Ever since Stern, that good-for-nothing, suffered a crushing defeat at the hearing, Pierce still highly valued Whiplash's technology.
He had even made corresponding preparations and arrangements, just waiting to get the relevant technology from Ivan Vanko before making a big move!
To give HYDRA, the giant dragon hidden in the shadows, powerful wings!
Originally, everything was proceeding in an orderly manner. Pierce's Senior Undercover Agent had been monitoring Ivan Vanko from beginning to end, with no problems arising.
But who could have imagined?
After Nick Fury captured Ivan Vanko, he suddenly used a secret force to isolate him.
Even with the vast resources Pierce controlled within S.H.I.E.L.D., he couldn't find Ivan Vanko's whereabouts!
So, that's right.
Now, Pierce, let alone getting the technology from Ivan Vanko, doesn't even know where Ivan Vanko is being held.
Considering HYDRA's current level of penetration into S.H.I.E.L.D., there's only one reason for this situation:
Nick Fury didn't use conventional S.H.I.E.L.D. resources at all.
Instead, he used his own private forces.
That's why not a single hint of information leaked out.
There's nothing to dwell on here; the only question is, why would Nick Fury do this?
Just because he learned from Stern that HYDRA still existed and that S.H.I.E.L.D. had some HYDRA Senior Undercover Agents?
But even so, there's no need to completely avoid using S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power, right?
This reaction, no matter how you look at it, seems a bit excessive.
Even for Nick Fury's suspicious nature, it still appears a bit excessive.
Unless Nick Fury has already realized that HYDRA's infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. has exceeded the conventional infiltration of other intelligence agencies.
It has reached an abnormal level of infiltration!
So, is that truly the case?
Did Nick Fury truly learn more of HYDRA's secrets from Stern?
Is the reason he hasn't made any big moves all this time, only engaging in minor skirmishes, just an act?
An act for himself, and for the other HYDRA Senior Undercover Agents Nick Fury believes exist?
To lull everyone into a false sense of security?
Alexander Pierce couldn't know a definite answer.
But in any case, this matter has already put Pierce on high alert.
If this is just Nick Fury being overly cautious, then it's fine.
But if Nick Fury has truly sensed something, then Pierce really needs to take certain measures.
"Yes, Officer."
The HYDRA Senior Undercover Agent opposite Pierce spoke, "Besides that mjolnir, Nick Fury also ordered Coulson to monitor two people."
Slam!
Saying that, the other party placed the files of Jane Foster and Daisy in front of Pierce.
Pierce quickly glanced over them.
One is an astrophysicist, the other is her assistant.
Both have considerable achievements in their professional fields, but that's all.
At least Pierce didn't see anything in these two that would warrant Nick Fury's attention.
Of course, Pierce also understood.
Since Nick Fury sent people to keep an eye on these two, then these two must not be ordinary people.
"Monitor them comprehensively. Nick must have a reason for his actions."
Pierce issued this command to the Senior Undercover Agent in front of him.
"Understood!"
The other party immediately responded.
"Also, find out where Nick has hidden Ivan Vanko as quickly as possible."
"Arc Reactor technology is also very important to us."
"Additionally, expedite the research and analysis of Roger's blood sample. I will coordinate various resources to assist!"
After a pause, Pierce issued a series of important commands.
"Understood, sir!"
"Also, keep a close eye on Nick Fury. I want to know how much he knows about HYDRA."
As the Senior Undercover Agent was about to leave, Pierce solemnly added another sentence.
And so.
A new round of secret confrontation began between Alexander Pierce and Nick Fury, the two Agent Kings.
For Alexander Pierce.
His goal was to find out where Ivan Vanko was as quickly as possible without alarming Nick Fury, and at the same time, probe Nick Fury's background.
To see how many of HYDRA's secrets the other party knew.
As for Nick Fury, his main concern was how to safely get Ivan Vanko's technology into his hands while bypassing HYDRA!
And also, to avoid tipping them off as much as possible.
The objectives of these two were in opposition from the start.
Therefore, this confrontation between them was outwardly silent, but in reality, there were undercurrents.
If it were made into a spy drama, it would definitely be very exciting.
However, because both Pierce and Nick Fury were sufficiently restrained and cautious.
This war without smoke lasted for a month and a half, and it largely remained in a stalemate.
Although Pierce hadn't figured out Ivan Vanko's exact location, he had obtained some definite clues.
If given more time, Pierce believed he could acquire Ivan Vanko's technology silently.
And what about Nick Fury?
Although Nick Fury had successfully obtained the Whiplash technology and even secretly found scientists to further improve and develop it, he didn't dare to truly proceed with forming a Whiplash special operations team.
Because throughout this month and a half, Nick Fury had keenly sensed that a hidden force was watching him!
Although the other party was very careful and basically didn't reveal any flaws or tell-tale signs, it would be difficult for an ordinary Agent to notice.
But who was Nick Fury?
The Agent King!
Coupled with already knowing about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s infiltration, he had already set his vigilance to the maximum.
Naturally, he was able to catch something.
It seems what the diary said was completely true; HYDRA's infiltration has indeed reached an alarming degree.
Nick Fury could almost confirm it.
It's likely that some of the top-tier Agents within S.H.I.I.E.L.D., those Level Eight or Level Nine Agents, are also HYDRA Senior Undercover Agents!
Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to wield such vast power.
"Nick has indeed sensed something!"
Alexander Pierce also became increasingly certain of this.
After all, this old man, like Nick Fury, is an Agent King.
Even if Nick Fury's disguise and concealment were perfect, it would be impossible for him not to reveal a single flaw.
It can be said that after this wave of confrontation, Pierce and Nick Fury both gained a deeper "understanding" of each other.
This round of confrontation was temporarily a draw between Pierce and Nick Fury from a distance.
No true winner was decided.
However, on another battlefield, it must be said that Nick Fury fought a beautiful comeback.
Stark's luxurious Villa.
Tony Stark and Black Widow stood side by side.
Both of them had their eyes wide open, staring intently at the multiple projections in front of them.
Beep beep beep!
Before their eyes, some codes and data that others couldn't understand were rapidly flashing, dazzling to the eye.
After this process lasted for thirty to forty seconds, a brand new interface suddenly popped up.
All the original codes and data disappeared, and some relevant information and files appeared.
Tony Stark and Black Widow both perked up.
"Sir, cracking successful!"
Jarvis's prompt also sounded at the same time.
Swish swish swish!
Under Jarvis's control.
The massive amount of information and data, like a celestial maiden scattering flowers, were projected before Tony Stark and Black Widow.
Looking around, it was densely packed everywhere.
"You succeeded."
"It seems the Officer's decision to cooperate with you was the correct one."
Black Widow glanced at the surrounding data and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Of course."
Tony Stark had no idea what humility was and naturally accepted Black Widow's praise.
"Jarvis, filter out the information about the Winter Soldier."
Swish swish swish!
With the Playboy's command, the massive amount of intelligence data was quickly hidden by Jarvis.
Only some key intelligence about the Winter Soldier remained.
That's right, the investigation into the Winter Soldier had made breakthrough progress.
Given that the Winter Soldier indeed left few traces, Nick Fury and Tony Stark's individual investigations were not very efficient.
But when the two officially joined forces, it meant the strongest intelligence reconnaissance and the strongest technological means combined, fully achieving the effect of one plus one being greater than two.
Over this period of a month and a half.
The two sides truly achieved intelligence complementarity and action complementarity, and progress was very rapid.
And finally, there were major results.
Tap!
With a light tap on the digital projection, the top-secret file was opened.
Tony Stark and Black Widow quickly began to browse.
One by one, their expressions all became incredibly solemn.
"So the Winter Soldier really is Bucky Barnes from the Howling Commandos!"
"He didn't die after falling from the train into the snowy mountains; instead, he fell into HYDRA's hands and was transformed into a super soldier by HYDRA!"
It must be said that this news was truly too significant.
So much so that even a veteran Agent like Black Widow couldn't help but show surprise.
"Is it really you, Bucky Barnes!"
Tony Stark stared intently at the file in front of him, and unconsciously, a hint of killing intent entered his voice.
When he saw that Captain America from seventy years ago hadn't died, the Playboy had boldly speculated whether the Winter Soldier might be Bucky Barnes.
After all, the two looked exactly alike.
But even so, when he actually confirmed this matter through investigation, Tony Stark was still caught off guard.
The Winter Soldier, it really was Bucky Barnes!
However, very quickly, a look of unyielding coldness and sharpness appeared on Tony Stark's face.
So what if it's Bucky Barnes?
The Playboy couldn't care less about all that.
This person killed his parents, so he must die!
"Stark, what are you thinking?"
Black Widow's perception was very keen; she noticed the Playboy's emotional change and gave him a meaningful look.
"I'm thinking about what to eat for dinner. It's a headache-inducing problem, isn't it?"
Tony Stark spoke offhand, clearly trying to fob off Black Widow.
Black Widow naturally knew this, but she didn't say much more.
She just meaningfully reminded the Playboy, "Such a headache-inducing problem, you really should think about it carefully, don't you think?"
"I've already decided."
Tony Stark responded with equal meaningfulness.
"Copy the data for me. I need to take it back to S.H.I.E.L.D."
Black Widow didn't dwell on that topic anymore but spoke to Tony Stark in a serious tone.
"Jarvis."
"It's done, sir!"
Jarvis quickly copied all the relevant data onto a hard drive, and Tony Stark casually handed the hard drive to Black Widow.
Black Widow naturally had nothing to say; after taking the hard drive, she quickly left the Playboy's Villa.
Returning to S.H.I.E.L.D. as quickly as possible.
"Jarvis, have you cracked the IP address?"
And after Black Widow left, Tony Stark seemed like a different person, exuding a chilling aura.
His voice sounded even colder.
"Sir, cracking complete."
Swish!
A corresponding map coordinate was projected in front of Tony Stark.
The Playboy scanned it expressionlessly and immediately gave Jarvis a command.
"Prepare the Destroyer armor."
"As you wish, sir!"
Click click click!
Click click click!
Mechanical arms began to extend rapidly, operating non-stop around Tony Stark.
In just a short moment, Tony Stark was completely encased within the thick metal shell.
Destroyer online.
"Jarvis, what are you waiting for?"
Whoosh!
The dazzling Destroyer armor flew out of the luxurious Villa, soaring into the vast sky and disappearing.
With a clear objective, it kept flying and flying towards the southeast.
It quickly covered a distance of nineteen kilometers, delving deep into a forest.
"Sir, there's a secret Base ahead, and it perfectly matches our coordinates!"
After penetrating about seven or eight kilometers deeper into the forest, a very secret Base was detected by Jarvis.
That's right.
It was HYDRA's secret Base where the Winter Soldier was frozen.
"Full speed ahead!"
The Playboy's spirits lifted, and he immediately issued this command to Jarvis.
The Destroyer armor left a long trail of flame in the air, dominating the sky with its unstoppable advance.
Finally, with an incredibly cool posture, it crashed down outside the Base.
"Iron Man!"
"No, it's the Destroyer!"
"How did he get here!"
The HYDRA Agents responsible for guarding the outside of the Base were alarmed immediately.
After their faces all changed, they immediately rushed towards Iron Man with their weapons drawn.
Thanks to user 08a for the reward.