Steve didn't insist on Shen He's help anymore.
He couldn't persuade someone who understood everything but still wouldn't change their mind.
However, he still believed that Shen He had his reasons for doing so; there must be something he didn't know.
That night, Coulson came over in person to give a detailed explanation of the submitted report.
"We've lost track of Jia Ying. We can only confirm that she's hiding with the remnants of Hydra." Coulson clasped his hands in front of him, taking the blame. "This was entirely my work error. I will strive to capture her and bring her to justice in the shortest time possible. Black Bolt has also agreed to send people to assist."
This was indeed his mistake, because seeing Jia Ying and Skye reunited, mother and daughter in harmony, he chose to believe that Jia Ying had truly let go of her hatred.
But the truth dealt him, and everyone else, a heavy blow.
"You always trust others more easily than the average agent." Shen He shook his head, tapping his fingers on the table. "But hatred is a truly incredible emotion. Who would have thought that someone who was persecuted by Hydra to the point of separation from their own flesh and blood would actually side with them because of hatred."
Jia Ying had completely abandoned her original enemies; she had been utterly consumed by hatred, even placing revenge on ordinary humans above revenge on Hydra.
This fact diminished Shen He's hope of winning against Misaka Mikoto Alter through words.
To protect the Misaka Sisters, yet to involve them in war, she might be a vengeful figure like Black Jeanne, ruthlessly seeking revenge against the adults who deceived and exploited the innocent hearts of young girls.
"Facing someone consumed by hatred, defeating her is the only way to free her," Shen He murmured.
"Understood! Sir."
Coulson stood at attention in response, assuming Shen He was referring to Jia Ying.
Shen He didn't clarify. After pondering for a moment, he said, "I know you care about the girl Skye, and she does indeed possess precious qualities. However, she's also reckless, sensitive, and fiercely independent, and..."
"Audacious," Coulson finished the sentence for Shen He.
"That's right."
Shen He stood up, stretching after sitting for so long. "So, the reason she was rejected by so many foster families from childhood isn't without cause. If you want to take in a prickly wildcat, you need to be prepared to get scratched."
"We still have you, Director." Coulson gave his signature smile. "I believe that under your leadership, Chaldea can become her home... and our home."
"...I like hearing that." Shen He chuckled, teasing. "Looks like even those who can't flatter can't become high-ranking agents. However, I'm going back to my own little home now. You should go back and rest early, too."
He glanced at his watch; it was already past midnight. Although there was no girlfriend to cuddle with when he got back, a warm and comfortable bed was also a kind of enjoyment.
Coulson nodded and left, and Shen He also returned to his own room.
But just as he closed his eyes to take a nap, a summoning request from Accelerator came to his mind.
When Servants are in their own world, they can actively apply to go to their Master's world and establish communication.
"Enemies are here," Accelerator's voice seemed to grind out. "Academy City people, not that woman... no, that woman has also sent people."
"... Now!?" Shen He sat up abruptly. "Understood, I'll be right there."
This was actually something they had anticipated. During the past few days of investigation, the Misaka Sisters had often been seen loitering near Kamijou Touma's apartment.
Besides them, there were also the Level 0 Armed Group, Academy City's security personnel, and even some using magical means to spy. It was clear that other forces were also investigating them, so being discovered was only a matter of time.
Shen He knocked on the door and then barged into Jeanne d'Arc's room.
"There's a situation in A Certain Magical Index, I'll go check it out first. Jeanne, wake up the Shiki and the others, I'll summon you all over later."
"Y-yes, of course."
Jeanne had already covered herself with the blanket within a second of Shen He approaching the door.
Even so, she, still in simple pajamas, caused Shen He to glance her way a few times.
It was just unfortunate that the situation over there seemed more urgent.
Shen He entered the instance dungeon alone, simultaneously sending a summon request to Saiki Kusuo.
The first thing he saw upon appearing was Accelerator, covered in blood and with a swollen cheek. Misaka Mikoto was right beside him. This wasn't Kamijou Touma's apartment, but a street close to it.
"What's going on?" Shen He asked, inquiring about the situation.
"I don't know." Misaka Mikoto shook her head, surprise evident in her eyes. "I came out to find a vending machine, wanting a late-night snack, and then I saw Accelerator being pinned down by a man, who was punching him repeatedly. Then I saved him—it was easy."
When she had just jumped in, she was a bit frightened. The other person could beat Accelerator without any ability to fight back. However, the moment he saw her, he ran away without even looking back.
Although she didn't know what was going on, a sense of "as expected, I'm amazing" welled up inside her.
"Now's not the time to talk about this!" Accelerator struggled to his feet. "That arrogant lowlife revealed a lot of information. They also sent people to deal with Kamijou Touma, but on the way, they ran into a woman from a hostile force and were almost wiped out. Only he escaped—that woman's target is also Kamijou Touma."
The one who beat him up was Kihara Gensei, the leader of Academy City's Hound Dog Unit. He was once a researcher who studied Accelerator's ability, a Level 0, but he created equipment to counter Accelerator.
In Academy City, the only force that could be called a hostile force by the Hound Dog Unit was the one controlled by Misaka Mikoto Alter.
And since they didn't detect any large-scale electrical activity nearby, or hear the sound of a Railgun, it was obvious that Misaka Mikoto Alter herself wasn't the one who came.
BOOM—!
At this moment, a huge roar and bright flames suddenly erupted not far away.
It was the explosion of some kind of high-explosive weapon, and the location was Kamijou Touma's apartment.
"Shouldn't you have said something sooner?"
Misaka Mikoto crackled with electricity, ready to charge forward, but Shen He pulled her back.
"Don't be rash. Kanzaki Kaori is with Kamijou Touma, so things shouldn't get too out of hand there."
Almost as soon as Shen He finished speaking, figures began to appear around him.
"Kihara Gensei is a problem. Jeanne d'Arc, take Violet Evergarden and go after him, bring him back. As the Hound Dog Unit leader, he should know a lot of information." Shen He thought for a moment, then continued to give orders, "The rest of us will go and support Kamijou Touma. Since the enemy has come knocking, we'll just have to meet them head-on."
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