"Nick Fury, me joining the Avengers doesn't mean I'm joining S.H.I.E.L.D., and it definitely doesn't mean I take orders from you."
"The only reason I joined the Avengers is to supervise a force this powerful, making sure it doesn't become just another tool for your whims."
"More importantly, I'm here to monitor S.H.I.E.L.D. itself—whether or not it's truly working for world peace."
"That supervisory authority was one of the conditions for inviting me."
"So pray, Nick Fury. You'd better hope there's no filthy business inside S.H.I.E.L.D., or you'll learn firsthand what the Assassin's League is all about."
"I'll make you understand the meaning of 'Nothing is true, everything is permitted!'"
Hearing Smith Dole's commanding words, Bulma's eyes sparkled. A man who stood unafraid before power—he was too cool.
Meanwhile, Tony Stark felt a bit sour. It seemed like he'd sold himself too cheap when he agreed to join the Avengers. Now Smith Dole was the center of attention again. No way—he needed to slap on a "consultant" or "advisor" title at least.
Nick Fury? Please. If he couldn't control Smith Dole, how could he hope to control him?
Though Fury's face remained unreadable, in his heart a stampede of wild horses was tearing through him, each one yelling profanities.
This wasn't a hired hand—they had brought in a goddamn boss.
Supervision? Forget it. Fury decided right then to shelve the Avengers Initiative. And as for sharing any intel or access to S.H.I.E.L.D. bases? That was out of the question. As far as he was concerned, Smith Dole wasn't even a level 0 agent. Letting him "supervise" was a joke.
Without access, Smith wouldn't even know which way S.H.I.E.L.D.'s front door opened.
Fury, suppressing his frustration, finally spoke:
"Smith Dole, do you think I'm here to negotiate with you?"
Smith sneered:
"Black egg, feel free to try me."
"Go ahead and rally other departments. See if you can pressure my product into submission."
Tony chimed in:
"This is a device that detects bio-energy. A medical diagnostic tool, really. Are there really people out there with such bad intentions they'd try to suppress it?"
"Looks like Stark Industries' legal team and our friends in the Senate are going to be busy."
Hearing Tony's support—and the way he cleverly rebranded the Power Level Detector as a medical device—Fury gave him a fierce glare before turning and storming out of the room.
As he walked out, his grip on the Captain Marvel pager finally loosened. His back was drenched in sweat, and rage pulsed in his mind.
It was outrageous. Absolutely outrageous. Smith Dole should be imprisoned. Dissected. Who the hell still behaved like such a racist in this day and age?
Of course, what Fury didn't realize was that Smith Dole didn't even see him as human. To him, Fury was just a black mutt. A destabilizing factor. A traitor to the world order.
Backstage, Tony watched Fury leave and said:
"Dude, that was the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.—aren't you afraid he'll make things difficult for you?"
Smith scoffed:
"Let him try. That would give me all the reason I need to go after him."
"You think I'm just saying I'll supervise S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"I really don't get it—how did someone like him become the head of a global organization? The last Director must've been blind."
"Tony, don't tell me you actually think S.H.I.E.L.D. is filled with saints. I'm telling you, the dirt in that place would shock even us."
Tony nodded slowly, thoughtful.
And at that moment, he made a decision: the Avengers should be led by the Avengers themselves.
"That guy got me so distracted I almost forgot why I came."
"Bulma, that Power Level Detector of yours—can you make it into a modular unit I can integrate into my suit and connect with J.A.R.V.I.S.?"
Instead of answering, Bulma looked over at Smith.
Smith nodded.
"Bulma, help Tony out. See if it can be simplified."
Bulma thought for a moment and replied:
"I can give it a try. But I'll need the reserved module dimensions and data port info."
Tony gave a thumbs-up, chatted a bit longer, and after discussing the Avengers Initiative with Smith, he left.
With Tony gone, Smith turned to Bulma and said:
"Alright, everyone else is gone. Let's get our trip started."
"Let's go!"
…
Smith took Bulma on a day out, starting from the TCL Chinese Theatre and exploring the surrounding areas.
First, they strolled along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, lined with celebrity handprints and signatures. Smith explained the stars he recognized to Bulma and took photos with her.
When staff recognized him, they enthusiastically invited both Smith and Bulma to leave their own handprints.
Next, they visited the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. seafood restaurant themed around Forrest Gump, then had dessert at the Italian-style pastry shop Angelini Alimentari.
After that, they headed to L.A.'s Chinatown and found an authentic Sichuan hotpot place, letting Bulma taste real Chinese flavors.
Their tour continued through Little Tokyo, the Disney Concert Hall, Dolby Theatre, and more.
By the end of the day, worn out after so much excitement, Bulma dozed off on the ride home, resting her head on Smith's shoulder.
Smith smiled gently and didn't disturb her.
…
Elsewhere.
As news of the product launch spread, Fox launched a massive advertising campaign. The Power Level Detector quickly gained public awareness—though the $3 million price tag put it out of most people's reach.
But the internet is never short on curious rich folks. Especially after Tony's 4.5 power level clip leaked, one wealthy individual bought a unit and posted selfies on social media.
"My 5.5 Power Level makes me terrifyingly strong!"
In the comments, women flooded in with messages like: "Let's meet," "Let me feel it," and "Please destroy me."
Men, on the other hand, were curious about their own power levels. One entrepreneur saw an opportunity—he bought a detector and started selling test sessions for $1,000 a pop, complete with souvenir photos.
Other billionaires used it to screen bodyguards—those with high power levels stayed, the rest got cut.
Before long, a flood of creative uses appeared online, and wearing a Power Level Detector quickly became a new symbol of wealth.
…
(End of Chapter)
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