Chapter 36: Recruitment?

Chapter 36: Recruitment?

Nick Fury, a bald African-American man who prefers wearing a black leather trench coat and sports an eye patch over his left eye, was deeply engrossed in paperwork when he heard Coulson’s words and looked up in surprise, setting aside his work.

"Explain the situation."

"Our agents discovered a month ago that George, the police chief of the Queens precinct, was acting unusually. They learned that George had been inquiring about me and Natasha from Simon. Following up, they found that George had been near the target's home and had asked the neighbors about the target."

"He's also gathering this information."

"After they reported to me, I went to the police station today and bumped into George. After a brief conversation, I confirmed that he was suspicious of me and Natasha."

"How did he determine the target’s identity?"

"That is currently unknown, but it seems to be just an accident, and he is likely still just suspicious," Coulson replied.

"If that's the case, I'd assume he would submit these clues to the joint investigation team and then start a comprehensive investigation of the target, wouldn’t he?" Nick Fury, with his hands crossed under his chin, pointed out the doubts.

After pondering for a moment, Coulson answered, "Perhaps he doesn't trust it, after all, the way the target has been raised is still untraceable to us. If Natasha hadn't observed him firsthand, we probably wouldn't believe it either."

"Or maybe deep down he doesn't want the boy to be caught; clearly, he subconsciously approves of the boy's actions," Fury affirmed confidently.

Coulson's gaze shifted, recalling his interactions with George. He knew George as a family man who loathed criminals and was extremely compassionate.

"He is undoubtedly a good man."

Such a person would behave irrationally as the chief had described.

Then recalling his previous encounters with George, from his determined gaze, Coulson realized, "He plans to take the information he's gathered home, submit it to the joint investigation team, and officially start the investigation of the target."

George is a good person and also a good cop. He has the awareness of a policeman, believing that crimes should be adjudicated by law. His subconscious may approve of Bi Xiao's actions, and he might hesitate, but ultimately, his police duty overcomes any hesitation.

But Coulson clearly knew what was to follow.

The Rainy Night Butcher had been on the chief's watch list from the beginning, initially considered for recruitment into the department, but after Natasha's observation and contact, the chief's thinking had clearly changed.

The power demonstrated by the target was not within the ordinary human scope.

Someone with such abilities had already been quietly included in the Avengers' candidate list by the chief, which is why the chief had decided to use resources and power to keep everything about that boy hidden.

This was also to prepare for continued observation and recruitment.

In fact, many agents followed this process.

But Coulson had never thought the chief would plan to restart the Avengers, much less that he would tell him so.

Nick Fury did not elaborate further but turned off the device and let Coulson leave.

After Coulson left.

Nick Fury stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the night scene below, a deep glint in his one eye.

He could speak these words to Coulson because Coulson would also be part of this plan, not as a member of the Avengers, but as a liaison with the department.

Fury was unsure whether the Avengers could be successfully established, but once established, he could not let the Avengers be under government control, nor could he let them run free.

He needed a trusted person to participate fully in the establishment of the Avengers, to replace him in overseeing and fulfilling other duties.

"John Shaw."

Fury murmured, and after a while, there was a knock at the door.