"Nick Fury, me joining the Avengers doesn't mean I've joined S.H.I.E.L.D. It doesn't mean your people give me orders."
Smith's voice remained cold and level. "The only reason I joined the Avengers was to oversee such an extraordinary organization. To prevent it from being led astray by you and becoming a tool for your personal agenda."
He stepped closer. "More importantly, I want to monitor whether S.H.I.E.L.D. truly works toward world peace or serves other interests."
His eyes narrowed. "And the right to supervise is one of the conditions of your invitation. One of my bottom lines."
Smith's tone dropped lower, more dangerous. "Pray, Nick Fury. Pray there aren't any messy, disgusting operations happening in S.H.I.E.L.D. Otherwise, you'll learn firsthand what the Fraternity's mission truly means."
He leaned in slightly. "I'll show you what 'nothing is true, everything is permitted' really looks like."
Bulma's eyes sparkled as she watched Smith stand up to authority without flinching. This man who feared no power was incredibly attractive.
Tony felt slightly depressed. It seemed he'd agreed to join too cheaply. Smith had completely outdone him. No, he needed to negotiate a consulting position. If Nick Fury couldn't lead Smith Doyle, how could he possibly lead Tony Stark?
Although Nick Fury maintained a blank expression, internally he was screaming profanity. S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't hired a powered asset. They'd hired a goddamn supervisor who thought he was the boss.
Supervisory rights? Fine. Fury planned to shelve the Avengers Initiative entirely. As for S.H.I.E.L.D. bases and intelligence, he had no intention of sharing them with Smith Doyle, who wasn't even a Level 0 agent. What the hell could he supervise if Fury didn't grant him access?
As long as Fury withheld clearance, Smith wouldn't even know where S.H.I.E.L.D.'s front door was located.
Despite his anger, Fury spoke calmly. "Smith Doyle, do you think I'm negotiating with you?"
Smith's tone dripped with disdain. "If you don't believe me, you can try. Team up with other institutions. See if you can suppress my product."
Tony interjected smoothly. "Would someone with ill intentions really suppress a medical device that detects vital bioenergy? That seems newsworthy."
His smile sharpened. "Stark Industries' legal team and my friends in Congress would be very interested in such a story."
Hearing Tony's support and watching him reframe the scouter as medical equipment, Fury glared at Tony with barely contained fury. Then he turned and walked out of the backstage room without another word.
Outside, Fury finally released his grip on Captain Marvel's pager. His back was soaked with sweat, and shame mixed with rage echoed through his mind.
This was too much. People like Smith Doyle should be imprisoned and studied.
Back in the backstage room, Tony watched Fury's departure. "Dude, that's the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director. Aren't you worried he'll retaliate?"
Smith's lip curled. "Let him try. Then I'll have better justification for what comes next."
He crossed his arms. "Do you think my supervision of S.H.I.E.L.D. is just talk? I don't understand why S.H.I.E.L.D. chose such an incompetent director. The previous director must have been blind."
Smith's expression grew more serious. "Tony, you don't think a global organization like that is full of saints, right? The dirty operations inside are definitely beyond our imagination."
Tony nodded thoughtfully. Simultaneously, he made a decision. The Avengers should be led by the Avengers themselves, not S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Oh, I forgot why I came back here after that interruption." Tony turned to Bulma. "Can your scouter be made into a module for my armor? Something that connects with JARVIS?"
Bulma didn't answer immediately, instead looking at Smith.
Smith nodded. "Bulma, help Tony out. See if you can simplify the design for armor integration."
Bulma considered briefly. "I can try, but I'll need the reserved module dimensions and data interface specifications."
Tony made an OK gesture. After discussing the Avengers and his ideas for the team's independence with Smith, he departed.
As Tony left, Smith looked at Bulma with a warm smile. "Alright, now that everyone else is gone, let's start enjoying our day."
Smith took Bulma on a tour with the Chinese Theatre as their starting point.
First, they visited the nearby Hollywood Walk of Fame, covered with celebrity handprints and signatures. Smith explained what he knew about various stars and took commemorative photos with Bulma.
When the venue manager spotted Smith, he enthusiastically invited both Smith and Bulma to leave their handprints there.
Smith then took Bulma to Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, a seafood restaurant themed after Forrest Gump, and to Angelini Alimentari, an authentic Italian dessert shop, where they sampled various sweets.
The two traveled to Los Angeles's Chinatown, finding an authentic Chinese restaurant where Smith introduced Bulma to Sichuan hotpot.
They continued their journey visiting Little Tokyo, the Disney Concert Hall, and the Dolby Theatre. After a full day of exploration, Bulma fell asleep on Smith's shoulder during the drive back, exhausted from excitement.
Looking at Bulma sleeping peacefully, Smith smiled and didn't disturb her rest.
After news from the product launch spread, Fox executed an aggressive advertising campaign. The scouter became instantly recognizable, though the $5 million price point remained prohibitive for most.
But the internet never lacked wealthy, curious individuals. Especially after Tony's 4.5 power level leaked online, some rich people purchased units just to display them on social media.
"Power level 5.5! I'm incredibly strong!" one post read.
Below appeared dozens of messages from attractive women asking to meet, requesting dates, seeking connections.
Men everywhere grew curious about their own power levels. An entrepreneur spotted the business opportunity, purchasing a scouter to sell testing services. One thousand dollars per test, and customers could photograph themselves wearing the device.
Wealthy individuals began using scouters to screen bodyguards, retaining those with high power levels and dismissing those with low readings.
Soon, various creative uses emerged online, and wearing a scouter became a status symbol among the elite.
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