Steve retorted mockingly, "Even if you knew, would you have told me?"
"Or would it have been more of your so-called 'need-to-know' nonsense?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA—they both need to go."
Hill nodded in agreement, "He's right."
Seeing even Hill siding with Steve, Fury was momentarily stunned. He turned to Natasha, hoping for her support.
However, Natasha asked instead, "Nick, did you inject Sitwell with the super-soldier serum?"
Fury blinked, caught off guard, "What?"
"No. Sitwell isn't even on the S.H.I.E.L.D. injection list," Fury said firmly.
Natasha pressed on, "But Sitwell has become a super-soldier. I'm worried about how many agents who were injected with the serum or the 'Fire Curse Seal' are actually HYDRA. Or worse—are they all HYDRA?"
Hearing this, Fury's expression darkened.
"Most of the enhanced agents are still at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, undergoing advanced training with the ninja squads," Fury admitted.
"But Pierce—being a HYDRA operative and my predecessor as Director—definitely abused his power. He must have funneled decommissioned or unaccounted 084 artifacts to trade for more super-soldier serum."
Looking at the group, Fury hesitated before saying, "No, we need to approach this more carefully. Acting now is too dangerous for you all."
Natasha shook her head, "We don't have that kind of time. S.H.I.E.L.D. has to fall."
Inwardly, Natasha knew that without S.H.I.E.L.D.'s destruction, it wouldn't be easy for her to settle the bounty on her mission.
Fury sighed and argued, "With just us, we don't have enough manpower."
Steve countered, "I believe there are still allies within S.H.I.E.L.D. we can rally. And we have reinforcements."
Steve glanced at Natasha, who nodded in confirmation.
Fury caught on, then asked tentatively, "The Avengers?"
Natasha remained silent.
Fury pressed further, "The ninjas?"
Natasha nodded and Fury finally understood. The odds of success just increased significantly, though he wondered what kind of price Natasha had paid. Was it the Mist or the Leaf she'd sought out?
With this thought, Fury retrieved another briefcase from under the table. Opening it, he revealed a vial of serum.
"Cap, this is the thing I promised you."
"This might be the only thing I can contribute as Director now."
Steve looked at the serum, momentarily moved. He then said, "If you took it, you'd probably recover quickly."
Nick Fury shook his head.
"You need this more than I do."
"This was something I promised you before. If I wanted to, I could have injected myself with it a long time ago."
Sam, watching from the side, felt a pang of envy but knew it wasn't meant for him. Suppressing his desire, he kept silent. He understood that even if he asked, it would be futile.
Steve, after a moment of thought, said, "I'll take it after the mission is done."
He planned to personally inject Peggy Carter with the serum once the mission was over.
Fury closed the briefcase and replied, "Alright. Looks like it's time for you to give the orders now, Captain."
After finalizing the battle plan, Steve stepped outside, staring at the view in front of him. Memories of Bucky filled his mind.
During the darkest times, after the death of his parents, it was Bucky who stayed by his side.
Steve recalled Bucky's words, "I'm with you till the end of the line, pal."
Though he didn't know Bucky's current state, he was determined to bring him back.
At that moment, Sam approached and said, "He'll be there. He'll try to stop us."
Steve, still gazing ahead, replied, "I know."
Sam continued, "Listen, no matter who he was before, the man he is now isn't worth saving."
"You need to stop him."
Steve, his voice tinged with melancholy, said, "I don't know if I can."
Sam added, "He might not give you a choice. He doesn't remember you anymore."
Steve turned to Sam, "He'll remember me."
He then said, "It's time. Let's move."
With that, Steve turned and walked away.
Sam, exasperated, called out, "You're going dressed like that?"
Steve shook his head and replied, "No. If it's war, I'm wearing my uniform."
Before departing, Steve visited the museum and took the uniform displayed on his statue—the Roaring Commandos' military attire. He hoped the outfit would help stir Bucky's memories.
Later, he joined Sam and Hill, covertly making their way to the nearest shoreline to Triskelion Headquarters. Natasha, meanwhile, had her own assignment.
…
Underground at Triskelion Headquarters-
In the helicarrier construction zone, a broadcast echoed:
"Entering the final stage of launch preparation. Insight hangar is under high alert."
"Time to launch: three hours and ten minutes."
"Guidance systems are ready."
"All personnel, proceed to the launch deck."
At the Triskelion headquarters lobby, Pierce had gathered all the members of the World Security Council.
"How was the flight?" he asked.
The U.S. representative replied, "Quite pleasant, though the drive from the airport wasn't as much."
Pierce, walking alongside them, responded, "Regrettably, S.H.I.E.L.D. can't control everything."
The Russian representative, with a hint of mockery, added, "Not even Captain America."
It was clear that news of Captain America's fugitive status and the efforts to apprehend him had reached the Council members.
Pierce glanced at the Russian representative but chose not to respond.
At that moment, a strike team member approached with a box in hand.
Pierce took the box and explained, "Here, identification relies on biometric verification. These badges will grant you unrestricted access."
The box contained five badges, one for each Council member.
The members took the badges and pinned them to their collars.