Several hours later.
Renjie finally stretched lazily and stepped out of the laboratory.
The moment the "target individual" appeared, Nick Fury prepared to move forward—
But Android 16's thick, powerful arm suddenly barred his path, forcing the Director of SHIELD to stop instinctively.
A terrifying aura surged from Android 16's body.
It was undisguised killing intent.
He would never allow anyone to harm his Creator.
Large beads of sweat began to roll down Nick Fury's smooth, bald forehead.
Knowing better, he took a step back and raised a hand, signaling for Renjie to follow him out.
Renjie met Fury's gaze and offered a deep, unfathomable smile.
Then, under the "protection" of a squad of SHIELD agents, he departed the industrial zone in grand fashion.
Only after getting into the car—
Did Nick Fury finally feel like he was trapped inside a dream.
This was supposed to be an arrest.
Supposed to be a show of force—put Renjie in his place.
Yet under Android 16's sheer deterrence, they didn't dare lay a finger on him.
They looked more like lackeys following a crime boss than federal agents.
And once inside the car, things only grew worse.
Using hunger as an excuse, Renjie casually ordered the convoy to change routes.
Their destination?
A well-reviewed fried chicken restaurant.
He ordered an extra-large bucket of fried chicken and an iced watermelon juice.
Since he didn't carry cash, Nick Fury paid the bill.
Inside the sealed, bulletproof Mercedes, the rich aroma of fried chicken filled the air.
Renjie ate happily.
The crispy skin crackled loudly with every bite—crunch, crunch—to the point that even Coulson, sitting in the driver's seat, couldn't help swallowing his saliva.
"Not bad," Renjie said appreciatively.
"I think this might be the best fried chicken I've ever had."
"And this watermelon juice…"
He swallowed his food and sighed in satisfaction.
His manners were elegant—restrained, composed—reflecting the Eastern virtues of moderation and respect for food.
"Mr. Ren," Coulson said with a grin, "forgive my honesty, but you're the most enthusiastic eater I've ever seen among criminal suspects."
As he spoke, he noticed the man in the passenger seat—
Nick Fury's face growing darker by the second.
Whether this was coincidence or deliberate provocation…
Even with years of rigorous training, Coulson found it difficult not to laugh.
In the cheerful atmosphere—where only Nick Fury was incapable of smiling—
The vehicle passed block after block.
Their destination lay just ahead.
The car came to a steady stop inside the garage.
Renjie remained seated, unmoving.
Only when Nick Fury personally opened the door did he step out.
In an instant—
Blinding flashes exploded before his eyes.
He narrowed them slightly.
A dense crowd of journalists had flooded the military court's garage entrance.
They weren't authorized to enter—so they shouted questions from outside.
"Mr. Ren! Have you really been arrested?!"
A beautiful female reporter seized the moment and called out.
Renjie smiled calmly.
"Do I look like a criminal to you?"
Though dressed casually, he wore no handcuffs, no restraints of any kind.
Facing the cameras, he raised his left hand and waved casually—
Like a victorious general returning from war.
The media froze in confusion.
Compared to Renjie's relaxed smile—
The man with the grim expression beside him, the 'Bald Avenger', looked far more like a criminal.
Had the situation… reversed?
"Enjoy your last moments of glory," Nick Fury muttered beside him.
"I doubt you'll still be smiling once the trial begins."
He despised people who loved the spotlight.
He had already reached a secret agreement with the military.
No matter what
They had to obtain the blueprints for the Nanotech Armor.
"Is that so?" Renjie replied lightly.
"Funny… I feel like this is only just beginning."
The smile on his face grew deeper—laced with unmistakable mockery toward Nick Fury.
After that—
He quickened his pace alongside Android 16, entering the hall ahead of everyone else.
Under the escort of multiple agents, they arrived at their destination.
The sealed doors were pushed open from the outside.
Renjie's figure appeared before all eyes.
The moment he stepped inside—
Several people in the room revealed barely concealed excitement.
Among them—
Senior SHIELD agents.
Members of the council.
High-ranking military officials.
Even the elderly Chief Justice rose from his seat to show Renjie respect.
They all shared one thing in common.
Money. Power. Influence.
These were the individuals who had already paid deposits to Renjie through Ada Wong—
Pre-order clients of the Sun Ladder.
Their sole purpose for being here—
Was to protect Renjie.
Once Renjie took his place at the defendant's stand—
Nick Fury and the others followed.
This was a public trial.
Official media from around the world served as witnesses.
At the Chief Justice's signal, the proceedings officially began.
Nick Fury stepped forward and played the prepared footage before the court.
Android 18's battle with the Hulk.
The chaos Renjie had caused in Monaco.
And—most damning of all—
The footage of Battleframe: Vekz, deliberately magnified.
The forty-meter-tall mechanical monsters caused the courtroom to erupt in gasps.
At humanity's current technological level—
Accepting such machines was simply too early.
Nick Fury smiled.
This was exactly the reaction he wanted.
But the real show was still to come.
"This man, who calls himself the 'Creator,' Mr. Ren," Nick Fury announced,
"has been acquiring massive quantities of rare metals through Hammer Industries."
"All for the purpose of manufacturing these mechanical monstrosities."
"To protect our citizens, we were forced to impose sanctions."
"But instead of stopping—he escalated."
"He ordered his subordinates to threaten domestic merchants, endangering their personal safety."
As he spoke, Nick Fury manipulated the remote.
Satellite imagery captured by military systems appeared on screen.
It showed Android 18 flying the night before.
"In the footage, this 'android' woman was heading directly toward the residence of a local mining magnate—John."
"We are honored to have him appear as a witness today."
"To publicly accuse Renjie of his crimes."
As Nick Fury finished speaking, two SHIELD agents escorted John into the courtroom.
Pale-faced, John instinctively looked toward the defendant's stand.
When he saw—
That young man smiling warmly at him—
This notorious black-market tycoon's legs went weak.
He collapsed straight onto the floor.
The two agents beside him struggled to pull him up.
But his entire body trembled violently.
His steps were unsteady—he could barely walk.
It was clear—
Just how terrifying Renjie was in his heart.
As the courtroom descended into chaos—
The defendant, Renjie, raised his hand gently toward the witness.
"There's no need for such a grand gesture," he said kindly.
"Please stand, my friend—we've never met."
"All you need to do…"
"…is tell the truth."