Bucky quickly drew his pistol and fired at Steve from multiple angles, aiming for his head, chest, abdomen, and legs.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Steve deftly moved his shield to block every shot, advancing toward Bucky with determination. However, as he closed in, Bucky drew a second pistol and unleashed a flurry of shots from dual angles.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The combination of Bucky's rapid reflexes and the crossfire left Steve vulnerable, and one shot struck his side.
"Ugh—ah!" Steve groaned in pain as blood began to seep from the wound.
Seeing an opportunity, Bucky rushed forward to deliver a finishing blow, but Steve charged with his shield, ramming Bucky and sending him flying backward. Bucky was caught midair by one of the enhanced agents behind him.
Regaining his balance, Bucky drew a combat knife, his expression cold and resolute. He was determined to complete his mission today.
Steve braced himself as Bucky launched another attack. The two engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat, trading blows with precision and power.
Despite his skill, Steve struggled to gain ground, as the presence of the enhanced agents made it impossible for him to approach the chip room.
…
The Council Chambers-
Natasha smiled as the display on her terminal indicated the successful completion of her task.
"Upload complete. Didn't expect to go viral this quickly," she joked.
…
Konoha Base-
In the command center, the voice of the AI, Red Queen, announced:
"Data transfer complete. Displaying all S.H.I.E.L.D. global base locations."
A large projection of the world map appeared, dotted with countless red markers.
Seeing this, Ginny issued her next order, "Red Queen, prioritize the highest-level bases based on the data. Assign them to the ninja squads immediately."
"Yes, Secretary Ginny," the AI responded.
Moments later, all the ninja in the command center received location assignments on their devices. Tsunade, standing beside Ginny, waved her hand decisively.
"All ninja, move out now!"
"Yes!"
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
Twenty-nine ninja vanished from the room in a flurry of shadows. Even Tsunade joined the deployment.
Outside the base, helicopters began taking off, carrying ninja toward the designated S.H.I.E.L.D. bases.
Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze remained in the command center, calmly sensing the locations of his Hiraishin kunai. A second later, he disappeared in a flash of light, teleporting directly to his target.
The command center fell quiet, leaving only Ginny and Skye.
Skye looked up from her console and reported, "I've deleted Lord Charles's data, but I can't guarantee that other organizations haven't archived it."
Ginny shook her head calmly, "Deleting intel is just a precaution. We don't mind if some traces remain."
"Besides, the data S.H.I.E.L.D. released should include your information as well. Feel free to review it and see if it matches what Lord Charles has told you."
Ginny added with a reassuring smile, "After this mission, I'll help you find your family."
Skye beamed with joy and gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Secretary Ginny!"
…
Triskelion Building-
The Council Room-
Nick Fury stared at Natasha, surprised at how composed she seemed in the face of the situation.
Meanwhile, Pierce discreetly pressed a button on his phone. A moment later, the badge on the chest of the British council member ignited, searing a hole straight through his torso, killing him instantly.
Pierce quickly pressed the button four more times, executing four council members in rapid succession. Natasha immediately turned and aimed her weapon at Pierce.
Pierce smirked and said, "Put down the gun, unless you want a two-inch-wide hole burned through your chest."
He then turned to Selene and added, "Of course, if you want to be the first to break Charles agency's perfect mission completion streak, go ahead and make your move."
"I trust that no matter how fast you are, I'll still have time to touch the screen."
Turning back to Natasha, Pierce continued, "The moment you put it on, it activates."
Exchanging a glance with Fury, Natasha reluctantly lowered her weapon.
Though he seemed to have the upper hand, Pierce knew his greatest threat was Selene.
He decided against staying to oversee the helicarrier operations and instead offered, "I don't know what your mission is, but I'm sure it's not to kill me. Escort me to the helicopter, and your job is done."
"Swoosh!"
Selene darted forward in a blur, drawing her flexible sword and severing Pierce's hand holding the phone.
"Argh!" Pierce screamed in pain as his severed hand and phone hit the floor.
Selene grabbed Pierce by the neck and declared coldly, "Charles Agency does not tolerate threats."
She pulled him closer and sank her fangs into his neck.
Natasha and Fury, initially filled with despair, shifted to relief and then shock as they watched the events unfold.
Natasha immediately removed her badge, while Fury observed Selene's actions with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
'What kind of tendency is this?' he wondered.
Then it hit him. Recalling the werewolves at Konoha Base and connecting the dots, Fury's mind raced.
'Could Selene be a vampire?'
Fury had conducted extensive investigations into werewolf sightings but had never uncovered concrete results. Now, seeing Selene's behavior, his suspicions deepened.
'Charles's agency truly is a magnet for extraordinary talent.'
Still, Fury frowned slightly. Was Selene performing an embrace to create a bondage, draining him for sustenance, or extracting information? The myriad vampire myths and media he'd encountered over the years flashed through his mind.
Meanwhile, decades of Pierce's memories flooded into Selene's consciousness. Like a slideshow, his life played out in vivid detail, from childhood to the present.
Selene meticulously absorbed every detail, particularly focusing on S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra operations.