Nick Fury Kills Pierce

Compared to General Ross's dismal exit, S.H.I.E.L.D., as the primary culprit, appeared infinitely more miserable.

All S.H.I.E.L.D. higher-ups who had participated in the attack on Tony were either dismissed from office or arrested and imprisoned on charges of professional crime.

Even the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Alexander Pierce, was relieved of his duties as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., bringing an end to his political career.

Inside S.H.I.E.L.D., shortly after government officials finished reading out the orders, they quickly produced another document.

"To ensure that S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to operate, after deliberation by the upper echelons, Nick Fury is appointed to succeed as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."

As the words fell, everyone present turned to look at Nick, their eyes filled with envy.

Amidst this incident, Nick was one of the few who had narrowly escaped disaster. For one, he had backers in high places; for another, the government could not possibly lock up everyone in S.H.I.E.L.D.

Therefore, after friendly consultations, Nick had bypassed this purge, even turning misfortune into a blessing by successfully ascending to the position of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Facing the congratulations of his many colleagues, Nick nodded in response to each one. Pierce, who had just been stripped of his post, watched this scene with a complexion as dark as ink.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Pierce turned and walked away, returning to his office.

Not long after he entered the office, Hitt pushed the door open and walked in.

"Head."

Hitt greeted him.

Pierce took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger generated by his dismissal.

"Hitt, I can no longer remain in S.H.I.E.L.D. From now on, you are the highest-ranking leader lurking within S.H.I.E.L.D."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. has just experienced chaos and is unsuited for too much action. Order all members to enter dormant status and await activation."

"In the future, I will contact you through other means."

Pierce entrusted him with his affairs after the fact, and Hitt listened respectfully, nodding from time to time.

Soon, having finished giving his instructions, Pierce packed up his belongings, picked up his box, and rose with the intention of leaving the office.

Observing this, the silent Hitt finally spoke up. "Head, where are you going next?"

At these words, Pierce shook his head helplessly. "I plan to leave the United States directly."

"Without an official talisman, staying here is too dangerous."

"I have already booked a plane ticket and will be leaving shortly."

Facing his confidant, Pierce held back almost nothing. At the same time, his words were laden with helplessness.

He knew himself best; during his tenure as Director, he had offended quite a few people.

Furthermore, he had engineered the attack on Tony. Based on his understanding of Tony, that fellow was hardly a magnanimous person. Thus, it was best to leave New York immediately; otherwise, he feared he might not live to see the next day's sun.

"Let this subordinate see you off, Head."

Hitt offered.

Hearing this, Pierce hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.

"Very well."

With that, the two of them left S.H.I.E.L.D. one after the other and drove toward the airport.

Along the way, Pierce closed his eyes to rest, while Hitt drove the vehicle toward the airport. Yet throughout the journey, he repeatedly cast his gaze toward Pierce in the backseat via the rearview mirror.

Time passed, and the two grew closer and closer to the airport. Suddenly, the sound of engines echoed from outside the car window as several black sedans abruptly appeared, driving parallel to the vehicle Pierce was riding in, before accelerating to block his path forward.

Screech!

A sharp screech of brakes rang out, and the vehicle carrying Pierce was forced to a halt.

Pierce shifted in the backseat and instantly opened his eyes.

Taking in the scene outside the window, Pierce's previously calm expression instantly turned gloomy.

Soon, outside the car, Nick-who had just assumed the position of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.-stepped down from a vehicle alongside a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. members.

Seeing this, the sense of unease in Pierce's heart grew even stronger.

Simultaneously, his gaze shifted toward Hitt in the driver's seat.

Aside from himself, he had only told Hitt about his trip to the airport. For S.H.I.E.L.D. to catch up so quickly, someone had clearly leaked the news.

"Why?"

Pierce demanded in a deep voice, his tone mixed with intense murderous intent.

He could never have imagined that his own confidant would betray him.

"Head, I didn't have a choice before, but now I want to be a good person."

"Surrender."

Hitt said with a calm expression.

Pierce laughed in extreme anger. "Surrender? I won't die in peace if I don't eliminate a traitor like you!"

With a furious shout, Pierce thrust his hand into his coat and drew a pistol directly.

Hitt had been prepared for this; he swiftly opened the car door and rolled out of the vehicle.

Losing his target, Pierce did not hesitate, opening his door and stepping out as well. Seeing this, Nick and the others-who had already surrounded the car-raised their guns in unison.

"Pierce, your crimes have come to light!"

"I am now arresting you for espionage. Drop your weapons immediately and cease pointless resistance, otherwise I have the right to execute you on the spot!"

Nick shouted a warning, while Hitt took the opportunity to hide behind the S.H.I.E.L.D. members.

Observing this, Pierce knew his time was up, but surrender was utterly out of the question!

"Hail Hydra!"

Crying out the slogan of Hydra, Pierce instantly opened fire, sending bullets flying straight toward Hitt.

As a traitor, Hitt was the person Pierce hated most, so he completely ignored the others and trained his muzzle directly on Hitt.

Yet the moment Pierce fired, the S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel-who had already taken aim at him-also opened fire, and in an instant, gunfire erupted.

A dozen seconds later, the gunfire on the highway ceased.

Pierce, the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., was ultimately gunned down by S.H.I.E.L.D. members on the highway!

Dense bloody holes riddled his body, looking exceptionally gruesome.

Apart from him, there was one other casualty at the scene: Hitt.

He had been pierced right between the eyebrows by a single bullet from Pierce, his eyes filled with disbelief.

As a spy cultivated by Hydra, Pierce was also an exceptional agent with outstanding marksmanship.

Under his single-minded assault, Hitt ultimately failed to escape the fate of death.

Having gunned down Pierce, Nick and the others lowered their weapons, and two S.H.I.E.L.D. members quickly stepped forward to check Pierce's condition.

"Report, confirmed dead."

"Mm, I know. Clear the battlefield."

With that order, Nick turned and returned to the car while several S.H.I.E.L.D. members swiftly cleared the scene.

Sitting in the car, Nick rubbed his brow wearily.

Back when he was still under Pierce's command, he had already suspected Pierce's identity, but because Pierce was his direct superior, he had been forced to endure in silence.

Even without Hitt's betrayal, Pierce would not have been able to leave the United States today, meaning Hitt's betrayal merely confirmed his own suspicions.

Therefore, the deaths of the two men were hardly worth lamenting over; the only regret was that they had died too quickly, failing to root out all the rats hidden within S.H.I.E.L.D.

Fortunately, the higher-ups of Hydra had all been wiped out, and the small fries left behind could no longer stir up any great waves.