Chapter Ninety-Nine: Director, Please Move Forward...

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Rogers was drawing a network of connections on the table, explaining his plan to the new Avengers team gathered in the room.

“Based on Bucky’s intelligence and my deductions, Hydra has remained hidden for so long because they are very well concealed, possibly organized in a pyramid structure with a highly rigorous framework.”

“The lower-tier agents can only passively receive orders from their superiors. To maintain secrecy, their communication channels might be one-way. Given the scale of this covert operation, only Pierce or Hill could have the authority to manage it. We don’t know where Hill is, but we can control Pierce. So, if we control him, we can naturally solve a lot of problems.”

“Because he also holds an official position with the Security Council.”

Nick Fury immediately understood Rogers’ analysis. Regardless of how many Hydra agents were concealed, they were impossible to eliminate all at once. Instead of mindlessly wiping out the entire organization, it made more sense to control Pierce and use Hydra’s own agents to fight among themselves.

Therefore, a decapitation strike was necessary. Controlling Pierce would also allow us to learn Hydra’s next moves.

After all, even if the lower-level Hydra operatives were foolish, they would notice something was wrong if they went too long without orders from above. It was better to control the key target from the start.

This link in the chain was absolutely crucial.

“So, your idea is to use a single operation to capture a high-ranking Hydra leader, then control him to command the lower ranks?”

“Yes,” Rogers nodded.

“The lower-level Hydra members have no autonomy; all orders come from above. In short, focusing on the upper echelons is the most valuable approach in the short term.”

Nick Fury agreed with Rogers’ view. Given the current situation, over eighty percent of the crew on one mothership were Hydra agents. If other branches were similar, attempting to capture them all would be futile. Even if it were possible, it would cripple S.H.I.E.L.D. entirely.

Moreover, capturing everyone would take time. So, under necessary conditions, it was essential to keep some lower-level Hydra agents alive—not only to lull the Hydra leadership into complacency but also to execute the plan more efficiently.

“Then, Rogers, and everyone here, do you have a suitable candidate to help control the Hydra leadership?”

“Director, do you remember the Defenders team?”

Coulson handed a dossier to Nick Fury.

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“Yes, I remember. What about them? Have they come around? Are they rejoining my team?”

Fury, flipping through the files, assumed the Defenders wanted to participate in his plan.

“No, what I mean is, I have a good candidate,” Coulson said, handing Fury a photo.

“This is some tidbit I found when I last apologized to Ms. Jessica. This person is perfect for our mission. He has some friction with several members of the Defenders Alliance, making him an ideal candidate for us to reuse.”

“Oh?”

Fury took the photo, intrigued by the notion of “reuse.”

Coulson continued, spreading out more documents on the table.

“Zebediah Killgrave, known as the Purple Man. He suffered an accident while stealing nerve gas from a military base, which permanently turned his hair and skin purple. This nerve gas granted him the power to command and control others.”

“His body has been altered by certain chemical hormones. When these hormones are absorbed through someone’s skin, that person becomes susceptible to his verbal control. This effect only works when he is present and uses his own voice and tone.”

“Most importantly,” Coulson said, looking around at everyone with a serious expression, “the Purple Man can control hundreds or even thousands of people at once. Those under his influence will act against their own will. He also has some control over when he releases these hormones, allowing him to walk among crowds without controlling anyone. This makes him the perfect candidate for our mission.”

“Isn’t that dangerous for us too?” Spider-Woman asked, with Blade nodding in agreement.

“Danger always accompanies opportunity,” Coulson replied. “Someone like him is safest under our surveillance. More importantly, all we need to do is share his information with the Defenders Alliance. I believe they can capture and control him without our direct intervention. The Director can also use this as an opportunity to apologize to Ms. Jessica and strengthen our relations.”

“By using the Purple Man, we can achieve multiple goals simultaneously. He is opposed to Daredevil, Matt Murdock, and has conflicts with Jessica. We can exploit this. Since his control relies on hormones, we just need proper protection.”

“Coulson, you truly are my most trusted subordinate.”

Nick Fury turned to Rogers. “Captain, the command is with you now. What do you think?”

Everyone in the room looked to Rogers.

“Although I don’t like him, I can try to accept his power and use it to our advantage.”

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Compared to the threat Hydra posed, the Purple Man was a minor concern. If he could really control hundreds or thousands at once, he would be invaluable for this mission.

“Then, where should we find him?” Fury asked Coulson, still reviewing the dossier.

“That’s exactly why I suggested sharing this with Ms. Jessica,” Coulson replied.

“Good. Since the Purple Man’s abilities are useful, I think everyone will welcome this new member. Our next task is to locate him.”

After all, the Purple Man was a villain; there was no need to pity him. Utilizing whatever value he had left was a blessing from fate.

The strategy to find the Purple Man was set.

Nick Fury’s entire plan, Coulson’s suggestion, and Rogers’ endorsement made everyone feel that finding the Purple Man would ease the mission and reduce risks.

If the Purple Man could infiltrate and control hundreds of Hydra agents, the task would become far less daunting.

Once Rogers gave the order, everyone immediately left the safe house, beginning their search for the Purple Man within the Defenders Alliance’s operational area.

Meanwhile, Fury and Coulson went to find Jessica, armed with extensive intelligence gathered through S.H.I.E.L.D.’s powerful Hydra network, hoping to show the Defenders their sincerity and regret.

Upon learning Fury’s plan to control Alexander Pierce, Roald immediately teleported Hill to Pierce’s side.

At S.H.I.E.L.D.’s headquarters in Washington, Pierce, who was drinking a vial of “Necrotic Corrosion,” was shocked to see Hill suddenly appear from thin air, unaware of her intentions.

With a smile, Hill’s dark energy surged, and under Pierce’s horrified gaze, she pressed her hands against his head.

“Director, embrace a glorious death.”