Another Serpent Head

Smack!

A hole was clawed through the bottom of the carriage, and the next moment, a little bird flew in, transforming into a red-haired young man in the blink of an eye.

"Ms. Carter, long time no see… Don’t worry, you can breathe normally now."

Oaks cast a detoxification spell on Peggy Carter and removed her handcuffs. She could not help but marvel:

"It’s such a waste that you didn’t become an agent."

"A lot of people say that, but I think it would have been a waste if I had become an agent."

Oaks shrugged, kicked aside an unconscious special forces operative beside him, and sat down himself.

"Captain received your distress signal. He’s pretty furious right now."

"Whew… I’m getting old, and information doesn’t travel as well anymore."

Peggy sighed. With Oaks here, she was not worried in the slightest.

Glancing at the special forces operatives sleeping so soundly that drool ran from their mouths, she shook her head with a bitter smile.

"The attack came very suddenly.

President Oaks, thank you for rescuing me… Can you tell me what exactly has happened recently?

Steve’s missions these past few days probably weren’t that simple."

"Indeed, Captain has done something major these past few days…"

As Oaks said this, his expression became somewhat strange.

"You two—one founded S.H.I.E.L.D., and the other ended S.H.I.E.L.D. You really are a perfect match."

Under Peggy Carter’s shocked gaze, Oaks recounted everything that had happened over the past few days. Only after giving her a few seconds to process it did he speak again.

"Ms. Carter, the operation to kidnap you probably wasn’t ordered by Pierce…

Uh, Nick Fury has personally taken care of Pierce. With Sharon’s help, Captain has already brought the situation under control and is clearing Hydra out of the Triskelion."

Touching his earpiece, Oaks looked at Peggy Carter’s complicated expression.

"Ms. Carter, this vehicle is still heading toward its destination, so I want to see who has such impeccable timing.

In a moment, I’ll—"

"President Oaks."

Peggy Carter’s expression suddenly turned stern. In that instant, the ninety-year-old woman seemed to have truly returned to her former days.

"Based on the intelligence you gathered earlier, do you think it’s possible that this was done by another ‘serpent head’ besides Pierce?"

"…I thought so too, but I haven’t told Captain yet."

Oaks fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Cut off one head, and two more grow back. Pierce is dead. Whether the other Hydra leaders will emerge or hide even deeper is hard to say."

"So this is an excellent opportunity."

Peggy Carter revealed a dangerous smile.

"Just thinking that, in the twilight of my life, I may still have the chance to burn these resurgent vermin to ashes again makes me feel incredibly fortunate."

"Aren’t you going to say anything about S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Oaks was quite surprised by Peggy Carter’s reaction upon hearing of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s collapse.

She did not seem to feel the regret one might expect when the colossal organization she had founded came crashing down.

"Steve saved the world."

Peggy Carter sighed softly.

"But we turned it into a complete mess again.

What you did was right. S.H.I.E.L.D., which had become almost inseparable from Hydra, could never remain pure and independent no matter what…

If we rashly tried to save it, I have no doubt we would save Hydra’s seeds along with it.

Destroy it. Perhaps S.H.I.E.L.D.’s existence was a mistake from the very beginning."

"…I won’t comment on that.

I’ve never had much interest in Hydra, but I can still contribute a little against forces that oppose humanity and society."

Oaks shrugged.

"After all, my business is built upon the peace and stability of human society.

Since Ms. Carter is interested, then I’ll accompany you."

He touched his earpiece.

"Steve, Ms. Carter’s situation has been resolved, but we intend to investigate this matter further."

"Whew… That’s great!"

Steve’s relieved voice came through the earpiece, followed by Hill’s dry jab.

"Captain, you finally spoke. If Sharon hadn’t kept talking just now, we would have thought you’d lost contact."

"Cough…"

Steve coughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.

"Oaks, can you guarantee her safety?"

"Of course. Ms. Carter and I share the same view. This may be an opportunity to flush out Hydra’s other serpent heads, because the timing was simply too perfect…

And whether it’s Ms. Carter’s identity or her still-secret, um, restored youth, both are factors more than sufficient to draw Hydra’s attention."

Oaks had already vaguely guessed which Hydra big shot was behind this.

But there was too little information on him, and he was highly skilled at hiding.

Still, Oaks had been planning to conduct further research into Skye’s unusual condition once he had some free time, yet this man could not wait to jump out and cause trouble…

Since he had delivered himself right to Oaks’s doorstep, Oaks could only gladly accept.

"Oaks, Ms. Carter, she…"

It was Nick Fury speaking. He had just used a "life-saving item" to heal Natasha and the three council members whom Pierce had ambushed.

"Apologize to her for me."

Nick Fury’s voice was bitter.

"I messed up."

"This was a mistake we made from the very beginning."

Peggy Carter’s voice sounded over the channel as Oaks handed her the communication earpiece.

"Nick, now isn’t the time for shame.

Since you’re already ‘dead,’ have you found a successor?"

"Yes, Ms. Carter."

Nick Fury’s voice calmed.

"Since I’m already ‘dead,’ then it should continue that way. It’s time to give the younger generation room to act on their own."

"Very good."

A cold gleam flashed in Peggy Carter’s eyes.

"Then those of us who are ‘dead’ and ‘about to die’ must also provide a safety net for the young.

Now, I will use what little time I have left to completely make up for the mistakes I made!"

"Peggy!"

Steve seemed to still be fighting over there, so his voice was somewhat breathless.

"I can—"

"Steve, this isn’t the kind of battle you’re good at. Let me make one final contribution before I enter my grave."

Peggy Carter smiled, as beautiful as she had been in her youth.

"Perhaps this is precisely the purpose of my temporary return to youth!"

"…All right, Peggy."

Steve fell silent for a moment before finally letting out a long sigh.

"But no matter when it is, I’ll be by your side."

"Of course, Steve. I’m certain of it."

The vehicle had begun to slow down, and Peggy Carter keenly noticed it.

"It seems we’ve reached our destination. Then, let’s wish ourselves luck."

Oaks took back the earpiece she handed him and switched it to internal communication mode.

"Malorne, pinpoint our current location."

"Locating… This is a renowned research institution. Its director is Dr. Daniel Whitehall.

He has achieved outstanding results in biology, genetic molecular science, and related fields."

"As expected…"

Oaks smiled faintly and looked at Peggy Carter across from him.

"Ms. Carter, we’re here."