Marvel Cybernetic Girl

— Calcutta, India

Calcutta, the capital of West Bengal, was once the heart of British colonial India.

As the third-largest city in the country, it is undoubtedly more developed than many other regions.

About 70 kilometers west of Calcutta lies a small town.

This town is so obscure that it doesn't even appear on most published maps.

In fact, just three years ago, it was nothing but barren land.

But within those three years, a small yet state-of-the-art clinic—one of the most advanced in all of India—became the town's nucleus, attracting patients and their families until the area flourished into a proper settlement.

The town boasts top-tier sanitation standards, among the best in the country.

Visitors—whether patients, travelers, or those looking for a new home—are often amazed by its modernity and orderliness.

Clean streets, well-developed infrastructure, contemporary housing, and an efficient waste management system—this town feels like an entirely different world compared to the rest of India.

It's almost as if it were a separate nation within the country.

At its heart is the renowned clinic, run by a single doctor.

Despite its small size, it houses some of the best medical equipment in India.

Diseases that would normally be difficult to treat due to poor medical or sanitary conditions find their cure here.

Moreover, the clinic charges remarkably low fees, making high-quality medical care accessible to the poor.

But the town holds another secret—one that deters any ill-intentioned individuals from approaching it.

Surrounding the settlement, within a radius of 10 to 30 kilometers, are 96 drone surveillance stations.

Operated by a major American industrial group, these intelligent drones swiftly warn and repel any unauthorized military forces or espionage organizations, ensuring the town's uninterrupted peace.

Clearly, a town like this—almost utopian in its design—could never have been built with India's resources alone.

The entire settlement was anonymously funded by Rhodes Island Industries.

The drone defense network is integrated into Rhodes Island's global security system at the highest level.

Rhodes Island's primary goal is simple: to ensure the town and its doctor remain undisturbed.

It continually supplies essential resources to its residents while keeping all intrusions at bay—except for S.H.I.E.L.D.

Ever since the infamous 2008 incident in New York, the world seems to have forgotten about this doctor.

His black-and-white portrait now hangs in historical exhibitions and on high school cafeteria walls, alongside legends like Newton and Einstein.

His name? Bruce Banner.

A brilliant scientist who vanished four years ago.

A fearsome warrior whose mere presence could terrify humanity.

A man listed as an Avenger, yet so unpredictable that even S.H.I.E.L.D. dares not approach him lightly.

But you don't tame a beast by caging it—you give it space. A sanctuary, far from the world's chaos, where it can find peace.

And so, for years, Bruce Banner lived in seclusion.

That peace, however, was about to be shattered.

Knock, knock, knock.

On this rare day without any patients, Dr. Banner was enjoying a quiet morning, sipping green tea, savoring the tranquility.

But the knocking at his door disrupted his brief respite.

"Well, so much for my quiet morning." He sighed, standing up to answer.

Outside stood a striking young woman with silver hair, golden eyes, and a mysterious smile.

"Hello, Doctor. May I come in?" she asked politely. "I need your help."

Banner studied her for a moment before glancing past her shoulders.

Strangely, the town was empty—as if all its residents had vanished overnight.

"Who are you?" he asked warily.

The woman bowed slightly. "My name is Kagura Hitomi. We've met before, though you may not remember. So, I should say—long time no see, Dr. Banner."

Banner frowned. "Kagura Hitomi? No… I don't recall that name. But…"

He looked again at the deserted streets.

"You don't seem like a patient."

"No," she admitted. "I have a more urgent request."

Banner sighed, pacing back into the clinic. "So… are you here to kill me?"

"…What?" Kagura blinked in surprise.

"Well, since you evacuated the entire town, I assume you're not here for a prescription." He shot her a sharp look. "But let me warn you—killing me isn't as easy as you think."

"No, no, I mean you no harm, Doctor." Kagura quickly waved her hands. "Officially, I'm here on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D."

"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Banner's eyes narrowed. "So, what? Are you some kind of sexy secret agent?"

Kagura coughed awkwardly. "Ahem! First of all, I am not an agent. Secondly, this matter concerns the fate of human civilization. I sincerely hope you'll cooperate, Dr. Banner."

Banner chuckled. "The fate of civilization? What could possibly require a humble doctor from a remote town? I just want to live quietly here. That's best for you, me, and everyone."

Kagura smirked. "Your town, huh?"

She crossed her arms. "Actually, this town was built for you—with my investment."

"…What?"

Banner stared at her in disbelief.

"Oh, and by the way," Kagura added with a smile, "the reason you've been able to live peacefully all these years is because Rhodes Island Industries has been keeping troublemakers away."

"You mean… the anonymous donors supplying this town's resources? That was you?" Banner asked, still processing the revelation.

"Yes, Doctor. And that's the sincerity behind my request for your help."

Banner rubbed his temples. "I always thought Stark had a hand in this…"

"...Excuse me?"

"Oh, don't be mad." Banner chuckled. "I was just joking. In that case, thank you—for giving me a place to live in peace."

He sat down and took another sip of tea. "So, Miss Kagura, what do you need from me? I assume it's not a simple house call."

Kagura nodded and placed a tablet in front of him. "This is the Tesseract—a mysterious object of unlimited energy. It has fallen into the wrong hands, and S.H.I.E.L.D. wants your help in retrieving it."

Banner raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought you wanted me to eat it."

Kagura smirked. "No. Director Nick Fury would rather keep both the Tesseract and you intact."

She leaned in slightly. "This is an official request from S.H.I.E.L.D. But beyond that, I have a personal proposal for you as well."

"Oh?" Banner smirked. "Are you telling me you're a double agent?"

"I told you, I'm not an agent!" she huffed.

"Then what's this proposal of yours?"

Kagura's golden eyes gleamed.

"I want you to join me in becoming the unseen guardians of humanity."