At this moment, a person jumped in from the broken window outside.
Spider-Man.
"Human Torch, Su Zhan, stop fighting, it's a misunderstanding…"
As soon as Spider-Man came in, he hastily shouted, but what he saw greatly surprised him: Su Zhan was holding Human Torch, and it seemed Human Torch had been severely taught a lesson!
"Too late…"
Su Zhan glanced at Spider-Man, then let go of Human Torch.
As soon as he was released, Human Torch collapsed directly to the ground, seemingly having fainted.
"You… you didn't devour his Ability, did you?" Spider-Man asked nervously. After notifying Human Torch, Spider-Man felt he should also notify S.H.I.E.L.D. to investigate Su Zhan's background.
The investigation, however, yielded surprising results: he was actually a newly appointed consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D..
Being a consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D. meant he was unlikely to be a bad person or a threat to Susan, so it was highly probable that it was a misunderstanding. Therefore, he rushed in, wanting to stop them, but alas… it seemed a bit late!
"You should be glad I only devoured his Ability and didn't take his life. Damn it, I've had a terrible day. First, I was inexplicably beaten by Susan, then by you, and now by Human Torch. What? Are you all just bullying outsiders like this? Or do I look easy to bully?" Su Zhan shouted angrily.
Spider-Man was speechless. Who was beating whom, exactly?
Susan was knocked unconscious by you, I was given a good beating by you, and now Human Torch not only got beaten but even had his Ability devoured by you. Who exactly is having a bad day?
While he thought this, Spider-Man couldn't say it out loud. After all, Su Zhan was right; if he weren't strong enough, he really would have been incredibly unlucky.
"Hey, I don't even know how to clean this up. I think someone will come to pick up the pieces very soon." Spider-Man spread his hands helplessly, believing S.H.I.E.L.D. would arrive shortly!
Indeed, it was true; less than ten minutes later.
The mechanical roar came from outside, a huge Aircraft Carrier approached the hotel, then the hatch opened, and several people jumped out from inside.
A black man in a long black trench coat, wearing an eye patch.
A woman in a black bodysuit with a curvaceous figure.
A strong man wearing red and blue stripes, with a shield on his back.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, Avengers member Black Widow Natasha, Avengers member, spiritual leader, Captain America." Su Zhan looked at the three of them, calling out each name: "If you're here to capture me, this lineup is probably not enough!"
Chapter 0025 S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Aircraft Carrier
"He's severely injured and has fainted; his Ability has probably been devoured." Natasha went to Human Torch, checked him, and said to Nick Fury, then went to check on Susan, who hadn't woken up, and her expression became a bit strange. "She… she's fine, just drunk and passed out."
"Drunk…"
Hearing this answer, Nick Fury and the others felt a sense of dread.
"I hope you can give me an explanation!" Nick Fury questioned Su Zhan.
"Alright, but I also want an explanation! I think you know about the 084 incident, right? After completing the mission, I decided to go out and relax. I met Susan at a bar and bought her a drink. When we left, I happened to see her drunk, walking alone in an alley, with someone following behind her. I wanted to help, but she misunderstood me, thinking I was with some Puppet Master. She didn't believe my explanation, and when I tried to leave, she wouldn't let me and attacked me. I had no choice but to retaliate, but then she happened to pass out from drunkenness. I wanted to bring her here to wait for her to sober up, but before I could leave, I ran into this little bug!"
Pointing at Spider-Man, Su Zhan sneered, "I don't know if you people have been arrogant for too long, but each of you has such a conceited attitude? Is it not possible to politely ask what happened before acting? You immediately assumed I was a bad guy? I beat him and left, thinking he wouldn't be that stupid and would naturally inquire about me, right? I told him my name; if he had just asked around, he would have known I'm also with S.H.I.E.L.D.! But it seems this guy first notified Human Torch, and Human Torch was even more arrogant. He didn't even give me a chance to explain, attacking me repeatedly. What? Did he think I was made of mud, easy to bully? He even said he'd listen to my explanation after he dealt with me. What's there to explain then?! I just fought back, and it turns out he wasn't as strong as he claimed… Heh heh…"
"That's what happened; believe it or not, it's up to you." Su Zhan said indifferently.
"Can the Ability you devoured be returned?" Nick Fury didn't react to Su Zhan's account of the events. He could naturally investigate these matters. He was more interested in whether Human Torch's Ability could be returned.
It was important to know that while Human Torch's personality wasn't very likable, he was still on the side of justice. Moreover, the importance of the Fantastic Four didn't need to be stated; without Human Torch, who knew how much trouble would follow.
"No!"
Su Zhan said calmly. Let alone if he truly couldn't, even if he could, he wouldn't return it!
Otherwise, wouldn't his previous embarrassment have been for nothing? He had deliberately done it this way, to devour Human Torch's Ability. He intentionally showed weakness at first, then was forced to act, all to devour his Ability without causing trouble.
If he had simply devoured Human Torch's Ability for no reason, the Fantastic Four, S.H.I.E.L.D., and the Avengers would probably all come looking for him. While Su Zhan wasn't afraid of being an enemy of the World, wouldn't it be better if there was a way to avoid it?
Moreover, devouring Human Torch's Ability and leaving them helpless felt even better!
Nick Fury frowned, "Let's go to the battleship first, then notify the other members of the Fantastic Four to come over and discuss."
Su Zhan was indifferent; he was actually quite curious about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Aircraft Carrier.
Once on the battleship, Su Zhan ignored the busy and frustrated Nick Fury and curiously looked around. Of course, Black Widow Natasha was also by his side, which could be considered a form of surveillance!
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s style was like this: they wouldn't trust anyone and wanted to keep every situation under their control. Because of this, even though Su Zhan joined S.H.I.E.L.D., he had no intention of staying long-term!
"I think you deliberately devoured Human Torch's Ability. Your previous devouring of Pyro John's Fire control Ability could be considered an accident, but this time, I think you acted premeditatedly, and for the sake of Ability, you also needed Human Torch's Ability!"
Black Widow Natasha suddenly whispered.
Su Zhan stopped and looked at her, saying calmly, "Don't forget, if he hadn't been so arrogant as to directly come looking for trouble with me, directly attacking me without listening to my explanation, even if I wanted to devour his Ability, I wouldn't have been able to, right? So, even if I was interested in his Ability, if he hadn't created the opportunity for me himself, I wouldn't have been able to do it, would I? And I don't have the habit of taking a beating without fighting back. He's not my woman, nor my friend; I don't need to indulge him. Want to find trouble with me? Sure, as long as you can bear the consequences!"
Natasha remained silent. Yes, even if Su Zhan had that idea, that motive, what could be done? If anyone was to blame, it was Human Torch for being too impulsive.
"I'll arrange a place for you; you can rest for now. This matter isn't so easy to handle, as it involves the Fantastic Four. Phil Coulson is also on his way. You'll be notified when there's a result!" Natasha said.
Su Zhan shrugged indifferently, "Alright, I'll get some sleep. I hope to wake up to a good outcome!"
Natasha said nothing and led Su Zhan to a room.
The room looked very normal, and it was unclear if there was more to it, but Su Zhan didn't care. He believed that under these circumstances, S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't do anything to him.
Especially Nick Fury. Even though he appeared to be on a mission to demand an explanation, as long as Su Zhan was valuable, he would try his best to retain him, or rather, use him. But it didn't matter; if he used him, wasn't Su Zhan also using him?
So, after entering, Su Zhan simply lay down and comfortably began to sleep…
Chapter 0026 System Upgrade
While Su Zhan was leisurely sleeping and resting in his room, the conference room was far from relaxed.
Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Spider-Man, Invisible Woman Susan, Human Torch Johnny, Director Nick Fury, Agent Maria Hill, Mr. Fantastic Reed, Stone Man Ben, plus Phil Coulson, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and S.H.I.E.L.D.—all gathered together late at night, and the reason was Su Zhan!
Susan had already sobered up, and although Johnny's face was not good, he had also woken up and had temporarily accepted the fact that he had lost his Ability.
The entire process, reconstructed through Susan, Spider-Man, Johnny, and surveillance, was basically consistent with what Su Zhan had said, meaning that Su Zhan truly couldn't be blamed for this matter.
"That's what happened. What are your thoughts?"
Nick Fury looked around and said.
"It's all my fault. I misunderstood him. At the time, the Puppet Master's puppets were following me, and I thought they were all together, which led to all these subsequent events." Susan said in a low, remorseful voice. She now deeply regretted drinking so much.
"What about Johnny?"
Nick Fury asked.