Stark Industries Tower.
Happy went from being Tony's personal bodyguard to becoming the head of security for Stark Industries.
At this moment, Happy walked through the company, reminding each employee, "Brand."
"Name badge."
Whenever Happy makes a point of telling them and asking them to put one on.
Upon seeing Pepper Potts arrive for work, Happy went up to her and offered his suggestions.
"Pepper Potts, Tony has a bunch of gear in his basement, and they're all wearing party hats."
"This is an asset we can utilize."
As Pepper Potts signed the document, she began by saying, "Are you suggesting I replace all the cleaners with robots?"
"What I mean is, in human resources, people are the weakest link."
"We should replace them immediately with reliable robots."
Pepper Potts exclaimed in surprise, "What?"
Seeing Happy still reminding employees to wear their name tags, Pepper Potts interrupted:
"Happy, I'm so glad you're now the head of the security department. This position is perfect for you."
"But···"
Before Pepper Potts could finish speaking, Happy immediately replied with a smile, "Thank you, I appreciate it."
"Since you took office, my employee complaint rate has tripled."
You don't need to thank me.
Pepper Potts laughed in exasperation at Happy's answer.
This is not a compliment.
Happy smiled and said, "Thank you, that's just a compliment."
"It's obvious that someone is trying to hide something."
At that moment, Pepper Potts' assistant approached and said, "Excuse me, can I interrupt?"
"Ms. Pepper, the person you arranged to meet at four o'clock has arrived."
"Thanks!"
Pepper Potts then looked at Happy and said, "Happy, we'll talk later, but I have some tricky things to deal with right now."
"What's up?"
As Pepper Potts pushed open the door to the Reception Room, she said, "I used to work with him, and he always wanted to ask me out."
"A little awkward."
Happy said, "I don't like it either."
As the door was pushed open, Pepper Potts stared blankly at the person in front of her.
This healthy, mature-looking man was completely different from the person she remembered.
"Pepper!"
Pepper Potts exclaimed in surprise, "Killian?"
Killian smiled and said, "You look great, you look fantastic."
Pepper Potts exclaimed, "Wow, you look amazing!"
In her memory, Killian was somewhat unkempt, limping and needing a cane, clearly resembling a mad scientist. But now...
"I... I... I..."
Pepper Potts was speechless with surprise, then asked, "What have you been up to lately?"
Happy, standing behind him, scrutinized Killian with his eyes.
Killian spread his arms and said, "Nothing special."
"I've been a physical therapist for five years, please call me Aldrich."
Happy, who was standing nearby, said, "You should be wearing a security badge."
Hearing Happy's words, Pepper Potts looked somewhat helpless, then turned around and said, "Happy's fine, you can leave for a moment."
Are you sure?
"Yes."
"Okay, I'll wait outside."
As Pepper Potts watched Happy leave, she walked toward the Sofa Area in the Reception Room, saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Killian."
Inside the Reception Room, Killian introduced his team's new invention to Pepper Potts, showcasing his brain and the potential applications of this technology, such as improving bioelectricity and recombining DNA.
However, according to Killian's explanation, Pepper Potts said, "Unfortunately, it sounds to me that this technology is very inclined towards weaponization."
"For example, modified warriors and private armies, and Tony..."
Upon hearing Pepper Potts's words, Killian interrupted, "It's Tony again, Tony."
Do you know?
"I invited Tony to join AIM thirteen years ago, but he refused."
"But I can see that there's a new generation of genius on the throne now. She no longer needs to be restrained by Tony, and she's not so self-centered anymore."
However, Pepper Potts still refused:
"I will still say no, Aldrich."
"Although I'd love to help you."
While the two were talking, Happy outside was very dissatisfied with Killian's assistant's behavior. The assistant wasn't wearing a name tag and was sitting casually on the sofa, which was quite impolite.
Happy happened to receive a call from Tony, and he told Tony about Killian's visit to meet Pepper Potts.
He told Tony that Pepper Potts was his most precious asset, and if he didn't cherish it, this Killian would steal it away.
He complained to Tony that he missed the old Tony, not the Tony who hung out with superheroes but didn't include him.
······
Meanwhile, Pepper Potts rejected Killian's investment offer and then politely saw him off from Stark Industries.
After finishing her work, Pepper Potts drove back to Tony's Seaside Villa.
As soon as the car stopped at the gate, Pepper Potts got out and saw a huge plush rabbit in the yard.
A rabbit that is three meters tall has "Merry Christmas - Pepper" written on it.
Looking at the gift, Pepper Potts sighed, somewhat helplessly.
Upon entering the Villa, Pepper Potts saw a person dressed in Mark Armor sitting on the sofa and asked in surprise, "What's that?"
"You're wearing this even indoors now?"
"Which generation is this, Mark XV?"
Tony glanced at the MK42 on his arm, but still said, "Oh, yeah."
He didn't tell Pepper Potts that this was already the 42nd generation of armor.
"Probably, everyone has hobbies."
Pepper Potts sat on the sofa, took off her high heels, and said, "So you wore your fetish in the living room?"
"I just tried it on, and it feels a bit tight..."
Mark 42 walked up behind Pepper Potts and asked, "Hey, have you seen your Christmas present?"
Yes, I saw it...
"How could I not notice that Christmas present? How could that thing even get through the door?"
Tony awkwardly added, "Actually, that's a problem."
"I'll call some men tomorrow to blow that wall down, then we can get in."
Pepper Potts laughed and said, "Okay."
Mark 42, under Tony's control, massaged Pepper Potts while saying:
"Your shoulders are a little stiff, you little rascal."
"I don't want to sound too long-winded, but do you like that custom-made rabbit?"
Do I like it or not?
"Let's confirm, okay?"
Pepper Potts turned around. "Wow, that's a really creative idea."
Then he hugged Mark 42 and said, "Why don't you take off that mask and kiss me?"
"Um···"
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
"Okay, damn it, I can't open it."
"Do you want to kiss me right here, between my cheeks?"
Pepper Potts stroked the chest armor of the Mark 42 and said, "Maybe I should run to the garage, find a crowbar, and pry that thing open?"
"A crowbar, sure."
After speaking, Pepper Potts headed towards the basement.
Tony immediately tried to dissuade him, saying, "There's a radiation leak over there."
Pepper Potts skipped down the path, saying, "I'll try my luck."
Tony continued to dissuade him, saying, "It's too risky."
He followed behind and said, "At least let me get you some protective armor or something."
However, when Pepper Potts went down to the basement, she saw Tony wearing a brain Ant-Man Control Device, doing stretching exercises on a barbell.
"Caught."
Pepper Potts pushed away the dessert Dum-E offered, saying in a somewhat cold voice, "You really know how to come up with all sorts of tricks."
"Feel sorry."
Pepper Potts noticed that the dinner on the table had been touched and questioned, "You started eating before I even arrived?"
"We're on a date tonight..."
Tony argued, "Indeed, I only took a small bite."
"I don't know if you're going home or going for a drink with Aldrich Killian."
Pepper Potts exclaimed in surprise, "What?"
What?
"Aldrich Killian? What, you're spying on me?"
Tony crossed his arms and said, "Happy is very worried."
You're spying on me.
"I don't."
Pepper Potts was a little annoyed and turned to leave, saying, "I'm going to sleep."
Seeing Pepper Potts leave, Tony immediately said, "Wait, Pepper?"
Seeing Pepper Potts walk away without turning her head, Tony finally couldn't hold back and said, "Hey, I admit it, it was my fault, I'm sorry."
Upon hearing Tony's apology, Pepper Potts stopped and turned to look at Tony.
Tony said, "I've been on tenterhooks for a while now, and I haven't said a word."
"Everything has changed since that incident in New York."
Pepper Potts stepped down and looked at Tony, saying, "Really? I didn't notice at all."
Tony said, "When someone goes through something, and then it's over, but you still can't explain it."
"God, aliens, other dimensions, worlds."
"I'm just a man in a pot."
"The only reason I haven't broken down is probably because you moved in."
"Good move, I love you, I'm so lucky."
"But darling, I can't sleep."
"You go to sleep, and I'll come down here and do what I'm good at."
"I do repairs and patching, I..."
"A crisis is imminent, and I must protect the one thing I cannot lose, and that is you."
"And my armor, they are a part of me..."
Pepper Potts said, "Machines distract you."
Tony replied, "Yes."
Pepper Potts walked up to Tony, hugged him, pulled Tony head into her arms, removed the Ant-Man Control Device from his brain, and said, "I'm going to take a shower."
"All right!"
Pepper Potts took two steps, then turned around and said, "Come with me."
Tony nodded. "That's better."
······
On the other side.
A Christmas party is currently being held at the Charlotte Base.
A giant Christmas tree stood in the center of the base. This enormous tree was created by Yamato using Wood Release Ninjutsu. It was covered with colorful lights and decorations, and under the tree were gift boxes containing various items.
To celebrate the holiday, Uzumaki Kushina led the way by Hinata Hyuga, Shizune, Shizuka Nadeshiko, Kurenai Yuhi, Tenten, Sakura Haruno, Ino Yamanaka, and others in special Christmas costumes, making them look like little deer babies.
These weren't clothes Charlotte recruited; they were clothes that Kushina Uzumaki and the others ordered from a New York department store. However, Tsunade didn't agree to Kushina Uzumaki's request to wear those clothes.
Kushina Uzumaki led the group toward the others, asking for Christmas greetings.
Kushina Uzumaki approached Minato and held out her hand, saying, "Minato, a gift!"
Minato Namikaze took out a gift box and handed it to Kushina Uzumaki, saying, "Here, this is your gift."
Kushina Uzumaki placed the wrapped gift box directly into the Santa Claus -themed package that Zaijin had brought, then said to the girls behind her, "Go ask Minato for a present."
"If you miss today, you'll have to wait until next time."
Kurenai Yuhi didn't stand on ceremony and spoke first, "Fourth Hokage, where are our gifts?"
Minato Namikaze Flying Thunder God to disappear and reappear in an instant, holding a gift box full of gifts.
A bright, sunny smile spread across his face as he said, "Everyone's here. I'm here to hand out gifts."
Charlotte Doyle, who was standing nearby, saw this and looked at Tsunade, saying, "Tsunade, why didn't you join Kushina Uzumaki's team?"
Tsunade, however, said haughtily, "If I go, there's no place for Kushina. I'm the leader of the team."
"I just don't want to steal the spotlight from the younger generation."
Then he reached out to Charlotte and said, "Where's my gift?"
"Don't say you didn't!"
Charlotte laughed, "Hahaha!"
"How could we not have prepared one for you?"
Charlotte took out a beautifully wrapped gift box from her Storage Space, inside which was a pink diamond necklace.
"Here, this is your gift."
Tsunade accepted the gift but did not open it.
Instead, she took off the necklace she always wore around her neck, a gift left to Tsunade by the First Hokage.
"This is my most precious thing; it's a gift from my great-grandfather."
"I'm giving this to you today in the hope that it will bring you good luck."
The necklace still retained her scent and warmth. Charlotte couldn't help but smirk as she looked at the necklace Tsunade had taken off her neck.
This thing has such a terrible reputation; it's said that whoever carries it will die.
However, this was the first time Tsunade had given it away, and she was unaware that in the original Naruto World, she had given it to Nawaki, Dan, and Naruto.
If Naruto hadn't crushed the necklace himself, he probably wouldn't have escaped death either.
However, given my abilities, there shouldn't be any problem.
"Thank you for the gift!"
Tsunade stepped forward, personally put the necklace on Charlotte Doyle, and gave him a sweet kiss on the forehead.
The moment Tsunade kissed her forehead, Charlotte felt a soft and cool sensation.
On the other side...
After robbing Minato, Kushina Uzumaki led the group to extort Jiraiya.
When Jiraiya giving gifts to the female ninjas, he noticed Charlotte Doyle's situation and Ichiraku. Tsunade, with her flat chest, about to make a scene?
At this point, Jiraiya only felt friendship towards Tsunade as a comrade.
Just then, Orochimaru put his arm around Jiraiya's shoulder and said:
"It seems Tsunade has taken a brave step, which is good for us too."
Just as Jiraiya and Orochimaru were handing out gifts, Shizuka Nadeshiko approached Jiraiya and said, "Lord Jiraiya, you once met my master and had a duel, but the outcome was undecided."
"You agreed that your apprentices would compete, and the loser would agree to marry into the family."
"Um, your apprentice Minato Namikaze is already married, so how should this competition proceed?"
Upon hearing Shizuka Nadeshiko's words, Jiraiya awkwardly scratched his head. "Um, I didn't know about this. It must be something for the future."
Kushina Uzumaki, standing to the side, was furious and shouted, "Jiraiya..."
Seeing that Kushina Uzumaki was about to go berserk, Jiraiya spoke up, "Um, Naruto is also my student."
"Yes, Naruto is also my student."
Upon hearing Jiraiya mention Naruto, Kushina Uzumaki's flowing red hair fell back down, and she looked at Shizuka Nadeshiko, sizing her up and down:
"It wouldn't be bad if Shizuka were my daughter-in-law."
"It's just that Naruto is still too young."
Shizuka Nadeshiko nearby, asked in confusion, "Naruto Uzumaki?"
Yes, that's him.
Jiraiya points to Naruto Uzumaki, who is holding a gift and about to give it to Sakura Haruno.
Kushina Uzumaki shouted, "Naruto!"
Hearing his mother call him, Naruto quickly stuffed the gift into Sakura Haruno's hands and ran over.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
Kushina Uzumaki pulled Naruto aside, then stood in front of Shizuka Nadeshiko and said, "Naruto, how about letting Shizuka Nadeshiko be your wife from now on?"
Naruto immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum and shouted, "No, I love Sakura -chan the most!"
Upon hearing Naruto Uzumaki's words, Sakura Haruno retorted, "No way! I like Sasuke."
Hinata Hyuga, however, looked at Naruto in her mother's arms with a hint of sadness.
Looking at Naruto Uzumaki in front of her, Shizuka Nadeshiko shook her head and said, "He's still too young. I'll have a match with him when he's older."
"I was just thinking about my master's request, which is also a tradition in our Nadeshiko Village."
"Although Nadeshiko Village is no longer here, I will fulfill my master's last wish."
Jiraiya then laughed and said, "Don't worry, Naruto might grow into a young man soon, then you can spar."
"Let's wait until he's older."
With Jiraiya's situation settled, Kushina Uzumaki, leading her army of women, continued to demand gifts from the adult ninjas.
At this moment, Ginny also walked over. She was wearing an extremely sexy and hot outfit and was holding a gift when she came to Charlotte Doyle.
"Charlotte, Merry Christmas!"
Charlotte didn't refuse Ginny's gift.
Merry Christmas, Ginny.
Charlotte took out a gift from her Storage Space and exchanged it with Ginny.
Ginny took the gift, went up to Charlotte Doyle and gave her a hug, burying Charlotte's head in her arms and rubbing it against him.
Seeing Ginny's actions, Tsunade stomped her foot on the ground, causing the earth to shake.
Tsunade was clearly displeased with Ginny's blatant advances towards Charlotte, and then puffed out her chest.
Hers was no smaller than Ginny's; in fact, it was larger.
Ginny released Charlotte, then flashed a smug smile and stood beside Charlotte.
Soon Kushina arrived with everyone, asking for gifts.
Charlotte, Tsunade, Ginny were also prepared and distributed the gifts to everyone.
Even Sasuke Uchiha prepared a lot of things for everyone.
Looking at Kushina and the others' outfits, Obito Uchiha thought to himself, "If Rin could wear this outfit, she would look absolutely adorable."
The entire base was filled with laughter and joy as people exchanged gifts and enjoyed the festive atmosphere.
······
On the other side.
Barton was sitting alone on his sofa at home, holding a framed photo. The photo inside was of none other than his lover, Barbara Morse.
That was supposed to be Barbara Morse's last mission. After completing it, she would retire from S.H.I.E.L.D.., go under the Laufey, and marry him.
But the other person was already dead and had left him forever.
Patton stroked the photo of Barbara, Barton picked up his phone and dialed Eddie's number to tell him the target's location.
He and his lover couldn't spend Christmas together, and he wasn't going to let Eddie have a good day either.
Meanwhile, Eddie was celebrating Christmas with his girlfriend, and the two had just come out of a restaurant to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Suddenly the phone rang. Eddie picked it up, saw the number, and instead of answering, pressed the reject button.
He's spending time with his girlfriend today and doesn't want to be disturbed tonight.
"Eddie, whose phone is that?"
"I don't know, it's probably a sales call."