MARVEL: THOSE YEARS I WAS UNDERCOVER IN S.H.I.E.LD

"Submachine guns, grenades, and even rocket launchers? Are these people insane?"

Hell's Kitchen, inside a distinctive high-rise building…

The sounds of gunfire, explosions, and whistling bullets filled the air just a few blocks away.

Wilson Fisk, better known as the Kingpin, stood by a massive window overlooking the city. His brow furrowed as he turned to his enforcer, Bullseye.

"Did you find out what's going on?"

"Mr. Fisk, it's confirmed that the battle is happening at the Hand's stronghold. But as for who's attacking them, we still don't know."

"One thing is certain, though—these attackers are fully armed and clearly not ordinary criminals."

Hearing this, Fisk's frown deepened. He exhaled through his nose and muttered, "Causing this much chaos in New York… using military-grade weapons… do these lunatics have any idea what they're inviting upon themselves?"

He shook his head. "Never mind."

Reaching for his phone, he dialed a number. The line barely rang before it connected.

"Madam Graves, your territory is under siege. Have you made any enemies lately?"

A Secluded Villa

Inside an elegant yet dimly lit villa, Madam Graves flicked her hand, dismissing a bloodied corpse from her sight. She kept her voice controlled, but there was no mistaking the anger boiling beneath her calm demeanor.

"Mr. Fisk, the Hand has not provoked anyone."

"Yet here we are. My compound is under attack, and despite my best efforts—multiple calls, every contact I have—I still can't find out who's responsible or what their goal is!"

"One thing is clear: my three hundred men won't hold out much longer. As a partner, I trust you will not stand idly by."

Fisk chuckled at her words. "Of course, Madam Graves. As your partner, I wouldn't dream of ignoring this situation. Rest assured, I'll look into it."

After ending the call, Fisk turned his gaze back to the chaos outside. Bullseye, standing beside him, crossed his arms.

"Mr. Fisk, are we getting involved?"

"Absolutely not."

A smirk tugged at Fisk's lips. "Anyone bold enough to launch an attack like this isn't just some rogue gang. If they didn't have serious backing, the military would have shut them down the moment they made a move."

"Do you think the government spends tens of millions every year just to let nobodies play war in the streets?"

He sighed, watching the fires rage in the distance. "If I had known, I wouldn't have let the Hand set up shop so close to Hell's Kitchen."

"Damn it. Let's hope this doesn't drag us in."

After a brief silence, he spoke again. "That said, business is business. Even if I don't want to get burned, appearances must be kept."

"Bullseye, after this settles, take some men and make a show of providing support. Nothing serious—just enough to look like we care."

Bullseye shrugged. "Easy enough."

He turned and walked off, knowing full well that extra pay was in order for this performance.

The Battlefield

"Damn it! Where's our backup?"

Blood and smoke filled the streets. Aegis Shield's first assault team captain glared at his men—many of them wounded, others lying lifeless. He turned to a fellow officer.

"Where the hell is our reinforcement?"

"Captain, both second and third squads have suffered heavy casualties. We have no backup left!"

"The Hand's forces are deploying rocket launchers now. Sir, we need to fall back!"

Clutching his bleeding arm, the soldier grimaced.

The captain clenched his jaw. "If our full SHIELD task force were here, we'd have flattened this damn place!"

Muttering a curse under his breath, he gave the reluctant order to retreat.

As the flames continued to consume the battlefield, Aegis Shield's forces began their withdrawal.

A Hidden Rooftop

A young man in his mid-twenties lowered a pair of binoculars, turning to his companions with a smirk.

"Told you. The Aegis Shield action teams are a joke."

"Three full squads, yet they couldn't even handle a ragtag group of three hundred Hand soldiers."

"No wonder Boss Grimclaw had us intervene."

His companion chuckled. "Relax. Susan and her team have already infiltrated Madam Graves's villa. If we time this right, she'll be our guest at Aegis headquarters before sunrise."

"By the way, Carl—Boss Grimclaw's orders. Who's handling the next phase? You or me?"

Carl smirked. "I'll do it."

"I don't know why Boss Grimclaw had us attack our own people, but when has he ever given a bad order?"

He then turned to another man in the group. "Hank, take a few men and bait Fisk's forces into the fight."

"Boss Grimclaw wants the waters in New York as murky as possible."

Hank grinned. "Got it. Leave it to me."

He adjusted his rifle and prepared to move.

"Guaranteed to satisfy Boss Grimclaw."