Aftermath

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As soon as Tony finished speaking, Steve turned his head and looked at him.

Tony got uncomfortable under Steve's stare and muttered, "Okay, okay, my bad."

"Alright, Steve. You should understand what Tony meant—he just didn't explain it clearly, which led to your misunderstanding," Kai explained.

Then he continued, "Do you all think Hydra has been completely eliminated?"

Kai turned and looked around the room. Everyone nodded.

"I originally thought the same. With Pierce dead and the remaining members of Hydra taken out by us, I thought Hydra was finished," Kai said.

"But last time, when I went to Pierce's office, Gear found something on his computer."

Kai called out to Zora, and together they revealed all the data and secrets about Hydra's presence on Earth.

Why was Zora cooperating? That was thanks to the intense 'training' from Gear and Jarvis these past few days. Zora had given up on escape—not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't. Every attempt was shut down by the relentless monitoring of Gear and Jarvis.

As Zora exposed Hydra's hidden global presence—fractured into secret branches with new names—everyone, especially Steve, began to understand how deeply rooted the organization still was.

Under threat, Zora betrayed every last Hydra contact he knew. Loyalty meant nothing if it meant survival.

Steve stood silent for a moment, then said, "Kai, let me handle it. I'll track them all down and wipe Hydra out. But I won't have time for the Illuminati."

Kai nodded. "Don't worry, Steve. We've got things covered here. Go clean house. We'll back you up if you need it."

Steve nodded, grateful.

Nearby, Bucky groaned and slowly opened his eyes.

Steve rushed to his side, watching him closely. Kai had said Bucky's memory was restored, though some brain damage remained.

Bucky blinked, saw Steve, and was stunned. Then a surge of memories hit him, and he remembered everything.

Looking at Steve, then down at his hands, Bucky said, "Steve… I did…"

"Bucky," Steve interrupted firmly, meeting his eyes. "It's okay. This wasn't all your fault. I've handled a few things on your behalf already."

Bucky looked at Steve, visibly moved, and said nothing more.

Kai stepped forward. "Tony, Zora's your responsibility now. He'll assist you and Jarvis in your research."

"Sure," Tony replied casually. They'd already talked about this.

Kai turned to the others. "Thank you again, all of you. If you have time in the future, please help Steve with his mission."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

As for Nick Fury—Kai had already sent him off to build S.W.O.R.D. Fury originally wanted Natasha and Hill with him, but after Kai whispered one word—"Skrulls"—Fury backed down and left.

Meanwhile, Natasha had handled Congress so fiercely the day before that even Tony decided to offer her a position at Stark Industries—as Pepper's secretary, no less. It wasn't a demotion; it was a strategic placement. Her identity was public now, and this way, she could stay close and keep working while staying protected.

Natasha accepted the offer. She and Pepper made a surprisingly effective team.

Thor stood up. "Well, if that's it, I'm heading out. Jane's still waiting for me."

With a grin and a wave, he left—but he stayed on Earth, just a call away.

Coulson and Hill began reorganizing SHIELD's remaining personnel, while Tony, Kai, and their team convinced the White House to take over one of the aerospace carriers—highlighting their use in any future alien invasions.

The second carrier was gifted to the East. The third? Held by the Illuminati.

If Kai had to fly everyone into space himself, he'd collapse from exhaustion. This way, the Illuminati had their own transport.

Once all the work was settled, the heroes finally went home.

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"It's so comfortable…"

Sitting on the manor lawn, Kai leaned back, enjoying the cool breeze and the fading sun.

After days of chaos, this peaceful moment felt like heaven.

Just then, Gear spoke up beside him. "Master… did you forget something?"

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