Chapter 108: God-Level Thievery

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[The sixth question begins, be prepared.]

[To thwart Alexander Pierce's conspiracy, Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff conducted an investigation based on the USB drive provided by Nick Fury. During the investigation, they were captured by HYDRA. Who rescued them?]

A) Clint Barton

B) Maria Hill

C) Nick Fury

D) Sharon Carter

[If answered correctly, reward: God-Level Thievery - enables the ability to steal small items within the line of sight once. If answered incorrectly, deduct one year of lifespan.]

As the sixth question was presented, Steve Rogers keenly noticed the name "Nick Fury" among the options.

In fact, not only Steve Rogers but also Tony Stark and the others noticed it.

"Didn't Alexander Pierce confirm Nick Fury's death in the recent video? Pierce even personally confirmed it." Tony Stark remarked.

"Clearly, Nick Fury faked his death." Bruce Banner said, "Considering he is the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., he's not someone easy to deal with. Even though Pierce caught him off guard, ultimately Nick Fury managed to escape."

"In rescuing someone, strong combat abilities are essential." Tony Stark glanced at the options and said, "Among these individuals, Clint Barton, as an Avenger, should be the strongest."

"I don't know much about any of the people mentioned in the options." Steve Rogers said, "But since Clint Barton is the only one who became an Avenger, his fighting ability should be the strongest."

"However, judging from the previous events, Clint Barton shouldn't be involved in the assassination attempt on Nick Fury." Bruce Banner spoke slowly, "The sequence of events is clear now. Alexander Pierce attempted to assassinate Nick Fury on the street, and I speculate that the reason for the assassination attempt might be related to that USB drive. After the failed attempt, Nick Fury escaped to Captain's house and handed the USB drive to him. Alexander Pierce then demanded the drive from Captain, but when he refused, Pierce issued a direct warrant for his arrest. I still don't know why Natasha Romanoff got involved, but it seems Clint Barton had nothing to do with it."

"Although Clint Barton was not involved in that part of the storyline, it doesn't mean he won't be involved later." Thor stated, "Both Captain and Natasha Romanoff were captured, so Nick Fury likely enlisted Clint Barton, as an Avenger, to rescue them. It makes sense."

"That's not it." Steve Rogers shook his head.

"What's wrong, Captain?" Thor asked.

"Clint Barton shouldn't have known about this." Steve Rogers said, "When Nick Fury gave me the USB drive, he specifically instructed me not to trust anyone. Since I received the drive, I wouldn't reveal this information to anyone. This can be seen from the fact that I kept it hidden even from Alexander Pierce. At that time, Alexander Pierce hadn't revealed his true colors, and in our eyes, he was someone trustworthy. But I kept it from him."

"What about Natasha Romanoff?" Tony Stark interjected, "In the end, you went together with Natasha Romanoff to investigate the USB drive, didn't you?"

"There are two possibilities. First, Natasha Romanoff discovered something suspicious on her own. Second, Nick Fury informed her about it." Steve Rogers said with a solemn tone, "In any case, it couldn't be me."

"Then it couldn't be Nick Fury discovering that both of you were captured and seeking Clint Barton's help?" Thor asked.

"That possibility is unlikely." This time, Tony Stark spoke up, "Who is Nick Fury? A bald egghead? Yes, that's right! But that's not what I mean. What I mean is that he's the head of a spy agency, and suspicion and caution are practically ingrained in him. Since he told Captain not to trust anyone, it's not just a request to Captain but also a reflection of his own attitude. At that moment, he probably didn't trust anyone. So Captain's two possibilities, Nick Fury informing Natasha Romanoff or himself, can be ruled out. It's more likely that Natasha Romanoff discovered something on her own."

"Don't you think that the phrase 'don't trust anyone' is a paradox?" Bruce Banner pondered, finding something amiss as he contemplated, "I don't mean to nitpick, but the term 'anyone' includes Nick Fury himself, right? The person who said that is already included in the 'anyone' category."

"Dr. Banner, I think at that moment, Nick Fury was near death. I doubt he was pondering the philosophical implications of that statement." Steve Rogers said.

"No, no, no. I actually find Dr. Banner's point quite insightful." Tony Stark snapped his fingers, "Perhaps you assume that Nick Fury, the one who said that phrase, excludes himself from the 'anyone' list. But for Nick Fury himself, it might not be the case."

"Stark, what do you mean?" Steve Rogers asked, "Are you saying that Nick Fury doesn't even trust me?"

"That's exactly what I mean. He trusts no one, only himself. That's what 'don't trust anyone' means." Tony Stark said.

"Stark, Nick Fury already entrusted the USB drive to me." Thor felt Tony Stark's words made no sense, "Are you saying that Nick Fury doesn't trust me?"

"I believe Nick Fury was gambling. He had no idea who to trust, but he was wounded and couldn't handle it himself. He had to seek help from someone." Tony Stark explained, "Among all the people at S.H.I.E.L.D., Captain had the least suspicion. After all, he was asleep for 70 years, and the probability of him having any connection to Alexander Pierce was very, very low. Nick Fury simply placed his bet on the card with the highest chance of winning."

"Stark, your explanation makes Nick Fury seem so dark." Thor remarked.

"Perhaps I'm wrong. It's just speculation." Tony Stark shrugged, not continuing the topic.

"I have a question. After discussing in circles, who have we ruled out?" Bruce Banner asked.

"Clint Barton?" Thor suggested.

"But Clint Barton hasn't been ruled out. Previously, we only said that Nick Fury wouldn't actively seek Clint Barton. Maybe Barton discovered something on his own?" Bruce Banner countered.

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=>Sailing with Whitebeard: Starting with a Question

=>The day of studying in Hogwarts

.....

[END OF CHAPTER]