Chapter 153: Nick Fury and Captain Marvel

As the classified files were brought to light, more and more Hydra agents were exposed. Michael's frequent activities finally attracted someone's attention.

That person was Harry.

He was convinced that Michael was the Bat-Man who had gunned down his father. However, because his glider technology was outdated and could not match the high-speed flight of Michael's mechanical wings, he failed to catch up with him.

At the Capitol.

Facing a multitude of senators, the Black Widow stood her ground alone, delivering her statement with an air of defying an entire army.

A senator questioned, "Why isn't Captain Rogers here to make a statement?"

The Widow retorted unceremoniously, "I don't know what left he has to say. I think the wreckage in the Potomac River says it all."

The senator argued, "Well, he could at least come and explain how this country is supposed to maintain its security after the two of you destroyed our intelligence agency."

"Hydra gave you lies, not intelligence."

"It seems most of those lies were provided by you."

At this moment, another senator interjected, "Agent, you should know that some members of this chamber believe you have served this country, but you have also betrayed them. You ought to be in a prison cell right now, rather than standing here in the Capitol talking back to us."

The Widow shook her head and replied without a moment's hesitation, "I don't think so. You won't throw me in prison, and you won't throw any of us in prison. Do you know why?"

The senators exchanged glances before looking back at her.

"Do enlighten us."

The Widow said with absolute confidence, "Because you need us."

"Yes, this world is a fragile place. Granted, part of that is our responsibility, but we are also the ones most capable of protecting it."

"If you want to arrest us, go ahead and arrest us. After all, you already know where to find us."

With that, ignoring the darkening expressions of the senators, the Widow turned and walked out.

As she stepped out of the Capitol's grand entrance, a car happened to be idling at the curb.

Without checking whose car it was—knowing it was there to pick her up anyway—she decisively opened the door and climbed inside.

"Take me to the National Cemetery."

"Got it."

The voice sounded somewhat familiar. She glanced at the rearview mirror and was surprised to find that the driver was none other than Michael.

"Have you grown so poor that you can't even afford to hire a driver?"

"Not at all."

Natasha smiled, squeezed through the gap between the seats, and moved up to the front passenger seat.

"Didn't bring your girlfriend along?"

"Isn't that why I came to find you? Let's talk."

Natasha smiled and said, "Actually, there's nothing to talk about. You shouldn't always go around acting like you owe me something; it's a rather strange feeling."

"What's so strange about it? Even if someone sells their body, they expect to be paid, right? Getting to sleep with me for free means you got the short end of the stick too, doesn't it?"

Michael was left speechless. Did this woman really not care at all? If she didn't care, why had she been so awkward about it before?

Natasha smiled and said, "You were a virgin back then, weren't you?"

Michael's face stiffened. Suddenly losing all desire to speak, he reached over to the dashboard, pulled out a piece of chewing gum, and unwrapped it.

"No wonder you've been dwelling on it."

Natasha chuckled delightfully, reached over to the dashboard, and took a few pieces of gum for herself as well.

She continued, "It seems I was the one who took advantage of you. You were actually quite clumsy that day. If I had genuinely wanted to leave, there's no way you could have dragged me into bed."

"So you're saying you agreed to it?"

"Yes."

Michael had always believed he had forced her.

Skeptical, he asked, "Really?"

"Yes. You fumbled around for ages and couldn't even find the right spot."

Michael suddenly felt even more humiliated and felt like not speaking at all.

"Then what was with the blood on the bed?"

"In the heat of the moment, you bit me. But by the next day, the wound had completely vanished."

Bit her.

Michael frowned. Had his bloodlust been acting up at that time too?

"Can you female agents sleep with any man for the sake of a mission?"

"How is that possible? It mostly depends on the target's weaknesses. Not every piece of intelligence requires sacrificing one's physical charm."

Natasha thought for a moment and added, "If information can be obtained through wiretapping or other means, naturally those methods are used. As for honey traps and the like, they are usually a last resort when all other methods fail."

"Besides, a honey trap requires getting close to the target, which inherently carries the risk of exposure. It's a method of last resort."

"By the way."

Natasha looked at Michael and asked with a slightly fierce glint in her eyes, "What kind of person do you take me for?"

"Hmm—"

Michael pondered for a moment and said, "A friend."

Natasha smiled, pulled Michael closer, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Good answer. That's your reward."

Soon, the two arrived at the national cemetery, where Steve, Nick Fury, and the Falcon were already waiting.

"Hello there, fellas."

Michael walked closer and saw that the tombstone they were staring at belonged to Nick Fury.

Upon seeing them arrive, Nick Fury immediately burst out angrily, "Motherfucker, you wrote the epitaph on this thing, didn't you?"

"Like it?"

Hawkeye looked at the tombstone, which read: "Here lies a pathetic bald Black man who, through his own perseverance, overcame the prejudiced gazes of others and became a great soldier. Unfortunately, one of his eyes was accidentally scratched blind by a cat, and his wife ran off on him, falsely claiming she left to save aliens. Due to his mental impairment, he chose to wish his wife happiness."

There was another line below.

"Oh, and right before he died, he screamed 'Mother', likely reminiscing about his dear mother."

Falcon couldn't help bursting into laughter.

Natasha looked at it and wanted to laugh too. She chuckled and said, "Fury, you actually had a wife?"

Michael landed a follow-up blow, "He did, but she ran off to tail someone else."

Nick Fury immediately retorted, "What do you mean ran off with someone else? What do you know? She really did leave to fight aliens and protect another world from invasion."

It seemed there really was a story there. Nick Fury had never married in his entire life, and whenever crises struck, he never touched the pager to contact Captain Marvel. Could it be that he simply lacked the courage to face her?

At this thought, Michael delivered another jab, "You've got a severe case of unrequited love, Fury."

"What do you know?"

Nick Fury's reaction this time was somewhat intense.

Michael continued, "Then why don't you dare press the pager she gave you? And why wasn't she willing to stay?"

Nick Fury slumped back against a large tree and muttered, "I'm afraid of disturbing her. What if she's right in the middle of a critical battle?"

Suddenly remembering something, Nick Fury lifted his head, looked at Michael, and asked, "How do you know all this? I certainly never put any of this in my reports."

Nick Fury pulled out a pager—the very one upgraded by Captain Marvel years ago, telling him to call her only when facing trouble he couldn't handle.

Yet before leaving, Captain Marvel had also told him not to call her casually.

This was clearly a bit contradictory. Perhaps Captain Marvel was also afraid of being endlessly pestered by Nick Fury and unable to leave.

Michael glanced at it and said, "Don't you want to press it and find out?"

"Forget it, let's talk about Hydra instead."

Nick Fury changed the subject and put away the pager that could only dial one person.