Television networks and major news portals across the nation exploded with headlines and photos — and it wasn't the pictures themselves that shocked people, but what they showed.
"Are you still disappointed? Still complaining that this world has no superheroes?"
"No! America's hero — the protector of the nation — Captain America, Steve Rogers, is still alive!"
"A hero once saved this country. Now, it's our turn to save the hero!"
"Only the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division can bring him home!"
However, the dozen or so photos of Steve Rogers that were released showed him pale and lifeless, frozen in ice.
It made everyone wonder — was he truly alive?
But whether he lived or not, even if it was only his body, he had to be brought back. He was still their hero.
That night, the entire nation's passion ignited like wildfire.
People didn't know what the "Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division" was, but they knew one thing — it was official, it was American, and it was theirs.
Crowds poured into the streets, waving flags and chanting slogans that echoed through every city:
"We want our superhero — Captain America, Steve Rogers!"
"No matter what, we must bring back our hero's body!"
"Is the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division abandoning America? Take action now!"
Within hours, the entire country was swept up in hysteria.
Steve Rogers' influence was too great — he was more than a man; he was a symbol.
Even the World Security Council was holding an emergency meeting.
They couldn't imagine what would happen if S.H.I.E.L.D. failed to bring Steve back. Would the furious public turn on them next?
Outside, New York had become a sea of people, a storm of angry citizens demanding action.
Rumors spread like wildfire — was this chaos caused by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s incompetence? Or were they deliberately withholding information?
Driven by political rivals, the false claims multiplied.
Within hours, the Council's approval rating plummeted by ten points. The opposition's plan was working.
Inside the emergency meeting, every top official was present.
No one dared skip it — not when the whole world was watching.
"Nick Fury," a senior member barked, "there's chaos outside! Rumors say your Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division is sitting idle. What's your explanation?"
Another voice joined in, sharp and accusatory.
"Yes, Director Fury. Everyone believes it's your organization's fault. You'd better give us a clear answer!"
"Exactly! You need to resolve this immediately."
Before Fury could speak, the council members began piling blame on him.
Someone had to take the fall — and Fury was the perfect target.
Nick Fury calmly coughed, then rose to his feet, sweeping his one good eye across the room full of smug, scheming politicians.
"Alright," he began slowly, "since everyone's pointing fingers at S.H.I.E.L.D. — oh, I forgot to mention, that's our new name — then I'll handle it."
"I'll resolve this situation tomorrow. And for your information, I already know who's behind all this."
"Now, tell the people that S.H.I.E.L.D. stands with them. We are their guardians."
His voice carried a quiet authority that silenced the room.
If he'd shown even a hint of weakness, those old foxes would've torn him apart.
Instead, he'd flipped the table on them completely.
"Heh. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Fury added with a smirk. "After all, I've got a hero to retrieve."
He paused at the doorway, turned slightly, and added with a grin, "Oh, and sorry to disappoint you all."
The room fell dead silent. Their faces flushed with rage — but they couldn't do a thing.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was under the Council's jurisdiction, but they couldn't override Fury's authority on the field.
By the time they tried to act, it would already be too late.
That night, across the United States, hundreds of millions lay awake.
The thought burned in everyone's mind: Captain America might still be alive.
After leaving the meeting, Fury went straight to Leo's villa.
He already knew — this was the "gift" Leo had mentioned earlier.
He just hadn't expected the gift to be this monumental.
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
The frantic doorbell echoed through the quiet house.
"Red Queen, open the door," Leo said.
[Yes, Master.]
The moment the AI opened it, Fury burst inside without hesitation. He wasn't surprised to see Leo waiting.
They were both sharp men; neither wasted time.
"Mr. Leo," Fury said bluntly, "I want to see Steve's body first."
"No problem. Follow me."
Leo led him to the underground chamber. Inside, encased in solid ice, lay the frozen body of Steve Rogers.
Fury stepped forward and examined him closely, confirming every detail.
There was no mistake — it was indeed America's first superhero.
"What do you want for him?" Fury asked coldly.
"The Tesseract," Leo replied.
Fury's eye widened. "What? The Tesseract? How the hell do you even know that's in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s possession?"
Leo chuckled softly.
"How do I know? There's nothing in this universe I don't know, Director. I even know about that little pager Carol gave you. So tell me — what don't I know?"
Fury frowned, speechless for a moment. When he thought about it, the Tesseract wasn't exactly a secret anymore.
"But that thing is too important," Fury said finally. "Can't we negotiate something else?"
Leo shook his head. "No. But if I told you Steve Rogers is still alive, does that make it worth it?"
"What??" Fury's voice cracked in disbelief.
He had dismissed the media frenzy as nonsense — but now, hearing Leo say it so calmly, his gut told him it was true.
"Of course," Leo said confidently.
Fury fell silent, deep in thought.
On one side, the Tesseract — a powerful artifact they still didn't fully understand.
On the other, Captain America, the living embodiment of America's spirit.
Leo smiled faintly. "When you form the Avengers, Nick... tell me — which do you think will matter more? The Tesseract, or Steve Rogers?"
That one sentence struck Fury like lightning.
He instantly understood.
"I'll do it," Fury said after a pause. "I'll get the Tesseract right now."
He turned and left immediately, urgency written all over him.
Half an hour later, Fury returned with a secure briefcase — and a small army of armed agents.
"Here," he said, tossing the glowing cube toward Leo.
Leo caught the Tesseract, suppressing the excitement bubbling inside him.
Fury, meanwhile, ordered his men to carefully move Steve's frozen body into an armored transport equipped with a high-grade cryogenic chamber.
The deal was complete.
The Tesseract was now in Leo's hands — exactly as he had planned.
...
Author's Note:
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...
Sorry for not uploading chapters regularly. I'm currently studying for my semester exams, so chapter upload times may vary for now.
From next month onward, chapters will be uploaded on time. Thank you for your patience and support.