Multiverse Mastermind: Starting in Naruto

Uehara Naraku did not lie.

Bucky Barnes is indeed a good friend of Steve Rogers, their relationship can almost be described as that of biological brothers, willing to sacrifice their lives for each other.

Moreover, the presence of Bucky Barnes is Steve Rogers’ only remaining bond from the past, making Steve Rogers feel like he’s not alone in this world despite being a man from seventy years ago.

Their bond is too complex.

Bluntly put, the connection between the Winter Soldier and Captain America can fuel imaginations all day, the last time Uehara Naraku saw such a complex relationship was between those restless kids, Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto...

Tony Stark couldn’t perceive this complex relationship, or perhaps resentment would overwhelm his mind, he could now only remember one thing...

His parents...

were brutally murdered by Steve Rogers’ friend!

"Where is he?"

After Tony Stark asked this question, he added another: "Uehara, where are they? That American soldier and his murderous friend!"

"Unable to ascertain."

Uehara Naraku shook his head, opened a switch in the archive room, and pulled out a virtual screen, explaining: "Since Fury’s fake death, Steve Rogers has disappeared... no, or perhaps he mysteriously vanished even earlier."

The virtual screen seemed mismatched with a black-and-white television.

Tony Stark finally focused his attention on the virtual screen opened by Uehara Naraku, which displayed the detailed life profiles of two persons.

Captain Steve Rogers.

Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes.

"Before World War II, before Steve Rogers injected the Super Soldier Serum and became Captain America, the two were already friends."

Uehara Naraku slid his fingers on the virtual screen, pulling out photos of the two when they joined the army: "After the war expanded, large-scale conscription began domestically, and they started serving separately in different units.

Later, Steve Rogers injected the serum to become Captain America, rescuing a group of soldiers from a POW camp during wartime, including his friend Bucky Barnes, forming the Roaring Assault Squad with these rescued soldiers.

This squad targeted Hydra’s Red Skull, dealing with many of Hydra’s underlings, and in the final battle, both Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes fell into the Arctic Ocean, sealed in ice for decades."

At this point, Uehara Naraku’s fingers stopped, he spoke softly: "However, some doubts remain, as we can’t determine who they were truly loyal to..."

"What do you mean?"

Tony Stark’s eyes showed some confusion.

What remains unclear?

Weren’t they supposed to be loyal to the Allies during WWII?

Wait...

If they were loyal to the Allies, why did Bucky Barnes become Hydra’s assassin and kill his parents? And... why did Steve Rogers suddenly disappear?

Tony Stark felt a headache coming.

However, Uehara Naraku would soon provide him with answers.

Uehara Naraku’s fingers slid open the screen again, pulling out a video file, speaking softly: "Tony, do you remember Special Agent Coulson?"

The video showed surveillance footage from S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.

It showed Special Agent Coulson and Special Agent Hill’s escape from S.H.I.E.L.D., killing a path of blood as they fled S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.

"This is..."

Tony Stark’s face showed some surprise, recalling that he had interacted with Coulson before he became Iron Man, and even during the confrontation with Obadiah Stane, Coulson had helped him and Pepper.

"He defected."

Uehara Naraku’s fingers moved again, opening another video, speaking solemnly: "Special Agent Coulson defected because S.H.I.E.L.D. found some unpleasant matters...

When retrieving Captain Steve Rogers from the Arctic Ocean, a special agent concealed a German note hidden on his body, containing orders personally penned by the Third Reich’s leader, Adolf Hitler."

"..."

Tony Stark couldn’t help but gasp.

The Iron Man suddenly realized the gravity of the issue; if Steve Rogers, this Captain America, was a Fascist Germany spy, it could shatter beliefs!

Tony Stark’s gaze sharply turned to the virtual screen showing Coulson’s defection video, whispering: "That German note... So Coulson defected to take that German note?"

"Yes, undoubtedly."

Uehara Naraku slowly nodded, continued softly: "We initially thought it was a private action by Special Agent Coulson because he had always admired Captain America...

Later, while pursuing Special Agent Coulson and Special Agent Hill, I found they could escape my grasp each time, as if they knew my location in advance."

At this point, Uehara Naraku’s fingers stopped, his voice lowered: "And at that time, the only person who could know my location... was our director then, Nick Fury."

"..."

Tony Stark patted Uehara Naraku’s shoulder.

Tony Stark understood Uehara Naraku’s distress; the top superior he always respected was actually a hostile spy who toyed with Uehara as a pawn...