Marvel Cybernetic Girl

After Tony Stark's press conference, the media exploded once again…

Before, it was just a bunch of wild speculations and rumors, with the topic getting more heated.

But when Tony Stark said, "I am Iron Man," it was like dropping a nuclear bomb in the industry.

A bomb of the level of Big Ivan.

"Iron Man."

This is a name that will be remembered by everyone on Earth, and even by every living being in the universe. And it was born on this seemingly ordinary day.

That evening, Tony Stark and Pepper Potts didn't go home for dinner.

With company matters, the aftermath of the press conference, various interview requests from reporters, the Department of Defense, CIA, FBI… so many inquiries and invitations came in, it was overwhelming.

After a simple dinner, Kagura Hitomi walked out of Tony Stark's mansion.

"Hey, Kagura Hitomi."

The red-haired beauty had been waiting outside for a while.

In a sleek black bodysuit, her figure looked even more enticing.

Her long fiery red hair seemed like a blazing fire, perfectly matching her wolf-like, mesmerizing eyes.

"Hey, Sister," Kagura Hitomi greeted her. "You showing up here means you're taking me somewhere, right?"

"Exactly," Natasha smiled. "The boss values you. He doesn't want someone like you slipping through the cracks, so here I am."

"Well, I wasn't planning on running away anyway," Kagura Hitomi replied. "Let's go then."

...

[Low Altitude Flight Adaptation Specialist / Activated]

Really, do all superheroes drive like they're in a race?

— Some place in Los Angeles, S.H.I.E.L.D. Temporary Meeting Room

For some reason, S.H.I.E.L.D. always likes to make everything seem so mysterious.

Like, when they just need to meet with someone, they'll book an entire café.

Or, when they invite Kagura Hitomi for "project cooperation," they choose a secluded warehouse for the meeting location.

Are they planning to kidnap some sweet little girl?

After Natasha Romanoff drove Kagura Hitomi to the meeting spot, they both got out of the car and entered the warehouse, which had been thoroughly controlled and surveilled by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents both inside and out.

Kagura Hitomi focused, using her holographic UI to quickly scan the area.

[Lightly Armed Agents, Number: 24, Threat Level: Low, Neutral]

Sunglasses and suit-wearing agents surrounded the building.

There were agents posted outside, some inside the warehouse, some on rooftops keeping watch, and others providing reconnaissance from nearby buildings.

Typical S.H.I.E.L.D., they sure know how to make a scene.

[Elite Enhanced Agents, Number: 2, Threat Level: High, Friendly]

Unlike the regular agents, these "elite enhanced agents" were probably Natasha Romanoff and her companion.

Known as "Black Widow," Natasha had extraordinary combat skills, unmatched battle experience, and a body modified with Soviet-era high-tech enhancements.

This was one of the reasons she, a mere mortal, had the right to join the Avengers.

Wait...

Kagura Hitomi frowned.

Two?

Does this mean there's someone else just as strong as Natasha here?

She focused again, scanning the surroundings as they walked.

As the holographic UI continued to pop up information and prompts, Kagura Hitomi noticed something hidden in a corner of the warehouse roof—a "bird's nest" lookout.

Ah, so it's you.

Kagura Hitomi looked up at the "bird's nest," smiled, and gave a subtle nod toward the man lying in wait there.

What the—?

At that moment, Clint Francis Barton, hidden in the corner of the warehouse high above, shivered uncontrollably.

No way… how did this little girl spot me?

Was it just a coincidence?

"Hawkeye" began to question his life choices.

This was a spot perfectly camouflaged with various objects and lighting, practically impossible to notice.

Even someone with Natasha's observational skills would only have a "low probability" of detecting it.

Who is this girl?

Does she have some kind of search-related superpower?

But according to the reports, she's supposed to be an energy manipulator…

"What are you looking at?"

Natasha asked, turning around.

"Nothing," Kagura Hitomi smiled.

"You guys really know how to secure things."

"Of course, we're professionals."

As they reached the end of the warehouse, a strange male voice answered Kagura Hitomi.

Kagura Hitomi looked up, and from the shadows stepped a bald, black-suited man.

So… why are all you people who want to get stronger bald?

[Agent, Threat Level: Low, Neutral]

Pfft...

Kagura Hitomi couldn't help but chuckle internally. The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and his threat level is "Low?"

"Nice to meet you, Kagura Hitomi. I'm Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Nick Fury extended his hand, inviting her to sit at the table nearby. "I'm the one who invited you here."

"Hello, Director Fury."

Kagura Hitomi politely bowed and took a seat across from him.

"If only Tony Stark could be as polite as you," Nick Fury joked, sitting down. He picked up a report from his desk.

"Your abilities are extremely powerful. Agent Natasha Romanoff has briefed me on most of it, so you can take a look at this."

Kagura Hitomi took the report. On the paper cover was the S.H.I.E.L.D. eagle logo, and the project's name: Avengers Initiative.

"Avengers Initiative..." Kagura Hitomi murmured and began reading the report.

"Kagura Hitomi, you're not the world's first superhero, and you're definitely not the only one," Nick Fury continued.

"I've met many people like you, including others who can manipulate energy."

He shifted to a more comfortable sitting position. "For many years, I've had a vision."

"There are many people like you, like Tony Stark, who possess incredible abilities. If we could gather these extraordinary individuals together, we could achieve great things. When the world needs us, we'll be the ones who can win battles that would otherwise be impossible."

"Sounds like a pretty good plan."

Kagura Hitomi smiled as she closed the report.

"I agree with your viewpoint, Director Fury."

"Great to hear."

Nick Fury stood up and walked over to her side.

"In fact, Tony Stark just turned down this plan. Looks like he still needs some time, but you..."

He paused and looked her in the eyes. "You are the best candidate I've found since 1995."

"If you turn me down too, I might have to rethink the feasibility of the Avengers Initiative."

"I see… I'm honored."

Kagura Hitomi replied, "I'm willing to join, but I don't want my real identity exposed to the public."

"No problem," Nick Fury said.

"I can accept that. After all, this is what we do."