16 Executive Meeting

Bellagio Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada-

-March 30, 2005, 1600h local-

"...In conclusion, Mr. Tony Stark and his accomplice had broken no laws in their action against the Bianchi Crime Family. Instead, they have done a great service to the people of Las Vegas by removing one of this city's blight to society..." The spokesperson of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continued with his speech on live television.

Tony, Pepper, Happy, and finally, Naruto is sitting in the living room eating fast food takeout as their late lunch while watching the report. Tony and Naruto had just come back from the police station 30 mins ago, giving their statements off the record.

Tony's army of lawyers has straightened out the situation with the police, discouraging them in filing a case against Tony, in extension Naruto. Pepper has also done amazingly in her job in the public relations department. She had created and executed a PR plan that would turn Tony as a hero fighting against an underground enemy. The news of Tony Stark's involvement in bringing down a successful and entrenched organized crime group skyrocketed his popularity with the masses.

Tony's reputation had effectively sidelined Naruto, but that's the way he liked it. He really should think about the faster and more effective way news disseminates in this world. Everything he does that is too public or too flashy can immediately be found out by the whole world.

Happy is still a little upset with what happened. Not because his boss was in danger, but because he hasn't been able to come. Tony would fight against the Bianchi's either way. It's better to have been there with his boss to make sure he wouldn't get hurt. He can't even really get mad against Naruto cause he did one hell of a nob keeping Tomy back while still keeping him involved enough to point his attention.

On the other hand, Pepper is still seething against Tony and Naruto for doing something stupid. Her ire doubled for Naruto since he's the reason Tony went to fight against the mob. Another source of her annoyance is that Naruto is still pushing for her and Tony to get together, although he's only doing it while they're alone. The worst thing is that it's working! She has been imagining continuously what it would be like to be with Tony in a romantic capacity. The only thing stopping her is that she knew that Tony's personality would be counterproductive in a long term relationship. If she wants to have the relationship she wants with Tony, some parts of his character would need to change, especially his playboy lifestyle.

Naruto's question is still bouncing around Tony's mind. Echoing. His brilliant mind is working against him, concocting vivid scenarios of living with Pepper until they were grey and old with their family around them.

Noticing Tony's blank stare, Pepper nudged him and asked,

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah yeah. I'm fine. Just thinking about stuff." Tony said, placating Pepper.

She didn't believe it for a second but let it go anyway. She looked over to Naruto for and saw him eating another bowl of ramen. How can someone eat so much of that stuff is beyond her.

Tony noticed the wary but thoughtful look at Naruto. This reminded him of what he was supposed to ask earlier.

"Hey! Naruto!" Tony shouted to get his attention.

"Hmm?" Naruto answered while still having some noodles dangling from his mouth.

"I was thinking of going back to LA tomorrow. Are you coming with?" Tony asked.

The question immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room, remembering the bet of Naruto staying at the Malibu house. Pepper was still hoping that it wouldn't happen. It will make their lives a lot more complicated. Happy is just watching, interested in hiring Naruto in some capacity.

"I'm not going to stay for a while. I still have some traveling to do." Naruto said with a smile after swallowing the noodles.

Tony just nodded. He was secretly relieved that Naruto would not stay for a while. He really would like to talk to Pepper first about Naruto's suggestion without the added complication.

Pepper had roughly the same thought running through her mind.

"As a matter of fact, I might be leaving tonight..." Naruto said. He's thinking about trying to get a head start on his plan. "I'll take a hundred million with me, as for the rest, I'll just buy some shares in your company." Naruto explained his plan for the money he won in the game.

"Pepper can handle that." Tony just waved his hand.

Pepper is typing away in her phone, listing out Naruto's plan.

"Just call ahead before going to LA. There might be no one there if you just stroll in." Tony informed Naruto.

"Don't be too sad, old man. I'll drop by soon." Naruto said with a cheeky smile.

Tony just groaned and rolled his eyes. It would undoubtedly be an interesting experience being close to Naruto.

"Oh, before I forgot..." Naruto said while pulling three strips of paper from his pocket. He gave each one of them a piece. "If ever you're in trouble. Like life or death situation. Just tear that piece of paper. I'll be by in a flash." He finished with a grin.

-White House, Washington DC-

-March 31, 2005, 0800h local-

Fury hated being in the White House. Even if he used the secret entrance to hide his presence, the White House is still one of the most publicly known places on Earth. He feels too exposed in this place.

He headed straight to a separate meeting room in the White House. Away from the usual foot traffic, the other parts usually get.

Fury headed straight inside the room, not even acknowledging the guards posted outside. As soon as he got in, He saw a circular table where the President, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs, Secretary of Defense, and the Director of both CIA and the FBI. He looked at each one of them, recalling their dossier.

The first one is President Allan Trumbull. A 6'2, medium built, 68 years old, African American man, he is the first non-white president ever to be elected into office. A relatively clean man, in contrast to other politicians, he focused on international relations, making it relatively harder for SHIELD to get around.

General Joseph "The Viper" Colton is the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. A 6'0, muscularly built, balding, 50-year-old caucasian man, he is a career military man just like his father before him. He first started his career at the tail end of the Vietnam War and acquiring multiple decorations. He has climbed quickly through the ranks until he finally was able to lead a war theatre of the Gulf wars. His performance in the Gulf Wars allowed him to be nominated as the chairman JCS by two presidents. Joe earned his moniker by being a brilliant commander capable of brutal decisions against the enemy.

Jon Voight is the Secretary of Defense. He is a 6'2, bulky, white-haired, 66-year-old caucasian man. Unlike many of the former SecDef's, he has never joined the military but only worked as a specialist and consultant. His knowledge with the military and his mental acumen being the reason Trumbull appointed him.

The director of the CIA, Alan Hunley, is the primary rival of Fury. He's a 6'0, large built, pepper haired, 47-year-old caucasian man. The CIA has always been a little envious of SHIELD's resources. Alan Hunley has the same stance as the other high-level CIA members, that SHIELD is an over-hyped spy agency that has no real purpose except for investigating the weird stuff. He was a field operative that retired for a safer desk job after he married.

The Director of the FBI, on the other hand, is still doing some field ops from time to time. A 6'1, lean muscled, 40 years old, brown-haired caucasian, Seeley Joseph Booth is a former army ranger who joined the FBI after having enough of the violence. He vowed to catch as many criminals as he had killed. He only partially retired in the field after his daughter is born and aimed to be the director of the FBI.

Fury sat down on the last available chair without another word. Trumbull cleared his throat and said,

"I have here in my hands is the only copy left of something that can be a threat to national security..." Trumbull said while lifting a folder in his hands. "I'll let Colton report a summary. I'll pass this around. You can't make a copy of anything in this file. Reserve your questions for later." He said in an authoritative tone before passing the folder to Sec Def.

"At 8:45 pm two days ago, a pair of technicians from Edward's Air Force base noticed an anomaly in one of their experimental machines. Ladder has picked up a small, high-speed object crashing in the middle of the Mojave desert..." Voight passed the folder to Hunley. His expression showing concern and interest at the same time. The folder must really have something interesting in it. "A man appeared suddenly on top of the crash site. We used God's Eye to get more detail. After some time, he created a clone, and the clone ran towards the direction of LA. The main body ran toward Las Vegas..." Fury immediately perked up hearing Las Vegas. Something in the back of his mind is screaming at him and slowly getting more evident. Like a puzzle slowly being completed. He saw Hunley passing the folder towards Booth with apparent interest. "We lost him before he reached Vegas, but we noted that he was running at around 200 - 250 kph." Colton finished.

"We have no idea who or what he is, but he is somehow connected to the event in New York due to his appearance is close to the event. The direction of the object was also determined to come from the direction of New York. He would be considered a threat to National Security until proven otherwise..." Trumbull said. Booth passed the folder to Fury. His face is severe but unreadable. "I want SHIELD to take pint since it's their specialization. Everyone here would help them with finding out more about the man." Everyone nodded to the President's orders, with inky Hunley slightly disgruntled.

Fury finally opened the folder, a picture as the first page—a black and white photo standing in the middle of nowhere. His instincts screaming at him, he turned the page showing a portrait taken by God's eye. A very familiar man. Goddamned Naruto Uzumaki. He felt like banging his head on the table repeatedly, but his professional attitude allowed him to stay stoic.

Trumbull noticed Fury's silence.

"What are you thinking, Fury?" Trumbull asked.

"I need to call my team and send one immediately to Vegas." Fury said, lying smoothly. Hunley stared at him for a moment, trying to ascertain his thoughts but immediately gave up, remembering how different his and Fury's skill level is.

The President nodded and dismissed them. Fury immediately headed toward the secret entrance and called Romanoff. When she answered, Fury immediately said the one thing that could make her stress skyrocket without waiting for Romanoff to greet him.

"Naruto is the alien."