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The bar was closed and cleared out. Two Winter Soldiers stood outside the entrance, refusing entry to all unauthorized personnel.

In Hell's Kitchen, ordinary refusals could not stop curious onlookers, but a full counterterrorism tactical outfit certainly could.

Submachine Guns, assault rifles, grenades, Flashbangs...

If that still was not enough, then the anti-materiel sniper rifle displayed at the bar's entrance should do the trick.

Don't ask. If you had to ask, S.H.I.E.L.D. was handling business, so civilians should stay clear!

What, you said you were S.H.I.E.L.D. too, and even held a high rank? Then why didn't you know there was an operation in Hell's Kitchen?

Don't be stupid. Who the hell were you? Even your director didn't have enough rank!

Inside the bar, the tables and chairs had been moved aside to clear a spacious area. Four Winter Soldiers surrounded Luke Cage, fighting him with coordinated team tactics.

Without weapons or equipment, a single Winter Soldier was no match for Luke Cage, even after undergoing a second or even third enhancement.

There was nothing to be done about it. Luke Cage's abilities seemed tailor-made for taking beatings. Aside from tremendous strength, he possessed enhanced muscle tissue and bone density, giving him extraordinary defense against blades and other cold weapons, conventional handgun fire at close range, and even heavy blunt-force strikes.

Combined with healing three times faster than an ordinary person's, he had impressive endurance and exceptional staying power.

No wonder Bucky had his eye on him. This ability was made for a team. He would make the best close-combat tank; bringing him into the Winter Soldier Legion and training him properly would give them a highly capable asset.

That had been Bucky's initial plan, but after thinking it over, he decided to wait.

The reason was simple—and touching enough to