Marvel With Zanpakutou

Chapter 830: The Ghost Walking Through Time

What is courage?

It is the ability to face death directly, remain calm under the crosshairs of dozens of elite agents, and keep your composure, even as the world collapses around you.

In the slight raise of Peggy Carter’s eyebrow, there was an almost imperceptible hint of mockery that everyone in the room could feel.

"I’m sorry, Agent Carter," Grant Ward said coldly, with a sharp, cutting gesture. His voice was devoid of emotion as he issued the command: "As the highest-ranking officer here, I order you to capture the traitor Peggy Carter alive and retrieve the Obelisk."

This command established Ward’s authority over the mission.

Ward’s tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

"You—"

Steve’s face darkened, and he was about to object when Natasha grabbed his arm.

Natasha’s expression was serious, her eyes flashing a warning as she subtly shook her head.

"Do you have any objections, Captain Rogers?" Grant Ward asked meaningfully, watching them closely. "Retrieving the Obelisk is a direct order from the Security Council, and they’ve made it clear we must use any means necessary. You should understand what that means. I’m already doing my best to protect Agent Carter."

Steve’s face changed repeatedly, but he said nothing in response.

"We’ll cooperate with you, Agent Ward," Natasha stepped forward, her gaze locking onto Ward’s.

"Good."

Ward smiled. "Then I leave it to you, Captain Rogers. If you can’t do it, I’ll have no choice but to escalate and use more extreme measures to retrieve the Obelisk."

Steve’s expression hardened. He understood what Ward was implying.

If Peggy weren’t captured, S.H.I.E.L.D. would send more powerful forces, and Peggy’s safety would no longer be guaranteed.

Ward’s manipulation was precise.

Natasha sighed inwardly, fully aware of the political games and Ward’s strategic thinking—something Steve might not fully grasp, but she did.

The Security Council had given Ward the highest authority, primarily to prevent Steve from letting his personal feelings compromise the mission by allowing Peggy to escape.

However, Ward was clever. Instead of ordering Peggy’s death—an act that might have led Steve to rebel—he chose the middle ground: capturing her alive and interrogating her for the Obelisk’s whereabouts. This way, even though Steve would be frustrated, he would have no choice but to follow orders.

"Forgive me... Peggy," Steve thought, steeling his resolve. He was determined to bring her back safely. "I swear I’ll protect you."

"It’s alright," Peggy said calmly, showing no fear. "You can say all that after you catch me."

As soon as those words left her lips, the bar shook violently. With a sudden, loud crack, Steve charged forward like an enraged beast, covering several meters in a single step. His immense strength slammed into the ground, sending a gale-force wind roaring through the bar.

Boom!

The shockwave tore apart the wooden floor of the bar, sending shards of wood flying like bullets, creating an ear-piercing sound as they cut through the air.

Steve didn’t hold back at all. His speed surpassed the sound barrier, leaving a sonic boom in its wake, echoing like a blaring siren throughout the bar.

Whoosh—

Everyone saw only a blur as a shadow darted, followed by a fierce gust of wind that hit them like a slap, knocking them off their feet as if caught in a turbulent stream.

Grant was thrown to the ground, rolling several times before standing up with his once-perfect suit now wrinkled and dirty. He glanced around at the agents who had also been knocked over by the wind, cursing inwardly.

That guy... he did that on purpose!

"Sorry, Peggy," Steve muttered, positioning himself to restrain her. His hands moved with expert precision to lock her joints, intending to subdue her completely.

Peggy’s eyes flashed with determination. She knew Steve was serious, and if he caught her, she couldn’t escape with her strength alone.

Yet... she didn’t resist.

She allowed Steve to lock her joints.

The scene that unfolded before the agents was surreal—like a couple in love, with Peggy leaning into Steve’s embrace, though Steve’s restraining hold certainly didn’t fit the romantic image.

Still, despite the circumstances, the tenderness in Peggy’s gaze and Steve’s caring expression could easily pass as a Hollywood romance scene.

The elite agents present were left feeling like they had just been forced to witness an intimate moment, their faces reflecting a mixture of awkwardness and frustration.

"It’s over, Peggy Carter!"

Despite feeling like he had swallowed a fly, Ward forced a smile, doing his best to maintain composure.

On the other hand, Natasha mentally cursed the "lovey-dovey" scene in front of her. She brushed the dust off her suit and glared at the ’couple.’ "Agent Carter, you’re under arrest. Now, where’s the Obelisk?"

Ignoring the question, Peggy turned her gaze to Steve, her expression teasing. "Do you remember what I told you?"

"I remember," Steve replied softly, his eyes full of emotion. "I still owe you a dance, so... stop resisting. Come back with me. I’ll protect you. I promise."

"Now’s not the right time," Peggy shook her head with a light laugh. "As for that dance, you can give it to me after this is all over."

Sensing that Peggy was planning to escape, Steve tightened his grip slightly on her joints, his voice urgent. "No, Peggy! It’s over. You have to come back with us!"

"No, Steve. It’s far from over," Peggy said calmly, smiling. "Remember what I told you. The next time we meet... make sure you hold on tight."

Before Steve could respond, Peggy vanished from his grasp.

She was gone, without a trace, like a ghost slipping through his fingers.

"She’s gone!" Natasha exclaimed, pointing to the bar counter in alarm.

Everyone turned to look, only to see a neat row of glasses lined up on the counter, each filled with crimson liquid resembling blood.

The number of glasses matched the number of people in the bar.

No... there was one extra glass.

And it had already been emptied.

A faint lipstick stain on the rim of the empty glass struck them like a thunderclap.

They were sure that there hadn’t been anything on the bar counter before Peggy disappeared, nor had anyone been sitting there, let alone drinking a glass of wine unnoticed.

It was as if an invisible ghost had been sitting at the bar, watching them, sipping wine, and whisking Peggy away before anyone could react.

...

Outside the quiet street, two women strolled, one ahead of the other.

Despite the heavy surveillance and countless elite agents stationed throughout the streets, no one noticed them.

No, to be precise, it wasn’t that they didn’t notice—the agents were frozen, locked in place like statues. Their sharp eyes still scanned the street, their fingers still on their triggers, and beads of sweat clung to their temples, yet time seemed to have stopped.

Or rather, time had been stretched to its absolute limit, like a video being played frame by frame, creating the illusion of a world frozen in time.

"No matter how many times I see it, it always amazes me," Peggy said as she held the hand of the woman in front of her, her eyes filled with awe. "It’s like walking through time itself—a ghost moving between moments. Your Fullbring, My Heart Will Go On, is truly incredible."

"I... am just a ghost."

The soft moonlight bathed the woman in a silvery glow, her ethereal appearance standing out even more in the frozen world. With golden hair flowing over her white dress, she resembled a ghost.

Her voice was filled with loneliness and sorrow.

"You’re not a ghost, Yvette."

Peggy’s heart ached as she looked at her, softly comforting her. "You’re the most important part of our family. Without you, we never would have come together, let alone sought revenge against Hydra."

"Yes... we’re a family."

Yvette turned slightly, her angelic face lighting up with a breathtaking smile. "It’s because of all of you that I’ve been able to endure this long, just like... how it was with Luka."

Peggy didn’t reply, only staring at her in quiet sympathy.

For more than seventy years, Yvette had been relentlessly searching for a man named Luka.

Peggy couldn’t help but wonder who this man was. What kind of monster could leave behind such a kind and gentle girl, forcing her to spend seventy years searching every corner of the world just to find him?

But sadly, Yvette had never told them Luka’s story.