c14: Thinking Change
In contact with a powerful figure like Doctor Fate, even if S.H.I.E.L.D. believed in Natasha Romanoff's abilities, they did not dare to stake everything on her judgment alone.
Remote observation was standard protocol, something Natasha understood and agreed with, just as she had done when shadowing enhanced individuals like Wanda Maximoff or Stephen Strange.
So at this moment, after hearing the instructions issued by Nick Fury, Natasha paused briefly and then asked, "Mr. Fate, is it acceptable for me to address you this way?"
Ryan Wong smiled gently. "It doesn't matter what the title is."
"That's good," Natasha exhaled slightly. "Mr. Fate, if it's convenient, could you share something? Has your world's equivalent of a 'second generation' figure like Zatara or Kent Nelson developed any new magical disciplines lately? I'm curious…"
The question was a deliberate stretch and clearly not rooted in sincerity.
Ryan Wong instantly saw through the subtext. By highlighting "second generation" and "lately," she was indirectly trying to confirm whether the senior sorcerers of his order—those with links to the Tower of Fate were still active, trying to assess the full magical strength available on their side.
A subtle smile flickered across his face. His gaze shifted slightly toward the area where the group of mercenaries he had subdued had been lying moments ago, only to realize they had all vanished. They had slipped away during the brief moment he had taken to teleport Peter Parker out of the conflict zone.
Still, Ryan Wong wasn't concerned.
He had inscribed a Mark of Vigilance, borrowed from an ancient Atlantean rune, on the leader's shoulder—Bald John, a known mercenary once affiliated with HYDRA. No matter where the man fled, as long as Ryan desired, he could locate him instantly.
Let the man feel secure for now.
A surprise was waiting for him down the line.
Withdrawing his gaze, Ryan remained composed, acting as if he hadn't noticed Natasha's ulterior motive. He replied evenly, "Recently, no. The second-generation master has retired from the arcane front and now focuses on honing his mystical reservoir what we call Mana Flow."
"I see…" Natasha nodded.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s think tank, listening in through encrypted comms, exploded with chatter. "Eighty percent chance the second-generation sorcerer is still alive. If that's true, then the original bearer of the Helm—Kent Nelson may also be alive. And the original Zatara can't be ruled out."
"In other words, at least three high-tier mystics comparable to Doctor Fate exist in that realm."
"Are we seriously only concerned with that? Does no one want to understand what 'Mana Flow' is?"
"Director Fury, please have Agent Romanoff inquire about the nature and source of this 'Mana Flow'!"
The instruction was transmitted, but instead of following it immediately, Natasha made a conscious choice she introduced herself to Ryan Wong with complete honesty.
"Sorry! I just forgot to introduce myself. My name is Natasha Romanoff, and I am a Level 7 agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, agents are ranked up to Level 10; Level 7 grants operational command and access to most secure intel. This version follows the Cinematic Universe). I was ordered to establish contact with you, Mr. Ryan Wong!"
"Although you've stopped both The Abomination and the Hulk from wreaking havoc in Manhattan, as the primary defense agency of this world, S.H.I.E.L.D. cannot yet fully trust your intentions. We need to know your purpose what exactly brings you here?"
"In your dimension's counterpart of Konoha Village, why would your people send a combatant of Doctor Fate's level to New York? What is your mission?!"
Is S.H.I.E.L.D. truly the protector of Earth? It's a self-appointed title, but not entirely unjustified they have indeed kept the peace across dimensional and planetary threats, even when beings like Dormammu or Darkseid's Parademons attempted incursion.
As a top-ranking operative, Natasha possessed sharp instincts.
From this short interaction, she had already deduced one thing—if she wished to earn the respect of a powerhouse like Ryan Wong, she needed to show him not just protocol politeness, but a level of respect that matched or even exceeded what he might be used to.
The analysts in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s think tank weren't wrong. But true diplomatic communication between forces of this magnitude depended on more than surveillance and data modeling it required equality of standing and strength.
And clearly, in terms of sheer high-level combat power, S.H.I.E.L.D. was outmatched by the force Ryan Wong had introduced as Muye Yin Village, supposedly led by mystical figures equivalent to Zatanna, Shazam, or Doctor Fate.
In a dynamic where power disparity is this great, peaceful interaction depends on clearly identifying each side's objectives. That's what Natasha was trying to do.stake out the diplomatic ground.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mission was now on the table. The question was how the so-called Fourth Hokage of this new faction Ryan Wong—would answer.
The agency treated powerful individuals differently depending on whether they were acting solo or as a representative of a larger organization.
If Ryan Wong were a lone traveler, even with his abilities, the situation would be viewed with standard containment procedures intelligence collection, potential recruitment, and surveillance.
But things had changed.
The fictional Muye Yin Village Ryan initially mentioned now functioned like a strategic chess piece—possibly even a bluff that S.H.I.E.L.D. had no way to counter.
What mattered now was whether Ryan would clarify this fabrication or lean in deeper and solidify it.
A lie could not endure indefinitely under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s scrutiny. One day, the truth would be revealed. So a decision had to be made and fast.
As Natasha's words echoed, Ryan lowered his head slightly, lost in brief but sharp calculation measuring outcomes, variables, potential allies, and whether S.H.I.E.L.D. was more useful as a friend or a pawn.
Moments later, he reached a conclusion.
He would fortify the lie and make it real.
If that was the case, then his personal objective the cleansing of Hell's Kitchen from hidden demonic forces aligned with Mephisto's cult would need to be postponed.
If the target had only been a single mutant crime syndicate or a corrupt CEO like Wilson Fisk, S.H.I.E.L.D. could have been used as a tool. But for the war he was planning… he would need something deeper.
And S.H.I.E.L.D. was watching.
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