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Although the catastrophe caused by the Titan was successfully concluded, the series of subsequent problems it triggered had just begun.
Through The Daily Bugle's exposé, more and more people around the World learned the true reason behind this great disaster.
They were incredibly angry at the Monarch Organization, an evil organization that was supposed to prioritize the safety of humanity but was secretly a 'Behemoth Supremacist' group.
Consequently, citizens from various countries spontaneously took to the streets to protest, demanding that their Presidents pressure the United Nations and the Security Council to officially disband the Monarch Organization and severely punish all high-ranking officials within this evil organization.
However, if it were merely protests by those whom the high-ranking officials considered 'peasants,' it wouldn't have much of an effect.
Even if it could create some public pressure, the Security Council could symbolically announce the dissolution of the Monarch Organization to the public and then secretly rename it and relaunch it.
But this time was different, because Matthew Ellis, the President of America, the beacon of the World, also supported the protesters from behind.
He had nearly died at the hands of the Titan before, so he wished he could personally execute Emma Russell and all the members of the Monarch Organization…
Thus, under the strong pressure from President Matthew Ellis, the Security Council had no choice but to officially issue the order to disband the Monarch Organization, and then S.H.I.E.L.D. fully took over all of the Monarch Organization's outposts and its vast assets.
Currently, except for a few Titans in Sokovia, almost all other Titans have died out, so these outposts have lost their original purpose.
However, this does not mean that these outposts, built at great expense, should be abandoned.
On the contrary, due to their important geographical locations, they can serve as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s overseas secret Bases.
What? Why should all of the Monarch Organization's assets be handed over to S.H.I.E.L.D. and not some other organization?
That's naturally because Nick Fury, during the 'rescue of the President,' used the miraculous combination of Female MUTO and Pym Particles to win the unanimous approval of all high-ranking officials in the Security Council.
Although the rescue operation ultimately failed, he certainly wouldn't miss out on the commendations he deserved!
This move of 'killing two birds with one stone' was truly played perfectly by the cunning Nick Fury.
However, in comparison, the PPDC Organization was in a rather miserable state…
They provided the help, they provided the Female MUTO, and they fought the battle… Yet, in the end, not only did they suffer the loss of their Jaeger and personnel, but they also had absolutely no share in the rewards, with all the benefits being taken by Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D..
Can you believe this?
Stacker Pentecost nearly blacked out and died on the spot when he heard this news!
He had never seen such a shameless person!
You, Nick Fury, I knew you were up to no good, so you were waiting for me here?
Damn it, you've dug up all the bamboo shoots on the mountain by yourself.
If I ever truly cooperate with you again, I'm a dog!!
Just as Stacker Pentecost was filled with righteous indignation, his secretary suddenly entered the office and reported, "Officer, Director Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. just called and said he wants to meet with you?"
"I'll meet your mother…"
Stacker Pentecost roared with a distorted face, but then he realized his Gaffe and suppressed his anger, saying to his somewhat flustered secretary:
"Ahem, don't be afraid, I wasn't angry at you just now… Please decline for me, I just want to be alone for a while."
However, the secretary did not leave, but continued to stand there, saying with a conflicted expression, "Uh… Officer, Mr. Nick Fury said that if you refuse, then he wants me to convey a message to you, saying that you will definitely change your mind after hearing it… So, would you like to hear it first?"
"Hmm?" A hint of doubt appeared in Stacker Pentecost's eyes. "What message?"
"He said… General Ross is very likely to become the next Secretary of State!!!"
…
Monarch Organization Headquarters.
Dr. Serizawa looked at the familiar layout of the office and the piles of data on the computer's hard drives… Don't get the wrong idea, it was all data about Titans, and a very complex expression appeared on his face.
There was reminiscence, desolation, unwillingness, and an undeniable sense of self-blame and sadness.
The Monarch Organization, established in 1946, has now existed for a full 68 years, but it ultimately fell at the hands of Serizawa Ichiro.
This immense sense of defeat caused Serizawa Ichiro's hair to turn white overnight, making him look as if he had aged decades.
Looking through the glass wall at Vivienne Graham and others in the main hall who were also packing their personal belongings with a desolate expression, Serizawa Ichiro let out a helpless sigh, then, like the others, began to put his personal belongings into the empty cardboard box on the desk.
As for the data and documents about Titans that he had been obsessed with his entire life, he couldn't even take a single piece of paper out of the building… S.H.I.E.L.D. immediately dispatched a large number of Agents to take over the entire building, and even set up special full-body scanning detection devices at the main entrance on the first floor.
"Dr. Serizawa, are you really prepared to leave here as a failure?"
Suddenly, a voice, both unfamiliar and familiar, sounded from the office doorway. Serizawa Ichiro instinctively looked in the direction of the sound, then his body trembled violently, and he suppressed the anger in his heart, saying to the black man leaning against the doorway:
"Director Fury, you wouldn't have specifically come here to mock me, would you?"
Although Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't have a direct hand in the Monarch Organization's rapid decline, this black man definitely played a role in fueling the process.
Before, Nick Fury had openly and covertly tricked Serizawa Ichiro several times, and this time, he even directly swallowed up all of the Monarch Organization's assets. It would be strange if Serizawa Ichiro gave him a good look now.
If he weren't convinced he couldn't beat this black man, he would have probably rushed over and started a fight long ago.
"Tsk tsk, don't be so hostile…"
Nick Fury walked into the office as if no one else was there, then sat down opposite the white-haired, angry Serizawa Ichiro, crossed his legs, and leisurely said:
"Dr. Serizawa, may I ask what your plans are next?"
"None of your business." Serizawa Ichiro continued packing his belongings without looking up.
Nick Fury didn't get angry at this, but instead looked at the other party with the demeanor of a leader scrutinizing an employee, smiling and saying:
"I know you're resentful that the Security Council handed all of the Monarch Organization's assets over to me… Ahem, I mean, to S.H.I.E.L.D. to manage."
"It's alright, it's normal for you to feel this way. After all, the organization you fought for your entire life came to an end in your hands. This is a huge blow to any person in power!"
"But Dr. Serizawa, you are a smart man, and you should naturally understand that I and S.H.I.E.L.D. are not your true enemies, nor are we the most crucial factor that directly led to the Monarch Organization's decline…"
"What exactly do you want to say?" Serizawa Ichiro interrupted angrily, "Where I go next is my personal freedom, and it has nothing to do with S.H.I.E.L.D., so please don't disturb my life, thank you!!"
"Oh, Dr. Serizawa, please don't misunderstand, I have no intention of offending you, nor do I have any ill will."
Nick Fury completely ignored the other party's angry glare and continued to say with a smile:
"I think it's necessary for us to have a calm discussion now… As I just said, I and S.H.I.E.L.D. are not your enemies. Although we have had disagreements before, we are all doing our part to protect Earth and humanity. Therefore, I truly admire the steadfastness and principles Dr. Serizawa has shown."
Indeed, flattery gets you everywhere!
After this round of insincere praise, Serizawa Ichiro's attitude finally softened, though his face still held a bitter and resentful expression.
However, such a change was enough for a master manipulator like Nick Fury.
Heh heh, just watch me manipulate you!
Nick Fury's tone suddenly shifted, and he said with a righteous indignation, "Actually, S.H.I.E.L.D. is also facing the same crisis and predicament as the Monarch Organization, because we all have a common powerful enemy… That is Karl Merks!!!"
Upon hearing Karl's name, Serizawa Ichiro's movements noticeably paused. Although he tried his best to conceal his true emotions, Nick Fury still keenly detected the fleeting resentment and anger in his eyes.
Nick Fury couldn't help but curve his lips into a smug arc, then continued to instigate:
"Take this 'Titan Crisis' that directly led to the Monarch Organization's dissolution, for example. If Karl Merks hadn't enslaved King Kong and Godzilla, I believe the Monarch Organization could have definitely turned the tide with these two benevolent and orderly Titans, and naturally, it wouldn't have ended up in such a tragic state now."
During this, Nick Fury specifically emphasized the word 'enslave' and paused, for fear that Serizawa Ichiro wouldn't understand his meaning.
"Yes, exactly."
These words truly resonated with Serizawa Ichiro.
Godzilla had always been worshipped by him as a God, but who would have thought that he would eventually become Karl Merks's 'lackey'?
Such a fact was a far greater and deeper blow to Serizawa Ichiro than the dissolution of the Monarch Organization!
So, his initial resistance towards Nick Fury, after just a few words, was successfully guided by the other party towards Karl.
Seeing this, Nick Fury's smile grew even wider, but his face still maintained an expression of shared hatred and anger, and he continued to fan the flames:
"There's also something you probably don't know. According to the latest intelligence from my insider in the White House, President Matthew Ellis has already nominated Thaddeus Ross to serve as the next Secretary of State, and the appointment letter will take effect at the beginning of next month…"
"I believe you understand without me saying that old bastard, ever since he latched onto Karl Merks, has been secretly colluding with him. So, after he becomes Secretary of State, the future situation will be even more unfavorable for us, and this is precisely the true purpose of my visit here…"
Serizawa Ichiro said thoughtfully, "You mean…"
"Exactly." Nick Fury said firmly, "We must put aside our differences and unite to fight against Karl Merks and Thaddeus Ross… To that end, I have already proactively contacted Stacker Pentecost of the PPDC Organization."
Serizawa Ichiro was clearly tempted, but then, thinking of his current predicament, he couldn't help but shake his head dejectedly, "The Monarch Organization is finished now. Even if I wanted to cooperate, I'm powerless."
Nick Fury had been waiting for this very sentence and said without hesitation, "No, your stage has not yet ended…"
"If Dr. Serizawa is willing, I will establish a special department within S.H.I.E.L.D. specifically for you, to manage all the assets absorbed after the Monarch Organization's dissolution, and also to coordinate with the PPDC Organization's Hunter Mecha project."
"Wait a minute, are you trying to…" Serizawa Ichiro seemed to have thought of something, his eyes suddenly widened, and he couldn't help but recall the visual shock caused by Female MUTO after being enlarged by Pym Particles.
This man… no, Director Fury wouldn't be trying to use this method to mass-produce a new generation of Hunter Mecha, would he?
"Yes, that's exactly what you're thinking."
From the subtle changes in Serizawa Ichiro's expression alone, Nick Fury could already deduce his thoughts, so he said somewhat smugly:
"So this time, I plan to collaborate with the PPDC Organization to purchase all the Titan carcasses, then transform them into a new generation of Titan Hunter Mecha, and officially put them into use after they are enlarged by Pym Particles…"
"This way, not only can it strengthen S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power… Ahem, don't misunderstand, I mean strengthen the cooperation between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the PPDC Organization, thereby creating the greatest value with the least cost."
"At the same time, once this batch of Titan Hunter Mecha is completed, we can completely break Karl Merks's monopoly on the Kong Service in dealing with Titan attacks, indirectly curbing his influence over various countries around the World, thereby reversing the current disadvantage!!"
It must be said that Nick Fury is truly a master at scheming and trickery.
In such a short time, he had already conceived a complete and grand plan.
Nick Fury looked at Serizawa Ichiro with anticipation, "And looking globally, I believe that in terms of research on the habits and abilities of Titans, no one is more professional than Dr. Serizawa, so no one is more suitable for this position than you."