CHAPTER 11 & 12

"There are still five seconds... almost."

After Jinai left, Carl glanced at the countdown timer on the panel marking the return to his original world. Without hesitation, he quickly opened the box in front of him, tossed a black pill into his mouth, and swallowed it just as the final second ticked away.

The countdown hit zero. His vision blurred momentarily—and when he opened his eyes again, he was back in the office of his company in Sokovia.

"Come out!"

Without even pausing to gather himself, Carl slapped his stomach with the palm of his hand and forcefully coughed up the black pill he had just swallowed.

"I didn't expect it to actually work."

Looking at the saliva-covered black pill now lying on his desk, Carl nodded, his expression calm and calculated.

According to the system panel's instructions, nothing could be carried between the main world and the small world—not even clothes. When in Marvel, he wore a suit; but when transported to the world of Naruto, his attire changed to that of the Prince of the Land of Fire.

On the surface, it seemed airtight—no loopholes to exploit. But Carl had a hypothesis.

If food had already been ingested and was actively being digested, then it technically was part of his body. The panel didn't mention purging internal contents.

So, he instructed Jinai to purchase a Military Ration Pill ahead of time and consumed it just before returning to his world.

To avoid raising any flags, he ate a full meal first, masking the special pill among regular food.

As expected, the panel didn't expel what he'd already consumed. And now, here the pill was—spit out whole and intact.

Military Ration Pills were a special combination of food and medicine widely used by ninjas during missions and combat. They quickly restored chakra and physical energy, while also relieving hunger.

Carl's goal was to have the pill studied by his company's R&D team to reverse-engineer its formula. Just like they had previously done with the enhancing ointment, the idea was to produce an imitation—a mass-market version that, even if not identical in power, could still replicate some effects.

A refined imitation could serve as a combat supplement—allowing him to temporarily recover stamina or, ideally, a bit of chakra while operating in this world.

He also planned to create a simplified version: one that wouldn't restore chakra but would still replenish physical strength and suppress hunger. That, in turn, could be marketed as a health supplement or energy-boosting product.

Handled well, these products could form the basis of Carl's expansion into New York.

The actual execution—marketing, distribution, legal work—would be left to the company's professional staff. That wasn't Carl's strength.

"David, send Dr. Smith to my office."

After wiping the Military Ration Pill with a tissue, Carl pressed the intercom and gave his instructions to David, his personal assistant stationed just outside the door.

Though David publicly served as Carl's secretary, his true role was security—one of several elite subordinates Carl had trained in recent years.

Even as a seasoned warrior, Carl knew he couldn't go up against modern firearms alone. Professional assassins—or worse, organized attacks—could overwhelm him. That's where David came in.

As for Dr. Smith, he was a renowned biologist that Carl had recruited from England at great expense.

Their company's best-selling product, power pill, was created from Smith's successful analysis of the enhanced ointment Carl had obtained by completing minor missions.

The enhancing ointment was used externally, stimulating the body's strength and muscular structure, especially when combined with breathing techniques and proper stances.

Thanks to that ointment, Carl had managed to return to his physical peak within just three years.

Power Pill, while less potent, still helped build stronger bodies over time. And more importantly for the market—it had an instant, short-term energizing effect, visible after a single dose.

That instant gratification was what made it explode in popularity—even overseas—turning it into a major profit driver for the company.

That is, within half an hour of taking it—even if you're an impotence patient, even if you're over fifty—you could turn into a true powerhouse in bed, full of energy and aggression.

However, it must be limited to one capsule a day. Any more, and the body wouldn't be able to handle the strain.

"Boss, Dr. Smith called and said he's not feeling well today. He asked for three days off."

On the phone, David reported calmly.

Carl frowned slightly.

"Send a few people to Dr. Smith's house and check it out."

Taking three days off at once wasn't like Smith. That man practically lived in the lab—he would gladly work 24 hours a day without rest. Something felt off.

As the company expanded, it inevitably stepped on certain interests. While Carl had always dealt with those threats decisively, there was no harm in staying vigilant.

Half an hour later, a muscular young man returned and reported respectfully:

"Boss, Third Brother took a team to Dr. Smith's house. The doctor's not there, and there are clear signs that someone else has been in and out. Initial judgment: he's likely been kidnapped."

"In Sokovia, there are still people who dare to touch me?"

Carl's eyes narrowed. He looked at the young man and said coldly:

"David, tell Uncle Li to pull every string he has. I want Dr. Smith found—and I want to know exactly who's behind this."

To the public, Carl was known as the greatest philanthropist in Sokovia. But among the higher-ups of the Sokovia government, everyone knew—he was a lion that devoured its prey mercilessly.

Especially those who had once tried to meddle with the formula for the Power Pill—there was nothing left of them to bury.

"Yes, boss."

David nodded, then bowed and stepped out.

Carl picked up the Military Ration Pill, wiped it clean, and tucked it into his pocket. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he muttered to himself:

"It better not be who I think it is…"

"Ding dong—new side missions detected nearby. Please check!"

The mechanical voice rang in his ears. Carl's expression sharpened as he opened the system panel.

> Mission: Rescue Dr. Smith from being kidnapped by Hydra.

Reward: Five detonating tags.

> Mission: Kill Baron Sterak at the Hydra Base.

Reward: C-rank Ninjutsu – Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.

> Mission: Eliminate the Hydra base in Sokovia.

Reward: B-rank Ninjutsu – Shadow Clone Technique.

"So it was Hydra."

Carl's expression turned icy.

He'd long known there was a hidden Hydra base in the mountains just outside Sokovia. He also knew that several Hydra agents had infiltrated the upper ranks of the government.

But until now, they hadn't crossed any lines. Carl hadn't either—mutual noninterference. He let them be.

Now it looked like the long-term effects of the Power Pill had caught Hydra's interest. Enough for them to kidnap the company's chief scientist.

Hydra had always been obsessed with creating super soldiers and experimenting on enhanced beings.

And this time—they crossed the line.

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CHAPTER 12

"The Uchiha clan's powerful Fireball Jutsu and Konoha's Shadow Clone Technique... really hard to ignore."

After closing the panel, Carl sat back, calculating silently.

To be honest, his original plan was just to rescue Dr. Smith—after all, Hydra was a massive organization. Picking a fight with them was more than a small risk.

But those two ninjutsu were too tempting.

Even though the Fireball Jutsu often seemed to miss in the anime, Carl was convinced that was just narrative convenience. In reality, it wasn't weak at all.

As the Uchiha clan's signature Fire Release technique, the Fireball Jutsu had a large area of effect, high lethality, and low chakra cost.

Plus, it only required six hand seals to perform—hardly a challenge.

Even a genius like Itachi Uchiha used it regularly in combat.

Compared to his current fireball technique, Carl's was nothing. His version could only shoot out a fist-sized fireball. The speed was average, the power was meh, and the only real upside was decent range.

But the Uchiha's Fireball Jutsu? The fireball was several times larger than a human—the kind of thing that could level a small house in a single hit.

And the second reward—Shadow Clone Technique—needed no explanation. One of Naruto's signature moves, a B-rank ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Unlike the E-rank Clone Technique, which only created illusions, the Shadow Clone was a real, physical body that could fight, think, and transfer experience back to the original when dispelled.

In the Marvel world, having this jutsu would dramatically increase Carl's survivability. He could use clones for recon, distraction, or even fake deaths.

"But... is it worth the risk?"

Carl hesitated, furrowing his brow.

Right now, sneaking into Hydra's base and rescuing Smith was doable. But killing Baron Sterak and wiping out the Hydra base? That was another matter.

If he couldn't return to the Naruto World, sure—he'd go all-in. But he could. And in just six months, he'd be back. With more side quests available, more chances to learn techniques like these.

So… was it worth gambling everything now?

"A slow step means you're always behind. If you don't take risks, how can you ever get stronger?"

Carl clenched his fists.

He'd made his decision.

He would complete all three side missions.

Whether it was Marvel or the Naruto world, there was no such thing as peace and stability. If he kept playing it safe, he'd only end up regretting it when faced with danger he couldn't handle.

He was someone who had always thrived in chaos, battling to surpass his limits.

If he could learn these jutsu now, he'd have the upper hand in the future, both in Marvel and Naruto. A solid boost to start a virtuous cycle of growth.

Of course, he wasn't stupid. Reckless risk without preparation was suicide.

But this? This was a calculated leap.

Carl reached for the desk intercom.

"David, tell Uncle Li to stop the investigation. Have Leo and the others pull back."

With a plan in mind, Carl got up and rang the phone on the table again.

Now that the panel had confirmed Hydra as the one behind Dr. Smith's disappearance, there was no need to waste time.

In Sokovia, many high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen maintained discreet ties with Hydra. If he launched an investigation too publicly, it might alert them.

Over the past three years, aside from chasing Wanda, regaining his strength, and expanding his company, Carl had also been quietly collecting intel on Hydra.

The reason Hydra could remain hidden wasn't because they were truly invisible, but because the world believed Captain America had wiped them out during World War II.

Most Hydra members now lived under false identities—S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, government officials, corporate moguls.

Take, for example, the base in the mountains outside Sokovia. Officially, it was a military research facility owned by the Sokovia government, tied to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s peacekeeping involvement after the Sokovia uprising.

But Carl knew better.

He'd always known it was a Hydra base. With eyes on it for months, his people had picked up enough clues to confirm it.

---

At that moment, deep within the Hydra base nestled in the mountain outside Sokovia—

A burly Hydra agent stood reporting before Baron Strucker, who wore his usual monocle and a black fur coat, exuding both elegance and cruelty.

"Sir, through hypnotic interrogation, we've obtained the origin and formula of the Power Pill from Dr. Smith."

"Speak," Strucker said, folding his hands behind his back with interest glinting in his eyes.

The Hydra agent bowed slightly.

"According to Dr. Smith, the Power Pill was not something he created alone. He developed it by reverse-engineering a substance called the strengthening ointment, which had been supplied by Carl, the CEO of Carl Group."

"In terms of potency, the strengthening ointment provides far more significant physical enhancements than the Power Pill."

"Fascinating... and where did Carl get the strengthening ointment? Is there any left?"

Strucker's interest visibly deepened.

The agent shook his head.

"Dr. Smith doesn't know. Carl only gave him a single sample. He tried to replicate it exactly, but the best he could do was the current version of the Power Pill."

"When the sample ran out, he requested more from Carl but never received any."

Strucker raised an eyebrow, and the agent carefully added, "Shall I lead a team to capture Carl?"

Strucker waved his hand casually.

"Not for now. Lock Smith up. When the time comes, hand the formula over to Garrett."

"Our deal is only for Dr. Smith and the Power Pill formula. Anything more, we'll decide later."

John Garrett, one of Hydra's senior operatives and a Level 8 agent within S.H.I.E.L.D., had a notorious obsession with body modification and enhancement experiments.

It was Garrett who, through S.H.I.E.L.D. data, discovered that a globally popular supplement—the Power Pill—could subtly strengthen the human body with long-term use.

He approached Strucker and made a deal: he would provide Hydra with valuable superhuman intel in exchange for Dr. Smith and the Power Pill formula.

Strucker himself wasn't particularly interested in physical enhancements. His passion lay in manipulating powers and genetics, so he had no issue with the trade.

As for the strengthening ointment and Carl, they weren't part of the agreement.

And kidnapping a scientist wasn't the same as going after Sokovia's richest and most influential entrepreneur.

Unless, of course, Garrett was willing to pay a much higher price.