CHAPTER 19

c19: Dedicated Intelligence Officer

Of course S.H.I.E.L.D. was willing!

Without the power to singlehandedly stop god-level threats, relying on external metahuman or extradimensional allies was only natural.

What other choice was there?

Let the crisis unfold while doing nothing?

S.H.I.E.L.D. which publicly touts itself as the "shield of humanity" and the Earth's first line of defense could never take such a passive stance, not after the Battle of New York, the Ultron incident, or the incursions detailed in the Illuminati files.

After a closed-door meeting with Maria Hill and a financial nod from the World Security Council, the deal was sealed: the mission would be funded with $10 million USD, and S.H.I.E.L.D. would provide full tactical and logistical support to Ryan Wong for completing the objective.

Right now, there was no shortage of money not after Tony Stark's latest Stark Foundation donation and Wakanda's secret aid package following the Namor–T'Challa treaty.

Teleporting back to his temporary bedroom using his Flying Thunder God Technique, Ryan grinned as he inspected the heavy-duty black case filled with crisp dollar bills.

He'd already examined the contents with chakra and tech-based scans, ensuring there were no Stark-grade nano-trackers, vibranium threads, or Skrull bio-markers planted within.

The fact that S.H.I.E.L.D. paid him upfront was a sign of genuine trust or perhaps desperation.

Either way, their cooperation was accelerating the rollout of his identity as Minato Namikaze, giving legitimacy to his "performance" in this new world.

Securing the funds in a lead-lined safe, Ryan activated the Flying Thunder God once more and reappeared beside Natasha Romanoff inside a roaring Stark-modified Audi R8, customized for field agents.

He materialized smoothly in the passenger seat—because he had marked a three-pronged kunai stashed right there.

While gender norms meant he didn't feel comfortable marking Natasha herself, Ryan had chosen to mark the kunai she carried the same design used in his teleportation jutsu.

Natasha's lips twitched when she sensed him suddenly appear in her car.

Even though she had been warned that this would happen often, it still unnerved her.

She couldn't just throw away the kunai either.

Because this was a direct order from Director Nick Fury.

"Effective immediately, Agent Natasha Romanoff is assigned as the primary S.H.I.E.L.D. intelligence liaison for the individual codenamed 'Minato Namikaze.'"

This directive granted Ryan exclusive access through Natasha. Any request, intel exchange, or operative mission he wanted could now be routed through Black Widow.

A living encrypted comms link: Humanoid microphone acquired

As a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Natasha didn't have the luxury of personal opinions on the matter orders were orders.

Such was the cost of loyalty to an organization built on control and contingency.

But Natasha's role wasn't limited to being a message conduit—she was also the lead handler and monitor, tasked with gauging Ryan's real motives and threat level.

And deep inside the agency's classified planning boards—alongside scenarios like Project Pegasus and Phase 4 there was a subtext:

If a bond developed between Minato Namikaze and Natasha Romanoff, S.H.I.E.L.D. would encourage it.

After all, emotional ties have done what protocols, threats, and incentives often failed to accomplish.

They could make gods kneel, as seen in the case files involving Bruce Banner and Betty Ross, or Clark Kent and Lois Lane (from the multiverse index).

Of course, Ryan had no knowledge of this underlying strategy. If he did, he would probably scoff and roll his eyes.

Trying to emotionally manipulate him?

Please. He was already several steps ahead.

It's true that Black Widow is a stunning beauty, but her past is complicated filled with red in her ledger and Ryan Wong, who considers himself something of a mental neat-freak, simply said: "Not my type."

More importantly, his current priorities are increasing his public credibility as "Minato Namikaze" and elevating his combat strength in this unfamiliar universe.

If parenthood is part of the deal? Hard pass.

Of course, if it's just a one-night stand or the kind of casual "teammates with benefits" arrangement like the rumors between Batman and Zatanna or Tony Stark and Maria Hill, Ryan wouldn't say no.

But not while wearing the face of Minato.

Because if he slept with someone using Minato's appearance who did the woman really sleep with?

Was it Ryan Wong who had the relationship, or was it Minato Namikaze?

The existential weirdness of that alone gave Ryan what he called the "Green Lantern effect" as in, he'd just emotionally sabotage himself with overthinking.

With his personality and a mild case of mental hygiene disorder, Ryan preferred to avoid such mess entirely.

Bzzzzzt~~

The modified engine of the sports car roared. Natasha Romanoff, hands gripping the steering wheel, glanced sideways when Ryan silently appeared in the passenger seat.

"Mr. Namikaze, what are your next steps?" she asked flatly.

"I've been ordered to follow you throughout this operation," she continued. "If you have any requests, please notify me."

Ryan lifted an eyebrow. "Any request?"

He flashed her a mischievous grin, his gaze exaggeratedly flirtatious.

It made Natasha visibly stiffen. She remained silent for several seconds before answering with forced composure: "Yes."

At that moment, all of Natasha's confidence deflated like a punctured SHIELD airlift drone.

She understood what her role was.

"Well then, I'm a little short on funds lately," Ryan said casually, as if it were a passing comment. "Does SHIELD have any tasks I could take on?"

Natasha blinked.

After all the god-tier performance Ryan had just displayed—basically pulling off feats comparable to Doctor Strange with the Cloak of Levitation, or Flash phasing through reality and now he wanted... a gig?

She had been mentally preparing herself for something far more personal, given the rumors about Black Widow's history with Steve Rogers or Bucky Barnes.

But instead, this "shinobi from another dimension" just wanted to do more work?

Was every ninja from Konoha a mission-addicted mercenary?

Were they emotionally uncomfortable unless grinding through side quests?

Still, Natasha forwarded the unusual request through her hidden voice transmitter, patching in live to Nick Fury and the S.H.I.E.L.D. think tank.

In the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier's command center, Fury exchanged looks with Hill and Fitz-Simmons. Even they were puzzled by Ryan Wong's behavior.

On Fury's nod, Natasha relayed their question: "Mr. Namikaze, didn't we just pay you ten million dollars? Why are you still claiming to be short on cash?"

Ryan sighed, his face the picture of helplessness. "I already sent that ten million back to the village. That's a shared budget—funds to keep the entire Hidden Leaf Village running."

"Any money I make from now on is mine personally."

He added seriously, "Even with our extraordinary powers, Konoha's shinobi remain law-abiding, mission-driven citizens. We serve for justice and paychecks."

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