"You're right, but I can't act casually now. Otherwise attracting the Ministry of Magic's attention would damage relations between Muggles and wizards."
Hermione's tone was helpless.
Pierce, you're guilty of heinous crimes!
Fury nearly choked.
Let you push wizard threat theory. Bypass me to manipulate Miss Witch. Now she believes it—what do we do?!
Fury took a deep breath. Forced himself calm. "Miss Witch, some people in S.H.I.E.L.D. have limited vision. Don't understand that increased communication between ordinary people and wizards is the right path. Please don't be misled by such rhetoric..."
"Oh, I see. Mm-hmm..."
Hermione's voice was muffled.
"Crunch crunch... slurp slurp..."
"Hm? What's that sound on your end?"
Before Fury finished, heard rustling sounds from the phone.
That's not the sound of Hulk and Blonsky fighting.
"Ah, don't mind it. What were you saying?"
Hermione munched an apple. Watched the arena below with interest.
"I said don't be misled by such rhetoric..."
"Crunch crunch..."
The sound interrupted Fury again.
Fury: "..."
"Miss Witch, just tell me—what will it take for you to act?"
Sensing Hermione's impervious attitude, he gave up. Directly threw the choice to Hermione.
Hermione tossed the core. Hit Hulk's back of the head. Thought a moment. "Hmm... I heard S.H.I.E.L.D. recently collected quite a few rare plants and materials..."
Fury relaxed hearing this. As long as there was room to negotiate.
But he finally understood—after this attack incident, Miss Witch was clearly less agreeable than before. Without bleeding a bit, probably couldn't easily repair their relationship.
Miss Witch wasn't a bad person. Like S.H.I.E.L.D., aligned with order... But had her own temper. And was quite shrewd.
Probably agreed quickly earlier, then started haggling—waiting for this moment.
Gritting his teeth, Fury said, "Yes, suspected magical materials. S.H.I.E.L.D. has indeed collected quite a few recently... Could Miss Witch come to S.H.I.E.L.D. afterward to help us identify these things? Do you have time?"
Yes! I absolutely do!
Hermione's heart leaped with joy.
Previously leaked intelligence about various potion and alchemy materials to S.H.I.E.L.D.—finally time to reap the harvest!
But Black Egg, you're dishonest. If not for this favor needed from her, probably would've continued hiding it. See if S.H.I.E.L.D. could research something first.
Fortunately, Ava now deeply trusted by Hydra. Knew much classified intel... Secretly told Hermione all S.H.I.E.L.D. intelligence tagged with "wizard."
Fury said "identify," but both knew—probably identify, identify, then identify into Hermione's pocket.
"No problem, I'll go right away!"
Hermione agreed readily.
A deal thus sealed.
"Dead or alive?"
Just as Hermione was about to descend, suddenly added a line.
That confident?
One sentence stunned Fury for two seconds.
This was the Hulk. The other could fight Hulk evenly. Even rocket launchers couldn't break their defense.
Yet hearing Miss Witch's tone—like she could casually handle them.
According to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s current intelligence, her spells were indeed powerful... But only against ordinary people. Already struggled breaking Iron Monger's defense... Let alone Hulk, whose defense far exceeded the Iron Man suit?
Worried Hermione underestimated these supernatural threats outside the wizarding world, Fury said carefully, "If possible, capturing alive is better. But prioritize your own safety..."
To S.H.I.E.L.D., wizards were far more valuable than Hulk.
Only those with insufficient vision would fixate on super-soldier serum. Chase after Hulk all day.
Even if they successfully created a bunch of Captain America-level super-soldiers, so what?
Could they block a fire dragon?
Superpowers and mysticism are the answer!
Nick Fury firmly believed this.
"Got it."
Hermione nodded. Casually removed the Disillusionment Charm. Dove toward the battle below.
"Confringo!"
"BOOM BOOM BOOM!"
Hermione's standard opener—three fireballs exploded on Hulk and Abomination's faces.
Both roared. Separated by the sudden explosion.
Smoke cleared. A black-robed little girl sat sideways on a broomstick. Hovered mid-air. Two small legs swinging constantly.
Hermione's appearance temporarily calmed the combatants. For a moment, three pairs of eyes stared. No one moved.
Seeing the tiny figure suddenly appear overhead, Abomination looked at Hulk questioningly. Met Hulk's equally confused gaze.
Who's that?
Don't know. You know?
Don't know either.
The two tacitly completed light-speed communication.
Next second, both ignored Hermione. Continued roaring and lunging at each other. Trading blows. Fighting intensely.
Hermione: "..."
Hey, look at me!
I'm such a big threat right here—why do you only have eyes for each other?!
On the helicopter, Ross, Betty, and others watched Hermione suddenly appear. All stunned.
What the hell!
Why is there a little girl flying on a broomstick in the sky?!
Before Ross could speak, his phone rang.
"Ross?"
Answering, hearing the familiar voice, General Ross frowned slightly. Tone unfriendly. "Nick Fury, why are you calling me? Here to mock me?"
Fury said calmly, "If I wanted to mock you, I wouldn't call. Listen—see that flying little girl? I hired her specifically to deal with those two monsters below. If you're smart, don't interfere no matter what she does."
Ross heard this and shouted angrily, "Hulk is a military project. Not S.H.I.E.L.D.'s turn to interfere. We'll handle it naturally!"
Fury said coldly, "You think I want to clean up after you? Your soldiers are already dead because of you. How else does the military want to 'handle' this—let them harm civilians in other districts? Better think about how to respond to Congress's inquiry."
"You!"
Ross was furious, but the situation was indeed as Fury said—beyond his control. After a moment of silence, could only say:
"Hulk and Blonsky—even the military can't handle them. What use is one little girl?"
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