"Compensation? I don't need your hollow apologies. I demand his life as payment," Kingpin said coldly, a cruel and ruthless smile curling his lips.
Before Crossbones on the other end of the line could utter a word, Kingpin acted without hesitation.
He tightened his grip around the Winter Soldier's neck, crushing it as easily as if he were crushing a tiny insect.
The Winter Soldier, this veteran assassin who had faced life and death in World War II, thought he had witnessed every form of death and terror.
Yet he never imagined that his own end would come here, in such a way. His eyes widened, filled with defiance and shock, as if to ask: "How is this possible?"
"You actually killed the Winter Soldier. We won't let you get away with this," Crossbones snarled, watching the Winter Soldier's death unfold on the screen.
But to Kingpin, such threats were mere wind in his ears.
He casually crushed the phone in his hand, its fragments scattering across the floor with a crisp clatter.
He sneered. "Winter Soldier? I'll come for you myself." With that, he turned and left with Vanessa without hesitation.
Their figures gradually faded into the night, leaving behind only the lifeless body of the Winter Soldier and the scattered fragments of his phone.
Director Pierce watched the entire scene unfold on the surveillance footage. Seeing Winter Soldier, his elite assassin, fall to Kingpin's hands, he removed his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and gave an order: "Ensure Nick Fury sees the Winter Soldier's body and this footage without any trace. We won't need to lift a finger after that."
The intelligence officers present assumed Pierce was mourning the Winter Soldier's death. They lowered their heads, afraid to speak.
Little did they know that Pierce's heart was filled with joy and anticipation.
The hand rubbing his eyes trembled slightly, and a smile began to spread across his lips as he envisioned the imminent clash between the Avengers and Chen Ye.
Crossbones, upon receiving the order, quickly began directing his subordinates to carry out the task.
The room fell silent. No one dared to speak, fearing they might anger the displeased Director Pierce.
***
The next morning, Chen Ye woke up early to learn from Wanda that Uncle Kingpin had been attacked and the Winter Soldier was dead.
Still groggy, Chen Ye snapped fully awake, the news leaving him deeply shocked.
*So, I won't be able to increase Captain America's affinity after all,* he thought. *But I don't particularly like Captain America anyway. We're not on the same path, so there's no need to force a relationship just for the system.*
*It seems S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't know yet, but they'll find out soon. I'll have to prepare for a confrontation with the Avengers.*
*Right now, the Avengers are just Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and maybe Captain Marvel at most.*
*The Original Avengers are this small. I haven't even seen the Hulk yet, and Thor hasn't descended to Earth.*
*An Avengers this weak poses no real threat.*
Chen Ye sneered. *That Pierce is no good either. We were discussing a partnership just two days ago, and now he's already sent someone to kill the people around me.*
He wasn't worried about Tony joining the Avengers. *Tony is family now. Even if he joins, I just need to tell him who killed his parents, and I'm sure he'll quit immediately.*
Unbeknownst to Chen Ye at that moment, Nick Fury, determined to defeat him, had not only recruited the Fantastic Four but also paid a hefty price to invite Professor X and his X-Men, as well as the imprisoned Purple Man.
***
At the S.H.I.E.L.D. Trident Building, Director Nick Fury was giving Tony a tour of the organization.
"This is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters. Your father was one of its founders," Fury said proudly.
Tony nodded mechanically, his gaze distant. "Just give me what my dad left behind. I'm not interested in any of this."
"No need to rush," Fury said calmly. "We sincerely invite you to join the Avengers and help us resist... forces beyond our control."
Fury genuinely wanted Tony to join. Not only was Tony's father a founder, but Tony was also incredibly wealthy. If he joined, S.H.I.E.L.D. could use the Avengers' name to fleece him relentlessly.
"I'm not interested in joining your 'Super Boy' team. I just want what my dad left me," Tony insisted.
Tony wouldn't have dealt with this Black Egghead if it weren't for his claim that his deceased father had left something for him.
Having met countless people, Tony immediately recognized the Black Egghead as a cunning and treacherous politician.
"I know you don't have much time left," the Black Egghead said with an air of mystery. "Join us, and we can help you." He believed he had Tony's life in his hands, convinced that the small arc reactor in Iron Man's chest was a constant threat to his health.
After all, the reactor's core contained palladium, an element that provided both immense energy and deadly toxins.
With this knowledge, he felt he had Tony's life in his grasp, exuding an air of confident victory.
Tony scoffed at the Black Egghead's words. "Give me my father's things now, or I'm walking out that door."
Nourished by the miraculous Senzu Beans gifted by Chen Ye, Tony Stark's body had long since recovered to its peak condition, even surpassing his previous health.
Moreover, Chen Ye generously gifted him blueprints for new elemental technology, enabling Tony to develop even more advanced technologies.
Now, the small cubic reactor on his chest was his latest masterpiece, brimming with immense power and endless possibilities.
Therefore, when Black Egghead appeared before him, speaking in that threatening tone, Tony only saw him as putting on a bluff.
He smiled at Black Egghead, his heart full of confidence. "Aren't you afraid of dying?" Black Egghead asked, his voice filled with confusion and surprise.
Tony chuckled lightly. "Who told you I was going to die? Curse me again, and I'll sue you for defamation."
Black Egghead frowned, baffled. He couldn't understand what he'd gotten wrong.
He had clearly investigated Tony's condition and knew he was severely injured.
Yet the Tony before him seemed so confident, as if everything was under his control.
He led Tony into the deepest conference room, just as Tony was about to lose patience.
Black Egghead opened the conference room door and turned to Tony, saying, "Welcome to the Avengers."
Tony saw Black Widow and Hawkeye, whom he recognized from before, and Captain America, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
Beyond them, Tony noticed several unfamiliar faces. One was a bald man in a wheelchair, his eyes gleaming with intelligence, suggesting he was a scientist or a sage.
Another was a middle-aged man in a doctor's coat, chatting with the bald man with a gentle smile.
What surprised Tony most was seeing three people in matching blue uniforms and a rock-like figure engaged in conversation.
Their uniforms bore a prominent "4" emblem, immediately bringing to mind the legendary Fantastic Four.
In this room, each individual exuded a powerful aura. Though their abilities and backgrounds varied, they had all chosen to stand together, united by a common purpose.
-----------------------
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