Yasuo in Marvel - Chapter 8

Yasuo felt dejected after being rejected by S.H.I.E.L.D.

As night fell, Yasuo closed his shop and put on a worn hoodie, preparing to leave his home. With the Gucci Crime Family taking over Eighth Avenue, few dared to venture out at night. Yasuo wasn’t looking to fight crime but to improve his meals. Eating instant noodles for a week straight was making him nauseous.

The Gucci Crime Family had wiped out the defiant Skull and Bones and taken over Eighth Avenue. However, they were furious to discover that their cadre, Frankie, along with several elites, were found dead in a dark alley.

West felt today was his lucky day. As an elite enforcer of the Gucci Crime Family, he had followed Frankie to take over Eighth Avenue. In the morning, he learned that Frankie and the remaining five gang elites were found dead in a ditch. West, now the highest-ranking member left on Eighth Avenue, had transformed from an elite enforcer to the ruler of an entire street overnight.

Ma Gucci, the matriarch of the Gucci Crime Family, was enraged upon learning of the unexplained deaths of her family members on Eighth Avenue. She ordered West, the temporary head, to find and kill whoever dared to challenge them at all costs, to make an example for the entire city.

Forty or so members of the Gucci Crime Family roamed the streets at night, extorting, robbing, and harassing everyone in sight. Women working as prostitutes faced especially horrific fates.

Yasuo pulled his hood down to hide his face as he saw a few thugs approaching. It was obvious what would happen next.

Minutes later, Yasuo counted the few crumpled bills in his hand, cursing his thwarted plan to improve his meals. He wondered how long he’d have to endure instant noodles and why this unknown Gucci Crime Family dared to mess with him.

Dejected, Yasuo entered a 24-hour convenience store, where a group of locals was discussing recent events.

“Hey, did you hear about that poor Hanks? Yeah, the guy who sold laundry powder. He was killed last night. Poor guy, his daughter’s in high school. I heard the new gang wants to make her a dancer.”

“Isn’t anyone doing anything about this? What are the police for if the mafia can run wild like this?”

“Shush! Don’t talk like that. I heard the new gang on Eighth Avenue is the famous Gucci Crime Family. Even the mayor and police chief are afraid of them.”

Yasuo overheard their conversation. He had met Hanks’ daughter, Hathaway, before. Despite her rebelliousness, probably due to her parents’ divorce, she was a good girl.

Hathaway felt her life couldn’t get worse after her father’s bankruptcy and her mother leaving her. Moving from a wealthy neighborhood to the dirty Eighth Avenue was a harsh blow.

But today, fate dealt her another cruel hand. In the morning, police informed her that her father had died in a gang fight. She was to identify his body. After the police left, a few men arrived, telling her she owed them $30,000 due to her father’s actions. If she couldn’t pay in three days, she’d have to work as a stripper in their new bar.

Yasuo thought none of this concerned him, even though Hathaway was Hanks’ daughter. He didn’t want to expose himself further, especially with the possibility of other organizations taking notice. He didn’t want to be forced into joining any strange groups.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Triskelion, Director’s office.

Nick Fury, the one-eyed director, was meeting his old war buddy, Alexander Pierce. Pierce was complaining about dealings with the World Security Council and how funding had been drastically cut, necessitating budget cuts in all departments.

Nick Fury’s appearance had hardly changed, with his black eyepatch, black turtleneck, and black leather trench coat, fitting his style perfectly.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Fury said, “Come in.” Coulson and Melinda entered, greeting Pierce first.

Pierce, sensing the need for privacy, stood up to leave, but Fury stopped him. “It’s just a simple mutant contact mission. It won’t take long. We still need to discuss the funding issue.”

To Fury, a mutant matter wasn’t significant enough to hide from Pierce. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s annual funding was the real issue. Fury had noticed a yearly decline in their budget, which was a troubling sign. Pierce was the only one who could potentially reverse this trend.

“Hill said you insisted on reporting this mission personally. Why?” Fury sensed something unusual about this mission.

“Director, this mission was different. I think you should hear about it firsthand,” Coulson explained.

Fury trusted Coulson, knowing he wouldn’t make such a request without reason. “Alright, let’s hear what’s special about this mutant. Uncooperative or something else?”

“No, he was cooperative, but he isn’t a mutant. He claims to be a master swordsman,” Coulson answered.

“A master swordsman? Did I hear that right? Coulson, did you say a master swordsman?” Fury looked incredulous.

“Yes, a master swordsman. He doesn’t have the X-gene. He says his abilities come from rigorous training. He calls that terrifying whirlwind a flying slash, the hallmark of a master swordsman,” Melinda added.

“Yes, sir. His abilities are quite unique,” Coulson confirmed. “But you know, I wouldn’t joke about this.”

Fury’s one eye scanned Coulson and Melinda. “Report, agent. Is he harmless?”

“Preliminary assessment indicates he’s harmless. He can control his abilities well. However, Director, the mutant contact protocol doesn’t apply well to ordinary humans. Everything about him is too normal. I suggest 24/7 surveillance,” Coulson proposed.

“Alright, you two can leave. We’ll discuss the details later,” Fury decided to dismiss them, intending to talk to Pierce after. An ordinary human with controllable powers akin to mutants was unprecedented. What if anyone could gain such strength through training? The implications were staggering. Everything had to be clarified.

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