If one were to ask how Leo would deal with Sinthea, then his answer was simple. One word, kill! Furthermore, Bucky should be the one doing it. After all, Buckyâs hatred towards Sinthea was carved into his bones, he had longed to kill her.
As for what benefits Leo could get from Sinthea? There werenât really any benefits for him to receive. At most, before killing her, he could pry the location of H.Y.D.R.A.âs remnants. But with her temperament, the results of interrogations would be next to none. Besides, after killing her, the completion rate of ăUndying H.Y.D.R.A.ă might raise a lot.
Other than that, Sinthea was worthless to Leo.
However, Natashaâs words provided him with a new idea. He didnât need any fame, but Fury needed it!
If Sinthea was handed to Fury and made others believe he was the one who killed H.Y.D.R.A.âs leader. Then, his status within the U.S. government would increase significantly. And of course, he wouldnât accept it empty-handed. Leo definitely would also receive some practical benefits in return such as money.
On top of that, Leo was planning to dig a pit for Fury. Once Pierce learned Fury killed the H.Y.D.R.A.âs leader and the fact Fury exterminated tons of H.Y.D.R.A.âs bases. Totaling up the debt, not to mention passing the director position to Fury, Pierce could be considered a saint if he was able to endure not taking revenge on Fury.
However, Pierce wasnât any saint. Then, itâs most probable that Fury would face Pierceâs oppression, hindrance, and even assassination.
Coincidentally, Fury knew Pierce was a spy from H.Y.D.R.A., but he was powerless against Pierce. With just his power, it was out of the question for him to make any drastic change to S.H.I.E.L.D. anytime soon. What if just as he was feeling powerless and his life was threatened and Leo personally lend a helping hand, pushing him all the way to the directorâs seat? Would Fury accept it or not?
That way, Leo might gain even more benefits from Sinthea. Hence, when Natasha mentioned calling Fury, he didnât stop her.
Perhaps Fury was sleeping. It took two calls from Natasha before the call was connected.
Natasha was using Leoâs phone, so Fury didnât recognize the numbers on his phone. So, he was unsure who was calling thus he asked in puzzlement, âFury is speaking, whoâs this?â
Fury was woken up at four oâclock in the middle of the night and he usually went to bed very late, so his voice sounded slightly exhausted. For some reason, when Natasha heard his exhausted voice, she snickered in her heart, similar to the kind pleasure of successful petty revenge.
But Natasha wouldnât reveal this emotion. Suppressing her joy, she said, âOfficer Fury, this is Natasha Romanoff. Iâve something to report.â
Furyâs fatigue was immediately washed away. But he still remained vigilant and asked, âAgent Romanoff, where arenât you using your usual number, but an unfamiliar number instead? Where are you calling from?â
âItâs Leo Erwinâs number. Iâm at El Tech Company right now and Mr. Erwin is next to me as well.â Natasha explained, âIn fact, Mr. Erwin is the one who asked me to contact you.â
âAlright, hang on a sec. I will encrypt the call first and call you back later.â Fury said.
Since Natasha had turned on the loudspeaker, Leo was able to hear Furyâs voice loud and clear. He interrupted, âMr. Fury, donât bother about it. This call has been encrypted, youâre free to say anything.â
Fury suddenly recalled Leo also had his own encryption method, but Fury was still slightly doubtful, âEncrypted phone calls will show jumbled numbers, but yours is a normal number.â
âThis is a number I made up. If you return the call, itâll connect to someone else!â Leo said disdainfully, âYour encrypted call shows an unknown number, isnât this telling everyone this call is suspicious? So, a fake number is better.â
Although Fury wished to rebuke Leo, he knew he wasnât here to discuss technology with Leo. Tossing the matter with phone encryption aside first, he went straight into the issue. Firstly, Natasha briefly explained points she knew before handing the phone to Leo, allowing them to discuss, just like a capable secretary.
âMr. Erwin, what deal do you wish to make with me?â Fury opened his mouth first.
âDo you want to take the credit for killing H.Y.D.R.A.âs leader to yourself?â Leo jumped straight to the point.
However, Furyâs train of thought certainly was different from others. Disregarding the credit, he asked instead, âKIll?! Mr. Erwin, Iâll be frank, a live H.Y.D.R.A.âs leader is way more valuable than a dead one to me.â
âIâm sorry, Mr. Fury. Due to some personal reasons, Sinthea Schmidt must die. So, you will receive a body in the end.â Leo was not going to let Sinthea leave El Tech Company alive. This kind of act only happened in TV shows, he wasnât stupid enough to do it.
Staying silent for a while, Fury finally replied, âIf it was before, Iâm happy to accept the credit. But now, with S.H.I.E.L.D. filled with H.Y.D.R.A.âs spies, Iâll be asking for death if I accept it.â
As expected from the keen Fury, he immediately grasped the pros and cons of this matter and went around the pit Leo dug for him. Nonetheless, he didnât refuse Leo outright, he neither accepted nor denied cooperating with Leo.
Therefore, Leo persuaded, âMr. Fury, will Pierce let you go? A year ago, youâve destroyed dozens of H.Y.D.R.A. bases. Both of you were already arch-nemesis. If he doesnât kill you now, it may be because he is scared of exposing himself. But itâs only a matter of time before he comes to settle the debt with you. Why donât you consider your future?â
Leo continued, âIâm giving you a free pie, yet youâre afraid of accepting it. I once said I will personally clear H.Y.D.R.A. 2.0 and even will push you all the way to the directorâs seat. And yet you still decline. Do you have a hobby of letting others step on your head?!â
Fury stayed silent, apparently what Leo said poked his sore spots. Even if he didnât know Pierce was H.Y.D.R..A.âs spy, he wouldnât be dumb enough to work hard for S.H.I.E.L.D. like a donkey, believing he could make S.H.I.E.L.D. better.
Now he knew. Even though he didnât show it on his face, his heart was trembling but he wasnât afraid of dying. When he was an undercover agent during the Cold War, he was ready to put his life on the line.
What he was most concerned about was after he died, what would become of this country, this world?
In fact, when Fury placed Natasha on Leoâs side, he already had the intention of seeking help from Leo. However, Leoâs condition was to become S.H.I.E.L.D.âs behind the scene boss, it was too harsh. At that time, he was infuriated, thus rejecting Leo.
After two months, he gradually thought it through. Even if he possessed the name list of H.Y.D.R.A.âs spies, without any concrete evidence but a piece of paper, no one would believe him.
After some contemplation, he suddenly realized that if he wished to resolve H.Y.D.R.A.âs spies, Leoâs help was inevitable.