In less than a moment, Kurogai arrived at a courtyard in the suburbs.
After the Hydra incident several years ago, Nick Fury had specifically allocated a piece of land to the orphanage, giving it a new home. For all these years, Kurogai had not appeared in New York, allowing the orphanage a rare period of peace. Now, he was finally back.
"After so many years apart, I'm finally home," Kurogai murmured, knocking on the gate.
"Who is it?" A soft voice called out, and a little girl slowly approached, curiously peering at Kurogai outside.
"Are you… Brother Kurogai? Is that really you?"
The girl had meant only to see who had arrived, but when she recognized the familiar purple and gold heterochromatic eyes beneath his hair, her face lit up with joy. Without hesitation, she pulled open the gate and threw herself into Kurogai's arms.
"Brother Kurogai, I missed you so much," the girl whispered as she clung to him.
"Skye? Is that really you?"
Kurogai looked at the girl, recognizing only one person in the orphanage so close to him—Skye. But the graceful girl before him was different from the quiet child he remembered.
"Mhm, Brother Kurogai, it's me, Skye."
Skye smiled brightly, her eyes curving into crescents. Seeing Brother Kurogai again was the happiest thing to happen to her in a long time.
"You've grown up, Skye. I barely recognized you."
Kurogai sighed softly. Six years had passed, and Skye had changed a great deal.
When Skye first arrived at the orphanage six years ago, she was just a toddler of two or three years. Now, she was about nine, she is now a beautiful child. Her bright eyes sparkled with life, and her radiant smile hinted at the beauty she was becoming. That was why Kurogai hadn't recognized her immediately.
"Oh, Brother Kurogai, hurry inside! Director Mary must have missed you terribly."
Skye suddenly exclaimed, her excitement making her forgetful of others. She tugged on Kurogai's arm and led him inside.
"Oh, my dear Asta, you're finally back! Let me see if you've lost weight. How have you been all these years?"
Director Mary greeted him warmly, her concern motherly and constant. Kurogai welcomed the care, finding comfort in this rare warmth.
But while Kurogai enjoyed his reunion, elsewhere in New York, someone else was watching.
Not far from the orphanage, an unremarkable man spotted Kurogai entering and froze, unable to believe his eyes. He pulled out a photo, comparing it carefully. Once certain, he hurried away.
Moments later, at the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, a woman dressed professionally clutched a report as she rushed through the building, arriving at a secure office deep inside.
"Sir, there's a situation," she announced to a bald man with a stern expression—Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"What is it, Hill?" Fury asked, looking up.
"A dangerous individual has returned to New York," Hill said gravely.
"Who?"
Fury's expression tightened. If Hill considered someone dangerous, this was no small matter.
"The Heterochromatic-Eyed One… he's back."
Hill's words hit hard. The Heterochromatic-Eyed One was Kurogai.
The incident years ago had never fully disappeared. Too many lives were lost, and Congress could not cover it up. Powerful individuals had taken notice, fearful such a threat might resurface near them.
Under pressure, the story leaked in certain circles. It never went national, but many knew. Over time, the name "Heterochromatic-Eyed One" became synonymous with Kurogai—though he himself was unaware of the title at first. Later, S.H.I.E.L.D. adopted the name officially.
"He actually returned?"
Fury's shock was clear, his headache worsening at the thought. He had not expected this troublemaker to reappear in New York after all these years.
"Let's move. We need to meet this troublemaker. I hope he doesn't cause us any problems."
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