"The Director had SHIELD agents test him using the Gurongi life detector manufactured by Tony. It is confirmed that this person is indeed a Gurongi; there is likely no mistake," Coulson said, glancing at Tony.
"How does SHIELD plan to handle it?" Steve asked. "Surveillance, or an immediate arrest?"
"The Director has already authorized a capture operation. Although he didn't appear threatening during the last encounter, we can't allow a Gurongi to roam freely. The potential risk is simply too high," Coulson replied. There was a hint of hesitation—or perhaps concern—in his eyes.
SHIELD agents might not be equipped to handle this mysterious, unpredictable entity. Although Nick Fury had purchased the Nerve-Breaking Bullets from the Tree of Life Foundation—just as the NYPD had—the recent wave of Gurongi had displayed entirely different abilities, specifically the use of special energy to reinforce themselves and their weapons.
This unknown Gurongi, the target of the capture, was even more atypical. His daily activities seemed indistinguishable from a normal human's, and he carried an aura of profound mystery.
"If you've decided to move, why not have the Captain and his team join the operation? Wouldn't that be more secure?" Tony asked with a calculating, meaningful look.
Coulson gave a somewhat forced smile. "SHIELD's assessment is that this unknown Gurongi's danger level isn't quite that high. With the new weaponry, a capture should be successful. The Captain needs to stay on standby to stop any Gurongi currently participating in a murder game. Besides, if the capture is successful, we might be able to extract detailed intelligence about the Gurongi tribe from him."
Tony curled his lip. "SHIELD wants to catch a Gurongi mostly because you want to conduct research that can't exactly be brought into the light of day, right?"
Coulson remained silent, which was effectively a non-denial. After all, it was indisputable that the Gurongi possessed power far beyond that of ordinary humans. Analysis of collected cell samples showed their genetic sequences were remarkably similar to humans.
In other words, if they could successfully decode the secrets of the Gurongi race, they might be able to create a serum that grants humans the same power—something far more potent and effective than the Super Soldier Serum Steve had taken.
However, every Gurongi defeated so far had been either vaporized by Steve's sealing energy or had their belts explode once their game time expired. Without exception, nothing remained but dust. At most, they could collect tiny traces of cellular residue. While Kuuga shared similarities with the Gurongi and Steve was largely cooperative, they couldn't be too aggressive with his medical examinations. Consequently, SHIELD's research had stalled.
The R&D department believed that capturing a live Gurongi for study could lead to a breakthrough. Thus, they didn't particularly want Steve—who might accidentally kick the subject into an explosion—involved in the capture. Furthermore, any subsequent human experimentation wouldn't be something Steve would approve of.
Steve looked at Coulson and sighed. "Honestly, I feel this Gurongi is very different from the others. We might be able to communicate with him normally. Since he opened a bookstore in Chinatown and integrated into the human world, his attitude toward humanity might be different. I want to try talking to him first."
Steve consistently felt that the Gurongi avatar was unfathomable. Subconsciously, he didn't believe SHIELD's capture operation would end well.
Coulson went silent for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile. "The capture operation is already set in motion. Captain, it's best if you don't show your face right now."
Nick Fury wasn't the only one behind the push for Gurongi research. The U.S. government and the military were both eager to master the power of the Gurongi. To them, a creature that had lived for ten thousand years with a human-like genome looked like a treasure waiting to be seized.
Fury was partly forced into this operation; he needed to produce results quickly to keep those vultures at bay. Otherwise, meddling politicians would inevitably interfere in Gurongi affairs, complicating the situation even further.
Steve didn't fully understand the political nuances, but he nodded in understanding. He still maintained a level of trust in his comrades.
Chinatown.
Just before SHIELD made its move, the Gurongi avatar timed his exit from the bookstore perfectly.
"Director, the target has left the bookstore. Should we move in?" Rumlow, the lead on the scene, reported via comms while observing from a distance.
"Where is he going? To meet other Gurongi?" Nick Fury muttered to himself, frowning.
"Director, the target has entered a crowded area. Do we engage?" Rumlow asked again.
Fury's eyes flickered. "Follow him. See where he goes and who he meets."
"Copy that," Rumlow replied, relaying orders to his agents.
As he continued to observe the target, he saw the Gurongi avatar turn his head and flash a strange smile toward his direction. Rumlow's heart tightened. Was he spotted?
But how? I'm using high-powered binoculars from over two thousand meters away, Rumlow thought, shaken.
Dan Kuroto's Gurongi avatar was an "Overseer" of the Gegel, a guide for Kuuga—much like the CEO of Genm Corp guiding the Brave, Snipe, and Lazer, or Kamen Rider Eternal in relation to Gaia Memories. He had opened a bookstore without concealment specifically so Steve would find him.
As for SHIELD's operation, it was entirely within his calculations. In fact, he had been watching them the whole time. Leaving the bookstore at that specific moment was a deliberate move to force them to abort a capture in a crowded area and keep them on the hook.
Leaving the city, the avatar headed straight for a deserted wasteland in the suburbs, where he leisurely waited for SHIELD to strike. He wanted them to have enough space to use everything they had, only to be crushed so utterly that they would finally feel fear and back off.
Otherwise, if he finished them in a city, they would make excuses—claiming they were held back by civilian presence or a lack of heavy weaponry—and then plan one operation after another.
Even as an avatar, Dan Kuroto had no interest in playing tedious games with agents from SHIELD or any other organization.
Would you like me to translate the next chapter to see how the "crushing" battle unfolds, or would you like to know more about Rumlow's role in this story?