"It's you, that kid with heterochromia!"
When he saw Xia Zuo walk out, Nick Fury's expression turned strange, because the sight was truly bizarre.
According to their deductions, Xia Zuo was connected to the previous case, but they were very likely enemies. After all, the blood-soaked courtyard proved that two forces had fought here.
One was Hydra, so the other should have been Xia Zuo's side. Yet now, all the Hydra soldiers stood in two rows, clustered around Xia Zuo as though he were their leader.
The sight looked utterly awkward, not the least bit harmonious.
"Kid, don't be nervous. We're from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. We're not bad people. Please trust us."
Although somewhat bewildered by the confusing situation, Nick Fury continued trying to persuade Xia Zuo, hoping to stabilize things first.
"Strategic Homeland... have you ever considered changing your name? S.H.I.E.L.D. sounds pretty good!" Xia Zuo suddenly quipped. He had originally wanted to repeat their name, but he actually couldn't get it out.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was so much better, simple and easy to understand. That Homeland-whatever Division was far too much trouble. He couldn't even remember it.
Nick Fury: ...
"Kid, can you tell us what exactly happened here?"
Nick Fury looked helpless, not knowing why Xia Zuo had brought that up. Although he also thought their name was a little long, that wasn't the point. The point was the situation here, and he wanted to know what was happening.
"Obviously, Hydra came looking for trouble with me." Xia Zuo looked at Nick Fury and said casually, "So I wiped them all out!"
"How is that possible?!!"
Nick Fury's pupils contracted as he stared at Xia Zuo in shock, many things coming to mind at once.
The situation here was truly bizarre. If Hydra had come looking for trouble, why had things ended up like this, with all the Hydra soldiers dead on the ground while Xia Zuo remained completely unharmed?
There was also a small armed squad protecting Xia Zuo. Nick Fury recognized the uniforms worn by the soldiers protecting him as Hydra's as well.
Connecting that with Xia Zuo's answer, Nick Fury immediately thought of a possibility: Xia Zuo was a mutant, and his ability was a form of mind control!
As the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury knew about the existence of mutants. He even knew that mutants had been involved during the World War. If Xia Zuo was a mutant, everything here could finally be explained.
At that thought, Nick Fury's pupils contracted, and he looked at Xia Zuo warily.
He had already pictured a scene: Xia Zuo directing things from inside the house while the Hydra soldiers outside fought like puppets, slaughtering their comrades. The image sent a chill down his spine.
An ability like that reminded him of a powerful mutant who could invade people's minds without restraint and toy with them at will, possessing the power to control the world single-handedly. It was only because that person's rationality leaned toward kindness that the world was at peace now.
That was precisely why Nick Fury became even more wary of Xia Zuo, because he knew just how terrifying this kind of power was!
"You're a mutant?!" Nick Fury couldn't help asking Xia Zuo. He wanted to confirm whether his guess was correct, because if it really was, the threat Xia Zuo posed would increase dramatically, reaching an entirely different level.
"A mutant? Who knows?" Xia Zuo chuckled, offering no further answer to Nick Fury's question.
"Asta, do you still remember me? Trust me, we won't hurt you."
At that moment, Natasha, who had remained silent all this time, spoke up. Having personally confirmed that Xia Zuo was connected to this incident, Natasha had been deeply shocked, but she had now recovered and hoped to keep Xia Zuo here, because he would be an enormous destabilizing factor out in the world.
"Of course I remember, my dear Mrs. Steve. I've missed you so much." Xia Zuo looked at Natasha with a half-smile, teasing her.
How could Natasha fail to understand? Xia Zuo had known her identity all along and was teasing her. Her brows furrowed slightly.
"I'm leaving now. If you think you can keep me here, you're welcome to try."
Xia Zuo couldn't be bothered to waste words on them. He gave Nick Fury a meaningful look, then slowly headed toward the back door. The Hydra soldiers under his control also slowly surrounded him to prevent anyone from attacking him.
"Sir, should we stop them?"
A soldier urgently questioned Nick Fury. Were they going to stop Xia Zuo? All the soldiers were waiting for Nick Fury's orders.
"No. If we take action, everyone on our side might be wiped out. Let them leave!"
Nick Fury spoke solemnly, stopping everyone. But no one noticed the red ring deep within his eyes. Without anyone realizing it, Nick Fury had already fallen under the power of Geass!
This was inevitable. To leave safely, controlling Nick Fury was very necessary.
"Well... all right!" the soldier said helplessly, left with no choice but to watch Xia Zuo leave.
A little while later, Xia Zuo's figure had disappeared into the street and vanished into the crowd. He had left this place completely, leaving behind his first foothold since coming to this world.
"Where is he? Where's that kid?"
At that moment, Nick Fury slowly regained his senses, only to discover that Xia Zuo was gone. He couldn't help urgently questioning those around him. People controlled by Geass had no memories of their time under its control, so Nick Fury had no idea what had happened.
"Didn't you tell us to let him leave? Fury, what's wrong with you?" Natasha looked at Nick Fury in confusion.
"I gave that order? I didn't give any order!" Nick Fury's expression changed drastically as he instantly understood what had happened!
He had been controlled just now, and without even realizing it.
Nick Fury's expression was grave. Such power was truly frightening, downright spine-chilling. It was too terrifying, and he absolutely did not want to experience it again!
"Sir, look over there!"
A soldier suddenly shouted in panic, pointing toward the back door. Nick Fury and Natasha both turned to look.
The Hydra soldiers were stationed at the back door. To protect Xia Zuo as he left, the controlled Hydra soldiers had gathered there, blocking the S.H.I.E.L.D. soldiers' path.
At that very moment, all the controlled Hydra soldiers raised their pistols and aimed them at their own heads. Then, under the horrified gazes of everyone from S.H.I.E.L.D., they pulled their triggers!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out one after another, and all the Hydra soldiers fell.
Protect Xia Zuo as he left, until death. That was the order Xia Zuo had given them. Now that he had left, only the final part of their mission remained: death!
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