Bucky and Tyr’s Hand

Not to mention that Tyr had lost a hand—apparently his right one—while this mechanical arm was an entire left arm. The name alone gave Oaks countless things to complain about.

How had he never noticed that Banner was such a master at naming things?

Although there really was no Tyr in Asgard right now, just like Baldr—and even Hodr—in the beginning, who the hell knew whether Tyr truly did not exist?

And that name… why not call it the Silver Hand? That would have been much more fitting!

"Fine, there really is no Holy Light here, and it isn’t a hammer either…"

Oaks muttered things Bruce and Yinsen could not understand, but that did not stop them from efficiently attaching the mechanical arm…

Well, attaching "Tyr’s Hand" to the sleeping Bucky.

"Perfect!"

Dr. Yinsen activated Tyr’s Hand. From now on, this arm belonged exclusively to Bucky.

It accepted only Bucky’s neural electrical signals. Even if someone stole it, it would immediately lose all functionality.

Although Banner and Yinsen both felt this was somewhat unnecessary, Oaks remembered a rabbit-like smartmouth with an extraordinary enthusiasm for mechanical prosthetics.

He definitely would not let this… Tyr’s Hand go.

"Then we’ll be leaving first. It’s better not to have too many people around when the patient has just awakened."

Banner nodded to Dr. Yinsen. After tidying up, the two prepared to leave.

"If you need a detailed manual, Malorne has one."

"Thanks, you two."

After Banner and Yinsen left, Oaks checked the time.

There were a little over ten minutes left until his scheduled call with Steve.

"Enough."

Oaks cast a spell and awakened Bucky’s consciousness.

Bucky regained consciousness amid a feeling of peace and comfort.

For half a century, his mind had been filled with the "noise" constantly produced by Hydra’s control chip, as well as the countless traumas caused by repeated brainwashing and control commands.

After being brainwashed, he instinctively paid no attention to such things. Missions and orders were everything.

But ever since this mission, after he had seen that "Captain America" and learned that his name was "Steve Rogers," Bucky’s memories had begun to show signs of awakening.

As a result, he could no longer ignore the "noise" in his head or those dark memories from before.

Originally, amid that pain, he would have actively searched for information on himself and Steve, gradually recovering his memories while adapting to them.

But now, he clearly no longer needed to undergo that painful process.

Oaks’s spell had isolated Hydra’s control chip, and the ever-present "noise" had long since vanished.

Under the effects of healing magic, the hidden injuries caused by Hydra’s brainwashing and mental control had also long been healed.

And those dark memories…

They seemed much easier to bear than before, as if their deepest, most oppressive parts had disappeared forever.

Although he still remembered "every" innocent person he had killed…

At the same time, he had recovered all the beautiful memories from his past.

That little guy from Brooklyn, his best friend…

I am… James Buchanan Barnes. My best friend is…

Captain America, Steve Rogers!

Bucky abruptly opened his eyes, rolled over, and sat up, warily scanning his surroundings.

This was a laboratory, but there was only one researcher here.

"Where am I? Who are you?"

"Welcome back, Sergeant Barnes."

Oaks smiled and extended a hand. The light in his palm carried the same peaceful, comfortable aura Bucky had just felt.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Oaks Lin. Steve asked me to treat you…

How do you feel now?"

"…Very good."

Bucky did not relax his guard simply because the other man had mentioned Steve. He slowly stood up, then looked in surprise at his new mechanical arm.

"I remember…"

"Yes, that’s right. Your mechanical arm was destroyed by my dog."

Oaks waved a hand and brought up the user manual—

It was a holographic display with both text and illustrations, making Bucky pause for a moment.

"But I also manufacture various models of mechanical arms here. This one is the best we have—

It’s called Tyr’s Hand. You can take some time to get used to it."

When Oaks mentioned the dog that had destroyed his previous mechanical arm, Bucky’s expression involuntarily turned strange.

That dog had left far too deep an impression on him.

And that dog had clearly been Steve’s helper. In that case, the man before him really should be Steve’s friend.

"…It feels so much easier. It’s far stronger than the old one."

Bucky moved the mechanical arm in astonishment. It too carried a reassuring aura, exactly like the ball of light that had been in Oaks’s hand earlier.

"Of course it is."

Oaks smiled and nodded.

"Your previous mechanical arm was made by Hydra, but that was half a century ago. Technology has advanced very quickly since then.

Also, I dealt with the Hydra control chip in your head. You no longer need to worry about being controlled.

Once the technology is mature enough, we can consider removing the chip and solving this problem completely."

"Hydra…"

Bucky instinctively touched his head and frowned deeply.

"Where is Steve? What happened after I got here?"

"In ten minutes, Steve and I have a scheduled call. He is currently with Ms. Carter—

Yes, Ms. Peggy Carter from the Strategic Scientific Reserve—

Although you seem to have recovered your memories, you still need to catch up on a few things."

After briefly explaining to Bucky everything involving S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra that Steve had gone through after Bucky’s capture, Bucky let out a breath of relief, but his expression immediately became grave again.

"Pierce is already dead. Whitehall… I don’t know about him, but I know there is still a Hydra stronghold in Europe!"

Bucky traced a line across the world map Oaks had brought up and found the target: Sokovia.

"Here. Baron Strucker, one of Hydra’s leaders, has always focused on human enhancement research in Europe.

And here, the Siberia Base. There are five more Winter Soldiers… assassins like me!"

"There was a powerful celestial anomaly at this location in Siberia over a month ago."

Oaks nodded, making Bucky’s expression turn strange.

"I sent one of my dogs… another one, to investigate. That base has already been destroyed. Those five guys probably…

Also, that base contained the location of the Sokovia base. My dog has already set its sights on that place."

"Sir, Director Steve has sent a communication request."

Malorne’s voice rang out right on time. The agreed time for the call had arrived.

"Put it through."

Oaks waved his hand, and Steve’s holographic image appeared between him and Bucky.

"Buddy, your teammate can return to the team now."