I'm in an American comic book, and all my teammates are main characters and bosses.

Chapter 57: Nick Fury's main character is a man of broad mind.

The next day, when Ron woke up, his face was still full of displeasure.

Damn it, Steve was originally thinking that besides finding the Cosmic Cube, another thing he wanted to do was to build an ATM based on Matt's successful experience.

Who knew that when I tried to have fun with you, you stabbed me in the back?

Could it be that nature truly counters cunning? But that doesn't make sense. Captain America, how could someone born in a capitalist society be so restrained?

After much thought, Ron could only conclude that the problem lay with Steve.

Although they are all superhero comics, Marvel's main selling point is its relatability. And among them, Captain America, Steve Rogers, is probably the least relatable.

Although their paths to power are similar to Spider-Man's—both starting as insignificant underdogs gaining recognition through character and spirit, and ultimately acquiring immense strength—Steve Rogers' journey is quite different. Unlike Peter Parker, who struggles to make ends meet even with superpowers and relies on his ex-wife for support after his divorce, Steve Rogers, throughout most of the Marvel universe, is a fighter striving for freedom.

Not being valued, being valued, and then hoping that others will not be like themselves in childhood, suffering bullying and discrimination simply because they are physically weak.

This virtue, which is pursued and recognized by all mankind, transcends national boundaries... Of course, there are also many universes where Steve has done all sorts of bad things, comparable to Marvel's Sun Xiaochuan.

Thinking this way, Ron gradually regained the attitude he should have as a fun-loving person—so what if you, Steve, are so great and righteous? You're still being bullied by Eternity, aren't you? As long as I, Ron, am in this world, you can forget about escaping from the realm of fun-loving people!

With Ma in mind, Ron confidently pushed open the door and walked out. Immediately there, he saw Steve sitting weeping in a hospital chair, surrounded by a pile of books, his face contorted in pain.

Among the stack of books, Ron could vaguely make out titles such as *A Modern History of the Earth*, *The Fifty Years' War: The United States and the Soviet Union in World Politics*, *The Genealogy of Absolutist States*, *The American Underclass*, *Capital*, *The Divided America*, and *The Rust Zone*...

If anyone else were reading these books, Ron would immediately shout "Win!"

But now, looking at the disappointment, confusion, and even guilt on Steve's face, Ron immediately realized that this Steve from the Trash Can Universe was more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

Noticing Ron's arrival, Steve put down his book, gave a wry smile, lowered his head, and after a moment of silence, said sadly:

"I'm sorry, the world didn't have a good start with my generation..."

Steve covered his face in pain. The morning sunlight streamed through the window and fell on him, creating a hazy, luminous effect due to the Tyndall effect.

"So that after the war ends, another war will follow..."

Seeing Stephen's pained expression, Ron couldn't help but purse his lips—"Again, huh?!"

With that in mind, Ron simply took out his phone.

A moment later, Nick Fury's hesitant voice came from the other end.

"May I ask who you are...?"

"Mental hospital, Ron," Ron said curtly. "Steve's awake. Get him out of here! Damn it, I don't want that guy back in the mental hospital!"

"Uh, no requirements?"

"No, take him away quickly, or I'll freeze him again!"

"Alright!" Nick Fury nodded eagerly, then beckoned to Coulson beside him and said, "Now take the men and head to the mental hospital to welcome our dear captain—and by the way, bring the Asians too. I don't want any more large-scale mental breakdowns within S.H.I.E.L.D."

Feeling Nick Fury's clenched teeth and murderous gaze, Coulson nodded quickly, then turned and gathered a group of men to prepare for departure.

After hanging up the phone, Ron snorted and turned on the TV next to him.

The morning news was playing on TV. It was the height of summer, but the reporter was wearing a thick down jacket—a designer brand, Baleno. I don't know how Baleno became so popular in New York in this world, but it doesn't matter. In this trash can universe, there's nothing you can't see.

Standing at the entrance of New York's First People's Hospital, next to the Wall Street Rural Credit Union, the elderly white male reporter, wearing a Benetton down jacket, spoke in a trembling yet spirited voice:

"Due to an unknown and unusual weather disaster, temperatures in New York City have plummeted from a daytime peak of 28 degrees Celsius to minus 30 degrees Celsius! This sudden drop in temperature has led to a number of homeless people facing survival challenges. At the same time, some residential areas are experiencing water and electricity outages due to the sudden temperature drop. Here, the Mayor of New York City urges New Yorkers not to call 911 unless absolutely necessary, and to try to solve the current problems with their own ingenuity."

"Experts suggest this could be a weather weapon from across the ocean, and we should increase our defenses against such weapons and invest more in them. Also, what is the military doing? Who is making efforts, who is committing crimes, and whose tactics are not coordinated? We taxpayers need a clear answer from the government!"

"Furthermore, since last night, many people have experienced intense phantom pain in their sphincter muscles. Doctors suggest this may be related to a sedentary lifestyle. Appropriate Kegel exercises can strengthen the digestive system and prevent hemorrhoids. Office workers urgently need to increase their exercise..."

"Oh no! Breaking news! Major news!"

The female host exclaimed with a shocked expression, "The President of the United States encountered the same problem during a diplomatic visit; intense phantom pain caused sphincter incontinence—his period was coming!"

"Damn! Ciri, you're awesome!"

Ron was shocked as he watched the footage on the news. Unfortunately, just as the "big one was about to come out," the government intervened and cut the segment from the broadcast.

This infuriated the female host – she finally had a breakout news story, and now it's been cut! How could she not be angry?!

Just as Ciri was waking up and practicing her martial arts, she saw the news on the morning news. Her face darkened, and after taking two deep breaths, she turned away in despair.

Earth is one thing, but the Eternal God is connected to the entire universe. Hopefully, Queen Frigg is still willing to guide me…

In Ron's memory, morning news was always dull and boring, just background noise while eating breakfast.

But now, Ron felt a surge of appetite—the endless stream of amusement was making the knife Steve had brought more palatable. With this newfound appetite, Ron couldn't help but marvel:

"Ciri, you saved this family!"

"I'd rather be destroyed..."

She felt utterly exhausted and desperate. Ron ate to have fun, but Ciri genuinely needed to eat. Ron was having a great time and his appetite was plentiful, but Ciri felt a tightness in her chest; she couldn't eat, and she even had trouble breathing.

Meanwhile, watching this scene on the morning news, Steve couldn't help but clench his fist. He then slammed his fist down on the table beside him, the force of which shook the thermos cup on it several centimeters. The Taipei mayor, upon seeing this, exclaimed that he was an expert.

"What's wrong with the United States?! How can we possibly conduct politics well when we're surrounded by these worms?!"

"Yes, yes, that's the right flavor!"

Sensing that Steve was also starting to shift towards having fun, Ron immediately gave him a thumbs up and began to embellish the story:

"Let me tell you, I also felt it wasn't going to work. Before, it was just a feeling, but yesterday when I was cooking, guess what I discovered?"

"What did you discover?"

"I found a piece of paper inside the fish's belly that read, 'May the United States prosper, Maga King!' And then I heard a fox howling in the middle of the night! I knew then that this was going to be a disaster!"

Ron said with a look of horror, "To die now is death, to launch a great plan is also death, since we are going to die anyway, is it not better to die for our country?!"

Upon hearing this, Steve gasped, but due to his unfamiliarity with classical Chinese, he could only tentatively ask, "The Kingdom of the Dead...?"

"Death country yes!"

"..."

Steve glanced at Ron with some suspicion. Even if Steve was slow to react, after hearing Ron's words, he more or less realized that the person who had woken him from his slumber did not seem to be the kind of traditional good person he remembered.

Not long after they finished eating, a group of men in black arrived at the entrance of the mental hospital. They were all familiar faces: Hawkeye, Natasha, Coulson, and Nick Fury.

In the past, they probably would have just walked right in. After all, if the FBI can kick down doors with guns, as agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., they wouldn't forget the old traditions of the United States.

But the mental hospital was a special case, mainly because they had all suffered there before. Now, revisiting the place and seeing the familiar cotton trees and the fried chicken and soda placed to the side, Nick Fury's buttocks involuntarily twitched twice.

Thank goodness, his buttocks are still swollen, and his sphincter is even experiencing intense pain for unknown reasons. Although there is no evidence, Nick Fury still strongly suspects that the problem lies in the mental hospital.

His legs went weak, and after a moment of silence, Nick Fury coughed lightly, pointed to the door of the mental hospital, and said, "Coulson, go knock on the door."

"Huh? Me?" Coulson was taken aback. After a moment's hesitation, he coughed lightly and pointed to the door of the mental hospital, saying, "Agent Hawkeye, go knock on the door."

Hawkeye: "Huh? Me?"

Seeing Hawkeye's visibly resistant expression, Coulson expressionlessly produced his identification: "I am a Level 8 agent, and you are a field agent. I have command authority if necessary."

Hawkeye: "..."

After a moment of silence, Hawkeye turned his gaze to Natasha. Natasha simply sneered, not even bothering to acknowledge him.

Hailing from the former Soviet Union's Red House, Natasha now works for S.H.I.E.L.D., but her authority and status are quite unique, somewhat similar to Agent Hill, a representative of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. However, unlike Agent Hill, Natasha's presence at S.H.I.E.L.D. is solely due to her shared ideals with Nick Fury. Essentially, she is a collaborator, not an employee.

And more importantly...

Natasha was all alone, with no relatives or friends, and all she could think about was her ideals of freedom and peace. Barefoot as she was, she feared no one, and she was willing to risk everything to pull Xizong off his horse.

And Hawkeye.

I thought about my wife and children, and the car loan and mortgage that I hadn't paid off yet...

Taking a deep breath, Agent Hawkeye stepped forward with a reluctant expression and voluntarily loosened his belt...

"Wait a minute, the barrier closed a long time ago. Why are you unbuckling your belt? Is it muscle memory? Or are you addicted?"

As Ron led Steve out, he was met with Hawkeye seemingly urinating or defecating indiscriminately, right in front of his own house. Ron couldn't help but clench his fists.

"Oh? Oh! I see... I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Suddenly realizing the barrier hadn't activated, Hawkeye belatedly stopped what he was doing. He was also puzzled as to why he had subconsciously loosened his belt. Was it because of the muscle memory left from smoking for so long?

Thinking to himself, Hawkeye subtly glanced over Nick Fury's buttocks, feeling the surge of his biceps, and couldn't help but gasp.

Damn it, this has really become muscle memory.

No, I can't watch anymore, or I'll turn Hawkeye Patton into Chicken-Eyed Patton.

Although nothing seemed outwardly amiss, Nick Fury's gluteal muscles twitched involuntarily when Agent Patton's eyes swept over his buttocks.

Nick Fury's expression darkened, his face turned grim, and though he appeared unchanged, his fists clenched behind his back, making a cracking sound. "You, Patton, you're using Hawkeye for this kind of thing, aren't you? I heard from a whistle that there's a Hydra secret hidden in those old potatoes under the Siberian permafrost. You'll take a private jet there tomorrow; I'll pay for the ticket. Don't come back until you've dug them all up."

As Ron walked out, Steve nodded, glanced at the S.H.I.E.L.D. members, and then looked questioningly at Ron beside him.

Ron nodded and said, "These people are your future colleagues, and also the boss of S.H.I.E.L.D. You can call him 'sir'."

Upon hearing this, Steve stepped forward and said to the excited Coulson, "Hello, sir."

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Coulson, who was about to shake hands, was stunned. Before he could figure out what was going on, a glare from behind that seemed to want to stab him to death came from behind.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Coulson disregarded his idol, coughed lightly without shaking hands, and said in a deep voice, "Captain, you've mistaken me for someone else. I'm just a brick in S.H.I.E.L.D., moved wherever needed."

"Oh, is that you?" Steve turned to Hawkeye Barton beside him, his voice tinged with admiration. "You're very strong. You must be an extremely capable agent. You must have risen through the ranks to become the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., right?"

For the first time, Hawkeye felt what it meant to have a gaze sharper than Hawkeye's own, coming from his superior.

What sharp eyes those were! In the instant he sensed them, Barton heard the four mountains of mortgage payments, car loans, children's education, and elderly care crying out beside him.

Lowering his head, Patton said sincerely, "Captain, you've mistaken me for someone else."

"Ah, could it be this lady?" Steve said with some surprise, "That's wonderful! It seems there's progress in this era. Even young women can fight for their ideals and freedom! And their achievements will be recognized by society!"

"I'm glad you said that, Captain," Natasha said expressionlessly. "But do you think the United States would allow a former Soviet defector to become the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"Ah... could it be...?"

Steve turned his gaze to Nick Fury, his eyes also filled with surprise.

"Why is it a Black man?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present gasped, and Nick Fury clenched his fists behind his back.

But there was nothing he could do; Captain America wasn't someone Hawkeye could control. Even after hearing such words, he could only cough lightly and force a smile, saying, "Because our country is thriving!"

As they were talking, a van drifted around a bend, and the body bags of two drug addicts who had fallen asleep on the street in the absurdly low temperature of minus thirty degrees Celsius were flung onto a nearby utility pole.

With two creaks, the dilapidated utility pole in Hell's Kitchen fell to the ground, breaking the legs of several thugs and eliciting a cacophony of screams.

After getting off the van, the cleaner spat twice, swore a bunch of profanities, then muttered curses as he picked up the body bag, stepped on the gas, and drove off in the unlicensed van.

Steve: "..."

After a moment of silence, Steve took a deep breath and said, "Sorry, what I mean is... in my day, very few Black people could hold high positions."

That's true; there were even massacres targeting wealthy Black communities earlier on.

"I understand..." Nick Fury nodded expressionlessly. His natural skin color made it difficult for others to discern his thoughts from his facial expressions, thus giving the impression that he was very shrewd. But more often than not, when faced with a problem, he couldn't help but mentally exclaim, "Fuck you!"

He saw Steve off on his journey to S.H.I.E.L.D., where he would recover his past memories and learn about the new era. With nothing else to do, Ron changed into his winter clothes and left the mental hospital.

Before leaving, something occurred to Ron, and he turned and called out to Ciri:

"I'm going to visit a powerful mage. How about we go together?"

"A powerful mage?" Ciri was taken aback upon hearing this, then asked with some curiosity, "Is it from Kamar-Taj?"

"No, but she is just as powerful. Although she is not as powerful as the Ancient One, her theoretical foundation in air magic is very solid."

Gu Yi is from Tibet, while his father was born in Hong Kong. It's just unknown where his father's master is from. If he was also from Tibet, he might have known Gu Yi... no, he definitely would have.

"Okay, I'll get ready first." Ciri nodded.

(End of this chapter)