capturing the Hulk, and I'll notify you the moment there's any news. Before that, you'll go to Morgan Manor to scout out the situation, trying your best to avoid being discovered. I only need you to confirm that the silver-haired woman is inside the manor."
"Understood, I'll move out immediately." Hearing Nick Fury's order, Natasha didn't hesitate for a second, nodded, and went to prepare.
Seeing Nick Fury actually send Natasha deep into Morgan Manor, her old friend Barton wore a face full of worry.
"Sir, Natasha already showed her face in front of that Batman. Sending her to Morgan Manor now is very dangerous."
"It is indeed very dangerous, which is why I need you to protect her in secret. But remember, you mustn't let Natasha find out."
"Sir, what are you trying to do?"
"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Natasha is the cicada, and you are the oriole!"
"Sir, you mean Natasha is a bait?!"
"Yes. If Batman really is Loren Morgan, then Natasha won't be able to get into Morgan Manor at all. Based on my guess, she'll be discovered by the other party before she even infiltrates the manor. By then, the people inside will naturally come out, and that's when we'll need you to gather intel."
"Sir, doing this makes Natasha even more dangerous."
"Every mission carries risks. Do I really need to spell that out for you?"
"I understand." Barton nodded silently and said nothing more.
"Don't worry too much either. Judging by Batman's previous attitude toward dealing with you guys, that fellow hasn't reached the point of unhinged indiscriminate slaughter. And I only want to confirm his identity; I harbor no malice, so Natasha will be fine. Once I confirm that Loren is Batman, I will personally pay a visit then."
"I understand your meaning. I'll move out right now." Understanding Nick Fury's intention, Barton also quickly retreated.
In an instant, only Coulson was left inside the director's office.
"Sir, by doing this, do you also intend to recruit Batman and have him become a member of the Avengers?"
"Coulson, out of so many people, you still understand me best. You guessed right; I do indeed want to recruit Batman. Not just Batman, but also that silver-haired woman by his side. They are both a force for this planet of ours. If they can be properly utilized, our Earth's security will have an extra layer of safeguard."
"Sir, is there really extraterrestrial life in this world like you said?" Coulson looked at Nick Fury with a puzzled expression.
Hearing this, the figure of a woman radiating golden energy immediately surfaced in Nick Fury's mind, and then he gently touched the special pager in his pocket, nodding with a certain expression.
"The scale of this universe exceeds your imagination and mine, and threats from beyond Earth will arrive one day. We must make preparations as early as possible."
"Understood."
"Right, what is Tony Stark's attitude?" Nick Fury changed the subject and asked.
"Tony Stark seems to have been the first person to make contact with Batman, and I heard he got beaten up by the guy, so he's locked himself in his lab doing research this whole time and refuses to see anyone."
"What, he's shut himself in?"
"Heh, it seems a bit like that. He's naturally a proud and arrogant person; being defeated in his own field of expertise, it's normal that he can't accept it mentally."
"Then keep a closer eye on this matter. Tony Stark is a genius, and the technology in his hands is of great use to us. Be sure to recruit him."
"Mn, I'll pay attention to it. Right, the identity of that Spider-Man who's been appearing on the streets of New York lately has already been investigated as well."
"Who is it?"
"The other party is a high school student named Gwen Stacy."
"Female?"
Before you continue