Moments later-
Rumlow and Natasha joined him at the ramp, looked down at the ocean below, and leaped as well.
During their descent, the three extended their bodies to maximize air resistance, slowing their fall.
As the Lemurian Star came into view, they adjusted their postures, bodies taut and streamlined, angling themselves into perfect dives as they entered the water.
Steve, having jumped first, was the first to climb aboard the ship.
Once onboard, he stealthily approached a pirate from behind, silently snapping his neck and laying him down before swiftly moving toward other hostiles on the deck.
With a flick of his shield, he executed a flawless three-strike combo, taking down three pirates in rapid succession.
Retrieving his shield, Steve darted toward another section of the deck. His objective: neutralize every enemy on the deck.
Bam!
Steve delivered a powerful flying kick to a charging pirate, sending him hurtling into the guardrail.
The crunch of breaking bones and a stifled groan left no doubt about his fate.
Two other pirates nearby barely had time to react. Steve swept the legs of the first with a clean strike, the sickening crack of a broken shin echoing as the man was sent sprawling to the deck.
Snap.
While the second pirate turned, Steve grabbed him and performed a flawless over-the-shoulder throw.
Thud!
Steve followed up with a swift punch to the pirate's neck, killing him instantly. He then delivered a brutal kick to the chest of the pirate whose leg he had just broken.
In mere moments, three more enemies were down.
As a soldier who fought in World War II, Steve Rogers showed no mercy to pirates. With the strength of 18 tons packed into a single punch, few could withstand even one blow, let alone a second.
After ensuring the three were eliminated, Steve broke into a sprint toward another part of the deck. He rammed into one pirate, sending him flying off the bridge and into the ocean. Another pirate was kicked to death on the spot.
When one pirate pulled a knife, seemingly eager to engage in a fight, Steve dispatched him in mere moments, demonstrating his unmatched combat prowess.
Enhanced by the Super Soldier Serum and further fortified by a specialized "Vampiric Formula," Steve Rogers was unstoppable.
The pirates were no more than fragile paper dolls before him. They didn't even have the chance to sound the alarm, much less fire a shot.
Reaching the middle of the deck, Steve leaped into the midst of a group of pirates. A single uppercut sent one flying into the air, while a powerful kick launched another ten meters across the deck, only halting when he crashed into the railing.
A blow to the leg resulted in fractures; hits to vital areas were invariably fatal.
Within moments, Steve had taken out nearly twenty pirates.
"Don't move!"
A pirate appeared behind Steve, pointing an assault rifle at him.
Steve froze momentarily. He wasn't particularly concerned about ordinary bullets—they couldn't harm him unless they struck a vulnerable spot.
Just as he prepared to counterattack, the pirate suddenly let out a strangled groan and collapsed to the ground.
Rumlow, having just climbed aboard from the sea, stood behind the now-limp pirate, pistol in hand. The silencer on his weapon ensured the takedown caused no commotion.
Steve glanced at Rumlow and said, "Thanks."
Rumlow shook water from his hair and grinned, "Don't mention it. What would you do without me?"
Just then, Natasha arrived on the deck. As she walked past Steve, she casually remarked,
"What about that nurse who lives across the hall? She's pretty."
Natasha's mention of two individuals—all covert agents planted by S.H.I.E.L.D.—was part of a calculated strategy to bring Steve closer to the agency.
For S.H.I.E.L.D., having someone like Steve, whose strength was unmatched due to dual enhancements, as an ally or even a controlled asset, was invaluable.
Steve brushed her off, "Let's focus on the engine room first. We'll talk about dates later."
Natasha smirked and headed toward the engine room. "I can multitask."
…
In the kitchen-
The hostages were locked inside, guarded by several pirates.
One pirate remarked, "I told Batroc, we'd rather have S.H.I.E.L.D.'s serum than $3 billion."
"That stuff's a game-changer—whether we use it or sell it."
"And the boss already has one dose. The power it gives… it's addictive."
Another pirate, holding a gun, sneered, "But to make them pay up, we've gotta kill a few people to show them we mean business."
He aimed his gun at one hostage, "Want to be the first to eat a bullet?"
Then, he kicked another hostage, "Sit still unless you want the same."
Jasper Sitwell, bound alongside the other hostages, remained unfazed. He could easily break free and fight back, but with the pirates actively negotiating with S.H.I.E.L.D., any rash action might complicate the situation.
Still, Sitwell trusted that S.H.I.E.L.D. agents would soon handle the pirates.
…
On the deck, the pirates had been completely subdued. Steve turned his focus to locating Batroc.
In the captain's quarters, Batroc ordered his men, "Call Durand. Start the engines as soon as reinforcements arrive."
"Got it, Batroc."
One pirate picked up the phone, "Durand, start the engines."
"On it," came the reply.
Durand hung up, only to find Natasha standing before him.
"Hello, sailor," she greeted with a wry smile.
With two swift moves, Natasha incapacitated Durand. She then descended into the engine room, where her dual pistols made short work of over ten pirates stationed there.
…
Back in the kitchen-
"Shut up! What's going on? Trying to play the hero?" one pirate growled.
"I've had enough waiting."
He marched to the kitchen door and pounded on it.
"Get Batroc. If I don't hear back in two minutes, I'll start shooting!"
Outside, a pirate rushed to fulfill the demand but was promptly neutralized by Rumlow, who struck him down with a specialized stun baton.
Inside, the pirate reiterated his threat, "Two minutes!"
Meanwhile, the strike team had boarded the ship and was proceeding with the mission as planned.