Chapter 72 It's Nice to Meet You
Next, Nick Fury handed Tony a document.
Although he already had some guesses, Finney still took the document and looked at it. Sure enough, the cover read 'Avengers Preliminary Report'.
"The universe is infinite, and our knowledge is limited,"
Nick Fury said in a cold tone. "You don't think you're the only superheroes, do you? Actually, there are many people like you."
"Tsk!"
Finney clicked his tongue dismissively. When it came to understanding superheroes, he was the most qualified to speak.
He glanced at the plan; in short, it invited them to join the Avengers, an organization independent of anyone else, only required to stand up and protect Earth when it was threatened.
"I don't quite understand what this means."
Tony, who was reading faster, asked, "What does it mean that Iron Man recommends it, but Tony Stark doesn't?!"
"This is Agent Romanoff's evaluation of you,"
Nick Fury turned to Tony and said, "So I've assigned you the role of an advisor."
"Sorry, you can't afford me,"
Tony slammed the report shut, replying irritably.
Because of Finney's interference, Tony had much less contact with S.H.I.E.L.D., so he didn't have much of an opinion on the Avengers at the moment.
Finney also closed the report, pondering the issue. Deep down, he didn't want to join the Avengers, after all, he was already a sorcerer.
Moreover, joining the Avengers might bring many troubles, and he might have to face issues like choosing sides in the future.
However, joining would also bring many benefits, such as the 'Obelisk' he longed for, and he wouldn't have to worry about his identity being investigated anymore.
So in the end, he chose a more moderate solution.
"Three things: one question, one condition, and one item. If you agree, I'll help you three times in return, and I'll also make Tony my advisor."
"I have no intention of becoming an advisor to this so-called super team,"
Tony interrupted, but Finney and Nick ignored him.
"You can tell me first."
Nick didn't ask why they wouldn't join directly, but instead inquired about the conditions. He wasn't afraid of Finney making demands; he was afraid of Finney not making any demands. No matter how big the difficulty, as long as it exists, it can be overcome.
"I want to find that orange cat, the one you're thinking of. Then, my identity cannot be registered with S.H.I.E.L.D. I can only tell you, and no one else can tell you without my permission. Finally, I need a silver obelisk. It's useless to you, and you can't use it anyway."
When he heard Finney mention the orange cat, Nick Fury's mind was in turmoil. Only a handful of people knew about that matter, and all records had been destroyed. He didn't understand how Finney knew.
Especially the cat's identity; it was safe to say that no one on Earth should know.
"Could she be back?"
That was Nick's first thought, but he felt it was impossible. She had been gone for so many years; if she were to return to Earth, she should have contacted him first.
"I can agree to the last two for now, but you have to tell me where you learned about that cat?"
Nick asked, staring intently at Finney. This question was crucial to him.
"I know a lot of things, like your friend who had amnesia and the pager," Finney replied calmly.
Of course, Finney couldn't tell Nick where he knew. Even the Ancient One probably didn't know how he could know the future; it was one of his biggest secrets.
With the mask covering his face, Nick couldn't see any of Finney's eyes or expressions, but in his heart, his wariness of Finney instantly reached its peak.
"Consider it a bonus. If you encounter any difficult problems in the future, you can ask me first,"
Finney added after thinking for a moment. Anyway, he hadn't guaranteed to answer, so he could just not say what he didn't want to say later.
Nick Fury remained silent for a long time before finally agreeing to Finney's conditions, while also bargaining:
"Okay, but I don't know where that cat is now. I won't register your identity or tell anyone, but I need to inspect the item you mentioned before I can determine if I can give it to you, and I need to know what you're going to do with it."
"You don't know?"
Finney was surprised, not even considering whether it was true or false, when he heard Nick's subsequent request, he rolled his eyes: "Do you want me to take you with me when I use it?"
"Is it dangerous?"
Nick Fury was serious.
"You're really going!" Finney said irritably, "This thing is useless to normal people, and don't worry, it won't harm the Earth."
Nick Fury, of course, wouldn't believe him so easily, but right now the most important thing was to find out Finney's identity and stabilize this 'danger,' besides, the thing was still with him, whether he gave it to him or not was up to him.
"Okay, I agree to your request."
Nick Fury, who had a plan in mind, agreed to all of Finney's conditions, and then said, "So, who exactly are you?"
Tony, who had been listening all along, frowned slightly, but still didn't speak. He felt that this black-haired guy in front of him was not simple, and such easy compromise was definitely not a good thing.
"Swear an oath first, and I'll tell you."
Finney, of course, wouldn't believe Nick Fury so easily either. This guy was the head of the secret service; believing him was like believing pigs could fly.
"An oath?"
Nick hesitated.
"Yes, an oath that if I don't keep the promise, my body will rot and my heart will stop," Finney said calmly, intending to use the 'Golden Grand Evolution Technique' to scare Nick Fury.
"Has he made one too?"
Nick turned to look at Tony, wondering if such an oath would cause any problems.
Tony turned his head but didn't answer. He was curious about what would happen next, and Finney had always exuded mystery. He was also wondering if such an oath would be effective.
"Just make yours,"
Finney replied, then calmly focused his mind.
Nick hesitated. He didn't know if he should make the oath. He had already promised, and going back on his word now would obviously mean he didn't intend to keep it.
Besides, he could use this opportunity to learn more about Finney.
Nick had become director not only because of Hydra's promotion but also because of his unconventional style. He wanted to give it a try.
"I swear, if I fail to abide by the conditions I stated, I will die from a festering wound and cardiac arrest."
"OK! The contract is established!"
Finney snapped his fingers, summoning the basic magic circle of Kamar-Taj, which flashed and dissipated in the air. He then revealed a satisfied expression.
Tony and Nick's expressions changed slightly.
"Your oath is established; you must abide by it, or you'll face the consequences."
Finney dispelled the 'evil possession,' returning to normal, and smiled at Nick: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Nick Fury."
But Nick wasn't happy at all!
He seemed to have underestimated Finney's abilities. Fortunately, he had deliberately left a loophole when swearing the oath. First, he didn't specify whose name he was swearing in, and second, he didn't specify the conditions he stated.
Unfortunately, he didn't know that Finney didn't know anything about contracts. Even if he swore in the name of a black man, it wouldn't matter; Finney only needed him to state the consequences.
Because the next second Nick was thinking, a sudden pain shot through his heart, causing him to clutch his chest.
Actually, I quite admire Nick Fury... My feeling is that he always has a trump card up his sleeve... It's a pity I can't quite capture his personality...
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(End of Chapter)