Meanwhile-
In San Francisco-
Within the Sound Ninja base-
Sunil Bakshi entered, followed by his subordinates, each pair carrying a large crate. In total, five crates were brought in, each labeled with the 084 symbol.
Bakshi addressed Kabuto, "Due to interference from Cloud and Sand villages, securing 084 artifacts has become increasingly challenging. This time, we've managed to bring five items."
Kabuto nodded, his gaze fixed on the crates, "This will slow down HYDRA's resurgence. The 084 artifacts need to be gathered more quickly."
"Rest assured, we won't have you working without reward. The Curse Mark of Fire will be arranged as promised."
Sunil Bakshi nodded in agreement, then instructed his subordinates, "Set the items down."
As his team placed the crates in a neat stack, Bakshi continued, "We'll accelerate the process, but these 084 items are regulated and difficult to extract from the bases in large quantities—especially now that S.H.I.E.L.D. is collaborating with the Cloud and Sand."
Kabuto seemed skeptical about the claim that these artifacts were newly obtained from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s sandbox facility; he suspected they were likely items HYDRA had long ago extracted from within S.H.I.E.L.D., back when Alexander Pierce, a HYDRA agent, served as director.
Still, Kabuto maintained a polite smile and said, "Perhaps you can find a way to have Director Fury release more in the future. I look forward to hearing good news from you."
Bakshi then inquired, "Would the Sound Village consider openly collecting 084 items, as the Cloud and Sand are doing?"
Kabuto chuckled and shook his head, "We prefer to avoid drawing such attention. The Leaf Village wouldn't stand idly by."
Realizing the potential issues, Bakshi recalled that Sound's current leader was a former Leaf Village S-rank rogue ninja, making public collections a risky move that could provoke a response from the Leaf's shinobi.
Bakshi responded with a grin, "No problem. We'll help gather the 084 artifacts. I assure you, there are more of them in our possession than anywhere else."
Kabuto nodded, "I believe you."
Bakshi then placed a file on the table and said, "Kabuto, as we discussed, here's our offer for some technology sharing."
Kabuto opened the file and scanned its contents.
It contained descriptions of technologies such as the Centipede Serum, Super Soldier Serum (partial), Death Warriors, viral grenades, nanotechnology, prosthetic eye technology, cloning technology, cobra bullets, cryo-bullets, and virtual projection technology.
Kabuto noted that, while these technologies might not be particularly useful to Lord Orochimaru, they were impressive achievements for non-shinobi scientists.
After a quick review, Kabuto remarked, "Honestly, there isn't much in your technology that catches our attention, even the high-damage weapons like nuclear and hydrogen bombs."
"The only aspects that interest us might be your cloning and biochemical virus technology."
"However, what we need more urgently is a batch of test subjects," Kabuto said smoothly.
"Of course, your efforts will not go unrewarded."
With a slight smile, Kabuto took out a sealed scroll and, with a flick, revealed nine Flame Curse Marks.
Sunil Bakshi's eyes widened as he took in the unexpected sight of nine curse marks. He had expected maybe five or six at most.
Swallowing nervously, he asked, "How many test subjects will you need?"
Kabuto's smile was as warm as ever, "The more, the better."
The four words sent a chill down Bakshi's spine, but he nodded, "Understood. We'll send as many as possible."
Kabuto nodded approvingly, "I trust you'll deliver a batch soon. As for their origins, that's not a concern for us."
"I've heard that the U.S.-Mexico border always has a large gathering of individuals. You could establish a direct supply route for deliveries."
Bakshi swallowed again, sensing the magnitude of Kabuto's demand, "Is there such a large shortfall?"
"Yes, indeed," Kabuto replied, "An insufficient number of samples would only hinder Lord Orochimaru's research."
"Understood," Bakshi replied, "we'll have the people delivered soon. As for the technology you requested, we'll ensure a team brings the materials to you."
"Very well, make it swift," Kabuto responded.
After a pause, Bakshi hesitated before asking, "Might there be some technology on your side that could be shared?"
Amused, Kabuto replied, "Our technology relies heavily on chakra, so it may be beyond your current capabilities."
The implication that Sound Village's technology depended on chakra left Bakshi unsure whether to take him at his word, but he chose to agree for now.
After a few more minutes of small talk, Bakshi departed, clutching the nine Flame Curse Mark serums in his hand.
…
Meanwhile-
Nick Fury was reviewing the newly obtained files and noted that most of the details were related to events that had taken place long before he became director, back when his predecessor was still in charge and Fury himself was merely an administrative agent.
After skimming through the documents, Fury glanced up at Coulson and said, "Coulson, carry on with your work. And since you seem eager to know, you may take the file on your medical procedure with you."
With that, Fury handed Coulson the file on his resurrection procedure.
Coulson accepted it gratefully and, noticing that Fury didn't mention Skye, took his leave without further questions.
After Coulson departed, Fury began examining missions related to Skye. He soon discovered that Skye was not the only one classified as an 084—both her parents had also been deemed anomalies.
Reflecting on the oddities held in the containment cells, Fury considered whether they should be utilized, as many of them possessed unique abilities, though most suffered from unstable mental states.
Finally, Fury decided against it.
With numerous agents now enhanced by the physical augment serum and the Flame Curse Mark, and a pending batch from the Cloud Village on the way, he felt confident in their current capabilities without resorting to the unpredictability of those confined individuals.