At noon the next day, World Security Council headquarters.
"So Hydra had actually been living among us ever since the end of the last century's war?"
After hearing Nick Fury's report, Alexander Pierce frowned deeply. "And you never discovered this?"
"This was my failure, Minister Pierce."
Nick Fury stood before him, exhaustion filling his one eye, his expression exceptionally grim.
"Now isn't the time to hold you accountable." Alexander Pierce shook his head and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city below, which had yet to fully recover from the chaos.
"Listen, Fury, this is dangerous. Even now, there are still many people in New York who fell asleep and haven't woken up. It's even starting to cause panic..."
"The other council members will soon use this mess as an opportunity to attack us. We need to respond quickly, or S.H.I.E.L.D. may cease to exist..."
"That's what I wanted to say too, Minister." Fury sighed, his voice hoarse. "I think I may be tired. I want to resign as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. I hope you'll approve it."
"What?!" Pierce's expression changed as he turned toward Fury. "Do you know what you're saying? Fury, without you, where am I supposed to find another 'king of agents'?"
"That's what I want to ask, Minister."
Fury raised his head, his single eye calmly watching his old superior. "You know this. I'm an agent first, and director of S.H.I.E.L.D. second."
"What are you trying to say?"
For some reason, Pierce felt a flicker of unease under Fury's gaze.
"What I'm saying is that even without S.H.I.E.L.D., I'll investigate everything I want to know myself." Fury spoke unhurriedly. "For example... Minister Pierce, do you really know nothing about Hydra?"
The air seemed to freeze in that instant.
"...What exactly are you trying