- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 20
At a hidden Hydra base, several virtual images slowly appeared.
“It’s been a month. Have we figured out why Baron Strucker’s base self-destructed? Did Nick Fury suspect something?”
“It shouldn’t be. If Fury suspected anything, I would have known immediately. He’s currently focused on his Avengers initiative. He was discussing it with me yesterday, asking for help with funding from the Security Council.”
“What did the survivors say?”
“They only received defense orders before the explosion. They don’t know anything else.”
“Let’s set this matter aside for now. It might have been a problem with the experiments on those superhumans, possibly triggering the self-destruct. I’ve always said, don’t waste our efforts on such futile matters. We should focus entirely on the Insight Project. Once it succeeds, all of Hydra can emerge from the shadows and rule the world openly!”
“Hail Hydra!”
“Hail Hydra!”
“Hail Hydra!”
The brief conversation among Hydra’s high-ranking officials concluded, and the screen gradually dimmed.
As the lights came on in the room, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties stood up and paced around before pressing a button.
“Ward, come to my office.”
This man was none other than John Garrett, the Hydra leader who had previously dealt with Baron Strucker.
Once an outstanding S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Garrett was left to die from organ failure due to a mission gone wrong. During this period, he joined Hydra’s Deathlok program, temporarily extending his life. To escape death and become superhuman, he betrayed S.H.I.E.L.D. and embraced Hydra, becoming a double agent. His dual roles in S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra allowed him to build a loyal faction.
Having learned that the now globally popular power pill could enhance physical strength with long-term use, he had arranged a trade with Strucker, offering a list of superhumans known to S.H.I.E.L.D. in exchange for Dr. Smith, the pill’s inventor, and the formula. However, just as the trade was to take place, Strucker’s base self-destructed.
Now, with Dr. Smith presumed dead, Garrett’s only option to obtain the power pill’s formula was to target the CEO of Li’s Group.
“Garrett, what mission do you have for me?”
Moments later, a handsome, stern-faced young man entered the room.
Garrett nodded approvingly at the young man named Ward.
“Good, Ward. You’re impressing me more and more. Take a look at this.”
He handed a stack of documents to Ward, who quickly scanned them. The top document featured a photo of a kind-looking man, with detailed information below.
Name: Leo Chen, Age: 20, Chairman of Li’s Group…
“Get the formula for the power pill and find out its origin. That’s it.”
Ward nodded after glancing at the document.
“Understood.”
As a top-level agent capable of dismantling nuclear bombs, this task was straightforward for him. The target was just a businessman with some skilled bodyguards at most.
…
Morning at Li’s family’s private airfield in Sokovia.
“Uncle Li, I’ll leave the business here in your hands for now. Contact me if you need anything.”
After a brief conversation with Uncle Li, Leo boarded his private plane with his wife, Wanda, and his brother-in-law, Pietro.
With the new pills now in production and Jack’s preparations in New York nearly complete, it was time to move and secure those six months in the alternate world. If he remembered correctly, the Chitauri invasion was around 2012, just a few years away. Relying solely on the Avengers for protection wasn’t wise.
Given the significant butterfly effect of his actions, the future was unpredictable. With Scarlet Witch as his wife, never joining Hydra, and Strucker’s base destroyed early, things were already different. Moving to New York would undoubtedly cause more changes, but it was worth it for the strength he could gain.
Seven hours later, as the plane landed, Leo’s ears rang with the system’s notification.
[Side mission to reside in New York completed. Six months’ time granted, usable for six months in any alternate world.]
“I can finally train again!”
Training in the Marvel world was inconvenient. Inadvertently, he could be discovered. Training martial arts and ninjutsu alone couldn’t make one a master; real combat experience was essential.
The reason why the Fire Temple monks were weak was that they only practiced alone. In the five great ninja villages, every strong ninja had fought through bloody wars or tough missions.
Without sparring partners, Leo’s progress in the main world was slow, except for chakra enhancement.
“Once we settle in, I’ll head back to the Naruto world to train.”
While listening to Jack’s report on the situation in New York, Leo made his decision during the car ride to their new home.
Suddenly, he noticed a news report on a building’s screen.
“Breaking news! According to the latest information, Stark Industries’ CEO and playboy Tony Stark has been confirmed missing in Afghanistan as of 2 PM yesterday. More updates to follow on The Daily Bugle. I’m your favorite host, J. Jonah Jameson.”
“Didn’t expect such good news upon arriving in New York,” Wanda commented, noticing the same report, her mood improving instantly. Although she had let go of her hatred for Stark, she couldn’t help but feel a bit gleeful.
At the same time, a new side mission notification rang in Leo’s ears.