Phoenix! Traitor Within!

Gradually, the weapon transformed into a crossbow-like shape—the Pegasus Bow. Steve pulled back on the crossbow string and squeezed the trigger at that moment.

A beam of light instantly shot out from the Pegasus Bow's barrel, straight toward the flying Bat Gurongi in the distance. The beam struck the Bat Gurongi's back, causing it to let out a painful scream before exploding.

Seeing Steve effortlessly defeat three of their comrades using the power of Kamen Rider, the remaining Gurongi panicked and fled in all directions.

Steve watched as the Gurongi scattered, initially preparing to chase them. However, after just a few steps, he gasped for breath. The recent battle had drained much of his energy, and with the Gurongi fleeing in different directions, he could only watch them escape.

With the Gurongi gone, the scene was left in shambles. Many agents and guards stationed at the S.H.I.E.L.D. base were injured, and some had even died.

At this moment, Nick Fury was in South America investigating the Gurongi's attack on the archaeological team when his phone rang. It was a call from an agent at the base.

Upon hearing about the Gurongi's assault on S.H.I.E.L.D. and the numerous casualties, Fury exploded in anger. "What!? You said a large group of Gurongi attacked S.H.I.E.L.D.? And they killed many agents? What's going on?"

"Director Fury, don't worry for now. The Gurongi have retreated," the agent on the phone tried to calm him down, but this only made Fury more curious.

"What happened? Why did the Gurongi retreat?" Fury wondered. With most of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s strength away, the Gurongi could have easily taken over the base. Why would they leave at such a critical moment? Unless... was there an unexpected event?

"Captain Steve Rogers transformed and fought them off," the agent explained, recounting Steve's transformation process. Fury's expression softened a bit upon hearing this.

"Alright, I understand. Keep me informed of any developments," Fury said before hanging up, deep in thought. The timing of the Gurongi's ambush was too coincidental. It seemed perfectly calculated. And knowledge of the belt was limited to only a few. Could there be a traitor within S.H.I.E.L.D.?

As Fury pondered this possibility, Tendou Souji approached and patted him on the shoulder. "Director Fury, is something wrong?"

Fury snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh, nothing special. Tendou, did you find anything?"

Tendou shook his head. "The clues are scarce. It will take time to trace everything."

"Alright, I'll leave this to you. Something's come up at the base, and I need to head back," Fury said.

"What's going on, Director Fury?" Tendou asked, puzzled.

Fury glanced around to ensure no one was listening before whispering to Tendou. "It's like this..." Tendou's eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded firmly.

"Understood. I'll handle it," Tendou said.

"Remember, keep my return confidential," Fury reminded him.

"Got it," Tendou replied.

Soon, Fury boarded a jet, quickly heading back to S.H.I.E.L.D. Meanwhile, Alexander Pierce waited at home for news about obtaining the belt. A knock at the door interrupted him.

"Come in," Pierce called out. The door opened, and Martin Li entered.

"Did you get the belt?" Pierce asked eagerly.

Li's face fell. "I'm sorry, the mission failed. The belt merged with Steve Rogers. We tried to kill him and take it back, but his strength was too much. We had to retreat."

Pierce flew into a rage, throwing a nearby ashtray at Li. "You idiots! You couldn't even handle this simple task! What's the point of having you?"

Li, bleeding from the impact, stood silently. Pierce, calming down, suddenly realised something. "You said S.H.I.E.L.D. captured some of our men?"

"Yes, but don't worry. I had them drugged to ensure they can't talk," Li said.

"Drugged? That won't stop Fury from suspecting me. We need to destroy the evidence," Pierce muttered, frustrated.

In a special ward, Nick Fury stood by the beds of the captured Gurongi, now dead. A doctor explained their sudden decline. "Director Fury, these men were stable but suddenly deteriorated."

Fury's anger simmered. He knew whose men these were but chose to remain silent. "It's not your fault. Just keep my presence here a secret," Fury instructed the doctor, who nodded.

"Someone will handle the bodies," Fury added before leaving, taking Steve Rogers.

Steve marveled at Stark Tower. "Captain Rogers, stop gawking and come on," Fury urged.

"Right, sorry," Steve said, following Fury to the reception desk.

"We need to see Tony Stark," Fury told the receptionist.

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked.

"No," Fury replied.

"Sorry, no appointment, no meeting," she said, narrowing her eyes.

Frustrated, Fury left the tower.