Chapter 16: Sanquyi Headquarters

After following Phil Coulson down from the Quinjet, Ryu Hoshino realized where he was.

Tri-Wing headquarters.

S.H.I.E.L.D has many branches and administrative buildings like Trident, HUB, and more.

As a top intelligence organization, they have secret bases worldwide.

Looking at the ring-shaped building and the nearby port coast, Ryu took a deep breath. The layout was strict, with fighter jets parked all over the runway.

The most common among them was the Quinjet.

"It's really amazing. Can such a configuration support a war?" Ryu exclaimed.

"Our positioning is as the top power of humanity. S.H.I.E.L.D has a long history, dating back to World War II. Currently, S.H.I.E.L.D is fully funded by the World Federation. We have top agents and scientists from various countries. In a way, this is where elites gather," Phil Coulson said proudly.

"Come on, Director Nick Fury is waiting for you."

The two walked toward the headquarters building, and along the way, many agents frequently glanced in Ryu's direction.

Some initiated greetings.

Of course...

They were addressing Phil Coulson.

No one knew the unfamiliar guy walking beside Phil Coulson.

Phil Coulson, an 8th-level agent, not only had high authority but also a good reputation. He might not have been so noticeable in the past.

But today...

Did he change his hairstyle?

The mystery of how his hair grew back was a hot topic. Many agents wanted to ask but refrained due to protocol, remaining silent instead.

Still, their eyes kept darting over.

Senior Phil Coulson's hairstyle was incredibly stylish today!

Along the way, Phil Coulson smiled, inexplicably cheerful since his hair transformation.

After passing several checkpoints and stepping into an iris-scanning elevator, Ryu realized just how vast S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters was.

The button for the 20th basement floor was a clear indication.

"Phil Coulson, long time no see. Love the new hairstyle. Who's this?" A slightly older middle-aged man entered the elevator on the 13th floor, smiling.

"Long time no see, Minister Furuta. This is the new agent Director Nick Fury recruited yesterday. I'm bringing him to report today," Phil Coulson replied politely.

"I see."

"Hello, young man. You look quite young; you must be a genius in some special field. Nice to meet you," Minister Furuta said warmly, extending his hand.

"Hello, old timer. My name is Ryu Hoshino," Ryu replied, shaking his hand with a straight face.

"Haha... interesting."

"I am indeed old, and it will soon be the era of young people like you. I hope your journey in S.H.I.E.L.D is smooth, Agent Robin!" Furuta continued smiling, looking kind.

Ryu's face changed momentarily, then quickly returned to normal.

When the elevator reached the 24th floor, Furuta stepped out, his smiling face instantly turning serious, as if this was his true demeanor.

"Who was that? You called him Minister?" Ryu asked, curious.

"Yes, he was the previous S.H.I.E.L.D Director. Though he might seem unapproachable, he's a good person," Phil Coulson replied.

"Oh, does he have a penchant for hazing newcomers?" Ryu inquired further.

"Ah? Why do you ask? It's alright, although you were a bit rude earlier, I think Minister Furuta wouldn't mind," Phil Coulson reassured Ryu with a look.

Ryu smiled and nodded.

His instincts had given him a bad feeling.

But he didn't mention it.

Perhaps it was just an illusion; after all, the man was the former S.H.I.E.L.D Director.

The elevator stopped on the 50th floor, and Phil Coulson led Ryu out. This was essentially the top floor of the Tri-Wing headquarters. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the entire facility.

As they stepped out, a woman with fiery red hair and a black leather coat approached them.

If beauty could be scored, this woman was above 95 points, unforgettable long after seeing her.

"Long time no see, Agent Romanoff," Phil Coulson greeted.

Only then did Ryu realize she was one of the legendary S.H.I.E.L.D agents Phil Coulson had mentioned.

"Long time no see, Phil Coulson. Oh, love the new hairstyle. Is this the young man Fury personally recruited?" Natasha Romanoff said, her red hair cascading lazily, exuding a feline grace.

Compared to Furuta, Natasha Romanoff, who had just returned from a mission, seemed more informed. Perhaps Fury had mentioned Ryu during the mission debriefing.

"My name is Ryu Hoshino. Aside from being pretty, what's so special about you? Why does Phil Coulson call you a legend?"

"Oh, I didn't expect Phil Coulson to say such things, haha, who knows?"

"Young man, being awarded a Level 6 agent authority right off the bat has made many unhappy. Be careful. If a lower-level agent teaches you a lesson, it won't be good for Phil Coulson," Natasha Romanoff teased, ruffling Ryu's hair like a big sister.

But to be fair, Ryu, only 16, did look a bit immature, and everyone here was older.

"Some agents have spent 3-4 years to reach Level 4. Like Natasha said, they don't know you, but I'm sure you can handle it," Phil Coulson said.

Ryu dodged Natasha's hand, the scent making him slightly uncomfortable.

"Don't worry, I'll make them 'shut up,'" Ryu replied flatly to Natasha.

"Look at you, such a standout young man. I don't want you packing up the next day."

"Anyway, I'm off to lunch. If anyone bullies you, just drop my name, I'll back you up," Natasha Romanoff said as she elegantly walked toward the elevator.

Phil Coulson led Ryu to an office and knocked on the door.

"Enter," came the confident voice of a middle-aged man from inside.

Nick Fury sat behind his desk, hands clasped, clearly having waited for some time.