Chapter 101: Carried Home by Diana
In the director's office of the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Nick Fury's face is solemn. After a while, he twists his wristwatch, and a beam of light is released but quickly blocked by an external energy barrier, preventing the light and aura from leaking out.
When looking at the wristwatch, one can faintly see a dog pattern under the face, with the light coming from this pattern...
The Dog Talisman! One of the twelve talismans, granting the holder immortality and eternal youth! A power many emperors and generals have dreamt of! As the Dog Talisman's light appears, Nick Fury instantly becomes younger, as if years of fatigue are swept away. However, his hair doesn't grow back, still resembling a polished, dark, aged egg.
Despite the Dog Talisman's power rejuvenating Nick Fury's spirit, his appearance remains unchanged, showing the talisman's limitation: it can prevent death and fatal injuries but cannot ignore all harm or make the holder appear younger...
"Sigh," Nick Fury, aware of the Dog Talisman's flaws, silently sighs, then twists his wristwatch again, hiding the talisman's light, allowing his rejuvenated spirit to fade back to weariness.
"Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter..." Nick Fury murmurs, "Talismans, and some uncertain intelligence. It seems some organization is interfering with my information system, or rather, interfering with all talisman-related intelligence, indicating that organizations are collecting talismans. Steve's words might not be true..."
"No, they definitely aren't true. Such extraordinary items, he couldn't have just thrown them into a river. He knows the danger of leaking such items. So, it's highly likely that another organization contacted Steve and took the talisman..."
"Which organization could it be? The military? The Eye of Providence? The Superhuman Investigation Department? District 13? Or other countries' superhuman organizations?"
With too little useful intelligence, even Nick Fury, a veteran agent and director of S.H.I.E.L.D., struggles to analyze where the Pig Talisman went. Jackie Chan's whereabouts have always been covered by District 13, making it hard to break through their concealment methods...
Nick Fury feels weary. Since taking over S.H.I.E.L.D., he has worked tirelessly to expand and strengthen it into a leading official superhuman organization. However, S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't the only top-tier organization; it operates under the World Security Council, but it's not the only one affiliated.
Not to mention several international superhuman organizations, there are multiple departments within America alone that can compete with S.H.I.E.L.D. for the same functions...
This severely limits S.H.I.E.L.D., not only in intelligence-sharing with other organizations but also in securing more special funding.
This makes Nick Fury the least corrupt among his counterparts in the multiverse, as he's too poor to build secret bases everywhere, leaving him insecure, sleeping uneasily until he acquired the Dog Talisman and discovered its powers...
Thus, Nick Fury also wants to obtain more talismans, but he entered the game too late, with intelligence already lagging behind.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Paris, the ground trembles slightly as two powerful wills clash in reality. It turns out Robert is fighting Diana...
The previous battle with the animal warriors left both Robert and Diana wanting more, as the warriors' methods were limited, offering only a mild workout rather than a fulfilling fight.
So, on their way back to Diana's home, flying over a wasteland, Robert and Diana exchange glances, their battle spirits surging, quickly changing into battle attire and clashing with each other, fists and feet colliding...
Robert unleashes his full power, including Berserker Fist and cellular enhancement methods stimulated by the giant ape's power. He uses everything, including telekinesis, Qi's fire and lightning forms, and even the newly mastered laser eyes, but he doesn't use the Afterimage Fist again. Against a warrior like Diana, the already deciphered Afterimage Fist would be ineffective and could expose Robert to counterattacks. As a seasoned fighter, Robert wouldn't make such a mistake in battle. Diana enjoys the fight as well. She constantly collides with Robert with punches and kicks. Without the Afterimage Fist, Robert slightly surpasses Diana in technique but is slightly inferior in strength, making the fight exhilarating for both...
As the battle intensifies, Diana doesn't unleash her divine power but uses the Sword of Hephaestus and the Shield of Athena, significantly enhancing her combat power compared to their last sparring, once again successfully suppressing Robert! Moreover, when Diana realizes Robert fearlessly accepts injuries and his healing speed is decent, she no longer holds back. The Sword of Hephaestus frequently strikes, leaving wounds on Robert...
Eventually, an exhausted Robert is defeated by Diana, who appears slightly disheveled but with her battle spirit gradually calming down. She looks at the fallen Robert and exhales deeply, slowly easing her excited state.
"You've improved so fast. In just half a year, you've forced me to use almost all my power besides divine power..." Diana crouches down, looking at Robert somewhat amazedly, "At your current rate of progress, you might truly surpass me in a few years. It's incredible that a human can achieve this..."
"I'm still lacking. If I could fully understand Qi, I might progress even faster..." Robert shakes his head weakly and regretfully, feeling the extent of his injuries, "Honestly, this is the first time I've been injured so severely, completely losing the ability to fight. Diana, you're really strong!"
"Of course, I'm the strongest Amazon warrior!" Diana proudly lifts her head, then hesitates, looking at Robert's body, "Just don't stay this height when you defeat me..."
"I won't! I'll definitely grow taller! Just like I'll definitely defeat you!" Robert speaks firmly but gradually feels a wave of fatigue, his Qi depleted and his spirit weakened from excessive telekinesis use.
"Then you better work hard. Not only to improve your combat power but also to grow taller..." Diana chuckles, shaking her head teasingly.
This time, Robert doesn't respond to Diana. He has already closed his eyes, even snoring softly.
Robert: zZZ...
"Seems I went a bit too hard, but his healing speed is decent, so there shouldn't be any major issues..." Diana looks at the sleeping Robert, carefully examines him, then sighs in relief. As if remembering something, she smiles slightly and lifts Robert, "Looks like I'll be carrying you home before you can carry me..."
"Hmm..." Diana, carrying Robert and preparing to leave, suddenly remembers Robert's meticulous cleanup after the battle with the animal warriors. She glances at the chaotic battlefield and says, "Although I don't know why you're so cautious, it's always good to be careful!"
With a "swoosh," Diana releases a wave of divine power, smoothing out the battle scars and bloodstains, then leaps away, disappearing with Robert.
Under the moonlight, an Amazon warrior with a beautiful face and a proud figure carries a sleeping boy, smiling slightly. Diana moves swiftly, vanishing under the moonlight and quickly returning home with Robert...
Almost wanted to sneak away, but I held back.