"Bang! Bang!"
To Hand's horror, Ward fired two shots, killing the two agents seated beside Garrett. Without hesitation, he turned his gun on Hand and shot her in the heart.
As Hand collapsed, Ward remained emotionless, delivering two more shots to ensure she was dead.
"Bang! Bang!"
Garrett grinned as he observed the outcome, confirming that his decision to keep Ward dormant until the right moment had been correct.
Standing up, Garrett said, "Change course. We're heading to our base. We need to recruit more people—and I need my flower-dress girl."
"Once we secure them, we'll handle the Icebox and cold storage."
Ward gave a silent nod and made his way to the cockpit to redirect the plane.
...
Meanwhile-
Elsewhere-
Ninjas were scouring S.H.I.E.L.D. facilities, searching for 0-8-4 objects, rare adamantium, or vibranium-like materials of strategic importance.
…
In a hospital-
Steve Rogers lay unconscious in a hospital bed, with Sam Wilson sitting nearby, dozing off. A phone on the bedside table played "Trouble Man" by Marvin Gaye.
When Steve stirred awake, he glanced at Sam and said softly, "On your left."
Sam opened his eyes at those words, noticing Steve was awake. A small smile crept onto his face.
At the same time, Agent 13, Sharon Carter, had moved on to undergo assessment at the CIA, while Commander Maria Hill arrived at Stark Industries for a job interview.
Knowing she was wanted by U.S. authorities, Hill believed working as Pepper Potts' assistant would be a strategic cover. Stark Industries' formidable legal team could tangle with Congress and the courts.
As for the senator supporting Hydra, he was now being pursued by the FBI. Even Brock Rumlow had survived the Triskelion collapse but suffered severe burns. His enhanced physique, thanks to the serum, would allow him a slow but eventual recovery.
Nick Fury, now off the grid, retreated to one of his safehouses. Removing his iconic eyepatch, he donned a pair of dark sunglasses. He then burned down the hideout before walking away.
...
On Capitol Hill-
Natasha Romanoff faced an onslaught of reporters and media representatives, all bombarding her with questions while a panel of government officials grilled her.
"Why has there been no word on Captain Steve Rogers' whereabouts?"
Natasha calmly responded, "I don't know if there's anything left for him to say."
"I think the wreckage in the middle of the Potomac speaks for itself."
The Deputy Secretary of Defense asked, "How do you suggest we safeguard this country now, after you and Rogers destroyed our intelligence infrastructure?"
Natasha countered, "Hydra wasn't selling you intelligence. They were selling you lies."
The official pressed, "And most of it came directly from you, didn't it?"
A senator added, "Agent Romanoff, some members of this committee believe that, given your record of both serving and betraying this country, you belong in prison, not here arguing with us."
Natasha confidently said, "You're not going to put me in a prison. You're not going to put anyone in a prison. Do you know why?"
The senator responded, "Please, enlighten us."
Natasha stated firmly, "Because you need us. Yes, the world is vulnerable."
"Yes, we bear responsibility for that."
"But we're also the ones best qualified to protect it."
"So if you want to arrest me, go ahead."
"You know where to find me."
The room fell silent. The senator was speechless, and the Deputy Secretary of Defense remained silent as well.
With a smirk, Natasha stood up and walked out of Capitol Hill.
...
At Nick Fury's grave, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and Natasha Romanoff gathered.
Nick Fury, carrying a briefcase, approached them and said, "Have you ever been through something like this before?"
Steve smiled, "You get used to it."
Fury handed the briefcase to Steve and said, "This is what you left with me for safekeeping."
Steve took it with a nod, "Thank you."
Fury continued, "We've been digging through Hydra's files. Looks like a lot of them slipped through the cracks."
"And that power you mentioned, the one that could stop the ninjas—it hasn't shown up yet."
"I'm heading to Europe tonight. Want to come?"
Steve glanced at the briefcase in his hands and replied, "I've got something I need to do."
Fury turned to Sam, "What about you, Sam?"
"I could use someone like you."
Sam smiled, "I'm more of a soldier than a spy."
Fury sighed, "Fair enough."
After shaking hands with both of them, Fury told Steve, "If anyone comes looking for me, tell them to come here."
He glanced at his own tombstone one last time before walking away.
Natasha chuckled, "You should consider yourself lucky. That's probably the nicest thing he's ever said."