Ignoring Jonathan for the moment, Kurogai returned quietly to Susan's room. She was still resting, her breathing calm and steady. The strain from having her powers awakened had left her exhausted, but now she seemed on the path to recovery.
Kurogai used the quiet moment to gather his thoughts and refine the plan that had been brewing in his mind.
He wanted to create something greater than himself, a true organization that could stand on its own, loyal to him yet capable of carrying out vast operations. If he was to continue pursuing the secrets of the Ultimate Eye, then a network of resources, intelligence, science, and force would be essential.
The blueprint was already forming.
The first and most crucial part was intelligence. Since gaining control over Wilson Fisk, the infamous Kingpin, Kurogai now effectively commanded New York's underground information channels. That meant a steady flow of critical news, black market whispers, and political movements. Yet even Kingpin's reach had its limits. His influence was powerful in New York, significant in parts of the U.S., but it did not stretch far enough to cover the globe.
Kurogai wanted something bigger, a network capable of reaching into every corner of the world. Someone would need to oversee this branch—someone sharp, analytical, and trustworthy. His mind returned to Susan. She had already shown remarkable instincts, and with proper training, she could become a formidable information handler. Still, her flaws were there, and he had not yet made his final choice.
The second branch was research and development. Kurogai already commanded a scientific team—the one originally tied to his spacecraft base. Many of its members had been… persuaded into service, but they were brilliant minds nonetheless. For now, that was enough. He had learned from his past encounters that certain pupil rings required unique conditions to unlock, sometimes demanding complex genetic or scientific breakthroughs. Without a team like this, he would be stranded at a dead end.
He thought back to the third ring, which had required mutant gene manipulation. Without science, he would have failed. It confirmed to him that this branch was not optional.
The third branch, of course, was finance. Intelligence and science demanded vast funding, and while Kurogai already had countless wealthy puppets funneling him money, he couldn't rely forever on blackmail and extortion. Eventually, a more stable system had to be built. He would need a financial division, run by a handful of skilled elites who could handle laundering, investments, and expansion. He hadn't yet chosen who would lead this, but he knew it could not be delayed forever.
And then there was the fourth and most obvious part—combat power. No organization could survive without strength. Hydra was proof of that. They had secrets, resources, and soldiers, but in the end, they were annihilated when true power confronted them. Kurogai would not make that mistake.
For this, he already had candidates.
Skye, whose seismic powers could rip apart the very foundations of the earth, was a living weapon. In time, she would become a force that entire armies would fear. Then there was Wanda. Her Chaos Magic was among the most dangerous abilities on the planet, though at present, she was still at Kamar-Taj, under training. For now, Wanda was a promise, not yet an asset—but in time, she would become indispensable.
With these branches in place—intelligence, science, finance, and combat—the skeleton of his organization would be complete. But he knew it was easier to envision than to execute. Each step would demand careful planning and relentless effort. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
Beyond organizational matters, Kurogai's attention was also pulled toward the sixth pupil ring. He had already confirmed its unlocking condition: special metal materials.
That knowledge led him to one place. Wakanda.
Vibranium was the obvious key. A rare and nearly indestructible metal, its reserves were hidden deep within the African nation. Kurogai would have to go there eventually. But even as he considered it, a sliver of doubt lingered. Would Wakanda's supply be enough? Every pupil ring so far had demanded staggering amounts of resources, and Vibranium, though miraculous, might still fall short.
That meant the stars themselves could hold the answer. The universe was rich with rare alloys and cosmic metals. Eventually, his path would lead off Earth—but that was a mission for another time. For now, there were still too many loose threads to tie down here.
A soft voice broke his train of thought.
"Kurogai… I think I've recovered."
Susan stirred, her eyes opening slowly. Her earlier exhaustion seemed to have lifted, and though her body was still fragile, there was a spark of determination in her expression.
"Kurogai, help me train. I want to control this power."
Not long ago, she had resisted the very idea of having abilities. She had wished to distance herself from him, from this strange life. But she had seen visions of danger, glimpses of a future where power was survival, and she understood now. If she was to endure, she could not remain helpless.
Kurogai gave her a faint smile and nodded without hesitation. "Of course. The stronger you are, the stronger we are."
For him, it was simple. Her growth only served his cause. There was no reason to deny her.
If Jonathan knew that Kurogai had so quickly dismissed his request earlier but now granted Susan's without pause, he would no doubt be bitter. But to Kurogai, it was nothing personal. He acted only on the logic of strength and value.
Interests first, emotions second. Always.
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