The next day.
K. Redell slept soundly until dawn in his room at the Continental Hotel, while Eddie and Barton found nothing after raiding his home. They could only agree to arrest him once they found his hiding place.
K. Redell got out of bed, washed up, and then picked up his phone to call his boss, only to find the phone was switched off.
It seems the result is as I expected; there's a problem at headquarters, but I still need to find out the specifics.
Stepping out of the room, K. Redell walked to an iron door on the basement level. After inserting a Gold Coin into the coin slot, the lock inside slowly turned, and the door opened.
The door opened, revealing a bar. Although it was morning, quite a few assassins were already inside drinking.
K. Redell walked to the bar, sat down, took a Gold Coin from his pocket, placed it in front of the bartender, and said, "13K of Hell's Kitchen, what happened last night?"
After checking that the Gold Coin on the table were legitimate, the bartender took a card from under the bar and handed it to the man, saying, "Take this; someone will be here for you soon."
K. Redell took the card and nodded.
They then went to an empty booth and ordered a meal after paying with a Gold Coin.
K. Redell started his breakfast after his fast food order arrived. Not long after, a burly white man walked up to his table, sat down, and then put the card on the table into his pocket.
"K. Redell, yesterday, the 13K gang headquarters was first attacked by superheroes, resulting in heavy casualties, and then the New York Police Department intervened. K. Brennan, the survivor, has been arrested and will be prosecuted, tried, and imprisoned."
"Currently, the 13K is in disarray and fighting its own battles. If nothing unexpected happens, it will most likely be swallowed up by other gangs."
After explaining the situation, the burly white man got up and left without any hesitation.
After listening to the other person's words, K. Redell shook his head and said, "It seems I need to stay here for a while to lay low, or leave New York through the Continental Hotel."
"I hope I still have enough Gold Coin."
K. Redell then turned and headed towards the hotel above, instead of lingering at the bar.
······
On the other side.
After returning to S.H.I.E.L.D.., Barton used his clearances to begin tracking down K. Redell.
Starting with the area near the Warehouse where the investigation began last night, they quickly found K. Redell on the surveillance footage.
By following the trail of cameras along the way, it was eventually discovered that K. Redell had driven his vehicle to the Continental Hotel in New York and entered it.
Before the other party entered the Continental Hotel, they turned to look at the surveillance camera next to them and smiled.
This led Barton to suspect that the other party must know that someone was investigating him through surveillance.
The place where the target finally entered is a bit troublesome.
The New York Continental Hotel is a property owned by Charlotte Doyle, the place where he made his fortune and where his legendary career began.
This place is a hotel that Assassin Service, and it has its own Rules.
Cease killing - prohibit slaughter.
It was considered a safe zone, and he knew that many ninjas had taken on missions here.
Even if it were Hawkeye, a member of the Avengers, he wouldn't get away with it if he went in there to arrest people.
It's not that I'm afraid of those assassins, but mainly that I'll offend Charlotte and the Adjudicator of the High Table.
He knew of several ninjas who still held the title of the Adjudicator.
But on second thought, since they knew the other party had entered, it was also a way to test Eddie Block. If the other party didn't know what the Continental Hotel was, didn't understand the rules, and tried to barge in to arrest people, or wanted to reveal something, then it would prove that the other party had nothing to do with Charlotte Doyle.
If they give up directly, or if they have a clear understanding of the situation there, it means that Eddie Brock has joined Charlotte Doyle's organization, or that he has some knowledge of Charlotte Doyle's true situation. In that case, they cannot recruit him into the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D..
After having the idea, Barton needed to do some preparatory work, such as contacting Eddie and informing him of the situation.
······
On the other side.
In the basement research room of his Seaside Villa, Tony Stark is installing a miniature sensor on his arm.
The intelligent robot Dum-E said, "Master, give me a few more hours, and I'll be able to complete the calibration."
Tony said, wiping the wound on his arm with a cotton ball, "No need."
Dum-E: "I also prepared a safety briefing for you, but of course you won't listen to it."
"Of course I won't listen."
"Okay, let's start testing now."
"Dum-E, you big idiot, where did you get that hat? It's truly fitting for your name!"
The Dum-E robot was wearing a hat with the words "idiot" written on it.
Tony got up and took a few steps forward. After casually tapping the Wood Golem dummy in front of him a few times, he came up to Dum-E and said, "What are you still hiding in that corner for? Do you know what kind of mess you've made?"
He pointed to the spot where he had just conducted his experiment and said, "Clean up the bloodstains on the ground."
The Dum-E robotic arm turned and aimed at Tony, saying, "Master, excuse me for reminding you, but you haven't slept for seventy-two hours."
Tony stood in his armored position, looking at the rows of various styles of armor in front of him, and said:
"Attention, ladies and gentlemen."
Good evening, welcome to the production base.
"I am honored to announce that you have gained another lively and adorable baby brother."
He then said to the robotic arm, "First a close-up, then a panoramic view, and then add the time and date."
"42nd generation adaptive navigation equipment, testing begins."
"Start the program."
"Jarvis, play some music."
Tony began using sensors on his arm to remotely control the equipment to automatically fly in and don the armor.
The first few parts went relatively smoothly, but then all sorts of problems arose, and finally it was blasted away by the armor on its buttocks, with armor fragments scattered all over the ground.
Looking at his less-than-successful experiment, Tony also felt that working 72 hours straight without rest might really have some problems.
Tony then decided to take a break, so he stopped working and turned on the television.
However, a strange scene appeared on television: the Mandarin the Ten Rings Gang promoting himself.
The propaganda was a terrorist statement; the television channel returned to normal only after the video ended.
Seeing what was happening on TV, Tony didn't stay home. Instead, he arranged to meet Rhodey at a restaurant.
As terrorists hijacked television signals, the United States government did not remain idle. They immediately announced their actions to the public: Iron Man Rhodey had been repainted and modified, and appeared before the public under the name Iron Patriot. They also stated that they would protect the safety of the people and eliminate the Mandarin terrorist organization as soon as possible.
Inside the restaurant.
The television was broadcasting government news, along with various channels making fun of the Iron Patriot.
Rhodey smiled and said, "The public opinion feedback is pretty good, isn't it?"
Tony also joked, "I'm the Iron Patriot, what a terrible name."
Rhodey explained, "The name 'Mech Warrior' is a bit too much; it's too cold."
"This sounds pretty good."
Tony didn't discuss this with Rhodey, but instead asked, "So, what exactly happened, and who is the Mandarin?"
"Seriously, can we talk about this guy?"
Rhodey glanced around, then whispered, "This is classified information, Tony."
Seeing that Tony didn't seem to care about any secrets, Rhodey said helplessly, "Okay, there were nine explosions in total."
Tony asked in surprise, "Nine?"
Rhodey explained, "There are nine cases, but the public only knows about three. The key issue is that no one can find the equipment they used."
"No bomb casing."
"To be honest, we all suspect that ninjas might have been involved."
"You know, there are ninjas who can do this, and more than one."
Tony looked at Rhodey and said, "You know I can help, just ask me."
"I have a bunch of high-tech equipment, adaptive navigation equipment, and I also have bomb disposal equipment that can catch bombs in mid-air."
"And I also have connections with the ninjas."
"Charlotte is a good friend of mine, and Jiraiya, as well as the little guy from the Sunagakure Puppet Shop."
Rhodey noticed the bloodshot eyes in Tony's eyes after he took off his glasses and asked, "When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?"
Tony didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Stan only slept 3 hours a year, and look at his achievements."
Rhodey shook his head and said, "Tony, everyone is worried about you, and I'm worried about you too."
Tony asked in surprise, "You're worried about me too?"
Rhodey: "I don't want to look like a jerk..."
Just then, two children walked over, Rhodey immediately changed his tune, refraining from uttering any more profanities.
The little girl was holding a drawing and said to Tony, "Can I get your autograph?"
"If Rhodey doesn't recommend it, I have no problem."
"Rhodey, do you mind?"
Rhodey smiled and said, "No, I don't mind."
Tony took the drawing, which depicted Tony battling aliens in crayons.
What's your name?
"Erin."
Tony glanced at the little boy beside him and remarked, "By the way, you look like someone from Christmas story."
Just as Tony was about to sign the drawing, Rhodey approached and said, "Listen, the Pentagon is terrified."
"Following the New York Incident, aliens..."
"Please, they need to act strong."
"Our top priority now is to stop the Mandarin, but they're worried about whether ninjas are involved."
"We've heard that several powerful missing-nin are still wandering around outside."
"If it can be confirmed that the ninjas were not involved in this matter, then they want to handle it themselves to demonstrate the strength of the nation and reassure the people."
Tony asked doubtfully, "So, is this something that superheroes are responsible for, or something that superheroes aren't responsible for?"
Rhodey continued, "So I need your help to confirm whether any ninjas were involved with the Mandarin."
"If there are ninjas backing them, then a superhero will be needed to take them down."
"If there were no ninjas, then this would be a matter for the nation."
"Frankly speaking, this is the idea from above..."
Tony nodded and said, "I understand. You want me to help determine whether any ninjas were involved before deciding how to handle this matter and whether it should be classified as a national issue."
"Whether or not one demonstrates their strength to the public."
Rhodey nodded. "That's the higher-ups' idea; after all, they need to give the people confidence."
"That's why I said I understand."
Just then, as Tony was signing his name, his crayon broke.
He then covered his cheek with his hands and sighed.
Rhodey asked, "Are you alright?"
"I destroyed the crayons."
The little girl beside him asked with concern, "Are you alright, Mr. Stark?"
Rhodey put a hand on Tony's shoulder and asked with concern, "Relax, Tony."
However, the little boy who had just been teased by Tony leaned closer to Tony and whispered, "Weren't you scared when facing so many alien monsters?"
At that moment, Tony felt a sudden panic. He could no longer sit still and immediately got up and rushed outside.
Tony staggered out of the shop and muttered to himself, "I need to get myself checked out."
"Armor!"
Tony stepped inside the armor that was placed on the street, as it opened.
However, he was too weak to stand and knelt down on one knee.
"Jarvis, check the heart, and the brain."
"There are no signs of any abnormality in the heart or brain."
"Okay, could it be that I've been poisoned?"
"The diagnosis indicates you have extreme anxiety."
Tony asked in surprise, "Me? Extremely anxious?"
Clearly, Tony didn't think he'd be in that situation. Who was he? He was Tony Stark, Iron Man, a super soldier, a billionaire, Playboy...
Why would he be so anxious?
Just then, Rhodey also came out, squatted down in front of Tony, tapped Tony's visor with his hand, and said:
"Come on, buddy, you look terrible. Come out here."
"Excuse me, I have to go now."
After giving a signal, Tony activated his Iron Man Armor and flew into the sky.
······
On the other side.
Charlotte Doyle was eating in the base's Dining Area when she saw the news on television. She put down her chopsticks and said, "It seems the Extremis Virus has been developed."
"Mandarin, the Ten Rings."
"Hehe, I just wonder if this imposter can lure out the real Ten Rings holder, Xu Wenwu, or Fu Manchu..."
Charlotte was quite interested in the Ten Rings. Putting aside the fact that it could be used to recharge, the ability to grant the user immortality and great power was what intrigued Charlotte.
Although he wasn't worried about his immortality—after all, the Otsutsuki didn't concern themselves with lifespan, and Merlin's magic also granted him the ability to live forever—he also had Werewolf and Vampire at his disposal, which were also methods for achieving immortality.
He also knew that the Shou-Lao Shou, who was staying in K'un-Lun, possessed Dragon Bone that could also increase lifespan.
Charlotte herself is not worried about immortality, but she has many subordinates. Apart from Orochimaru, the others will definitely face the issue of lifespan. Having another means to achieve immortality is a good idea.
Besides the Ten Rings, the other thing is the Extremis Virus.
Charlotte was somewhat interested in this thing. Although it was currently unstable and risked self-destruction if it became too agitated, she wondered if Orochimaru could study it and perhaps develop Scorch Release, or at least grant the user the ability of Fire Style.
As for the ability to self-destruct, perhaps it can be limited, or perhaps it can be reserved as a last resort.
Furthermore, the regenerative ability of the Extremis Virus is also very strong, which is a blessing for ordinary ninjas and ordinary people.
Only Tsunade, who possesses the Strength of a Hundred Tsunade, and Orochimaru, who has ruined his own life, are not afraid of these things. For ordinary ninjas, if they lose an arm and want to regenerate it, the difficulty is extremely high.
After some thought, Charlotte decided that he would take a step back in this matter.
He needs to obtain the data on the Extremis Virus and find the real Ten Rings.
······
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