As the call ended, Kabuto looked at the coordinates Coulson had sent and said, "Kidōmaru, notify Anko Mitarashi and Guren to come here."
Kidōmaru nodded, "Yes, Lord Kabuto."
Before long, Anko Mitarashi and Guren appeared in front of Kabuto.
He looked at them and explained, "There is a S.H.I.E.L.D. base, their central headquarters. Agent Coulson has agreed to sell all the 084 objects stored there to us."
"Your mission is to retrieve everything from the base. A U.S. Air Force colonel is on his way with troops to seize it."
"You'll need to transport all the items back here. Make sure you bring enough sealing scrolls."
Guren confidently replied, "A mission like this? I can handle it alone."
Kabuto responded, "Anko has been training here for some time. It's about time she made an appearance and completed a mission."
"While you seal off the base, she will focus on collecting the items, saving us time."
Anko nodded, "Understood. These resources are crucial for Lord Charles. I'll give it my all."
Kabuto nodded and said, "I've sent you the base's coordinates and the warehouse location. Move quickly—S.H.I.E.L.D. agents won't be able to hold out for long."
"Yes!" they both answered in unison.
Guren and Anko exchanged glances before vanishing.
A slight smile curled at the corner of Kabuto's lips as he headed toward the conference room. He had to discuss strategy with several Hydra leaders soon.
…
S.H.I.E.L.D. Central Headquarters-
Coulson turned to May, "You heard the conversation."
"Gather the agents willing to support us. Tell them we need to hold the central base's warehouse until the Sound ninja arrive."
"Once they arrive, turn the warehouse over to them."
"I'll make sure to reward everyone later by offering them the chance to become extraordinary."
May nodded. Offering that incentive would certainly draw more agents to guard the warehouse, even those who had considered surrendering.
She knew how desperately agents craved the enhancement serum—when S.H.I.E.L.D. had conducted the last selection, the competition had been brutal.
"I'll send the message to the agents now. I'm confident we'll have plenty of volunteers."
Coulson nodded and asked, "What's the status of the Airbus?"
While sending the message, May replied, "The mechanics have fixed the ramp, but the central fuel reserves are running low. We don't have much fuel left."
Coulson frowned, "Time is running out. Can you get us airborne in time?"
"Ten minutes until takeoff," May responded.
Hearing the commotion, Triplett, realizing they were about to leave, asked, "You're all leaving?"
Coulson turned to him, "Thanks for your help."
Triplett, admiring Coulson's team, especially in these perilous times, quickly said, "Got room for one more?"
"After all, you're missing a field specialist."
However, because Garrett was assigned as Triplett's supervising officer, Coulson initially rejected his request. But after Simmons pleaded on his behalf, Coulson reconsidered and eventually agreed.
Ten minutes later, the plane took off.
Coulson found Fitz and said, "We need to disappear."
Fitz explained, "Only S.H.I.E.L.D.'s helicarriers have cloaking technology."
Coulson pressed further, "Then how do we avoid detection?"
Fitz shook his head, "We can't. The best we can do is avoid radar from other aircraft and stay airborne as long as possible. Once we land, staying hidden will be even harder."
Hearing this, Coulson sighed with frustration before issuing another command, "Fitz, I need you to erase everything about us from the internet—our files, photos, any proof that we exist."
"Every government in the world will be hunting us, especially after the mess we just left for the U.S. Air Force."
"We need to vanish."
Fitz nodded, "Understood."
He immediately set to work following Coulson's orders. Meanwhile, Coulson began collecting everyone's S.H.I.E.L.D. badges.
Through communications, Coulson learned that the medical supplies on board were sufficient, but there was only enough food for a few days.
Additionally, the fuel line was leaking, limiting their flight time to four hours, and they had no access to any of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s support systems.
…
Elsewhere-
After assigning Raina to continue the third phase of the Centipede Project, Garrett began gathering his forces.
He planned to seize this opportunity to raid the Fridge, believing that S.H.I.E.L.D. was at its weakest. Alongside him were Ward and Carl Creel.
To Garrett, this was the perfect time to strike—thousands of 084 objects and hundreds of prisoners were waiting to be claimed.
At that moment, Kaminsky approached Garrett and reported, "We encountered Leaf ninja during our operation at the Cube. They attacked the facility."
"We nearly secured the place, but in the end, we had to retreat. We suffered heavy casualties, and my team is now severely undermanned."
Garrett praised him, "But you made it out by helicopter—one of the rare teams to survive an encounter with ninja."
"Yes, sir."
Garrett waved dismissively, "The Cube doesn't matter. Once we break into the Fridge and seize the toys stored there, no S.H.I.E.L.D. base will be beyond our reach."
Kaminsky extended both arms in front of him, making the Hydra salute, and loudly declared, "Hail Hydra!"
Garrett frowned and said, "Enough. Put your arms down, Kaminsky."
"You look like a cheerleader from West Texas."
He then turned to the Hydra soldiers behind him, "Check your weapons. Get ready to move!"
"Yes, sir!" the Hydra soldiers shouted in unison.