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Ethan gave a small shrug. "I didn't learn it from there."
Coulson blinked. "Then where did you learn it?"
"From the Arashikage clan masters," Ethan replied calmly.
Coulson narrowed his eyes slightly. "The Arashikage? I thought they were… just traditional ninja clan from ancient times."
"They are," Ethan said. "Outwardly, they are an old martial clan. Discipline. Honor. Structure."
"And secretly?" Coulson asked.
Ethan gave him a neutral look. "They preserve more than just martial techniques."
In this world, the Arashikage clan existed as an old and respected lineage. To outsiders, they were simply a private family with deep historical roots and strong internal traditions.
In reality, they had been brought into existence when the system summoned Storm Shadow. It was not just one man who was summoned, but an entire background and lineage to support him.
Because of the system's nature, the clan possessed the ability to learn and adapt to any power Ethan acquired.
Ethan had already entrusted several elders with advanced knowledge: soul manipulation magic, death magic, dark magic, elemental structuring, and Aether-based magic patterns.
Everything contained within the Quan Chi template he possessed, he had shared with the Arashikage clan. Thanks to the system's enhancement, some of the elders had perfectly mastered certain branches of magic, making them among the strongest beings on Earth.
And of course, they were absolutely loyal to Ethan.
Outwardly, they appeared to be a normal traditional family, where Ethan was simply one of the younger members.
In reality, they were all forces under his command.
Coulson studied him carefully.
"So they trained you in necromancy."
"They trained me in many arts according to my aptitude," Ethan corrected. "Necromancy was just one branch."
"And your mother also knew such arts?" Coulson asked directly.
"No."
Ethan's voice remained calm.
"She wasn't born with any talent for those arts. That's why she was considered an outcast. Unlike the others, she left… and eventually met a man from here."
There was no hesitation in his answer.
Coulson noticed that but did not press further.
"If I asked to visit this clan," Coulson said slowly, "would that be possible?"
Ethan smiled faintly.
"Possible? Yes."
"And realistic?"
"That depends," Ethan replied. "The Arashikage do not open their doors easily. They value privacy and tradition."
"So I wouldn't just walk in like Kamar-Taj."
"No," Ethan said plainly. "You would need an invitation."
Coulson folded his arms.
"And would you give one?"
"I don't have the authority," Ethan replied.
Coulson raised an eyebrow at that but nodded.
"Hmm. Still… can it be arranged? And if S.H.I.E.L.D. asked for help, would they assist?"
"It might be possible to arrange a visit," Ethan said after a moment. "I'll see what I can do."
"And helping S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Coulson pressed.
Ethan shook his head.
"That won't happen. They do not involve themselves in external disputes. Not political ones. Not military ones."
He paused before adding, "And it's not just them. Every major country has at least one hidden ancient family operating in the background."
Coulson listened carefully.
"Even here?" he asked.
"Yes," Ethan said calmly. "For example, the Rothschild family."
Coulson's expression didn't change, but his eyes sharpened slightly.
"Are you saying they practice magic?"
"I'm saying influence takes many forms," Ethan replied evenly. "Not all hidden power is mystical. Some of it is financial. Some is political. Some is… older."
Coulson nodded slowly.
"So the world is layered," he said. "Governments on the surface. Organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. in the middle. And ancient families beneath that."
"That's one way to look at it," Ethan replied.
"Is your company backed by the Arashikage?" Coulson asked.
Ethan shook his head. "No. I built it myself."
He looked at Coulson steadily.
Coulson nodded. "Right. It was just you and Sharon managing the company. I forgot that."
Ethan gave a small nod.
Coulson sighed lightly. "For now, I'll see if I can arrange a visit to Kamar-Taj and learn whatever I can there. I'll also wait for your reply about the Arashikage."
"That's fine," Ethan said calmly.
Coulson moved toward the door again, then paused.
"You've built quite a company. Your parents would have been proud of you if they were still here," he said.
"…I hope so," Ethan replied quietly after a moment.
Coulson saw the sadness in Ethan's eyes but didn't say anything more. He gave a small nod and left.
The door closed softly.
Ethan stood still for a few seconds. The room felt quieter than before.
He walked to the window and looked outside at the city.
"They would have complained about how much I work," he muttered to himself.
He turned and walked back toward his workshop.
The screens lit up as he entered. Blueprints for the Toolbox appeared on the main display. Layers of encryption. Independent satellite routing. Isolated power systems. Quantum key rotation.
He began typing.
"If S.H.I.E.L.D. wants insurance," he said calmly, "I'll give them something even Thor can't break."
Lines of code filled the screens as Ethan began to work.
He divided the system into separate layers. One layer for storage. One for access control. One for emergency override. Each layer would operate independently. If one failed, the others would stay active.
He added biometric locks.
Then multi-factor authentication.
Then a self-learning firewall that would adapt to intrusion attempts.
" And lastly it will be a Autobot" Ethan mumbled as he plan to make this toolbox into an miniature Transformer too.
On the other side of the ocean, the Helicarrier floated high above the clouds.
Coulson stepped into Director Fury's office.
Nick Fury did not look up immediately.
"You're back," Fury said. "Report."
Coulson stood straight.
"He agreed to build the Toolbox."
Fury finally looked up. "Conditions?"
"Direct parameters from you. No middle management restrictions."
Fury gave a small grunt. "Expected."
"There's more," Coulson added.
"About the Sorcerer Supreme?" Fury asked.
Coulson nodded.
"Can he or she help us?" Fury asked.
Coulson looked at him carefully before answering.
"This might come as a surprise, sir, but she runs a school where people can learn magic."