The battle on Uchiha Kazuhiko's side ended with his complete victory. However, Steve, who had gone to the base alone, wasn't as fortunate.
Relying on his peak human physical condition and the formidable Vibranium shield, Steve successfully charged into the base, easily overpowering the small squad of Hydra soldiers stationed on the ground.
Unfortunately, this didn't last long. After all, this was the Red Skull's stronghold. The remaining Hydra battalion mobilized. Using their overwhelming numerical and equipment advantage, they eventually cornered Steve in a spacious plaza.
Steve was, after all, still human. Even with the Super-Soldier Serum, he couldn't withstand energy beam attacks. He had no choice but to surrender, allowing the Hydra soldiers to bind and capture him alive, then deliver him to the Red Skull inside the base.
"Arrogance isn't solely an American trait, but I must say you've done better than anyone."
Johann Schmidt, the leader of Hydra, the Red Skull, walked up to Steve. A hint of triumph was in his eyes, and a mocking smile appeared on his face, which was almost indistinguishable from a red skull.
"But even so, there are limits to what you can do, Captain."
"Schmidt, you're insane," Captain America retorted fearlessly.
"Heh, those who say that are just jealous of my genius, trying to deny everything about me."
The Red Skull spoke with considerable arrogance, looking down at Steve, who had also received the Super-Soldier Serum. His tone was full of inducement.
"But we are different. We are extraordinary. Join Hydra, let us—"
The Red Skull's words were interrupted by Steve's soft chuckle.
Recalling his original intention for becoming a soldier before receiving the serum, Steve flatly refused the Red Skull's temptation, stating solemnly,
"No, no. I'm still just that kid from Brooklyn."
Failing to persuade Steve, the Red Skull grew annoyed. He punched Steve several times hard, knocking him to the ground, then drew his magical energy pistol, preparing to end Steve's life.
Crash!
Just then, the sound of shattering glass rang out, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
Uchiha Kazuhiko stepped onto the carpet of glass shards. Looking at the astonished Red Skull and Steve, he said calmly,
"It seems I've arrived just in time."
"Not necessarily." Schmidt's eyes flashed with malice. He immediately pulled the trigger aimed at Steve. "Goodbye, Captain America."
Steve naturally wouldn't wait for death.
Seizing the moment when the Hydra soldiers were stunned by Uchiha Kazuhiko's entrance, he exerted his strength, yanking the Hydra soldier holding him in front to block the Red Skull's attack.
Uchiha Kazuhiko gave the Hydra soldiers no time to react. His hands flew, throwing projectiles that swiftly eliminated all the cannon fodder in the office.
"Damn it!"
Schmidt glared hatefully at Uchiha Kazuhiko. Seeing the situation was bad, he grabbed a magical energy submachine gun, firing wildly at the two as he fled deeper into the base.
"Steve, your shield." Uchiha Kazuhiko threw Steve's Vibranium shield, which had fallen nearby, back to him.
Steve caught it, thanked him, and chased after the direction the Red Skull had fled.
At this time, Colonel Phillips, leading the Allied soldiers, also began a large-scale assault on the base.
Since Uchiha Kazuhiko and Steve had eliminated a large number of Hydra soldiers, their attack proceeded very smoothly. It wasn't long before they broke into the underground base.
Just like in the movie, due to enemy interception inside the base, Steve failed to catch up to the Red Skull.
He could only watch helplessly as the other entered the massive black magical energy-modified fighter plane the Valkyrie.
Peggy, leading a squad of soldiers, rendezvoused with Uchiha Kazuhiko and came looking for Steve. Finding Steve besieged by enemies, they immediately joined the fight, eliminating the remaining Hydra soldiers.
After the battle, Peggy didn't see the Red Skull's body and asked impatiently,
"Steve, where is the Red Skull?"
"The Red Skull escaped. In that big plane." Steve pointed at the Valkyrie, which had already started up and was rapidly taxiing down the runway, answering with immense frustration.
Uchiha Kazuhiko hadn't received a mission completion prompt. He was Just getting ready to activate the Eight Inner Gates and complete the final pursuit alone when Colonel Phillips's voice came from afar.
"There's still a chance! Get on!"
An open-top jeep sped over from the distance, stopping beside them. Colonel Phillips pointed to the back seats, shouting at Uchiha Kazuhiko and the others, "Quick, quick, quick, boys! The fight isn't over yet!"
"Colonel, you're something else."
Steve gave Colonel Phillips a thumbs-up, and everyone got into the back of the jeep.
The elderly but vigorous Colonel Phillips fully demonstrated the skills of a veteran driver, pushing the jeep to racing speeds. Just before the Valkyrie left the ground, he delivered the two to the plane's landing gear.
Uchiha Kazuhiko and Steve leaped high, grabbing the steel bars of the landing gear the moment the plane shot off the runway.
The Valkyrie completed its ascent, and the landing gear slowly retracted into the plane's belly. Using the retracting wheels, Uchiha Kazuhiko and Steve smoothly entered the plane's interior.
Only a small squad of Hydra soldiers remained on the plane. They were dealt with almost effortlessly.
The two then proceeded along internal stairs towards the main cockpit where the Red Skull was.
Whoosh!
The moment they opened the door, a faint sound came from inside. Steve reacted swiftly, immediately blocking with his shield, deflecting an energy beam fired from the Red Skull's magical energy gun.
The Red Skull threw aside the depleted weapon. Glaring at the two with hatred, he scolded them in frustration,
"You possess extraordinary abilities. You should be creating a new world with me, not opposing me like this for the sake of those ignorant, incapable fools."
"Red Skull, you truly are insane. Abandon your plan to destroy the world."
Steve naturally wouldn't accept the Red Skull's invitation. He refused outright and lunged at him.
Both Steve and the Red Skull had been injected with the Super-Soldier Serum, making their combat prowess evenly matched.
However, Steve had received the improved serum and had more combat experience than the high-ranking Red Skull.
Coupled with the so-called protagonist's plot armor, he had the Red Skull thoroughly suppressed within a few dozen exchanges.
Uchiha Kazuhiko had no interest in participating in their brawl.
His gaze was fixed on the Valkyrie's control panel, more precisely, on the Tesseract resting within it, emitting a soft blue glow.