Bucky, as a member of the Howling Commandos, had, like the Captain America, become a widely recognized hero, heavily promoted within museums.
Because of that, information about Bucky, including his appearance, was well-known to both Nick Fury and Iron Man.
So when Bucky's mask was knocked off, the two of them immediately recognized him.
Given the age they had already deduced for Bucky, his identity was practically confirmed—there was no chance he was just someone who looked very similar.
After all, they were talking about someone from the World War II era with the exact same appearance. What kind of coincidence would that be?
Not only that, they had also inferred from the previous question that Bucky likely hadn't died!
All of these things pointed to one truth: The Winter Soldier was indeed Captain America's old friend—there could be no mistake.
"Bucky isn't dead! Bucky really isn't dead!"
Captain America murmured, a mix of excitement, astonishment, and confusion, his emotions incredibly complex.
On one hand, he felt sincerely happy that his friend from back then had survived.
But at the same time, that very friend had turned into a cold-blooded killer—so merciless he even swung his blade at him. That truly caught Captain America off guard.
"Bucky didn't even recognize me. Something's very wrong. Clearly, someone has done something to him!" Captain America quickly explained to Nick Fury and Iron Man.
"That wasn't him acting on his own!"
"That's right. Bucky must have been brainwashed by the organization behind him, turned into a tool that knows only how to kill." Nick Fury nodded in agreement.
This much was obvious, and no one had any objections.
After all, a national hero who came from the Howling Commandos wouldn't just become a ruthless assassin for no reason.
"I must find Bucky as soon as possible! I have to save him!" Captain America declared firmly. After muttering to himself for a few seconds, he looked seriously at Nick Fury.
"Nick Fury, I need your help with something."
"You want me to help you find Bucky?" Nick Fury didn't even need to think—he could guess it with his thigh, practically.
"That's right. Consider it a favor I owe you!" Captain America didn't deny it and nodded earnestly.
"With your surveillance systems, it shouldn't be too hard."
"Alright, Cap. I'll do it." Nick Fury agreed without much hesitation.
No matter what, Captain America was a future member of the Avengers, possibly even the person he would trust most before dying in the future.
Helping with a small favor like this? Nick Fury wasn't about to refuse.
By lending a hand now, when he later asked Captain America to join the Avengers, it would make it harder for him to say no.
Nick Fury's little calculation was practically echoing in the room—click click click.
"That's great. Thank you, Nick Fury!" Captain America sincerely expressed his gratitude.
"No need to thank me, Cap. Who knows? Maybe I'll need your help even more in the future." Nick Fury said coolly.
"If you need me in the future, I'll show up on time." Captain America responded immediately—a promise to the egghead hero.
"Then how about… we start by eliminating Hydra?" Nick Fury immediately suggested.
"Nick Fury, that's not doing you a favor. I've been fighting Hydra my whole life. This is my war—my unfinished war!"
Captain America replied with utmost seriousness.
On the topic of fighting Hydra, the two sides quickly found common ground.
"Let's analyze the footage from earlier," Nick Fury suggested at this point.
"That footage gave us a lot of useful information."
"That bald commander—he's one of Hydra's men. Nick Fury, you've got a mole in S.H.I.E.L.D.!" Iron Man interjected.
"Hydra has already infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
As soon as this was mentioned, Nick Fury's face turned grim, like he had just been slapped hard several times.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was supposed to be the enemy of Hydra, locked in constant battle with them.
They had thought the battle was all but won, that Hydra had been wiped out.
Who could have predicted that wasn't the case at all?
Not only had Hydra survived—they had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D.!
This was S.H.I.E.L.D. we were talking about!
If Hydra could even infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D., who knew how many other agencies and organizations they had their claws in?
At this point, Hydra might have already grown into an enormous behemoth.
"The Winter Soldier—he must be under Hydra's control." Captain America added seriously.
"That bald commander betrayed Hydra, so Hydra sent Bucky to silence him."
Nick Fury and Iron Man both nodded in agreement with Captain America's analysis.
That bald commander had said it himself: Hydra hates leaks.
If they hate leaks, of course they would send assassins to clean things up.
And since the person who got captured was someone powerful enough to be caught by Captain America, sending a regular agent would be pointless—so naturally, they sent the Winter Soldier.
"And then there's Project Insight!" Captain America added.
"That's clearly a Hydra operation too!"
Nick Fury nodded seriously.
"After this quiz is over, I'll investigate it thoroughly."
No matter what Project Insight was, if it came from Hydra, it was without question an evil plan.
It had to be stopped—no matter the cost!
If possible, it would be best to shut it down before it ever took off!
"Nick Fury, if there's one Hydra mole inside S.H.I.E.L.D., there could be others!"
Iron Man's point was one that Nick Fury completely agreed with. He didn't believe the bald commander was the only mole.
That didn't fit Hydra's usual methods. There were definitely more Hydra agents lurking within S.H.I.E.L.D. right now.
Nick Fury just didn't know who they were.
More importantly, there was one thing Nick Fury truly couldn't wrap his head around:
With S.H.I.E.L.D.'s current level of sophistication and size, how could they have failed to notice even the slightest trace of Hydra?
It didn't make any sense!
S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't just sitting around doing nothing!
So how could they not have detected any trace?
[This round of answering is over!]
At that moment, the system notification sounded, and the large screen that had been floating in front of everyone vanished instantly—as if it had never existed.
(End of Chapter)