Sudden Upheaval

Tokyo Haneda International Airport, bathed in bright sunshine.

Shingen Yashida stepped out of a Japanese luxury car and respectfully bowed to Sean, who was preparing to board his flight, utterly disregarding the shocked look in the driver’s eyes behind him.

He had already learned of Ichiro Yashida’s true fate and heard about the massive explosion near Yokohama. Having uncovered everything through secret channels, Shingen Yashida naturally did not dare put on an arrogant air.

The young man before him not only had close ties to the sole leader of The Hand, but had also quietly emerged as the final victor. His style and decisive methods inspired fear from the depths of one’s heart.

As the eldest legitimate son of a great family, Shingen Yashida knew how to read the room. He understood that he needed to leave a good impression, so he not only humbled himself but also prepared a gift.

"This is my daughter, Mariko. She has long admired Mr. Sipes and hopes you will allow her to serve at your side."

Sean was somewhat surprised. The Japanese really had a bottom line lower than he had imagined. Not only had Shingen Yashida asked him to help kill his father, Ichiro Yashida, he had also casually handed over his daughter.

"Please, Mr. Sipes, you must accept. This is the Yashida Family’s sincerity," Shingen Yashida hurriedly said when he saw Sean hesitate.

The family’s rise depended on support from The Hand, and winning Sean’s friendship was undoubtedly crucial. Besides, giving Mariko away also carried the meaning of offering a "hostage," demonstrating that he had no ulterior motives.

"Then I’ll gladly accept your kind offer."

Sean shrugged. He never minded having more sugar-coated bullets. Whatever Shingen Yashida was plotting, the gap in strength between them was immense. Ants could never shake an elephant.

The two shook hands warmly. Throughout the entire exchange, neither cared about Mariko, who stood there like a puppet. Her father saw her as merchandise, while Sean simply did not care.

"I wish beautiful women would throw themselves at me too…" Harry joked from his seat.

His handsome face looked listless, as though he had just woken from a hangover, his head foggy and his spirits nonexistent.

Young Master Osborn had been quietly abducted by Hydra and kept unconscious the whole time. Viper had hoped that in such a mentally weakened state, he would reveal Umbrella’s classified intelligence.

Clearly, she had not expected that the young rising star running Osborn Industries did not handle any real work at all. Other than attending Board of Directors meetings or flying around the world in private jets to discuss partnerships, he cared about nothing else.

"I have proof of Harry Osborn getting drunk at nightclubs and sleeping on the streets. If I show it to Daisy, you’ll be sleeping on the couch when you get home," Sean said with a soft laugh.

When Harry woke up, he had been astonished to find himself there. Then he made up an excuse that Young Master Osborn had gotten drunk in Tokyo’s Ginza, had his wallet drained by a hostess, and had been tossed onto the street.

"How could I possibly do something like that?" Harry was skeptical. "Ever since I started dating Daisy, I’ve cultivated myself, stayed away from women, and become a model of a reformed playboy…"

"Harry, you know how it is. The longer you suppress something, the harder it erupts. As a man, I understand." Sean patted him on the shoulder, cutting him off.

"Don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret." After a pause, he added that.

After escaping Harry’s endless questions, Sean sat by the window as the plane slowly rose into the air. The city shrank into something like a miniature model.

This trip to Tokyo had yielded a large amount of Eihman Metal, along with multiple samples and experimental data related to the Progenitor Virus. Dr. Maya Hansen would surely be interested.

Hydra’s original plan had not been to use the virus to create biological weapons. Viper had initially envisioned a drug that strengthened human genes. The later zombies and ghouls had both been research results that went off course.

Still, those failed experimental records held considerable value in Sean’s eyes. Umbrella had many gaps in genetic engineering, and Hydra’s research data was enough to fill them.

Yoshimura Eto, wearing a hood, sat across from him. She stared solemnly at the snacks covering the table, her brows raised and her eyes full of tension.

"Bread…" The girl tore open a plastic bag and bit into a soft, delicious slice of toast.

"Chocolate…" Then came dark chocolate.

"Jelly…"

"Soda…"

Yoshimura Eto sampled the snacks on the table one by one, chewing and swallowing cautiously. The rotten, rancid taste she had known before did not appear, and the urge to vomit seemed to have vanished as well.

"This is only temporary. I found data in Hydra’s laboratory about suppressing active ghoul cells, but if you truly want to return to eating like a normal person, you’ll need semi-modification surgery," Sean said lazily, reclining beside the window.

"Just wait obediently to be sliced up for research."

The young man threatened the girl with malicious amusement.

This young ghoul, who had volunteered to become Umbrella’s experimental material, could be called a breakthrough in genetic engineering. The Progenitor Virus had mutated, preserving the test subject’s clear mind while greatly enhancing her physical abilities and constitution.

If the bloodthirsty frenzy and the side effect of eating human flesh could be removed, it would undoubtedly be a perfect direction for evolution. As a research subject alone, it would probably make those hungry scientists extremely excited.

Sean closed his eyes. The massive wings cut through the clouds, leaving rippling trails behind them as wave-like clouds gathered and scattered.

S.H.I.E.L.D. research base.

Evacuation alarms echoed through this top-secret steel complex. Four hours earlier, an energy surge had erupted from the deep underground experimental center, and its readings continued to climb.

This immediately alarmed Nick Fury. The Tesseract was under S.H.I.E.L.D.’s custody, and its importance went without saying. He could not tolerate even the slightest mistake, so he rushed to the base at once.

"Dr. Selvig wasn’t conducting any tests. He wasn’t even in the room. The Tesseract activated on its own, and it can’t be shut down," Coulson reported in full detail.

Black-Suited Agents and research personnel throughout the underground facility were packing up and preparing to evacuate at any moment. Helicopters and transport vehicles came and went, carrying vital equipment and core personnel. These were all precious assets of S.H.I.E.L.D.

"How long will a full evacuation take?" Fury asked gravely.

"Another half hour, and the area will be cleared." Coulson had issued the warning notice as soon as he received word that the Tesseract was out of control.

As a seasoned veteran agent, he understood the importance of preparing for the worst. If anything happened to the Tesseract, at least it would not lead to irreparable losses.

"Dr. Selvig, you need to give me an explanation," the Black director demanded.

Only Selvig and several researchers remained in the empty underground complex. They were working frantically to make adjustments, trying to control the restless Tesseract.

Bruce Banner, who had also participated in the research project, had been sent out by Coulson at the first opportunity. A man who turned into a giant green brute whenever he became enraged was no less dangerous than a nuclear bomb.

"The Tesseract’s energy is extremely active. Even after I cut off the power supply, it had no effect, because it is an energy source itself," Dr. Selvig explained.

The ends of the laid pipes and cables connected to a circular metal device. A cube rested at its center, flashing with an eerie blue glow as it continuously emitted pulses of energy.