Shin raised an eyebrow at Dr. Connors' words, his voice carrying both disbelief and curiosity. "The new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. is Iron Man, Tony Stark?"
Dr. Connors nodded, his expression almost amused. "It's someone you'd never expect, but yes... Tony Stark is now the Director."
For a moment, Shin was stunned into silence. Then he leaned back slightly, his lips curving into a half-smile. "This is… unexpected. But now that I think about it, it makes sense."
Tony Stark was not only one of the wealthiest men in the world, but also one of the most influential. His connections to S.H.I.E.L.D., while not deep, were undeniable. His ongoing feud with Hydra had further cemented his alignment. When one added his unparalleled genius for invention and strategy, the leap to becoming S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Director was less shocking than it first appeared.
"The only problem is his personality," Shin murmured. "Stark is flamboyant, reckless, and thrives in the spotlight. That doesn't exactly scream 'secret agent.'"
Yet even as he said it, he had to admit that such flaws could be offset by Stark's brilliance. Beneath the showmanship, Tony Stark was suspicious, cautious, and known for preparing countless contingencies. He was cut from the same cloth as others like Batman and Professor X, men who couldn't rest without planning for every eventuality.
"As for whether he'd accept the position…" Shin tapped his fingers against his armrest. "He would. Stark always rejected S.H.I.E.L.D. because he thought it beneath him. But as its leader, he gains control over everything: alien artifacts, advanced technologies, even mystical relics. For a man like Stark, that's irresistible."
He chuckled softly. "I wonder what name he'll give it now. Will he keep S.H.I.E.L.D., or change it to something like Hammer or S.W.O.R.D.?" His tone carried a trace of mischief. "If Stark's arrogance carries him away, the Avengers may never even form. He might believe his Iron Legion is more reliable than any alliance."
Dr. Connors added, "Meanwhile, Captain America hasn't stayed idle. He's been leading the fight against Hydra, forming a group known as the new Howling Commandos. Falcon, Luke Cage, Wolverine, and others have joined under him. From what I've heard, they're directly funded by the Department of Defense."
"Interesting," Shin mused, stroking his chin. "So the Captain is running his own military branch. Hydra must have provoked him enough to pull him out of retirement."
He leaned back in thought. "It seems the world has been relatively peaceful since I left."
The quiet reflection was interrupted by the sudden sound of the door opening. Scarlet Witch entered the room, her expression already annoyed.
"Wanda!" a voice exclaimed the moment she stepped inside. Domino, disguised as the Scarlet Witch, scowled. "Please undo the spell. I'm sick of walking around in your skin."
Wanda gave a faint smile and, with a wave of her hand, dispelled the magic. Instantly, Domino reverted to her original form, short-haired, her distinctive spot-marked face visible again. She stretched and exhaled in relief.
"Finally! With your face, I couldn't even go out without feeling awkward. I'm embarrassed just thinking about flirting with guys like that," Domino joked, shaking her head.
Wanda's cheeks flushed pink. "Domino, must you always say such things?"
Domino smirked. "Don't take it the wrong way. Actually, there's a guy I've been eyeing. But with your face, I couldn't bring myself to approach him."
Wanda rolled her eyes and gave her a playful punch. That was enough to catch Shin's attention. He tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "So, Domino, who's the lucky one?"
Domino grinned mischievously. "His name's Wade Winston Wilson. He's funny, a little mean, and just the right amount of crazy. Used to be a mercenary."
Shin blinked, racking his memory. The name meant little to him at first, and he frowned slightly. That was the trouble with Marvel superheroes, nicknames were instantly recognizable, but their real names? Not so much. Superman, Batman, Spider-Man... those everyone knew. But tell someone about Clint Barton or Oliver Queen and you'd likely get a blank stare.
This Wade Winston Wilson fit the same mold. Shin's mind didn't connect the name to anything until a sudden realization struck him. 'Deadpool… if she'd just said Deadpool, I'd have known immediately.'
Wanda smiled, sensing Domino's excitement. "Fine. You've been covering for me long enough. Take a couple of days off and see where it goes."
Domino's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Really? You're the best!"
The truth was, Wanda didn't need Domino anymore. Domino's probability-manipulating powers had been invaluable while Wanda was gone, but now that she had returned, and after Shin had strengthened her, her chaos magic had grown far beyond those limits. Domino could nudge chance, making a gun jam or explode, while Wanda could rewrite impossibility itself. She could transform the gun into a harmless flower if she wished.
And with Shin's enhancements, her chaos magic had become stable, far less prone to spiraling out of control. She had surpassed her former self entirely, stepping into the role of the strongest mutant without question.
Still, Wanda acknowledged that Domino had done her part. Simply by tweaking probabilities, Domino had multiplied Wanda's fortune several times over during the past year. She had done well, even without realizing it.
Domino adjusted her gloves and casually mentioned, "Oh, by the way, Iron Man has been looking for you two. Says he's got something to discuss."
That caught both Wanda and Shin's attention. They exchanged a quick glance before Shin leaned forward, resting his chin against his hand. "Iron Man wants a meeting with us?"
"That's what I heard," Domino replied with a shrug. "But don't ask me what it's about. Stark figured out I was only your substitute pretty quickly."
Shin frowned in thought. 'What does Stark want with us? He's Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. now, and from what I know of his personality, inviting us to join the Avengers doesn't sound like him. He's too proud for that.'
Even in the cinematic universe, the Avengers only formed because of a genuine alien invasion. Otherwise, Stark would have avoided alliances, convinced his own technology was enough.
Shin's fingers drummed on the armrest as he thought it over. "Well, we'll find out soon enough. Whatever game Stark is playing, it'll show itself."
The room settled into a contemplative quiet. Domino, already distracted with thoughts of her upcoming "vacation," barely paid attention. Wanda, by contrast, gazed at Shin with a calm but intrigued expression.
For now, at least, the world was shifting in new directions. Hydra was weakened, S.H.I.E.L.D. had a controversial new Director, and alliances were being drawn. Yet Shin couldn't shake the sense that this was only the beginning.
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