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Chapter 276 Phil Coulson
TL: Kyous
After listening to Leo’s words, Fury keenly discerned Leo’s thoughts and questioned in surprise, “What? Don’t tell me you’re asking me to look into 084?”
Leo nodded in response, “You’ve guessed it. You also know Peggy Carter and this matter involves H.Y.D.R.A. If you can uncover it in advance, it will be a great merit for you and your paycheck.”
Unexpectedly, Fury hurriedly waved his hand in rejection, “No! Last time you mentioned giving me great merit and even promising to help me become the director. And what happened? I went from being a senior agent to a Level 3 grunt…”
“Are you regretting it?” Leo jokingly asked.
Fury replied right away, “I don’t have regrets and I have never regretted anything. Choosing to cooperate with you and eliminate H.Y.D.R.A. from the U.S. was the proudest and most fulfilling moment of my life. However, when I simply think about it, the ‘merit’ of yours is just a hoax! And I have all the reasons to believe that you set me up…”
Listening to Fury’s first half of the sentence, Leo was relieved but after hearing Fury complaining about going from a senior agent to a lowly one, he thought Fury had changed. Fortunately, Fury was still Fury but Fury’s second half of the sentence had him puzzled.
Thus, he asked, “And why should I set you up?”
Fury rolled his eyes and answered, “I’m just a Level 3 Agent now, unlike when I was a Level 8! If you give me this photo and I overstep my authority by informing Director Carter, what excuses should I give? Right now, I’m just a small-time cop in Los Angeles who’s in charge of a tiny jurisdiction. I don’t have the ability nor authority to be concerned about national and global affairs.”
Leo swiftly understood Fury’s words and realized that he had indeed placed Fury in a difficult position. After a slight pondering, he decided to hand the photo to Fury with a smile, “You can keep this for now. It’s still your job to solve this matter but not now. I’m certain you had bragged that your agent level will increase by a level each year. So, in another seven years, you’ll be a Level 10 Agent. By then, you’ll have the ability and authority to be concerned about national and global affairs. Then, you can deal with this 084.”
Struck speechless, Fury had to figure out a way to follow through since he had blown his trumpet. Therefore, he couldn’t refuse any further and reluctantly accepted the photo.
Gazing at the dejected Fury, Leo believed that he successfully unloaded a burden, leaving himself in a rather good mood and he decided to provide an opportunity for a benefit to Fury, “Agent Fury, would you like to be a superhero?”
“I beg your pardon?” As Fury was contemplating how to achieve promotion from Level 3 to Level 10 in seven years, he didn’t quite catch or perhaps couldn’t process Leo’s question.
Clearing his throat, Leo repeated his words in confidence, “Agent Fury, would you like to be a superhero? Just like Captain America, Agent Romanoff, and Bucky, those kinds of superheroes.”
“Of course, I would,” Fury said. “I believe every agent wants to be a superhero but how can they become one?”
Leo’s voice suddenly carried traces of attraction, “I can help you become that kind of person.”
Fury’s expression changed rapidly, from disbelief to shock, and then back to disbelief. Nevertheless, he was no ordinary person and focused his mind to remain calm. “What do I need to give in return?”
Unhesitatingly, Leo answered, “Join me, just like Agent Romanoff.”
“Ha! So Romanoff is now your person? No wonder she ignores me when I try to contact her sometimes,” Fury commented with a strange expression on his face.
Shaking his head in amusement, Fury continued, “I didn’t expect this, Leo. You actually charmed her.”
Unfazed by Fury’s teasing, Leo replied, “Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you’re thinking about. I won Natasha over with my charisma and great ideals. She voluntarily chose to join me.”
“Sure, she voluntarily chose,” Fury acknowledged. Without any jokes, he solemnly continued, “So, what do you want me to voluntarily do?”
“To be a leader.” Leo spoke decisively, “I’ve founded a team called the ‘Marvel Mercenaries.’ Currently, the members are ‘superheroes’ and I want you to be a ‘superhero’ too and lead this team.”
Fury frowned, “But you’re the leader of this team. Why do you need me?”
“I have other plans to attend to. You’ll be the team’s second-in-command, leading them when I’m not around. But I need your loyalty and need you to place the interests of Erwin Tech Company and ‘Marvel Mercenaries’ on the top, over the interests of the U.S. and the world.” Leo answered.
Leaning forward while locking his eyes with Fury’s, he enunciated each word, “Mr. Fury, do you agree?”
Taking a deep breath, Fury loudly answered, “No, I cannot agree to it. Leo, I know you’re someone who stands for order and I believe you won’t do anything to harm the U.S. let alone the world. However, I have my own principles and pursuits. Please forgive me for being unable to assist you in managing ‘Marvel Mercenaries’ because I’m not someone who serves small groups. It would make me feel quite uncomfortable.”
Recruitment failed!
Leo was slightly dejected. Fury was a remarkable leader but he couldn’t gain Fury’s loyalty. “Since you’re unwilling, I won’t force it.”
He sighed to let out his disappointment before standing up to take his leave. “Anyway, my team has already been established, and you know well how powerful their combat abilities are. So if you ever encounter something you can’t handle in the future, remember to give me a call.”
Fury’s eyes lit up, “For free?”
“Of course not! But considering our friendship, I can give you a ten percent discount.”
Fury’s lips curled into a slight smile, “Well, I must have quite the reputation. I’ll thank you for that!”
Deep inside, Fury made up his mind and wouldn’t hire Leo’s team! Definitely! They were a bunch of superhuman-level fighters, and even just thinking with his knees, the hiring fee would be off the chart. He was fairly certain that if he hired them even once, he might end up risking his entire fortune and even himself!
With that in mind, he stood up from his seat, ready to see Leo off. But all of a sudden, there was a knock on his front door.
Leo’s eyebrows slightly furrowed while Fury glanced at his watch and casually said, “Don’t worry, it’s probably my colleague. It’s already 8:28 AM.”
Then, he walked past the couch and approached the door before quickly glancing through the peephole. He opened the door, smiling, “Good morning, Agent Coulson. How did you sleep last night?”
“Not too bad sir. Thanks to S.H.I.E.L.D., I’m exhausted every day, and by the time I hit the bed, I sleep like a log. Quality sleep they are.”
“Thanks for your hard work!” Patting Coulson’s shoulder, Fury encouraged.
“Not at all, sir. It’s my duty after all.” Coulson glanced at his wristwatch, “We’ll be late, sir. We should hurry up. I don’t know why but Chief Kelly seems to have a special focus on you. If you’re late, you’ll definitely receive an earful.”
With Fury’s drop from the higher ranks to lower ranks, many petty individuals took pleasure in rubbing the salt in his wounds, satisfying their newfound sense of power over their former superior.
To prevent these petty individuals from gaining satisfaction, Fury needed to depart on time and arrive at the designated location promptly every day.
Thinking of this, Fury was going to call out to Leo but before he could say anything, Leo had already approached on his own. Extending his hand, he politely greeted Coulson, “Greetings, Agent Coulson. I’m Leo, Leo Erwin, a good friend of Agent Fury.”