Marvel Cybernetic Girl

The gunshot rang out.

The Winter Soldier, created by the former Soviet Union, had vanished.

Kagura Hitomi remained silent for a long while.

Should a person be burdened by the sins of their past?

Should they be held accountable for mistakes they never intended to make?

How should we define a "good person"?

What does it mean to be a "hero"?

"All done?" Natasha's voice called out from the roadside.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," Kagura Hitomi replied.

"It's a shame, though. He was just a hired gun—had no clue about the people pulling the strings."

"Same here."

Natasha Romanoff walked up, "These mercenaries were just doing it for the money, no knowledge of their employers."

"It looks like we still need to dig deeper. Did he die?" Natasha paused, gazing at Bucky Barnes' "corpse."

"Do you feel no burden after killing?"

"Of course I do," Kagura answered seriously, "But I don't think excessive mercy is always a good thing."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Not every newcomer is as clear-headed as you are," Natasha remarked.

"So, after nearly fifty years of chasing the former Soviet agent 'Winter Soldier,' we end it here?"

"Exactly. From now on, that ghost-like assassin will no longer haunt this world," Kagura nodded.

"We've done something great, haven't we, sister?"

Maybe someday, she'd tell Natasha the truth about Bucky, but not now.

Whether she told her Bucky was still alive or they left this mission with Winter Soldier captured, there were risks.

Hydra would do anything to eliminate him.

"Bragging isn't a good habit, Hitomi," Natasha said after checking the "corpse," seemingly not suspicious.

She patted Kagura Hitomi's head.

"Good work. Now, let's gather evidence and intel. Go check the goods in the transport truck, and then we can leave."

"Okay," Hitomi replied.

She stood up, walked to the transport truck, and put on her sunglasses.

"Cortana, are you there?"

"Connection established, Master," Cortana replied.

"Scan the cargo inside. Let's see if there's anything valuable," Kagura said as she opened the truck's door and entered the cargo area.

Inside, there was a black crate, seemingly unlocked.

"Natalie, may I open this?" Kagura asked.

"I heard it's classified, so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to see it."

"It's fine," Natasha answered.

"A secret sample won't be leaked just by you taking a look. Just check if it's some kind of metal sample."

"Got it."

Kagura opened the crate.

Though it wouldn't leak any secrets if someone just looked, with her, things could be different.

"Cortana, start analyzing."

As Kagura scanned the metal samples in the crate, relevant data was sent back to the underground lab in New York.

"Unknown metal sample."

"Special molecular structure, presumed to absorb energy in large quantities."

"Database search in progress..."

"Match found: Material confirmed as Vibranium."

"Master, this seems like a perfect material. It could create stronger blades and withstand your high-energy electromagnetic pulses indefinitely."

"Wow," Kagura exclaimed.

"Can our tech replicate it?"

"Recording molecular structure... Simulating effective synthesis methods."

"Estimated preliminary analysis time: 35 hours."

"Great," Kagura said, closing the crate.

"Natalie, confirmed—it's a pretty amazing metal material."

"That's right." Natasha hopped into the driver's seat.

"Buckle up, we're heading back."

[Mission: Complete Natasha Romanoff's assignment, recover the transport truck / Completed]

[Earned 10QP]

[New items available in the store]

[Adamantium Alloy Blueprint / 10QP]

"Alright, I won't complain," Kagura muttered.

"I can already make Vibranium myself, so what's the deal with the Adamantium Alloy being a bonus?"

Tsk.

It wasn't such a bad thing, though, having more technology on her side.

After the Ark Reactor, Kagura had now gained another technological marvel—material science.

But it was still too early. Mass-producing Vibranium in 2010 would drastically change this world.

That... wasn't a good idea.

"Cortana, like with the Ark Reactor tech, don't upload the Vibranium formula to the Rhodes Island industrial servers. This is classified tech, just between us."

"Understood, Master."

"Do you want to test the potential use of Vibranium in next-gen equipment?"

"Yes, let's do that," Kagura confirmed.

"As you wish, Master."

Back at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Boston base, Kagura and Natasha delivered the hijacked transport truck.

After completing the necessary paperwork and mission reports, the two headed to the lounge.

"So, how's the situation in Los Angeles?" Kagura asked.

"Although it was empty, the transport truck was successfully recovered. Iron Man came through pretty reliably," Natasha said.

"After all, he's Iron Man," Hitomi replied.

"Exactly." Natasha shrugged.

"The battle there was way easier than here."

"What about the cause behind the hijacking?"

"Initial investigation shows the mastermind behind the incident just wanted money."

"Money?" Kagura raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Natasha nodded.

"Such classified materials are worth a lot."

So... this guy hired powerful mercenaries, including Winter Soldier, from Hydra, hijacked the transport truck carrying Vibranium, and planned to sell it?

Hydra probably just wanted to backstab him, monopolizing the Vibranium for themselves!

"We'll keep investigating. I'm heading to rest, we've got more missions ahead," Natasha said, standing up.

"Sister..." Kagura hesitated.

"Hmm?"

"How far should someone go to atone for the mistakes they've made in the past?"

"I think we've discussed this kind of thing before," Natasha smiled.

"The best answer is simple: don't make mistakes."

"Sorry, that was a weird question. Forget I asked."

"It's fine. I can be your big sister, little one," Natasha said, ruffling Kagura silver hair.

"Thanks. Good night, Natalie."

Kagura nodded.

"Good night, Hitomi. Get some rest. There's a flight arranged for you back to New York tomorrow."

After that, Natasha Romanoff left the lounge.

Bearing the past...

Kagura pondered...

Tony Stark severed his past by becoming Iron Man.

Natasha Romanoff sought redemption by joining S.H.I.E.L.D.

And Bucky Barnes seemed to think the only way was to give up his life.

So, Bucky Barnes... How will you use your new life going forward?

...

[TL Note]

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