SHIELD Headquarters – Operational Briefing Room
In the large room filled with holographic screens and digital maps, the discussion between SHIELD's top brass and the military was intense. General Thunderbolt Ross stood with his arms folded across his chest, staring at a screen displaying the location of the University of Virginia. He presented his plan with a firm tone.
"We know Bruce Banner is hiding in this area. Activity has been monitored as stable, and he frequently visits the laboratory on that campus. If we want to capture him without the risk of him running through the streets, the university is the most strategic place to conduct this operation," Ross stated.
Naori, sitting in a corner of the room playing with her pen, looked sharply at General Ross. After ensuring no one would interrupt, she spoke up.
"Your Excellency," she said, using a polite tone layered with slight irony. "Are you absolutely certain you want to conduct a capture operation at a university?".
The room suddenly fell silent. All eyes turned to Naori, who now leaned back in her chair relaxedly.
"This is an educational institution," she continued, her voice calm. "Using military force to capture a humanoid nuclear bomb like the Hulk in such a place... Once there are casualties, the political consequences will be far more serious than anything we can imagine. What if there's an explosion? What will the media say? And what will happen to our international relations?".
Ross looked at her, seemingly unfazed by the criticism. "You worry too much about trivial matters, Miss Hyuga. The Hulk is not a threat that can be ignored. If we don't take risks, we will never capture him".
Naori resisted the urge to sigh loudly. In her heart, she cursed Ross's idea. 'My reputation is everything. What's the point of all these strategies—assigning Shiro to build charities and orphanages, guiding Yura into the art world, and using Yugao to control public opinion among the youth online—if my name ends up associated with a massacre at a university?'
Finally, Ross shrugged. "Alright, fine then. You're right about one thing, Miss Hyuga. I didn't become a high-ranking military official with just one plan. If the university location is too controversial, we can utilize a more strategic moment".
He glanced at the screen, then turned to the table, picking up another document. "My daughter, Betty, often meets with Bruce. If we can arrange a moment during their date, we can ambush him there. But on one condition".
Fury finally spoke up. "And that condition is?".
Ross looked at him sharply. "SHIELD must guarantee Betty's safety".
Fury rolled his eyes slightly. "Of course. Because no mission is perfect without throwing family into the mix." He then glanced at Naori. "You rejected the first plan, Miss Hyuga. What's your opinion on this one?".
Naori thought for a moment. 'Brilliant, Fury. Toss the problem my way'. She glanced at the screen, then sighed. "Alright, I'll leave this decision to someone who's an expert at taking absurd risks".
Fury frowned. "Who might that be?".
Naori took out her phone and started typing. "Yugao".
Yugao's Home – Living Room
Yugao sat cross-legged in front of a large screen, a PS3 controller in her hands, and a gaming headset perched on her head. On the screen, her character was defeating an enemy in a game challenge she was live-streaming to thousands of viewers.
"Alright, everyone," she said cheerfully to her audience. "This is the last challenge for tonight. If I win, you all have to spam the sword emoji in the chat, okay?".
However, her phone rang. Seeing Naori's name on the screen, Yugao sighed heavily. She pressed pause, took off her headset, and answered the phone.
"Naori, I'm busy," she said complainingly. "Is this really important?".
"Yugao, I need your help," Naori said without preamble. "We're discussing a plan to capture the Hulk. General Ross wants to use his daughter as bait. I want your opinion".
"Capture the Hulk?" Yugao sounded incredulous. "And you call me when I'm about to finish my PS3 challenge? Naori, you know I love a challenge, but this one is just too ridiculous".
"This isn't optional, Yugao. I need your input. And quickly," Naori said firmly.
Yugao sighed again, then turned to her streaming camera. "Sorry, folks. I have to go. There's... important business. But I promise, I'll be back with more exciting content later!" she said, waving at the camera before ending her stream.
Naori quickly explained the situation, including General Ross's condition and the potential risks of the mission.
"So, you want my opinion on a plan to capture the Hulk while he's on a date? This sounds like a romantic movie plot gone wrong".
"This isn't a joke, Yugao. If you were in my position, what would you do?".
Yugao fell silent for a moment, then sighed. She returned to the phone. "Alright, Naori. If we're talking about capturing the Hulk Ross's way, I can only say: it's stupid. Does he really want to make his daughter the primary target? If the Hulk explodes, who's going to save the girl? SHIELD? The military? I mean, this is Bruce Banner, not some circus clown".
"I know," Naori said softly. "But Ross is insistent. And Fury has already handed this problem over to me".
Yugao chuckled softly. "Of course Fury handed it to you. He's too smart to get involved".
Naori nodded, though Yugao couldn't see her. "Thank you, Yugao".
"Make sure you pay for my failed PS3 challenge," Yugao said before hanging up.
Naori ended the call and looked at Fury and Ross. "Yugao agrees with your plan, General".
Ross nodded, satisfied. "That's what I wanted to hear".
Fury smiled faintly. "Well then, we have a plan".
…
Riverside Park, Virginia
The peaceful afternoon at Riverside Park was filled with the gentle sound of the river flowing and the relaxed footsteps of a couple walking side-by-side. Dr. Bruce Banner and Betty Ross enjoyed quality time together under the fading sunlight. Banner, wearing a plain cream-colored shirt, walked calmly beside Betty, who wore a pastel summer dress.
Their conversation, as usual, centered on their favorite topic: science.
"So, do you think quantum gravity theory can really explain the curvature of spacetime around black holes?" Betty asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Banner nodded, his smile warm. "Maybe not explain it completely, but it's a good start. I think if we can merge Einstein's relativity model with quantum mechanics, we'll get closer to the answer. I read your paper on this—I have to say, your analysis is brilliant".
Betty blushed. "You only say that because you're my boyfriend," she said, half-joking.
"No, I'm serious," Banner replied sincerely. "Your paper provides a new perspective. I just wish I could help more".
They both chuckled softly, as if there was no outside world watching them. No signs of danger, no pressure. Just two intelligent people enjoying a deep conversation.
However, unbeknownst to them, danger was closer than they thought.
After a simple dinner at a small café near the park, they decided to walk back to the hotel even though a drizzle had started. Their conversation remained light, mixed with small laughs and flashes of past memories.
"Bruce," Betty said suddenly, looking at her hand tentatively reaching for Banner's. "I think… we can try this".
Banner turned, confused for a moment. "You mean?".
Betty took a deep breath, then carefully took Banner's hand. They both held their breath, as if waiting for something terrible to happen. But nothing did.
Banner smiled, relieved. "Looks like we're okay".
Betty laughed softly. "Maybe we're more scientific than we thought".
They continued walking, still hand in hand, when the sound of fast footsteps approached from behind.
…
"Betty Ross?" A young woman's voice stopped them in their tracks.
Betty turned around and found a woman with long, dark purple hair standing there, wearing a black leather jacket and jeans. Her face held a friendly smile, but her eyes were sharp, observing.
"Yes?" Betty answered, confused.
"Sorry to bother you. I'm Yugao, a student who greatly admires your paper on quantum gravity. May I ask you a few questions?" Yugao asked enthusiastically.
Betty smiled, though slightly awkwardly. "Oh, of course. But how did you know I was here?".
Yugao laughed softly. "I saw you at the café earlier and almost lost the courage to approach. But this is a rare opportunity. You're one of my inspirations".
Banner, clearly interested in the scientific discussion, tried to join in. "What's your question? I'm sure both of us can help explain".
However, before Banner could finish speaking, Yugao moved quickly. In an instant, she scooped Betty up like an action movie hero.
"Sorry, Sir," she said, running away with Betty in her arms. "This is for research purposes!".
Banner froze for a moment, his brain trying to process what had just happened. When he finally realized, the only thing he could think of was kidnapping.
"Betty!" he yelled, his voice echoing down the street.
But there was no answer. Yugao had disappeared into the crowd, moving at a speed only slightly faster than a normal human to avoid suspicion.
Banner felt his blood boil. All the meditation, all the emotional control exercises he had learned seemed to evaporate. Fear and anger mixed into one, triggering something he had long tried to suppress.
In seconds, his body began to change. His muscles swelled, his skin turned green, and his eyes glowed with uncontrollable rage.
"BETTY!" yelled the Hulk, his voice thundering like lightning, before charging in the direction Yugao had disappeared.
SHIELD Headquarters – Monitoring Room
In the SHIELD control room, Naori watched the transformation on the large screen. She massaged her temples in frustration. "Yugao is absolutely outrageous. We're trying to keep a low profile, and she kidnaps Betty Ross in front of so many people?".
General Ross, on the other hand, smiled with satisfaction. "I like that woman's style. Rough, effective, and no-nonsense. I want to recruit her".
Naori immediately refused firmly. "No. Yugao is part of our team, and she is not suited for your military, General".
Nick Fury, who had been observing all along, smiled faintly. "Honestly, Ross, if a woman like Yugao joined the military, I'm certain the United States would be infiltrated by enemies by tomorrow morning. She's too... independent".
Hearing that, Yugao, listening through the communicator, laughed loudly. "Hey, Fury, you have no right to talk about me. I'll pull out your hair, so you won't have anything left".
"The problem is," Fury replied flatly, "I don't have any hair left".
"Oh, right," Yugao said, sounding amused. "My apologies. Then, consider the threat cancelled".
Naori couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing, forgetting her attempt to remain composed.
Ross just shook his head, turning his attention back to the screen. "Team, bring the Mugen Tsukuyomi Lite device to the location. We need to control him before everything gets out of hand".
Outside, the Hulk leaped around, destroying the streets, venting his anger with every heavy step that shook the earth.