Hunting the Winter Soldier

"They picked the weakest one."

Tony shrugged. "Fine. I’m the fastest, so I’ll take the farthest one—the bearded guy in Oceania. But on one condition: I want his body."

Hill raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Stark, are you planning to restart the Super Soldier Program?"

"Did I say that? I think you misunderstood me. I’m only interested in his body, not his abilities."

Tony looked innocent. "The Super Soldier Program was shut down for a reason. I’ve always believed high-tech prosthetics are more reliable. Even if Captain America were still alive, I could take on ten of him."

Maybe Captain America could take on ten of you… Hill said, "The Mark 2 cost over a hundred million dollars to build, and it only gets more expensive from there. That doesn’t even include repairs and maintenance. The Super Soldier Serum doesn’t cost nearly that much, and Super Soldiers don’t need maintenance."

"Really? How do you know Super Soldiers don’t need maintenance? Like regular oil changes or something… Fine, I have to admit you have a point."

Tony shrugged helplessly. "I swear on hamburgers… Fine, there aren’t any hamburgers here… I swear on Master Wang’s belt… What brand is this belt? Why haven’t I seen it before?… Anyway, I did not restart the Super Soldier Program. Absolutely! Did! Not!"

Hill glanced at him and sneered. "You didn’t restart it. You merely continued your father’s research."

Tony suddenly realized this girl understood him very well. He should find an opportunity to get to know her more deeply.

"Tony, don’t cause trouble. I don’t want you becoming my problem. The Super Soldier Serum isn’t suitable for everyone. Just look at these five Winter Soldiers and you’ll understand. There is only one Captain America, and there will only ever be one."

Egghead stared hard at Tony. "S.H.I.E.L.D. has already restarted the Super Soldier Program. I hope you can continue your father’s research in the S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Division, rather than at your headquarters or villa. Don’t make things difficult for me."

"For Miss Maria’s sake, I’ll do you this favor." Tony winked at Hill.

Egghead could not be bothered with him. He turned to Old Wang. "Master Wang, there are still three left."

"No problem."

Old Wang agreed readily. "Don’t worry, I’m not interested in their bodies."

Has this guy really changed… Egghead shot him a sidelong glance. "But?"

"But I can trade them for something from you, right?" Old Wang smiled.

Knew it would be like this. As if I don’t know you… Egghead’s face darkened. "Forget three Winter Soldiers. Even five Winter Soldiers can’t get you a Sky Carrier!"

Tony immediately looked at Old Wang, practically ready to give him a thumbs-up. Brother, you’ve got guts. You even dare to set your sights on a Sky Carrier!

Hill immediately looked at Old Wang as well, sensing that things were not so simple.

The Director was shrewd and experienced, sinister and cunning, with countless misdeeds to his name. He had never suffered much of a loss… except with Pierce… Yet ever since he met Master Wang, he had come out on the losing end every single time they dealt with each other.

For some reason, Hill suddenly felt certain that the Sky Carrier would end up in Master Wang’s hands.

"Director Fury, why don’t you count on your fingers how many favors you owe me… One Winter Soldier counts as one. You’ll have to repay them."

"Five Winter Soldiers can’t get me a Sky Carrier, but there must be something they can get me, right?"

Old Wang drew a circle, and an orange portal appeared.

Watching the portal gradually disappear, Egghead’s eyes filled with envy.

With such an incredible ability, it would be a waste not to work as a deliveryman…

Tony pinched his goatee and fell into thought.

This ability to open doors seemed to be related to the rings on Master Wang’s hands. He wondered if Wang would sell them. It would be great to buy one and mount it on his armor—commuting would be so much easier.

Space and time shifted, and a forest of cherry blossoms appeared before them.

This was Japan.

For certain well-known reasons, Hydra’s influence in China was limited. Even S.H.I.E.L.D.’s influence in China was limited. Super Heroes and Super Villains from all over the world generally did not dare go to China, and Winter Soldiers were no exception.

The victim was a Japanese cabinet member, the State Minister.

Japan was now gripped by panic. The Emperor and Prime Minister were under heavy protection, scheduled meetings had been postponed, and Self-Defense Force troops and police enforcing martial law could be seen everywhere.

Although no one regretted the State Minister’s death—in fact, some were even pleased—no one could guarantee that the Chinese Winter Soldier who looked remarkably like Monk Yi Long would not suddenly cross over to the neighboring homeland.

When it was time to act, act.

Charging boldly into Japan.

But before that, there was something else to do.

Sensing that no one was nearby, Old Wang called out, "Calling Winter Soldier."

A few seconds later, Winter Soldier Bucky’s voice sounded. "Boss, it’s me."

After spending so long in The Laboratory, even the Winter Soldier’s form of address had changed. "Boss" was clearly more intimate than "Master Wang," which pleased Old Wang greatly. He asked, "How is Captain Rogers recovering?"

Captain America’s voice came from the other end. "As good as ever. Master Wang, please get to the point."

This guy really is perceptive… Old Wang chuckled. "You were constantly carrying out missions before, but now that you’ve suddenly become idle, everyone around you is unfamiliar. I know you feel uncomfortable from head to toe. For you now, the thing that may make you feel the most comfortable and familiar is carrying out missions."

"Hydra’s people are still disrupting this world. A high-ranking official has been killed in both Eastern Europe and North America. The killers are Winter Soldiers like Bucky, and ordinary soldiers can’t handle them. You can choose one… The one in North America is stronger."

After a brief silence, Bucky’s voice came through. "Steve and I will take one each. I’ll go to North America, and Steve will go to Eastern Europe."

Old Wang smiled. "Don’t underestimate them. This won’t be a simple fight. You must finish them as quickly as possible and absolutely cannot let them escape, or more people will be killed. You know very well how terrifying they are. If you’re one second too slow, it may cause more damage that could have been prevented."

After another few seconds of silence, Captain America said, "We’ll go to North America."

As expected, they chose the strongest one… Old Wang said with a smile, "All right. Bucky, Captain Rogers, that Quinjet is yours. Set out immediately. Skye will send you all the intelligence we have and provide support at all times."

Captain America said, "Okay."

Old Wang continued, "Also, have Matt, Stick, and Elektra depart immediately. Their target is in South Africa… End communication."

After ending the call, Skye forwarded emails and searched for information on her phone as she asked, "Wang, can Matt and the others handle it? The one in South Africa is Black, and Black people are physically strong!"

"They received the most systematic and orthodox training in K’un-Lun. Although it hasn’t been long, their abilities have improved rapidly."

Old Wang was brimming with confidence. "Don’t underestimate them. Stick is experienced, and Elektra still has remnants of Beast within her. She’s wilder than anyone else and has an extremely strong killing instinct. As for Matt, there’s no need to mention him. His sensory abilities are second only to mine, even stronger than Captain America’s. There won’t be a problem."

Only then was Skye reassured.

"The assassination took place in eastern Tokyo. At the time, the State Minister was meeting with the leader of an important organization. He wasn’t the only one who died. Twenty-seven people were killed and one hundred and five were injured."

As she scrolled through her phone, she said, "Car crashes, planted explosives, shoulder-fired rockets, machine-gun sweeps… Strange. For a killer like him, killing one person wouldn’t be difficult. He could have taken him out with a single sniper shot from a distance and left calmly. Why choose such a troublesome method?"

Old Wang snorted. "First, Bucky said Howard’s version of the Super Soldier Serum had problems. These people aren’t mentally sound. Even if one of them charged in with a tactical knife for close combat, I wouldn’t find it strange."

"Second, as you said, he’s a Superman-level killer. No matter what method he uses, he can kill that State Minister and leave safely. So to him, the method doesn’t matter."

"Third, perhaps this is their objective. Not an assassination, but a public execution. They want to announce it to the entire world, make sure this incident cannot be covered up, and cause panic among the public—even political unrest."

Skye nodded in understanding.

No wonder all five Winter Soldiers had struck at once, and all of them had used the most extreme methods.

Just as Wang said, Hydra was declaring war!

"Declaring war? That gives them too much credit."

Old Wang shook his head. "It’s just the struggle of the dying. You can think of it as their final cry before death, declaring to the world that Hydra once existed, exposing all its ugliness… I found him!"