An alien planet, a reborn star race, extraterrestrial life forms.
The document Lin Feng provided briefly introduced the history of the Star Race.
Following that were some of the responsibilities Natasha would have and the conditions Lin Feng had mentioned.
If Natasha chose to go, she would become the spokesperson for the Star Race.
Furthermore, during inter-planetary trade, Natasha would be their representative and their outward display of force.
This demonstrated Lin Feng's trust in her abilities and character.
Then came the conditions.
[1. While with the Star Race, all contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. is prohibited. 2. Under no circumstances are you to reveal any information about the Star Race to anyone on Blue Earth. 3. Within six months of arriving at the Star Race, you will be unable to return to Blue Earth.]
Looking at clauses one, two, and three individually, they seemed fine, all requirements meant to protect the Star Race.
However, when viewed together, it meant Natasha could not contact S.H.I.E.L.D. for at least six months.
Moreover, even after six months, upon returning to Blue Earth, she couldn't mention the Star Race to anyone.
If she disappeared for six months without explanation, would Nick Fury still trust her?
This was essentially asking her to leave S.H.I.E.L.D...
Natasha immediately understood the hidden implications.
But Natasha didn't dwell on it.
Joining S.H.I.E.L.D. had been a matter of circumstance, a way for her to shine and help those less fortunate victims.
She didn't want to see any more victims have their happiness stripped away; she would never forget that feeling.
Now, it was simply a matter of helping a new, unfortunate alien race after its destruction, still about helping the weak and shining bright.
The nature of the work remained the same, only the superior had changed. Natasha found nothing unacceptable about this. It wasn't a matter of loyalty.
As Natasha pondered, the door opened softly.
Her pupils constricted, and Natasha quickly rolled behind the sofa, her gaze alertly fixed on the doorway.
Then, she froze.
"Nick Fury?"
"And Hill?"
The one-eyed director walked in, a grim expression on his face, and sighed.
"You can't even bring yourself to call me Director?"
Natasha stood up, then froze again.
"Uh, I never knew you cared about that?"
The one-eyed director fell silent...
He noticed the two conspicuous suitcases by the sofa.
"Are you... leaving?"
Natasha remained silent, nodding slowly.
The one-eyed director also noticed the documents Natasha was deliberately hiding behind her.
His single eye fixed on Natasha.
"Can I see them?"
Natasha stayed silent, still silent.
Silence was her answer: No, you can't!
The one-eyed director suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.
What was happening? What was going on? How had his agent become like this?
So cold, as if S.H.I.E.L.D. had never brought her any joy...
"Is it the symbiote affecting your brain?" the one-eyed director guessed with concern.
Natasha instinctively shook her head, then felt a tightening in her body.
A chilling black fluid emerged from her back, instantly forming a grotesque black monster's face.
It had pale, inverted eyes, a mouth full of terrifying fangs, and a long, flailing tongue and neck.
"Old man! Are you defaming me, damn it?!"
A sharp female voice, laden with emphasis, rang out. The large black head lunged towards the one-eyed director, its gaping maw seeming to swallow his head.
The one-eyed director's pupils shrank, and he instinctively retreated two steps, clearly startled.
Once he recovered, the one-eyed director felt his face flush, a little embarrassed.
This was Natasha's symbiote!
Hearing the one-eyed director in front of her slandering her, it couldn't resist coming out to teach him a lesson.
"Assassinate, come back!" Natasha quickly called back her symbiote.
[Assassinate, a symbiote exclusive to Natasha. Skilled in night stealth, aura control, biological mimicry, and incredible speed.]
Assassinate scoffed but obediently retracted, not forgetting to warn, "Old man, there won't be a next time!"
The one-eyed director's face turned frighteningly dark.
Natasha wore an apologetic expression, "Sorry, Director, I think I have to leave S.H.I.E.L.D...."
Natasha assumed this would be the last time she addressed him as Director.
The one-eyed director stared intently at Natasha.
His voice was hoarse as he said, "Have you made up your mind?"
Natasha nodded resolutely, then... in front of him, she burned the document in her hand.
The one-eyed director closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Alright, I respect your choice, Agent Natasha Romanoff."
"From this day forward, you are no longer a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent..."
With those words, the one-eyed director turned and left.
Natasha watched him go, her lips moving slightly as she softly whispered an apology.
Outside the door, Hill quickened her pace to catch up with the one-eyed director.
"Sir, wasn't that too abrupt? I think we could have discussed it further."
Hill thought the one-eyed director was angry with Natasha. She had expected a long night of discussion, but it was over in less than ten minutes.
Yet, this outcome, in her opinion, was the worst possible.
The one-eyed director waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "There's nothing more to discuss. Natasha's actions have proven her resolve."
What Natasha burned in front of him was not just a document, but her connection to S.H.I.E.L.D.
The one-eyed director paused, his expression suddenly lightening.
"Natasha has a compassionate heart. The place she's going needs her more than we do."
"It's just a shame we've lost such an excellent agent..."
The one-eyed director sighed, thinking it was for the best, and acceptable.
In the villa, Lin Feng withdrew his gaze and smiled softly.
This one-eyed director was quite open-minded.
If only he could be this open-minded about everything...
The turn of events was much as Lin Feng had imagined, and Natasha's choice was within his expectations.
In the movies, after a series of disasters and battles, Black Widow subconsciously saw the Avengers as her home, something she deeply desired, and a crucial emotional arc in the film.
This emotional arc made her sacrifice by leaping off the cliff more justifiable.
Because she could no longer bear a life without the Avengers.
But the current Black Widow didn't yet have such deep feelings, making it easier for her to detach.
Perhaps, the Star Race could be Black Widow's future home? Lin Feng mused, slowly drifting to sleep...
The next morning, at ten o'clock, Lin Feng was already at Stark Tower.
Tony was preparing supplies; he would be accompanying Lin Feng to the Star Race.
"Are you sure Natasha will come?" Tony asked while packing.
Lin Feng chuckled, "Of course. Look, here she comes."
Tony raised an eyebrow, and then the door was knocked upon.
Natasha appeared, dragging two large suitcases.