Outside S.H.I.E.L.D. Central-
On the helicopter, Talbot's face darkened as he listened to the announcement. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "Coulson, you treacherous dog!"
He thought about his mission. If he returned empty-handed, a promotion to brigadier general would be out of the question—he'd be lucky to avoid a demotion.
Then he realized something: the Sound Village representatives hadn't arrived yet.
Talbot clenched his jaw and grabbed his radio, "The deal isn't done until it's done. Sound Village isn't here yet—so it's not official!"
He shouted into the radio, "Attack! Take S.H.I.E.L.D. Central within the hour!"
"Open fire!"
At his command, fighter jets and helicopters launched an assault on the base. Bullets from machine guns and air-to-ground missiles rained down as some helicopters pulled back to avoid the defense system's range, deploying peacekeeping troops to assault from both air and ground.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Rat-a-tat-tat!"
Newly activated defensive turrets on S.H.I.E.L.D. Central took heavy fire.
Inside the command room, an agent yelled, "Counterattack! Activate all defense systems!"
"We must hold until the Sound Village arrives!"
"Yes, sir!" the agents shouted in unison.
All around the base, automated guns, close-in weapons systems, and anti-air missiles sprang to life. Chaos erupted as Talbot's forces clashed with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s impenetrable defenses, with no immediate way to breach the stronghold.
…
Meanwhile –
Yugito Nii and the other Cloud ninjas descended from the 100th floor, passing through corridors littered with the bodies of fallen S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. They finally stopped at a corner on the 12th basement level.
Cee whispered, "The Hydra members are just around that corner. There are quite a few, all lying in ambush."
"There are four guards at the door, ready to attack. Six more are hidden in the walls on either side of the entrance."
"The first row of shelves inside has two behind it, and there's one more behind the shelf on the left in the second row."
"One person is lying in wait on top of the fourth shelf."
"... ..."
Using his sensory abilities, Cee meticulously detailed the positions and setup of Garrett and the Hydra operatives within the cold storage room.
"They're all armed, but those weapons don't seem to be firearms. They look more like 084 objects."
"I have no idea how powerful they are, so let's avoid getting hit."
Mabui smiled, "Leave it to me. Let's show them the true meaning of surprise."
She formed hand seals and, using the precise locations Cee had provided, activated a powerful ninjutsu.
"Heavenly Transfer Technique!"
Mabui aimed to finish this quickly, using her teleportation jutsu to instantly deal with the Hydra operatives.
The extreme acceleration of their bodies would tear them apart, killing them instantly. However, the items they held would remain intact and be transported directly to Konoha's base, delivered straight into Lord Charles's hands.
In the next moment, a massive column of bluish-white light enveloped the Hydra guards at the entrance. In stunned silence, they disappeared within the radiant beam.
During the transfer, the intense friction and violent tearing forces of the teleportation reduced the Hydra soldiers' bodies to dust, their remains burning up into nothingness.
At Konoha's open-air receiving ground, the beam of the Heavenly Transfer Technique flared to life. Several 084 objects and fine particles of ash materialized and dropped to the ground.
Red Queen quickly detected the event and immediately informed Ginny in the control room.
"Secretary Ginny, some items have just been transferred to the open space outside Warehouse 2. Please send a team to secure them."
Ginny nodded and promptly dispatched a squad of werewolves to handle the situation.
…
Meanwhile, Garrett, staring in shock at the glowing blue-white light that had just appeared, cursed loudly, "What the hell is that?"
"Where are our men?"
Before he could react further, the same light engulfed more Hydra soldiers and 084 objects, making them vanish into thin air once again.
In a hidden corner, Carl Creel sensed the immense danger as the bluish-white light descended upon him.
Reacting swiftly, he grabbed a steel plate from his pocket and absorbed its properties, transforming his body into solid steel just as the Heavenly Transfer Technique activated.
Though Creel's transformed steel body survived the intense transfer, his clothes were shredded, and the various materials in his many pockets were obliterated.
When he arrived at the Konoha base, he was met by an entire squad of werewolves.
Moses Leonard, the squad leader, frowned and thought, 'Ginny didn't mention someone would be coming with the items.'
But aloud, he barked, "Take him down!"
In an instant, the werewolf squad lunged at Creel, launching a fierce assault.
Though their attacks were powerful, Creel's steel form made him nearly impervious to damage, and he withstood the onslaught without flinching.
Red Queen immediately flagged the situation and reported it to Ginny.
Ginny, upon hearing that a "steel man" had been transported along with the items and that the werewolf squad had yet to subdue him, immediately issued a command:
"Notify Selene. Have her take down this so-called steel man."
"Yes, Secretary Ginny."
…
Meanwhile-
As Mabui continued her assault using the Heavenly Transfer Technique, the other three Cloud Ninja didn't merely stand by watching.
Cee used genjutsu to disorient their foes, followed by Lightning Release: Lightning Flash Bullet to blind them temporarily.
Karui launched into action with a Shadow Lightning Thrust, coordinating her attacks seamlessly with Yugito Nii, who executed a ferocious, rapid slaughter.
The Hydra operatives caught in the genjutsu died without ever understanding what had happened, their lives snuffed out without the slightest pain.
Garrett and Ward were no exceptions. Yugito Nii, with her overwhelming strength, grabbed Garrett and crushed him with a single strike, killing him instantly.
Ward, unable to even activate the weapon in his hands, had his head severed in a single, swift stroke by Karui.
Despite all of Garrett's preparations and the readiness of his Hydra team, they were completely outmatched. Against the power and precision of the Cloud Ninja, they had no chance to resist and were mercilessly slaughtered.
This wasn't a matter of Hydra being weak. It was simply that their opponents, the elite Cloud Ninja, were far too strong, making this a one-sided massacre.