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

"I like watching this group of people fight."

Triskelion Headquarters, inside Nick Fury's office.

Nick Fury sat behind his desk, his single eye locked onto Maria Hill. His voice was cold, carrying an unmistakable edge:

"Whether it's for rank or higher authority, I like to watch S.H.I.E.L.D. agents compete."

"But Steven Mond crossed the line."

"It's one thing to fight, but it's another to put hundreds of thousands—maybe even millions—of lives at risk for your own selfishness."

Hill, standing before him, knew Nick Fury better than most. And she knew that despite his calm demeanor—no slammed fists, no raised voice—he was furious.

"Do you want me to take action?" she asked without hesitation.

Nick Fury shook his head. "No. Just wait. Grimclaw is already livid."

"You know, Grimclaw may seem easygoing, like he's always willing to talk things through. But when you push his temper, you know how disastrous the consequences can be."

"If we don't let him vent, God knows what will happen."

Hill had expected Fury, in his anger, to take matters into his own hands—or at the very least, order her to.

But even now, he was trusting Grimclaw to handle it.

Tsk.

Hill had always known Fury placed a lot of trust in Grimclaw.

But even she had underestimated just how much.

…Was it just her imagination, or was Fury actually spoiling him?

This wasn't normal trust—this was exceptional.

Nick Fury wasn't known for favoring anyone. Yet when it came to Grimclaw… the difference was stark.

If she didn't know better, Maria Hill would have started wondering if Grimclaw was secretly Nick Fury's illegitimate son.

After all, just compare his treatment to the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents!

For everyone else? No favoritism, no exceptions.

For Grimclaw? Absolute trust—even after he walked out of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, Fury had taken him under his wing for an entire year.

Just who else in all of S.H.I.E.L.D. had received that kind of treatment?

Even among the best recruits from the Academy, no one had been granted such privileges.

"All upcoming Academy graduates will be sent to him. It's time for him to stretch his wings," Fury said, his voice carrying an icy determination.

"Understood," Hill responded immediately.

…Wait.

Where was the so-called superior-subordinate relationship here?

Grimclaw had only asked for some reinforcements.

Fury?

Sent all of them.

Tsk tsk. Was he even bothering to hide the fact that he was grooming Grimclaw as his successor?

Still, Maria Hill left without another word.

Neither Fury nor Hill could have predicted this:

At this very moment, Grimclaw—who had supposedly been "set up"—was not the least bit angry.

If anything… he was entertained.

What a joke.

If HYDRA didn't try to manipulate him, did they even deserve to be called HYDRA?

This was an organization that had dared to assassinate Nick Fury.

What was he in comparison?

And honestly, wasn't this a perfect opportunity for him?

After all, who else in S.H.I.E.L.D. knew that HYDRA had infiltrated their ranks?

Even if he shouted it from the rooftops, who would believe him?

But now?

Since HYDRA had set the stage for him, it would be rude not to play the lead role.

This was a chance to pad his résumé. If Grimclaw didn't take advantage of it, he'd be a fool.

He ran through his next moves in his mind.

Step one: Show "rage" and "urgency" over the stolen ten grams of Helium Glaze Crystal.

Step two: "Accidentally" take out a few HYDRA agents in the New York S.H.I.E.L.D. branch.

Step three: Pretend to be "shocked" upon "discovering" HYDRA's infiltration.

By the time it was all over, this little operation should be more than enough to push his clearance level to Level 9.

S.H.I.E.L.D.'s heir to Level 9 clearance—sounds about right.

Look at that.

HYDRA really was full of good people.

Worried his résumé wasn't impressive enough? They sent him opportunities on a silver platter.

For now, he just had to wait for Natasha Romanoff to bring back news.

Half an hour later, in Hell's Kitchen.

Inside an unassuming convenience store.

"Seriously? Closed again?" a man grumbled outside.

"What happened to 'open 24/7'? Guess I have to wait another day to sell my stolen goods."

Irritated, he turned and walked away.

What he didn't know was that inside the store, something terrifying was happening.

A scene so horrifying that even a battle-hardened veteran might struggle to keep their composure upon seeing it.

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