Nick Fury was in a complete state of confusion. His brain momentarily froze, unable to process what was happening.
What the hell?
HYDRA wasn't destroyed? It had survived until now?
Not only that—but they were even embedded within S.H.I.E.L.D.?
You've got to be kidding me.
HYDRA was supposed to have been wiped out by S.H.I.E.L.D.!
These explosive revelations slammed into Nick Fury's mind like a freight train, leaving him dazed and unable to make sense of anything.
"As far as I know, HYDRA was definitely destroyed," said Nick Fury, his brows furrowed tightly like an old chrysanthemum blooming in late autumn.
"Then what the hell is this?" Iron Man pointed at Sam on the screen, asking Nick Fury with disbelief.
"The information in this clip is far too limited. Let's finish watching the footage before jumping to conclusions," replied Nick Fury, thinking aloud.
"Insight Project launching in 16 hours!"
In the car, Black Widow poked her head out and said to Captain America, "We don't have much time."
"I know. We'll use him to bypass the DNA scan and go straight into the Helicarrier," replied Captain America solemnly.
The "him" he referred to was the bald commander.
"What? Are you insane?" the Bald Commander shouted, eyes wide. "That's the dumbest plan I've ever heard!"
Clearly, Captain America and Black Widow's mission was to stop the Insight Plan.
And if Captain America wanted to use the Bald Commander to bypass the DNA scans, then the Insight Plan must have originated from the organization behind the commander—HYDRA.
And anything created by HYDRA was bound to be trouble.
Having fought HYDRA many times before, Captain America's face turned slightly grim. He turned to Nick Fury beside him and asked, "The Insight Plan. What is it?"
Captain America asked in a low voice.
"I don't know which motherfucker came up with this plan, but Cap, I'm just as clueless as you are. Never even heard of it," said Nick Fury, shaking his head.
If even the head of intelligence hadn't heard of it, then it was impossible for Iron Man to know.
But at that moment, everyone silently etched this Insight Plan into their minds.
It came from HYDRA, and it was a threat serious enough that even the future Captain America would have to stop it. If there was any sign of it appearing, none of them would hesitate to step in.
Bang!
As they were speaking in the car, suddenly it shook violently.
Before anyone could react, a metal arm smashed through the car window, grabbed the Bald Commander, and flung him out.
Beep!
Outside, a large truck roared past and instantly ran over the Bald Commander, crushing him underneath.
His fate was obvious.
"It's the Winter Soldier!"
Iron Man and Nick Fury's pupils shrank slightly, alert and focused.
That metal arm was unmistakably the Winter Soldier's signature.
The phantom had appeared once more.
It seemed their earlier suspicions were correct—Captain America must have recognized something crucial in his battle with the Winter Soldier, which eventually revealed the latter's true identity.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After casually disposing of the Bald Commander, the Winter Soldier drew a gun and stood on top of the car, mercilessly pulling the trigger on those inside.
But the people inside weren't ordinary—despite the cramped space, they managed to dodge and maneuver skillfully.
Bullets tore holes in the seats and panels, but no one was hit.
At the critical moment, Captain America yanked the handbrake. The Chevy came to a screeching halt, throwing the Winter Soldier off the roof from sheer inertia.
But the Winter Soldier wasn't just anybody—he rebounded immediately after landing.
His metal hand spread its five fingers and stabbed downwards like five steel nails, embedding into the road and performing a hand-brake of his own.
Screeech!
The Winter Soldier skidded several meters, gouging a deep trench into the asphalt with his metal arm.
Just like that, he regained his footing.
He stood there in the middle of the road, straight and imposing, facing off against Captain America and the others in the Chevy—pure intimidation.
"That's him? The Winter Soldier?" Captain America asked, half-guessing.
The series of moves just now had gone far beyond human capabilities. Clearly, the enemy was also a super-soldier.
"That's right, Cap. That's the Winter Soldier," nodded Nick Fury.
Boom!
The video on screen continued playing. A jeep crashed brutally into the Chevy, pushing it toward the Winter Soldier.
But he remained calm and proud, not even trying to dodge. Just before impact, he suddenly leapt into the air—
Landing squarely on top of the Chevy, his metal hand reached inside and tore the steering wheel clean out.
"Shit!" Sam exclaimed, dumbfounded. "Is that even humanly possible?"
Meanwhile, Black Widow had already drawn her gun and was firing at the roof.
But the Winter Soldier moved like a nimble monkey, leaping from the Chevy to the jeep behind it.
The jeep continued ramming the Chevy, which, now without a steering wheel, quickly lost control and flipped.
At that moment, Captain America slammed his body into the door, tearing it off, and everyone huddled behind it, sliding along the highway for a considerable distance.
Clang! Clang!
The Chevy rolled a few times and turned into scrap metal, but Captain America and the others remained unscathed.
An incredible feat—something a normal human could never achieve.
Meanwhile, the agents trailing behind the Winter Soldier had exited their vehicles and surrounded Captain America's group.
Without a word, the Winter Soldier pulled out a grenade launcher and fired a shot straight at Captain America.
In a split second, Captain America shoved Black Widow aside and raised his shield to block the blast.
Clang!
With a heavy, metallic thud, Captain America was sent flying by the impact of the grenade.
No exaggeration—he was literally launched several meters, off the highway, crashing like a cannonball into a bus below.
Bang!
The bus lost control and smashed into a truck, flipping over instantly.
Iron Man and Nick Fury watched, stunned. "Okay… that might be a little much."
(End of Chapter)