May 17 — 4:21 AM
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The screen lit up in the dimly lit living room.
Against a black background, Phil Coulson's composed silhouette appeared. Wrinkled white shirt. Loosened tie. His features were calm, but his eyes had already shifted into tactical assessment mode.
"Naruto Uzumaki," he said, barely frowning. "Didn't expect this call."
"And yet you answered before the third ring."
"It's in my nature. Unpredictable situations tend to attract men like me."
Naruto nodded, seated upright but without tension.
Natasha watched from a few steps away, silent.
"I'll be direct," Naruto continued. "I'm tired of half-truths. Double games. Hill is building a surveillance web around me—around us. I want to know what she's planning. Her protocols. Her contingency plans."
Coulson raised a subtle brow.
"And in return? What do I get… exactly?"
Naruto extended his palm, summoning a pale blue orb of chakra—compact, vibrant, controlled.
"The truth. The one Hill is too narrow-minded to accept. I am something she'll never be able to contain. And if you help me, I'll offer you something you've been searching for your entire career."
Coulson folded his hands in front of him.
"And what exactly do you think I've been searching for?"
Naruto stared, unblinking.
"A key. A door into forms of energy, consciousness, and influence… that Earth hasn't begun to understand. What you call an 'anomaly,' I call balance. And I can show you how to prevent the chaos Hill is already provoking."
A silence.
Coulson leaned slightly toward the camera.
"You're not a mutant. Not a sorcerer. Not the product of any known U.S. government program."
"Correct. I'm in no file. And yet you've been watching me. Ever since I crossed paths with Natasha."
Coulson offered a slight smile.
"You're more observant than most."
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"And you're more pragmatic than loyal."
Coulson chuckled softly.
"I prefer the term effective. Maria Hill is competent, yes—but sometimes, effectiveness demands silent dissidence. So tell me: What exactly do you want?"
---
Naruto raised two fingers.
"First: the names of the operators Hill's sent to tail us these past two weeks.
Second: the access codes for Protocols Numina. You know what I'm talking about.
Third: the location of the mirror server she's using to bypass S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal systems."
Coulson didn't move.
"And what guarantees me you won't turn this information against us?"
Naruto gestured, and the chakra orb dissolved into the air.
"Because I'm not here to take power. I'm here to choose who deserves it. And Hill no longer does."
The silence stretched. Coulson appeared to consider this.
"She's afraid of you, Naruto. And even more afraid of what you might represent—if others like you were to appear."
"Then give me what I'm asking for. And I'll make sure she never has reason to declare war on what she can't understand."
"I can give you names," Coulson said after a long pause.
"And limited access to the Numina Protocols.
But I'm keeping the mirror server to myself—for now. Until I'm sure you're not working with some outside faction."
Naruto nodded.
"Fine by me. But if even one of your agents tries to approach Natasha without clearance again, I'll consider it an act of hostility."
"Understood."
Naruto reached toward the tablet, ready to end the call.
Coulson stopped him.
"One last thing."
Naruto looked at him.
"Don't underestimate Hill. She's not just watching. She's already building her counterstrike."
"Let her come," Naruto replied, calm and sharp. "This time… I'll be ready."
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4:32 AM
The screen went dark.
The room fell silent again.
Natasha stepped closer, placing a hand on Naruto's arm.
"You just played a very dangerous card."
"It had to be done. If we want to survive, we need to stay ahead."
He looked up at her.
"And now… it's time to prepare for what comes next."