Hearing Nick Fury's commanding tone, Tony Stark curled his lips, poured himself a glass of wine, and replied with his usual three-point sarcasm:
"Then I won't bother you," Tony said lazily, taking a sip. "I already plan to hold a press conference tomorrow to officially announce my identity as Iron Man.
If you really have the energy to spare, why don't you check your own S.H.I.E.L.D.? I heard most of your higher-ups have already been turned into Hydra agents.
At this rate, you might as well rename it Snake and Shield."
Since returning from his kidnapping in Afghanistan, Tony Stark had changed — a lot.
He recognized the mistakes he and the Stark Group had made, and he developed a strong sense of social responsibility.
Especially after creating the Mark I armor and personally dealing with terrorist cells, that sense of responsibility only grew stronger.
As the media said, Iron Man was a true superhero — and Tony believed it himself.
But that didn't mean his core personality had changed much.
He still loved beautiful women, still had a vicious tongue, and still loved to show off.
So why should he hide his identity as Iron Man?
He was doing good, not committing crimes.
And besides, he was Tony Stark. Who was he supposed to be afraid of? Government bureaucrats? Please.
Originally, he had been debating the matter internally.
But after Nick Fury barged into his home with that tone, Tony made up his mind:
Tomorrow, he would announce it to the world — just because he could.
"What did you just say?"
Nick Fury's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, his expression sharpening in an instant.
He wasn't surprised that Tony intended to hold a press conference; after all, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s psychological analysis had already predicted that outcome.
It was only a matter of time.
What truly caught his attention was Tony's offhand comment — the claim that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s leadership had been infiltrated by Hydra agents.
Impossible, Fury thought. Hydra had been destroyed during World War II.
But judging by Tony's micro-expressions — analyzed instinctively through years of experience — it was clear he wasn't joking.
"I told you to leave," Tony said coldly, pointing toward the door.
"Get out of my house. Now."
Tony had heard enough.
Nick Fury gave off the same overbearing vibes as the government officials Tony had always despised — the kind who wanted to control everything and everyone.
Tony Stark wasn't about to let anyone control him.
Fury, however, wasn't willing to give up so easily.
"The information about S.H.I.E.L.D. being infiltrated by Hydra — where did you hear that, Tony?" Fury asked, his voice softer now, almost diplomatic.
"This concerns the security of the entire planet. This isn't a joke."
The change in Nick's tone made Tony hesitate.
He wasn't the type to respond well to threats, but a softer approach sometimes worked.
After a moment's pause, Tony said reluctantly:
"I got it from a reliable source. I don't know all the details — but I'm definitely not lying to you.
Go check for yourself. That's all I'm saying."
He made a dismissive gesture, signaling the conversation was over.
This time, Nick Fury said nothing more.
He turned and left Tony's mansion, a heavy frown creasing his face.
Outside, the night was silent — but Fury's mind was racing.
If what Tony said was true, S.H.I.E.L.D. was already rotting from the inside.
And the threat of Hydra was far from dead.
Washington D.C., S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Trident Building – Director's Office.
Within two minutes of receiving the summon, Natasha Romanoff, the infamous Black Widow, entered Nick Fury's office with silent footsteps.
She wore her standard black tactical suit, her sharp eyes catching the tension lingering in the room immediately.
"You called for me, Director?" Natasha asked calmly.
Nick Fury didn't waste time.
He tapped the screen in front of him, pulling up a detailed dossier that hovered in the air via holographic display.
The picture on the file showed a handsome young man, early twenties, with deep, calm eyes — Carl Hudson, head of the Hudson Group.
"I need you to investigate this man — Carl Hudson, founder of the Hudson Group," Fury said, his tone low.
"He's from Sokovia, shows up out of nowhere, builds a massive biotech company almost overnight, and somehow earns Stark's full trust right after Tony's kidnapping."
Natasha narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Carl … The name doesn't ring any bells."
"It shouldn't. That's the point," Fury muttered, rubbing his forehead.
"Everything on paper makes him look like a saint. Too clean, too perfect. He's even selling agents something called 'Power Pills' and 'Military Ration Pills' — extremely effective for field missions."
Natasha's eyebrow arched slightly.
"You think he's connected to the Hydra infiltration?"
Fury leaned back in his chair, hands clasped.
"I don't know yet. But Tony Stark found out about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal rot somehow. I believe this man is the common thread."
He stood and walked to the window, looking out over the Washington skyline.
"I want you to establish contact, observe him closely," Fury continued.
"If possible, infiltrate his inner circle. Find out who he really is... and whether he's friend or foe."
Natasha nodded without hesitation.
"Understood."
Before she could leave, Fury added one last instruction, his voice sharper:
"Be careful. I have a feeling... this one's not ordinary. If he's tied to Tony Stark's sudden change — and possibly aware of Hydra's presence — then he's either a valuable ally… or the most dangerous enemy we've ever faced."
Natasha gave a slight smile.
"Dangerous men are my specialty."
And with that, she turned and left the office, her mind already calculating the best approach.
---
Meanwhile, at the Hudson Group's U.S. Branch Headquarters – Manhattan, New York City.
Carl stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his towering office building, overlooking the city below.
Wearing a simple white shirt and dark slacks, he looked more like an easy-going entrepreneur than anything else.
Yet hidden behind his calm expression was a mind sharper than any sword.
In this world, Carl had merged the teachings and techniques he carried from his other life — the world of shinobi — with the endless resources Earth offered.
The Hudson Group's success wasn't just due to high-tech medicine.
Carl had subtly infused chakra principles into the creation of his Power Pills and Military Ration Pills.
And more than that, he had begun laying down invisible foundations — gathering influence, resources, and information, step by step.
Today, he sensed the stirrings of the storm.
He smiled faintly.
"They've finally noticed," Carl said quietly to himself, fingers tapping the windowpane.
Behind him, David and Harry, his loyal right-hand men — stood at attention.
"Boss," Leo said, "it seems S.H.I.E.L.D. is starting to move."
Carl chuckled softly.
"Let them come."
He turned away from the window, his black eyes gleaming.
"Tell leo to tighten security. And make preparations... It seems the Black Widow is coming."
"Understood," Leo and Harry said in unison, and left the office to make preparations.
Carl stood alone once more.
This world was still young — still unaware of what true power meant.
Neither Hydra, nor S.H.I.E.L.D., nor even the Avengers realized yet.