On the aircraft, Simmons was packing up her belongings.
Fitz, standing nearby, asked curiously, "Seriously, I don't know what else you can tell them."
"Who knows what they've done to the Death Warrior this time? Now he can fire mini-missiles from his arm."
Simmons turned to Fitz and replied, "Or rather, how much of him is still human?"
"Regardless, the agency sees us as the resident experts on the Death Warrior project."
"If they want me to stay at headquarters, that's fine by me."
Fitz glanced at the blood sample Simmons was holding and shook his head, muttering, "You're so happy to leave me here all alone."
"Am I?" Simmons responded while continuing to organize her things.
"Of course, you are. Though maybe it's because the equipment at the HQ is far more advanced than what we have here."
Simmons smirked, "What if I want to conduct molecular analysis on your blood sample?"
"Exactly, brilliant reasoning," Fitz said sarcastically as he followed her.
"Still, if you're going to do that, you'll need my help. No matter what, it's only a matter of time."
Simmons laughed, "It's not that serious."
Fitz shook his head, "Hey, it's my blood sample. I'll set up an encrypted line so we can stay in touch. Can't have everyone else on the plane overhearing us."
At that moment, Garrett's protégé, Tripplet, walked over and asked Simmons, "Ready to go?"
Simmons turned around in surprise and greeted him, "Agent Tripplet. Are you staying at HQ too?"
Tripplet nodded, "That's right. Garrett wants me to debrief the other agents on our encounter with the Death Warrior."
"Mind if we stick together?"
Simmons smiled, "Not at all."
…
Meanwhile-
Natasha had just received her mission orders and was preparing to head to the Mist Village outpost.
As she exited S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, she spotted Coulson standing next to the aircraft.
Surprised, Natasha walked over and gave him a hug, "Coulson, long time no see."
Coulson smiled back, "We haven't seen each other since the Battle of New York."
Natasha glanced at the aircraft nearby and teased, "I hear your dream team is one of the agency's top squads now."
Coulson shook his head, "It won't be long before the agency has more teams like this."
"Word has that S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy now has a superhuman training program, and they've even brought in Mist Village ninja as instructors."
"Besides, the Avengers are still number one!"
Natasha chuckled, "The Avengers are hard to assemble. Getting those three to show up isn't easy."
She checked the time on her watch and said, "I've got a mission to get to, so I'll catch up with you another time. Let's grab a drink next time we're free."
With that, Natasha walked to her car, got in, and drove away from S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
After Natasha's departure, Coulson returned to the aircraft and began inspecting the gun Blake had used.
Fitz stood nearby, briefing Coulson and May on Nash's background.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has been monitoring Nash for six years. He was originally a Canadian stockbroker with excellent performance. Later, he was recruited into a secret government project."
May clarified, "The project aimed to locate individuals with superhuman abilities."
Fitz added, "Especially those who could manipulate human behavior. Nash claimed to have extraordinary talents."
May raised an eyebrow, "Claimed?"
Fitz tapped a few times on his tablet before explaining, "Records show he couldn't influence others' actions, but he could occasionally predict them."
Hearing this, Coulson turned to Fitz, "S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't include him in its index because he reportedly developed catatonia after a car accident."
Fitz remarked, "But his recovery was remarkably quick."
Coulson, staring at the crash details on the screen, mused, "It was just a cover to shake off S.H.I.E.L.D."
He then held up the handgun and asked May, "How many shots did Blake fire?"
"I heard six shots. Why?"
Coulson examined the magazine and said, "Because this magazine is missing only five rounds."
Picking up another magazine, he continued, "And this one is missing just one round."
Fitz looked at the magazine in Coulson's hand and immediately exclaimed, "That's the tracker bullet I designed!"
Excitedly, he added, "We can trace him!"
Coulson immediately ordered, "Fitz, get a satellite signal lock and find him."
"On it."
May headed toward the cockpit, saying, "I'll prep the aircraft for takeoff."
As his team sprang into action, Coulson looked down at the magazine and remarked, "Well done, Blake."
…
Elsewhere-
Natasha arrived at the Mist Village outpost and rang the doorbell. It wasn't long before the door opened, revealing Haku.
"Agent Natasha, Lady Mizukage has been expecting you. Please follow me."
Natasha nodded, "Thank you."
Following Haku, Natasha was led to the reception room.
When Mei Terumi saw Natasha enter, a smile spread across her face, "It seems Ao's training has been going well. Are you here to renew the contract?"
Hearing Mei's words, Natasha sat down on the sofa and replied with a smile, "Not so soon. There's still quite some time before this quarter's training ends."
"But based on the feedback I've received, continuing with Instructor Ao is practically guaranteed."
Mei nodded, though she pondered whether S.H.I.E.L.D. would even get the chance to rehire Ao, given the looming internal strife within the organization.
Seizing the opportunity, Mei thought it might be best to secure payment for the next few quarters in advance.
She asked, "So, Agent Natasha, what part of Mist Village's services are you here to discuss today?"
Natasha didn't waste any time and directly stated the purpose of her visit.