Chapter 85: The Maternal Love of the Black Widow

There were four people in the Egghead's office: Egghead himself, Agent Hill, Black Widow, and Coulson, just returned from a mission in New Mexico.

The main topic of their discussion was the extravagant battle that had taken place between the Lord of War and Iron Man that night. Egghead had been the one to request—no, to hire—the Apostle to intervene, hoping to stabilize the situation and keep things under control. No one had expected that Hammer Industries’ crisis would indeed be contained, only for Luke and Tony to start fighting again in front of everyone...

It was obvious to anyone, even a fool, that Luke had instigated the conflict. The real question was why.

“Natasha, you have to admit, the fight between him and Tony should have been entirely avoidable. Are we really going to tolerate such massive losses and negative repercussions just because of a child’s tantrums? Since when has S.H.I.E.L.D. become so lenient?”

Agent Hill was speaking. Maria Hill possessed no superpowers, but she was a seasoned and highly trained agent, excelling in both combat and weaponry. Fair-skinned, beautiful, and long-legged, her reputation was anything but ornamental. Those who knew her understood that Hill was no mere figurehead; she held a security clearance second only to Egghead himself.

Hill was Egghead’s assistant and, in truth, a top contender for his successor, highly regarded by the International Security Council behind S.H.I.E.L.D. Her childhood had left her somewhat detached, and she was known throughout the agency for her rigorous professionalism and tough demeanor.

Regarding Luke, Hill believed he should be controlled—perhaps even subjected to mandatory measures if necessary. She felt Egghead’s current strategy was far too permissive.

“Maria, you know Luke is only seven years old. He’s still just a child,” Black Widow sighed.

“Even if he’s a child, he’s one holding weapons coveted by every nation, willing to go to extremes for them,” Hill pressed, relentless. “From what I’ve seen, his actions are beyond what any adult could manage. I don’t think we can keep treating him as an ordinary child.”

Black Widow shook her head, disagreeing. “I know Luke better than you do. He’s not malicious. He simply lacks guidance—no one’s ever taught him what he should do.” She smiled faintly. “You’re right, Maria. He’s not an ordinary child. He’s a genius, far beyond either of us.”

She had already made her stance clear: Luke was still young, and his actions shouldn’t mark him as a threat. Black Widow was S.H.I.E.L.D.’s first and most frequent contact with Luke, and she believed she understood him best.

A child raised in an orphanage, never taught what was right or wrong, what should or shouldn’t be done—his moral compass was shaped solely by his own observations of the world.

And he was a genius, with an intellect likely surpassing everyone present. He didn’t see right and wrong; he saw the filth and corruption of the world.

She empathized deeply—she too was an orphan.

She knew what it was like to grow up in such an environment, facing a grim world alone. Loneliness, helplessness, confusion? Perhaps all of these, but perhaps none were the main feeling. The world seen by a genius may have another hidden facet.

Since meeting him, Black Widow saw Luke's actions as his unique means of self-protection. His reckless, seemingly fearless behavior was actually the manifestation of his inner vulnerability. He rebelled against the world, using extreme actions to feel safe.

A typical child might hide in a closet to escape hostility. But this child was an unprecedented genius—armor, weapons, even martial arts! He fought the world in his own way.

She had witnessed firsthand how rapidly Luke's combat skills improved, surpassing even her own talents.

Black Widow didn’t believe a child like him should be subjected to the harsh controls Hill proposed—it would be unfair.

The debate was mainly between these two women, each holding fast to her own convictions. Coulson occasionally offered a comment, but mostly he just smiled, the perennial nice guy. Egghead’s attitude was more subtle—he seemed intent on smoothing things over, never offering an opinion.

Egghead was indeed troubled by Luke. Luke always complicated matters, making everything bigger and messier. But Egghead valued Luke’s extraordinary genius above all; he was determined to recruit this Avenger.

Problem child? Well, all his candidates were problems. The green giant, the playboy—none were ideal. For the leader, though, he already had someone in mind.

The unexpected return of Captain America had given him the perfect candidate. The captain’s historical significance, public image, and personal qualities made him the ideal leader for the Avengers. At present, the captain was still unconscious.

Once he awoke, Egghead planned to persuade him to join the Avengers initiative—a prospect he was confident about.

Egghead sat behind his desk, hands folded beneath his chin, deep in thought as Hill and Black Widow argued fiercely before him.

Neither would yield, each insisting on her own perspective. Eventually, tempers flared and the argument grew heated.

Hill accused Black Widow of excessive maternal instincts, claiming they clouded her judgment as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Black Widow retorted sharply, accusing Hill of being cold and heartless, asking why, as a fellow woman, she couldn’t show more compassion.

Black Widow privately admitted her own surfeit of maternal feeling—she was infertile. But that wasn’t the main reason she wanted to protect Luke from Hill’s cold treatment. She saw herself in Luke and didn’t want another child to suffer the fate she had.

As the two women grew ever more heated, seemingly on the verge of drawing weapons, Egghead coughed, interrupting their quarrel.

“After the Expo incident, how’s Luke been?” Egghead asked calmly, betraying no emotion.

“Nothing unusual. Apart from attending school as usual, he spends most of his time in the warehouse. Hawkeye is keeping an eye on him. Very quiet,” Coulson replied with a smile.

“The quieter the child, the more dangerous—they’re bound to be plotting something,” Hill remarked.

Black Widow rolled her eyes. “I suggest assigning someone to interact with him closely. He needs guidance. We can’t judge him only by his actions or talent—he’s still just seven years old.”

Egghead nodded, agreeing. He felt Luke indeed needed a tutor.

Thus, on Black Widow’s advice, Egghead agreed to send someone to provide Luke with moral guidance, to correct his worldview, and to shape him into an exemplary child in every way.

But when it came to choosing the person, Egghead was stumped. Who should be assigned?

“Don’t look at me. He doesn’t like me,” Black Widow said, with a wry smile. “After all, I did run him over with a car.”

Hill adopted an indifferent posture, arms crossed, head turned away.

Finally, Egghead’s gaze settled on the ever-amiable Coulson.

Coulson thought, “You’re just picking on me,” but he accepted the daunting task without complaint.

He’d just returned from New Mexico—only to be sent on another assignment. That town had just been destroyed, and a hammer-wielding self-proclaimed god had appeared. Luckily, that troublemaker had been sent away.

“Director, I’d like to recommend someone,” Coulson said with a smile. “She’s the best fit for this task.”