Chapter 98: Recruiting Without Knowing One’s Own Strength
"It’s nothing. After all, we’re comrades fighting on the same side, right?" Nick Fury flashed a perfect smile, as if Su Xiuyu really was his comrade.
Su Xiuyu didn’t take it to heart. Maybe this version of Nick Fury wasn’t quite as cunning as his future self, but he’d still seen his share of war. Aside from Hydra, most of Fury’s comrades had died back in World War II.
"Nick, you’re not the type to waste time on small talk. Just say what you want. You know I don’t like dancing around the point."
"Alright then, I’ll be direct," Fury said. "Would you be interested in working for S.H.I.E.L.D. long-term? The pay is negotiable."
Su Xiuyu raised an eyebrow at the arrogant tone. He knew it wasn’t aimed at him, more likely a side effect of Fury being firmly planted as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. for too long. Power had a way of making mortals forget their limits.
"I’m gonna stop you right there. No matter how much you’re offering, the answer’s no." He scoffed. "You must be joking. Dollars? That’s just colorful paper printed by your government."
Nick opened his mouth to speak, but Su Xiuyu didn’t let him.
"Nick, do you really think your US dollars can buy my loyalty? You think I don’t know they’re just worthless paper? Or maybe you think gold means something to me?"
He leaned back with a cold chuckle. "The only reason I accept payment at all is to avoid treating people like you the way I treat common thugs. It’s not about needing money. Hell, if I put in a little effort, I could give you space dust worth more than your entire treasury. Money doesn’t mean anything to people like us."
Su Xiuyu laid it all out, hoping Nick would stop wasting his time. The Avengers? Yeah, he already knew they were forming, but he had zero interest in joining.
Not because he didn’t respect them—well, alright, he didn’t. Captain America and Thor were the only ones close to being powerhouses. Iron Man was just a smart guy in a suit. Scarlet Witch was a wild card. The rest? Honestly, cannon fodder. Not even Uchiha Chisato would break a sweat against most of them.