Karl heard everything clearly. After all, Nick Fury had no intention of hiding the conversation from him—Karl was wearing an earpiece too.
"As long as they don't provoke me first, I can't be bothered dealing with them. I'm just here to catch up with you guys and take a look around the newly built headquarters."
Karl shrugged. He had never cared about politicians, provided they didn't come looking for trouble.
"Hm? So you're planning to walk right into the base openly? Aren't you afraid they'll try to arrest you?"
Natasha asked in surprise. She hadn't expected Karl to actually come.
"Yep. Not just me—Black Bald Egg's coming too. He'll disguise himself. I don't need to."
Karl had already seen the facial disguise device on the Quinjet earlier. It was basically like a high-tech facial mask that could instantly alter someone's appearance. It adhered tightly to the skin through bioelectric signals and remained breathable while staying perfectly in place.
"And like I said, as long as they don't mess with me, I won't make a move."
Hearing that, Natasha immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Seriously—who could guarantee those idiots wouldn't suddenly try to pressure Karl into submission? Or label him a terrorist like they had Steve? And if that happened, there was no way things would remain peaceful.
"Fine. I can't control those people anyway. I don't like them either, so do whatever you want."
Natasha simply gave up worrying about it.
The people who'd die wouldn't be their people anyway. Aside from Sharon, most of the agents from the original Avengers base had either been put on leave or dismissed entirely and weren't stationed here anymore.
Besides, even if Karl fought them, there was no way it would implicate her or Tony.
As a spy, Natasha had seen more than enough death. If seeing corpses made her soft-hearted, she might as well quit and become a nun.
After ending the call, Natasha took advantage of the chaos to quietly approach Sharon and hand her an earpiece.
"The Director wants to see you. He says he has something for you. Find a chance to bring him in."
Sharon frowned and quickly scanned the surroundings before lowering her voice.
"The Director wants to come here? This is the worst possible timing."
Now working directly under the base's current leadership, Sharon knew more than Natasha did. Her superior was already investigating whether there were any traitors inside the facility.
If Nick Fury came now, it'd be like walking straight into a trap.
"That's not a problem. Karl's coming too. With him drawing everyone's attention, the Director can slip in easily."
Natasha understood Fury very well. She instantly realized what kind of "timing" Fury had in mind.
Karl would attract all the attention while Fury quietly disguised himself and infiltrated the base.
"…Alright. Then we'll wait for Karl."
Sharon put on the earpiece and left. She needed to find a secluded location so Fury could enter unnoticed.
---
"When are you planning to start?"
Fury asked Karl.
Whether he could successfully infiltrate the base depended entirely on Karl. Fury was planning to use him as cover.
"I don't mind being your smokescreen. But you owe me a favor."
Karl raised an eyebrow. He knew exactly how crafty Fury could be, but he didn't care. However Fury snuck in had nothing to do with him.
"No problem."
Fury agreed instantly without hesitation.
He already owed countless favors anyway. And before they were collected, favors were just blank checks.
"Then get your contact ready."
Karl casually replied before turning and walking back into the Quinjet to wait while Fury contacted Sharon.
When Fury emerged from the Quinjet again, he had completely changed appearance. Aside from his skin color and build, everything else was entirely different.
"Coulson, stay here and provide support. And keep the Quinjet cloaked at all times."
The disguised Fury instructed.
"Yes, Director."
Coulson nodded and sealed the Quinjet hatch.
Karl headed toward the new base first, while Fury split off elsewhere.
"Karl, you're good to go."
Fury's voice sounded through the earpiece.
With a thought from Karl, the cloak behind him suddenly expanded dramatically. His body rose into the air as he openly flew toward the new Avengers headquarters.
---
Inside the base, just as the chaos from earlier had finally settled, blaring alarms suddenly erupted once more.
Everyone immediately scrambled into panic again.
"What's happening?!"
Everett Ross hurried into the command room.
Power had already been restored, thanks entirely to Tony's efficiency. Stark Industries personnel had personally repaired the damaged power station.
"Sir, someone is approaching the base."
On the giant screen, a blood-red cloak spread across the sky like a crimson cloud.
And beneath it floated a young man.
Karl.
Although his reputation within the Avengers was legendary—hailed as both the strongest and most dangerous—very few people had actually seen him in person.
His fame far exceeded his public appearances.
"Who is this?"
Everett asked.
The agent immediately pulled up Karl's files.
These records came from the former S.H.I.E.L.D. and Avengers databases. After the original Avengers base had been shut down, those archives were transferred over.
However, they only contained ordinary information. Anything truly classified had remained solely in Fury's hands.
"Karl Norman… that monster…"
The agent muttered while staring at the screen.
Everett's eyes lit up instantly.
He immediately ordered every available Avenger to mobilize and capture Karl.
He knew about the "monster" among the Avengers—the man capable of transforming into a colossal creature whose destructive power surpassed all existing human weaponry.
Especially after the Sokovia battle.
The image of that towering stone giant blotting out the sky had terrified the entire world.
"Yes, sir…"
The agent curled his lips slightly but still obeyed.
Their boss had clearly gone insane.
Capture that monster?
Nobody in the world could capture him.
---
"What?! Karl's here?"
Tony and Natasha were both stunned.
Karl's attitude toward the Accords had already been crystal clear—he didn't care about them in the slightest.
And Tony knew Karl's personality all too well. Threats and coercion would only backfire.
Karl was no pushover.
He held absolutely no goodwill toward governments.
Natasha glanced at Sharon and gave her a subtle look.
Sharon instantly understood and quietly left.
---
At that moment, Karl floated high above the base, looking down at the entire facility.
To be fair, the new headquarters did look far more imposing than the previous one. After all, the original base had basically been converted from a Stark Industries warehouse.
Before Karl even landed, countless armed agents and special forces soldiers surrounded him completely.
Only then did Everett stride out of the building with all the pomp of a superior official.
"Karl Norman? We hadn't even come looking for you yet, and you delivered yourself right to our doorstep."
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