“Hmm.
They all seem to have appeared out of thin air.
We can’t find any trace of their previous existence.” Coulson paused at this point, a thoughtful look appearing on his face.
He knew that when Fury asked whether they were “the same,” he wasn’t merely asking about the similarities between the two sides.
He was also asking whether there was some connection between them—whether they were “accomplices,” for example.
After all, even S.H.I.E.L.D.
couldn’t find any trace of these people’s past.
So how had a mere information broker managed to learn about them?
Could this have been a carefully staged act from the very beginning, specifically targeting S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Or perhaps there was some secret involved that S.H.I.E.L.D.
knew nothing about?
Either possibility represented an extremely dangerous development, and Fury absolutely would not allow it to happen.
“All fourteen people in the surveillance footage appeared either at night or in places covered by shadows.
That matches what Leon said about their weakness—fear of sunlight.
But we can’t determine whether the reason they only appeared in nighttime or shadow-covered surveillance footage is simply because those were the only cameras that happened to capture them, or because they genuinely only appear in places without sunlight…” Coulson continued his analysis.
“However, Leon has already cooperated with S.H.I.E.L.D.
twice.
He knows how large our organization is and understands that we can easily verify these results.
The probability that he lied is very low.”
“However, Leon can move around under sunlight.”
“If the ghosts he described really fear sunlight, then that at least proves he isn’t a ghost himself.
And considering that ghosts eat people, it’s difficult to imagine the relationship between predator and prey being one of companionship.”
“In other words, the possibility that they’re accomplices is extremely low, right?” Fury directly stated the conclusion.
“Yes.”
Coulson nodded slightly.
“Although, from the perspective of human nature and evil, it isn’t completely impossible that they’re accomplices.
But whether we look at the information we’ve gathered or our judgment of him based on our previous two collaborations, he simply doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would become companions with man-eating monsters.”
“And yet he knows about these people who seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
He knows their characteristics, and he even possesses weapons specifically designed to deal with them.”
“But he chose to sell those weapons to us.
If he really were their accomplice, then why would he sell us the weapons capable of killing his own companions, along with information about their weaknesses?”
“What if his goal from the very beginning was simply to make money by selling information and weapons?”
“Is that possible?”
Coulson immediately refuted the idea.
“If we were talking about hundreds of millions of dollars, then perhaps.
But only a few hundred thousand or a few million…
Given his abilities, that wouldn’t be difficult for him to earn.”
Fury fell silent.
During S.H.I.E.L.D.’s two collaborations with Leon, one of them had been the investigation into Tony Stark’s kidnapping and disappearance in the Middle East.
Leon had provided them with the information that “Obadiah was the mastermind behind it.”
For that single piece of information, he had received a total of thirty million dollars in compensation from S.H.I.E.L.D.
and Stark Industries separately.
A person like that would never stage an elaborate scheme merely for the sake of a few million dollars.
That basic logic…
In the past, Fury would never have made such a mistake.
But during his previous conversation with Leon, he had sensed how dangerous Leon could potentially be to S.H.I.E.L.D.
His mind had subconsciously classified Leon as being on the “enemy” side.
“S.H.I.E.L.D.’s intelligence department has never stopped investigating Leon.
Although we still haven’t uncovered anything about his past, we know his daily routine like the back of our hand.” Coulson continued.
“Normally, aside from receiving clients at that little convenience store, he does nothing but wander around New York, visiting various recreational places and spending money.
He has no friends, no acquaintances, and has never asked anyone for information…
Or rather, none of the people he interacts with have access to any sources of intelligence.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Leon may possess some kind of superpower similar to clairvoyance, allowing him to gather intelligence without even leaving his home.”
Coulson stated his conclusion, while also answering the question that had been troubling Fury.
“…That possibility is quite high.”
Fury thought for a moment before agreeing with Coulson.
Then he added, “But Leon is still suspicious.
We can send someone to test him.”
“I’ll make the arrangements!”
“And immediately locate those fourteen people and conduct a confirmation investigation.”
“Yes, sir!”
…
“Well, this is a rare guest!”
In a pitch-black alley, Leon looked at the man dressed in a completely black skintight suit and smiled.
“Lord Leon, you’re finally back.”
Otto let out a sigh of relief before continuing, “This man has something to discuss with you, but he insists on speaking only with you.”
“It’s fine.
I’ll handle it.”
Leon took a cigarette from his pocket, put it between his lips, and lit it.
Then he leisurely looked at the man in front of him.
“I remember you’re one of Kingpin’s men.
Your name is ‘Bullseye,’ right?”
“You even know that?
Looks like you really are an information broker with mysterious channels, just like the rumors say.”
Bullseye looked at him with a cold smile.
“Has my reputation really gotten that big already?”
Leon chuckled and didn’t seem to care.
He exhaled a thin stream of smoke and casually asked, “So, what does Kingpin want you to see me about?”
“Some troublemakers have recently arrived in New York.”
“They stole Kingpin’s business?”
“No.”
“They took over Kingpin’s territory?”
“No.”
Leon looked at him in surprise, unable to understand.
“Then what did they do to make Kingpin want to deal with them?”
“They killed people!”
“Pfft!”
Leon couldn’t help laughing, nearly choking on his cigarette.
“Kingpin himself is the head of the entire underworld.
More than forty percent of New York’s crimes are connected to him, and now he wants to go after murderers?”
“Kid, watch your attitude!”
Bullseye stared coldly at Leon and said in an icy voice, “Since you don’t know the situation, I’ll let it slide this time.
But if you show disrespect to the boss like that again, you’ll only have one outcome—death.”
“Sorry, sorry.
I wasn’t mocking him.
I just find it strange.
A crime lord wants to catch murderers?
Did they kill some of your people?”
“Some things are better left unasked.
That way, you can live longer.”
Bullseye’s expression remained indifferent.
“But this particular matter isn’t some great secret, so I’ll tell you.
Those people violated the order established by the boss.”
“Order?”
“The legitimate world has its own order, and the underworld has its own order.
Kingpin is the emperor of New York’s underground world.
He is the order.
No one is allowed to defy his will.”
“Got it.
Then tell me what exactly happened.”
“This.”
Bullseye handed over a newspaper.
Leon tossed his cigarette butt onto the ground and crushed it beneath his foot before taking the newspaper.
The headline read:
“MAN-EATING MURDERS APPEAR AGAIN!”
Leon: “…”
Again?
They were here to ask about Muzan and the Twelve Kizuki?
Leon was speechless.
He had deliberately allowed Muzan and the Twelve Kizuki to roam free, originally expecting that this would only attract the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D.
and the Ancient One.
He hadn’t expected to unexpectedly encounter Blade either.
And now Kingpin had also taken notice.
Was this what they called catching multiple fish with a single bait?
“What’s wrong?
Do you have any leads?”
The two of them were standing outside the convenience store window.
The lighting was very bright, allowing Bullseye to clearly see the changes in Leon’s expression.
He couldn’t help asking.
“Nothing.”
Leon gently shook his head and answered honestly.
“It’s just that someone else came to me earlier to ask about information on these killers.”
“Then you know something?”
“Two hundred thousand dollars.”
“Thud!”
Bullseye lifted a briefcase from the ground and placed it on the window ledge before opening it.
Inside were stacks upon stacks of neatly arranged one-hundred-dollar bills.
…
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