"It's a tablet, man."
"What are you bringing that thing to my company for?"
"I—"
"I'm off work. Please leave this way."
Nick Fury quickly stepped in front of Xu Dan. "Please, don't be like this, buddy! Maybe we can sit down and have a proper talk?"
Xu Dan glanced at Nick Fury. "You still haven't paid me for helping you find Tony last time. When are you planning to settle that?"
Hearing this, Nick Fury's aged face darkened slightly.
He silently scratched his bald head and said, "Isn't your company planning to spin off the hardware development department? I can offer some support."
"It needs significant support, not just 'some,'" Xu Dan replied.
"All right, all right, I can't argue with you."
Seeing Nick Fury compromise, Xu Dan was satisfied and sat back down in the boss's chair.
With Tony's help, the hardware technology department had already grown strong, and the "Little Red Queen" had become increasingly skilled in various forms of assistance.
But after all, this was only one department within his company, and it was impossible to keep Tony Stark tied down indefinitely.
After Tony left, Ethan became the department's chief.
Now, with rapid development backed by sufficient funding, the hardware department was fully capable of becoming an independent branch.
Even the company name had already been registered—Nanji Technology Co., Ltd.
Xu Dan took a mint from the drawer and asked casually, "So, what are you here for this time?"
Seeing the conversation finally reach the main topic, Nick Fury picked up the tablet, tapped the screen a few times, and brought up a video.
"Look. It's this video. Of course, the entire country has already seen it. I know we can't beat you technically, but I'm certain the person who killed the monster in the video is you. Even if I don't have direct evidence to prove it…"
Xu Dan's expression did not change. "So you don't even have a single piece of evidence, and you're still talking nonsense?"
Nick Fury wasn't surprised by Xu Dan's denial.
He had handled countless similar cases.
Other people would usually reveal some flaws sooner or later, but this one—he was completely airtight.
"Come on, Xu Dan, do you really need me to test you? I'm not an outsider. There's no need to hide it."
"I'd advise you not to try," Xu Dan said with a faint smile.
That smile sent a chill down Nick Fury's spine.
Killing intent.
Damn it—this guy really was a smiling Shura, ready to kill even acquaintances at the drop of a hat.
More ruthless than their own agents.
"All right, all right, I get it," Nick Fury said immediately. But as the king of spies, even if he had been forced into a corner, his objective for this visit would not change. "Then, Xu Dan, let's talk about something else?"
"What is it?"
"I'd like to invite you to join S.H.I.E.L.D. Don't rush to refuse—let me talk about the benefits first. After joining, you won't need to do regular work. We'll only call on you when things get out of hand. The authority we can grant you is substantial—you can hold multiple identities simultaneously, gain access to the world's secrets, and even be granted Level Seven clearance. You may not know what Level Seven authority means, so let me explain—"
"I refuse."
"..."
Nick Fury's face went completely blank.
He had specifically said don't refuse so quickly, yet after such tempting conditions, he still got shut down instantly.
What kind of mindset was this?
Was joining S.H.I.E.L.D. really that unacceptable?
"Director Nick," Xu Dan said calmly, "give it up. Whether you want my abilities or something else, I will not join S.H.I.E.L.D. This has nothing to do with how much authority you offer."
"Why?"
"There is no why."
Nick Fury fell into a long silence.
Before approaching Xu Dan, he had gone to Tony Stark first.
That arrogant man had cheerfully become a S.H.I.E.L.D. consultant.
So why did Xu Dan dislike S.H.I.E.L.D. so much?
He had been invited before—and refused.
They had worked together multiple times since then—and he still refused.
"Well, actually, S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't necessarily need you to join," Nick Fury muttered, quietly salvaging a shred of dignity. "In this world, there are many superhumans like you. Some shoulder heavy responsibilities and uphold justice in secret, while others are corrupted by power and become supercriminals."
"I know. And then?"
Xu Dan's increasingly indifferent tone made Nick Fury wilt internally.
He stood up in disappointment, pursed his lips, and glanced at Xu Dan before turning to leave.
But when he reached the office door, he turned back and asked, "Xu Dan, my friend, could you tell me where you've hidden Dr. Bruce Banner?"
"Brooklyn," Xu Dan replied without even lifting his head.
"Thanks."
Nick Fury thanked him crisply and hurried downstairs, planning to find Bruce Banner immediately.
In this world, there were countless anomalous abilities that ordinary people could not see.
And S.H.I.E.L.D. existed precisely to manage those anomalies.
He flew straight to Brooklyn with a clear objective and arrived at the Nanji Biotechnology branch of Antarctica.
After such a long period of development, the branch's products had already opened up the Brooklyn market.
Brooklyn was one of New York's most densely populated areas, and the branch was highly profitable.
Although it wasn't as famous as Antarctica Games, Nick Fury was well aware of it.
He quietly waited for the sign, then swaggered toward the company entrance.
The two guards glanced at him—and ignored him entirely, which deeply wounded his pride.
After entering the company, he couldn't find a single idle person. The occasional staff member in a white coat hurried past, not sparing a glance for his shiny bald head.
"Here's the problem… where is Bruce Banner?"
This task had originally been assigned to Tony as a consultant, but Tony had spent so much time in Xu Dan's hardware department that after returning, he was busy developing his Mark armor and had no time to look for Bruce Banner.
So Nick Fury couldn't just sit back and wait anymore.
Now, he could only stand around helplessly.
"Hello? Can someone pay attention to me?"
"..."
Someone glanced at him briefly, then treated him like part of the décor and walked away.
"Damn it… Xu Dan tricked me again."
Nick Fury rubbed his bald head, clearly feeling Xu Dan's deep malice.
-----------------------
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