Chapter 143

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In Brooklyn, in the small town of Groot, inside a very ordinary supermarket.

The sound of shopping cart wheels rubbing against the ground echoes.

Captain America, now gray-haired, wrinkled, and sporting age spots, looking indistinguishable from an average old man, is pushing a shopping cart through the aisles.

But he is no ordinary elderly man, given his spirited demeanor. It's unlikely for a man of his age to walk around a supermarket without tiring, as if everything is fine.

After all, he is a super soldier.

Despite his current appearance, if trouble arises, a few sturdy men would still be unable to get close to him.

"Ah, found it!" Captain America's gaze lingers on the shelves, and he paused unintentionally.

He picks up a bottle of ketchup, examines it, and nods to himself, "That's right, this one."

It's Peggy's favorite flavor. Even though Captain America himself finds it rather ordinary, and is almost sick of it after so many years, it's all good as long as Peggy likes it!

Without hesitation, he places the ketchup in his cart.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, Captain America's movements freeze momentarily, as if sensing something. He looks around discreetly, and his pupils involuntarily contract.

He sees, not far from him at the other end of the aisle, a man in a black trench coat and eye patch — a Black man who is seemingly just picking out some items without any concern.

Nick Fury!?

Why is he here?

Captain America's guard goes up as he quickly assesses the situation and surveys the surroundings.

There's no sign of surveillance, and the passersby appear to be just that, not undercover agents.

Phew!

This relieves Captain America a little.

Nonetheless, he doesn't let his guard down; after all, this is Nick Fury we're talking about.

Since awaking from his 70-year slumber, Captain America had worked under Fury for a significant period. He knows all too well that Fury doesn't appear without reason. The likely possibility is that Fury is here for him, as it seems too coincidental.

Perhaps Fury recognizes him? Captain America's heart sinks a bit.

But after carefully considering, it doesn't seem like he's made any slip-ups.

"Never mind!" Despite not fully understanding the situation, Captain America doesn't dwell on it and makes a quick decision to leave this place of potential trouble, getting as far from Nick Fury as possible.

The sound of the cart wheels resumes as Captain America casually pushes it again, walking naturally, as if he had finished shopping and was ready to leave.

"Leaving just like that? Not even a greeting? That's quite awkward. I thought we were friends," Nick Fury's voice leisurely follows from behind.

Captain America frowns. It seems Fury really did come for him, and he clearly knows Captain America's true identity.

How is that possible? How did Fury find out? Where did I slip up?

As these thoughts flash through his mind, Captain America slowly turns around, his expression feigning confusion, "I'm sorry, are you talking to me? My memory isn't what it used to be; I really can't recall who you are."

Despite knowing the truth, even Fury can't detect any flaws in Captain America's performance.

Unfortunately for the captain, Fury isn't here to bluff, he holds concrete evidence.

"Rogers, I know this is sudden, and that you might not want to see me right now, but I can assure you, I won't disrupt your current life," Fury states clearly. "I just need a little bit of your time, that's all. Afterward, I won't intrude on your life anymore."

"You have the wrong man," Captain America says with a slight stiffness that quickly fades, and decisively pushes the cart again after dropping that line to Fury.

"Rogers, we both know I wouldn't be here without being absolutely sure," Nick Fury continues. "This is pointless. If you're not ready to talk now, we can do it another time. It's up to you."

Captain America's steps halt upon hearing this.

It seems the situation has indeed deteriorated to the worst-case scenario. Although unsure how Fury discovered his identity, it's clear that Fury has confirmed it.

"Continue to deny if you wish, Rogers, but I have your DNA report. Would you like to see it?" Fury pulls out a document and presents it to Captain America.

Captain America looks at the document but refrains from taking it. However, he doesn't continue the denial.

"Nick, why are you here?"

Captain America locks eyes with Nick Fury and asks solemnly.

This is essentially Captain America admitting to his identity. At this point, there's no need for him to keep hiding.

"Let's go, Captain. We should find somewhere more private to talk," Fury invites.

"No, let's talk here."

However, Captain America firmly refused.

No matter what business Nick Fury had with him, he had no intention of getting involved.

His purpose for returning was very clear: to spend time with Peggy Carter, and that was all.

Everything else was irrelevant to him.

"Captain, I know where you're from, and my purpose for seeking you out is simple. I hope you can give me some valuable advice," said Nick Fury.

Instead of bargaining with Captain America, Nick Fury took the opportunity to discuss serious matters with him.

"Call me Harrison, there's no 'Captain' here."

Captain America corrected Nick Fury first, then glanced at Fury and added, "Besides, I'm just an old man now. I can't offer you any advice."

"No, you can," insisted Nick Fury.

"In fact, you're the only one who can advise me on these matters."

As he spoke, Nick Fury suddenly stepped forward, blocking Captain America's path, his demeanor becoming serious.

"Usually, these are just grand-sounding words, hollow excuses, but not this time."

"I'm not doing this for myself but for the world!"

"The invasion of the Chitauri, Ultron's attempt to eradicate humanity, Thanos's wiping out half the universe, including billions on Earth."

"After everything that's happened, can you truly remain indifferent?"

"I need you now, and so does the world!"

Nick Fury appeared stern and earnest.

What the heck!

The Captain America opposite Fury was genuinely shocked, no longer able to maintain his composure.

How could Nick Fury know about all these future events?

Did this guy know about the future?

How did he manage that?

Captain America remembered clearly, Nick Fury didn't know the future.

And it wasn't just Nick Fury; all the Avengers, including Doctor Strange, who possesses the Time Stone, didn't know what the future held.

Others lacked the ability, but Doctor Strange, well, he simply didn't want to do so.

Apart from observing the millions of possibilities of the battle with Thanos on Titan, Doctor Strange hadn't observed the future again.

Yet Nick Fury knew about the future?

What was happening?

Captain America was utterly baffled.

"I don't know where you heard all this, but you want my advice?"

After calming down, Captain America spoke seriously to Nick Fury, "My advice, no, my warning is, don't try to meddle with time, because time will meddle with you!"

This was a lesson learned in blood by all the Avengers.

The entire Endgame, Tony Stark's death, was the price of meddling with time!

"Goodbye."

"And in the future as well!"

Captain America didn't want to say more to Nick Fury, quickening his pace and swiftly leaving.

Nick Fury didn't follow him, just shook his head slightly. Things were not going smoothly.

Seeing Captain America's resolute attitude, Fury immediately concluded that it would probably not get any useful information from him.

It was like this now.

Even if they attempted something later, it would likely be the same.

Quite a headache, indeed.

If it were someone else, Nick Fury wouldn't hesitate, with myriad methods waiting, to make sure the person complied and revealed everything.

But this time it was Captain America!

Even though Nick Fury was a master spy and sometimes resorted to rather dark methods, he had certain lines he wouldn't cross.

He had no intention of using any excessive measures on Captain America.

So, what to do next would require careful consideration!

Rubbing his temples lightly, Nick Fury also left the supermarket as if nothing was amiss, as quietly as ever, as if he had never been there.

Bang!

Back in his office at the Tri-Wing Building, Fury closed the door, took off his impressive coat, poured himself a cup of coffee, and after a sip to compose himself, he took out his notebook from the drawer.

After having the notebook for so long, periodically checking it had become a habit for Fury.

It couldn't be helped; the updates of that devil were too random.

They could happen at any time, with no pattern to predict.

He had to keep a close eye on it himself.

Hm?

Updated!

Flipping to the most recent page, Nick Fury's spirits immediately lifted.

Compared to when he left, new content had indeed appeared in the notebook.

[Unexpected, truly unexpected.]

[After being reborn in this universe for so long, today is the first time I discovered that Mr. Fantastic also exists in this universe!]

[However, the current Mr. Fantastic is still an ordinary person, not yet a member of the Fantastic Four, and even seems a bit down on his luck.]

[Apparently, he can't find investors for some research, and it's got me itching to help.]

[In any case, he's one of the smartest people on Earth, even smarter than Tony Stark.]

[Not just on Earth, but even if set against the galaxy, there wouldn't be many who could compete with Mr. Fantastic.]

[Perhaps, aside from Rocket Raccoon, there are not too many who could match him.]

Mr. Fantastic?

Inside the luxurious villa, Tony Stark's attention was immediately captured by this name.

Iron Man wasn't unfamiliar with this name; the notebook had spoiled it in the past.

This person was part of that "tragic organization" known as the Illuminati.

He met a gruesomely tragic end at the hands of a corrupted Scarlet Witch, turning into "human noodles"—a truly terrible way to die.

Beyond that, the notebook hadn't revealed much.

But now, the Fantastic Four?

So, this Mr. Fantastic would join another superhero group in the future?

And that group had four members!

All of this was clear, with no doubts; only the name "Fantastic Four" seemed a bit low.

Tony Stark scoffed quietly to himself.

But soon after, Iron Man's eyebrows shot up, showing an expression of disbelief.

This Zhou Cheng actually thought that Mr. Fantastic was smarter than him?

What a joke!