"I heard that based on the addresses I provided, you did indeed destroy three heroin processing Bases disguised as laundries, didn't you?" Makima looked at Fury with a smile. "Of course, we aren't narcotics officers, but the things inside..."
"They weren't just as simple as drugs, were they?"
Fury remained silent for a moment. His originally tense body leaned back slightly, and his tone softened a bit. "Indeed. The intelligence regarding The Hand was very valuable. We discovered some things at the scene that modern medicine cannot explain..."
"We are sending people to study them."
"However..." Fury's tone shifted as his single eye narrowed slightly. "The core mentioned in your intelligence—the Dragon Bone buried beneath New York—we haven't even dug up a single piece yet. The engineering department turned the place upside down and only found a pile of mud and subway ruins."
"The vast majority of the intelligence you provided was correct, but that doesn't mean I will blindly trust your every judgment, especially when it involves... a skeleton that can catch fire."
"Since the vast majority was correct, why not offer a little bit of trust?"
Makima tilted her head slightly, appearing somewhat puzzled.
Hearing the word "trust," Nick Fury suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh.
It was a smile full of the vicissitudes of life.
He slowly stood up, walked around the desk, and stood before Makima.
He pointed to his left eye, covered by a black eyepatch, his voice low and raspy.
It carried an oppressive weight that only a man who had experienced mountains of corpses and seas of blood could possess: "Trust?"
"The last time I chose to trust someone, I... lost this eye."
The air seemed to freeze.
This classic line, paired with Fury's large black face written with stories.
Anyone unaware of the truth hearing this would imagine an epic drama of betrayal, sacrifice, blood, and tears.
However—
Sumire looked at the one-eyed Fury in front of her, who was acting so naturally cool, and almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
This damn cat lover is quite good at making up stories.
Sumire naturally knew how Fury became one-eyed—it wasn't because of any betrayal at all. It was because in his youth, he was obsessed with cats and, due to being too perverted about it, he was scratched by a ginger cat kept by Captain Marvel, which was actually a Flerken.
This hakini is looking for some hachimi love again; he really knows how to build a persona for himself!
Honestly, he has no shame at all!
Although Sumire was already rolling on the floor laughing internally, on the surface, Makima maintained that perfect poker face.
She looked at Fury and nodded slightly. "I stand corrected, Director."
Fury was very satisfied with Makima's reaction.
No excessive flattery, and even less trembling like some newcomers.
Excellent psychological quality; she's a good prospect.
Even though the "Dragon Bone" wasn't excavated, the two solid achievements of The Hand's stronghold and the Ghost Rider were right before his eyes.
S.H.I.E.L.D. truly lacked such capable and courageous talent.
"Very well. In view of your outstanding performance in this operation and the fact that the intelligence you brought indeed allowed us to avoid a potential disaster, your security clearance level is raised to Level 6."
"This usually requires five years of seniority for a field Agent." Fury waved his hand. "In addition, I've approved three days of paid administrative leave for you. Although you look fine, protocol is protocol. Go home and get some sleep, Agent."
"Thank you for your trust, Director." Makima bowed elegantly and turned to leave.
It wasn't until Makima walked out of the office that Fury sat back down in his chair and muttered to himself, "A woman's intuition... Hmph."
For some reason, he felt that in the look Makima gave him just now, there was a kind of... mockery, as if she had seen right through him?
It was probably just an illusion.
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