At this point, General Stryker chimed in, "What these ninjas are looking for are energy-based 084 items."
"But according to previous agreements, all 084 items must be handed over to S.H.I.E.L.D. for processing. What do we have to trade with these ninjas?"
Ross responded, "Not all 084 items were taken by S.H.I.E.L.D."
"The military also has a batch of archived 084 items, though not nearly as many as they do."
Several generals who were aware of the situation nodded in agreement.
In the previous century, the military had collected quite a few of these items, but after S.H.I.E.L.D. started taking over in the new century, the military stopped collecting them and handed the responsibility to S.H.I.E.L.D.
But the items collected earlier were never handed over to S.H.I.E.L.D. Instead, they're safeguarded by the military's secret divisions.
"I intend to request a purchase of enhancement serums to form a rapid response team, specialized in handling urgent incidents."
"And to restart the super-soldier serum program."
After considering Ross's proposal, the other generals all nodded in agreement.
…
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters-
Hill entered Nick Fury's office and reported, "Sir, Sitwell relayed that he couldn't prevent the Cloud Village from selling their physical enhancement serums externally. He could only agree to a future purchase."
"Everyone outside is discussing the serums, and it's spreading across all channels. It's impossible to fully suppress this issue."
Nick Fury looked at Hill and said, "If we can't contain it, then leave it alone."
"Not just anyone qualifies to buy the enhancement serum. We can monitor the Cloud Village outpost and recruit those who buy it, sending them to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy."
"Do you think there's a lot of 084 items in civilian hands?"
Hill shook her head, "With the two alien invasions, there are still quite a few 084 items out there, but likely not many that meet the ninja's requirements."
Fury nodded, "We don't need to worry about this. Cloud Village's sales don't impact us since they're not accepting cash."
"But things will get more tense from here. Prepare to recall Steve Rogers and Natasha."
"Yes, Director."
…
Meanwhile-
Charles also saw the news about Cloud Village's press conference, finding it favorable. Collecting more recharge-able items would greatly benefit him.
…
Elsewhere-
Skye, with Coulson's team, had just dealt with a ghost case, which revealed to her that souls indeed existed.
Aboard the plane, Skye quickly came across the news of Cloud Village's public sale of enhancement serums online.
"Oh my god!"
Her exclamation drew everyone's attention from their word game.
"What's up, Skye? Amazed by my word?"
Skye held up her phone, showing Cee's press conference replay.
After watching it, everyone was stunned.
Simmons even exclaimed, "They're actually planning to publicly sell the enhancement serum?"
Fitz commented, "Shouldn't something like this be restricted?"
Coulson shook his head, "It's hard to restrict the ninjas, and we're also trading with them."
The team looked over at Ward and May, who had recently undergone serum injections.
Ward spoke up, "It seems that energy-based 084 items are highly valuable to the ninjas."
Coulson nodded, though he felt a bit uneasy.
If too many people outside obtained the enhancement serum, future enemies would only grow stronger.
Just then, Coulson's tablet buzzed with a new mission from HQ.
"Alright, everyone, let's discuss this later. We have a mission—let's head to the briefing room."
Following Coulson's instruction, the team assembled in the briefing room.
Coulson opened the video from HQ and began, "At 8 a.m. this morning, three individuals infiltrated Havenworth Federal Prison."
Watching the footage, Skye quipped, "Infiltrated?"
"More like crashed in like cannonballs."
"Let's hope they're not enhancement serum users," she added.
Coulson replied, "They entered and exited within two minutes, leaving no fingerprints. However, we do have one clue, and we can confirm they weren't serum injectees."
He tapped the screen, enlarging a photo. On the intruder's wrist was the same Centipede Serum that had previously been seen on Michael.
"Centipede,"
Coulson nodded, "It seems they managed to salvage some research from Hong Kong and received some technical support from the Sound Village."
Simmons, surprised, said, "Sir, are you saying the Sound Village helped them and resolved the combustion issue?"
"Now they can safely create super soldiers without worrying about explosions."
Coulson nodded, "I spoke with Kabuto from the Sound Village. Back then, they sold an entire building to the Sound Village as a research base in exchange for technical support."
"Though it wasn't full support, it was still a trade that gave them what they wanted."
Hearing it was only a single transaction, everyone sighed in relief. If the Sound Village had fully backed their enemies, they'd have to rely on headquarters to handle them.
Even with three superhumans, the team wouldn't be enough.
Coulson continued, "We've already destroyed two Centipede labs, yet new ones keep popping up."
"They currently have at least three super soldiers, and possibly more."
May asked, "Who did they take?"
"Edison Po, former Marine Corps member, skilled in strategy and quick responses."
"Disappeared in 2008, then resurfaced 18 months ago in a Boston restaurant where he gouged out someone's eye."
Coulson pulled up Po's profile for everyone to review.
Ward noticed, "After gouging out the eye with a steak knife, he continued his meal."
Coulson said, "Finding him shouldn't be too difficult. Capturing Po and these Centipede soldiers is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top priority."
"We'll handle the mission ourselves, without outside help."
"With our team's capabilities, we should be able to take down all three."
Ward looked surprised, "Sir, are you joining the mission as well?"
Coulson nodded, "With the three of us, it shouldn't be a problem."
"At headquarters, you won't find a team better equipped than ours."
Everyone nodded; apart from the Avengers, their team was indeed top-tier.
"Skye, start facial recognition for the Centipede soldiers."
Skye nodded, "On it."