MARVEL: THOSE YEARS I WAS UNDERCOVER IN S.H.I.E.LD

"Sir, no matter what identification methods we use, there's no way for him to tell where the stolen ten grams of helium-glazed spar went!"

Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. New York Office

Grimclaw sat at his desk, looking at the subordinate who had just finished reporting. "What exactly is the situation?" he asked.

"Sir, three days ago, there was a theft at Raymond Industries. Initially, we assumed it was just a regular robbery, so we didn't pay much attention."

"But after the FBI's forensic team examined the scene, they discovered that the stolen item was a synthesized spar containing ten grams of helium glaze."

"This substance is extremely valuable. More importantly, while it is man-made, just a single gram of helium-glazed spar—if used correctly—could easily wipe out hundreds of thousands of people."

"If ten grams of it falls into the wrong hands, I can't even begin to imagine the consequences!"

"That's why the FBI immediately reported the case to S.H.I.E.L.D., and we launched an investigation as soon as possible."

As she spoke, Selena stepped forward and handed a file to Grimclaw. "Sir, we apprehended the thief within a day and a half."

"But no matter how we interrogate him, he refuses to cooperate."

Hearing Selena's report, Grimclaw frowned. "Who was in charge of the New York S.H.I.E.L.D. branch before me? Why wasn't this brought to my attention the moment I arrived?"

"It was Steven Mond, sir."

At Grimclaw's questioning, Selena quickly clarified, "In fact, the moment he was informed that you were taking over, he returned to Triskelion Headquarters immediately."

"He said that Phil Coulson was handling the handover and that he had already reported this matter to Secretary Alexander Pierce and Director Nick Fury."

"But… a full day has passed, and there's been no word from Triskelion Headquarters."

"Not only that—no one has even been sent from HQ to take custody of the thief."

"We're worried that if we delay too long, the situation might spiral out of control. That's why we came straight to you, sir. What should we do?"

Grimclaw's frown deepened.

It seems I've been set up.

But when he thought about it logically, this move wasn't surprising.

Steven Mond had always been a loyal supporter of Alexander Pierce.

Meanwhile, Grimclaw was aligned with Nick Fury's faction.

So the moment Mond heard that Grimclaw was taking his place, he deliberately stalled, handing over control to Phil Coulson first, making Coulson responsible for briefing Grimclaw.

And Coulson—being S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ultimate good guy—would never refuse a routine administrative task like this.

In reality, Steven Mond would never dare to conceal such critical intelligence. But Coulson, at the time, had been assigned to monitor Tony Stark, which meant Mond took advantage of his unfamiliarity with the New York S.H.I.E.L.D. branch.

He deliberately buried this case under a pile of trivial matters.

If Coulson had realized how important this was, he would have reported it to Grimclaw immediately.

But because Selena had just reported it, Grimclaw only learned about it now.

If this hadn't been flagged, and the stolen ten grams of helium-glazed spar had led to a disaster, guess who would take the fall?

The newly appointed head of the New York S.H.I.E.L.D. branch—Grimclaw himself.

Even Phil Coulson wouldn't escape responsibility.

In that instant, Grimclaw fully understood the situation.

If he hadn't already known that Pierce's faction was filled with HYDRA operatives, he might have been kept completely in the dark—used as a scapegoat without even realizing it.

Heh… what a clever move.

Using a catastrophe that could kill hundreds of thousands—possibly even millions—to take down himself and Phil Coulson, Nick Fury's two most trusted subordinates…

And after that, Nick Fury himself would be held accountable by the World Security Council.

He'd likely be forced out of his position as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director.

Cold-blooded. Ruthless. Absolutely HYDRA.

It seems I need to bring in some trusted agents from Triskelion Headquarters.

After all, the people who had once trained alongside him at Eagle's Nest had grown stronger over the years.

But for now, the most important thing is dealing with this first.

"Let's go. Time to meet our 'tough guy' thief."

Standing up, Grimclaw motioned for Selena to follow him toward the detention center at the S.H.I.E.L.D. branch.

On the Way

As they walked, Grimclaw casually engaged Selena in conversation.

They talked about the New York branch's personnel, and about the people Steven Mond trusted most.

Grimclaw didn't miss a single detail.

Especially as Selena kept talking—he quickly built a mental map of everyone in the branch.

Of course, he didn't fully trust Selena either.

Not yet.

He'd wait until his own people arrived. Then, he'd conduct a full, covert investigation.

But this situation…

This is also a golden opportunity.

Let's see if I can seize it completely.

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