Marvel: Superman Strength in a World of Heroes

When Nick Fury assigned her this mission,

Black Widow hadn't thought much of it.

In fact,

she'd even been a little annoyed.

Obadiah's death? It seemed like a typical case,

hardly the kind of thing their department should waste time on.

After all, the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division was meant to handle extraordinary incidents,

not routine murders.

Frankly, this kind of case should've been left to the NYPD.

『Black Widow』: Why send a top-level agent like me?

『Black Widow』: It's just a dead businessman.

So when Fury handed her the assignment, Natasha had complaints.

Still, she took it.

Maybe it'll be a break.

Low effort. Easy win.

Especially after reading Carl's intel through their surveillance network,

he looked like a total pushover.

She thought this mission would be a vacation.

But reality hit her like a truck.

Not only did she get smacked down,

but she'd also been openly threatened.

Carl had confessed to killing Obadiah without a shred of shame.

Worse,

he had even turned the tables and threatened S.H.I.E.L.D. right back.

Arrogant.

Brazen.

Fearless.

If this had been the old days,

Natasha wouldn't have hesitated.

She would've taken him down without a second thought.

But this time?

She couldn't.

She simply wasn't strong enough.

Carl's strength and speed were already far beyond human limits,

and those laser beams from his eyes?

Terrifying.

There was nothing she could do.

Powerless. Frustrated.

Since becoming an agent, when had she ever been humiliated like this?

But even that wasn't the worst of it.

What truly haunted her was fear.

The way Carl's red beams had incinerated that massive tree,

not burned, evaporated.

『Black Widow』: No use dwelling on it…

She forced a bitter smile.

『Black Widow』: I need to report this to the Director.

And with that, she left.

Meanwhile...

After dealing with Black Widow, Carl wasted no time returning to Erika's apartment.

『Erika』: Didn't you say you were going out to buy something?

『Erika』: What'd you get?

『Carl』: They were sold out.

He replied casually.

Of course, shopping had just been an excuse.

No reason to bring up S.H.I.E.L.D. or Black Widow.

『Erika』: Oh, okay.

She didn't press.

She'd only asked out of habit.

Then, Carl gently pulled her into the bedroom.

While Carl and Erika were enjoying their night...

Black Widow had already returned to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

The moment she arrived, she went straight to Nick Fury.

Fury was surprised to see her.

After all,

he'd only given her the assignment a few hours ago.

At the same time, Agent Coulson was still out in the field, combing through leads about Tony Stark.

And now Natasha was back, alone.

Had she already finished the mission?

Uncovered the truth behind Obadiah's death?

Found the killer?

『Nick Fury』: She really is one of our best…

He wasted no time.

『Nick Fury』: Well? Any leads on Obadiah's case?

『Black Widow』: Yes, I've found some.

『Black Widow』: I've even identified a potential suspect…

Her words trailed off, hesitant.

『Nick Fury』: You're serious? Already?

He raised an eyebrow.

『Nick Fury』: Alright, fill me in.

『Black Widow』: I looked into Obadiah's recent activity,

and dug through records of the people he interacted with.

Came up with a few suspects.

『Black Widow』: One is Wilson Fisk, Kingpin of New York's underworld.

The other… is a young billionaire named Carl Smith.

She recounted the key events of her investigation,

though she left out some of the more embarrassing details.

But she didn't hide what mattered:

Carl's inhuman speed and strength,

his red energy beams,

and most importantly,

His open confession to murder.

And his threats against the agency.

『Nick Fury』: What?! He admitted it?!

And then threatened us?!

He slammed his hand on the table.

『Nick Fury』: Who the hell does this guy think he is?

A few powers, and he thought he was invincible?

『Nick Fury』: These powered types are getting bolder every day…

But unlike Natasha, Fury didn't flinch.

He hadn't seen Carl's power firsthand.

Hadn't felt that crushing pressure, that blinding speed,

or seen that monstrous red light.

Carl hadn't fought him, he'd fought Natasha.

Besides…

Fury had faced worse.

He'd fought aliens.

And he had connections, strong ones.

Like her.

Captain Marvel.

His close friend.

『Nick Fury』: No way this Carl guy is stronger than Carol.

He wasn't intimidated.

After all, Fury still had his trump cards.

Not just S.H.I.E.L.D.'s weapons or satellites,

But the pager.

The one that summoned Carol Danvers when Earth was truly in danger.

But Carl?

One powerful civilian didn't qualify.

『Black Widow』: Director, his powers are real.

He's incredibly dangerous.

I don't think we should confront him, at least not yet.

She could tell Fury was underestimating the situation.

But then again, he hadn't seen what she had.

『Nick Fury』: We can't let one man make us cower.

His voice was firm.

『Nick Fury』: Don't worry. I'll handle this.

Then, as an afterthought:

『Nick Fury』: Although… we really do need a better name.

Let me think about that.

『Black Widow』: …Alright.

She didn't argue.

After all, he was the Director.

End of Chapter