Chapter 216: Rise Again! My Captain

Steve slowly opened his eyes, the blinding sunlight causing him to squint instinctively.

Looking around, he realized he was in an unfamiliar place.

A turquoise swimming pool, a luxurious villa, and palm trees swaying in the breeze.

Steve fully woke up, his eyes snapping wide open.

This was utterly unlike the freezing Arctic ice fields of his memory.

How had he ended up here?

Had he gone to heaven?

As he dazedly pondered, a man’s and a woman’s voices drifted from nearby.

Steve held his breath, listening intently.

Gwen held up the shield, her face full of confusion: “Boss, is this really Captain America?”

“Didn’t he die long ago?”

Rojie, legs crossed, sipped his chilled juice and smiled: “Authentic, no doubt.”

“I dug him out myself from an Arctic ice cave.”

“Once he wakes up, we’ll turn him into the company’s most famous superhero.”

“Hmm, stage name: Hydra Captain. Guaranteed to go viral.”

Hydra?

Those three words struck Steve like a sledgehammer to the chest.

His pupils shrank, his blood froze.

What had he just heard?

Hydra!

Damn it—he’d walked into the den of thieves.

The shield.

He needed his old partner’s help.

Where was the shield?

Steve didn’t move, but his eyes frantically scanned the surroundings.

Finally, he saw his vibranium shield being toyed with by the short-haired girl.

He wouldn’t mistake it for anything else.

The next instant, Steve surged to his feet, muscles taut, sprinting toward Gwen.

Gwen jumped at his sudden movement, nearly dropping the shield into the pool.

Rojie remained calm, glancing at the relic.

An invisible weight slammed down—Steve had taken only two steps when it felt as if a thousand-pound boulder crushed his back.

He stumbled forward, his knees crashing hard against the tiles.

“What is this…?”

“A Hydra weapon?”

Steve struggled to lift his head, veins bulging on his forehead.

“Are Itachi Hydra people?”

Rojie spoke slowly: “Calm down, Captain. Don’t be so tense.”

“We mean no harm.”

“Who would attack a walking, living brand?”

“Oh, and let’s not forget the high-value IP: Captain America.”

With that, he snapped his fingers.

The crushing weight on Steve eased slightly.

Then Rojie gestured to Gwen.

She hesitated, then pushed the shield toward Steve.

Steve seized it—the cold metal sent a familiar sensation through his fingers, offering slight comfort.

Yet he remained alert, holding the shield across his chest: “Who are Itachi?”

“Why say Itachi’ll turn me into Hydra Captain?”

Rojie spoke casually: “Just want to make a big splash.”

Modern audiences love contrast—Captain America going dark? That’s a bomb.

Rojie raised an eyebrow at Steve: “Let me introduce myself—I’m the CEO of Watertech, specializing in launching superheroes.”

“Welcome to seventy years in the future, Captain.”

“What?”

“Seventy years later?”

Steve’s vision darkened, his temples throbbing.

He opened his mouth, unable to believe it.

He’d woken up—seventy years in the future.

Rojie had Gwen explain it to him.

Gwen spoke carefully: “Itachi’ve been asleep for seventy years. The world is entirely new now.”

“There are smartphones, the internet, and superheroes are everywhere.”

“Where’s Carter?”

As a devoted admirer, the first thing Steve thought of upon learning he’d awoken seventy years later was his goddess.

“Where’s Peggy Carter?”

Gwen looked to Rojie for help.

Rojie shrugged, teasing: “Carter’s an old lady now. Just by looks, she could be your grandmother.”

“Oh, and she got married to someone else.”

“After all, it’s been seventy years.”

“Captain, time doesn’t wait for anyone.”

Those words struck Steve like a sledgehammer.

He staggered back two steps, memories flashing: dancing with Carter, their parting vow.

Now, everything he knew was gone.

Rojie interrupted Steve’s thoughts.

“Itachi can sign a contract with my company and become one of our superheroes.”

“I’ll sue the government for Itachi—recover your seventy years of back pay, pension, and all the merchandise profits from the Captain America IP.”

“Captain, Itachi’ve been frozen for seventy years. Itachi deserve compensation.”

“As for daily duties? Just fan meetups, global tours, taking down supervillains—simple stuff.”

“Itachi did all this seventy years ago. I trust your professionalism.”

Steve watched Rojie like a wounded beast: “Let me be alone.”

“Be my guest.”

Rojie spread his hands, signaling Gwen to step back.

“But before Itachi walk out that door, think carefully.”

“Itachi have no money, no ID, no idea how to use a smartphone.”

“Surviving in this world won’t be easy.”

“Oh, and don’t forget—the ice-breaking fee, the thawing fee—Itachi’ll have to repay those too.”

“If Itachi sign the contract, I can waive part of it—give Itachi a discount.”

Steve shook his head: “Let me be alone.”

“I won’t forget your rescue.”

With that, Steve turned to leave.

Rojie raised his hand—the vibranium shield flew into his palm.

“I’ll hold the shield as collateral.”

Steve stared at the shield, heavy with memories, his throat bobbing.

Seventy years of sleep had severed him from the world—only this old partner remained.

Now, it had become a hostage.

“I’ll come back.”

“I’ll redeem Itachi.”

Steve whispered, turned, and walked away—his back straight as a lone wolf.

Rojie turned to Gwen: “Get the Fawu Force moving. File suit against the U.S. government.”

“Recover every cent of his seventy years’ back pay, pension, and all merchandise profits from the Captain America IP—leave nothing behind.”

Gwen blinked in surprise: “But the Captain hasn’t agreed to join us yet—he hasn’t signed!”

“He will.”

“He won’t abandon the shield—it’s as precious to him as a lover.”

Saying this, Rojie tossed the shield aside and lay back down on the lounge chair.

Outside the villa, Steve stood under the blazing sun, watching cars speed past on the street and the smartphones in people’s hands.

For the first time, he truly felt out of place in this world.

Steve looked down at his star-spangled suit and suddenly felt like an exhibit that had escaped from a museum.

“Where should I go?”

Now, he didn’t even know who to ask for directions.

(End of Chapter)