The Finest Black Widow

1998 was a fairly good year, only two years away from the turn of the century.

Natasha Romanoff, barely in her teens, had become the Red Room's finest agent in just three years and been bestowed the title of "Black Widow."

And amid countless contenders, she had become the finest Black Widow!

In the Red Room's decades-long history, no one had ever accomplished this. She was the best.

Yet Natasha, who had achieved all this, merely gripped the necklace around her neck, her expression cold.

She had been knocked down countless times, but no one knew where she found the strength to rise again and again, performing so brilliantly each time.

If it had to be called something, that strength was called "faith."

Under Melina's complicated gaze, Dreykov sent Natasha to the United States on a mission.

Melina had already made her plans. Once Yelena came out of the Red Room as well, she would retire.

As for where she would go...

A figure flashed through Melina's mind.

After receiving the assignment, Natasha performed exceptionally well, helping Dreykov complete several difficult missions in succession.

It was precisely because of this that she caught the attention of Nick Fury, who had successfully risen to power.

Nick Fury dispatched Level Seven agent "Hawkeye" Clint Barton to deal with Black Widow Natasha.

But Hawkeye Barton did not follow Nick Fury's order to eliminate Natasha.

Because he could not do it.

In combat, Barton could only fight Natasha to a standstill, and he even seemed to be at a slight disadvantage.

Barton was greatly shocked, but on second thought, it was hardly surprising.

Though Natasha was only in her teens, she was the finest Black Widow—the greatest in history.

Unable to overpower Natasha, Barton came to appreciate her talent. He tried every possible method and finally persuaded her.

Natasha seemed to come to her senses and decided to join S.H.I.E.L.D.

In truth, Natasha had prepared for this long ago.

No normal person could possibly remain loyal to the Red Room after becoming a Black Widow, and Natasha was no exception.

Like Yelena, she had hated the Red Room during her training.

If not for that damned Red Room, she would most likely have grown up happily in Ohio. Even now, she might still have been carefree, able to eat her godfather's delicious cooking every day...

Thus, faced with Barton's recruitment, Natasha agreed without hesitation.

When the king of spies, Nick Fury, learned the news, he did not immediately trust Natasha.

That would take time.

Fortunately, Natasha did not care about such things and instead chose to head straight to Ohio.

Hawkeye Barton went with her, ostensibly to serve as a guide but actually to keep her under surveillance.

Natasha did not care.

She merely looked at the familiar sights and familiar buildings before her.

This was her first "return home" in three years.

Natasha wore a hoodie, hiding her entire head beneath its hood as though she did not want anyone to see her.

Her entire body was set in a defensive posture, and Barton knew that she was struggling intensely inside.

Everything here seemed no different from when she had left.

She even saw the hot-tempered Grandma Lucy, as irascible and tough as a Texan.

Except...

Other than Grandma Lucy, everyone else was a stranger to Natasha.

Her pace grew slower and slower. As she walked down the street, no little girl with blue-dyed hair would ever ride past on a bicycle again.

The two stopped. Natasha looked at the house where she had once lived, which had now been purchased and occupied by someone else.

"Was this your home back then?"

Barton had already figured out Natasha's background. S.H.I.E.L.D. was terrifyingly capable in such matters.

Nick Fury had also realized that Natasha was the "goddaughter" of that man from back then.

"No."

Natasha glanced at it before walking in the other direction.

"My home is over here."

She arrived outside the yard where Ke Chen had once lived. The fence still looked familiar, and the lawn was neatly trimmed. It seemed someone still lived there.

Natasha's body began to tremble slightly. The two stood outside the yard, staring into the house as though trying to determine something from the shadows behind the windows.

Was Godfather still living here?

The more Natasha thought about it, the less she dared face it all.

How was she supposed to face Godfather?

The yard was arranged exactly as she remembered it, except for a few minor changes added later.

Natasha did not dare take another step forward.

Seeing her like this, Barton did not know what to say, so he chose to remain silent. He did not tell Natasha that her godfather no longer lived here.

Even S.H.I.E.L.D. found it difficult to keep track of her godfather's whereabouts.

S.H.I.E.L.D. could not easily monitor wealthy people either.

Did they think other organizations were useless?

Just as the two hesitated there, the people inside seemed to notice something outside, and the door opened from within.

"Click."

The door opened, and a young woman came out with a baby in her arms.

She looked at Barton and Natasha in confusion. The two of them seemed rather strange.

"Hi."

"Hi, you are...?"

Natasha looked at the woman before her and asked nervously.

She instinctively assumed that her godfather had gotten married and had children.

"My name is Irene. I'm the mistress of this house. Is there something you need?"

The young woman named Irene asked Natasha, assuming something had happened.

"Nothing. We just came to have a look."

Natasha regained her composure and studied Irene for a moment.

She was not beautiful, but she had a pleasing appearance.

Irene felt a little awkward under her gaze and simply asked, "Do you know McCall? Did you come looking for him?"

"McCall?"

Natasha frowned. The name was unfamiliar.

"Yes, my husband."

Irene nodded.

"When did you move here?"

Natasha realized something.

"We bought this place two years ago. It's a very nice house."

"Yes, it is."

Natasha looked at the house once more. For some reason, she seemed to relax considerably.

She no longer had to face all this, nor did she know whether her godfather was doing well or poorly.

So Godfather had left this place long ago and even sold the house.

If that was the case, why should she keep searching?

"I'll be leaving now."

Natasha said this, then turned and quickly walked away.

Barton gave Irene a wry smile and followed Natasha away.

They had naturally known this information all along, but he chose to let Natasha find the answer herself. He had no idea what Natasha was feeling at this moment.

Natasha kept her head down, her entire body seemingly wrapped in her hoodie, giving no indication of joy or anger.

Faced with everything so familiar, she instead felt like a stranger.

Three years had passed, and everything here had long since changed.