Tony's Strengths

"I had no choice. I've already tried every element I know of."

"If I didn't come to you, I wouldn't even know where to begin."

"Could it be that the world you superpowered people come into contact with has elements I know absolutely nothing about, things I've never even heard of?"

Hearing Harvey's words, Tony Stark showed a helpless expression as well and spoke.

"It has nothing to do with the world superpowered people come into contact with, but I don't mind telling you."

Harvey considered it for a moment before answering.

Originally, all he had to do was wait for S.H.I.E.L.D. to approach Tony Stark. Once they learned of the problem Tony Stark was facing, they would offer him help.

But he could move the process along a little.

"It has nothing to do with the world superpowered people come into contact with?"

"Then which of these elements can be replaced?"

"Or should I be considering the chemical changes caused by combining them?"

Tony Stark asked, utterly confused.

"Not those elements. You need to create a new element to replace palladium and stabilize the Arc Reactor."

"That way, your Iron Man armor will become even more powerful."

Harvey replied.

"Create a new element?"

Tony Stark immediately began brainstorming.

"Tony Stark, if I remember correctly, your father was a genius scientist just like you."

"Perhaps you can find some inspiration in the things your father left behind."

Harvey reminded him.

"The things my father left behind?"

"He left in too much of a hurry... He didn't leave much behind."

When Tony Stark mentioned his father, his expression became somewhat complicated.

"Indeed, your father left you this company and an enormous fortune."

"But don't forget which side Stark Industries was most closely connected to when your father first founded it."

Rather than spelling it out, Harvey guided Tony Stark toward discovering it himself.

Hearing that, Tony Stark thought over the history of Stark Industries under his father's control, then combined it with the organization most closely connected to Stark Industries now. An answer formed in his mind.

"But because of the Arc Reactor, Stark Industries' relationship with the military isn't as good as it used to be."

"Where am I supposed to ask the military for the relics my father left with them?"

Still, Tony Stark considered the current situation and began thinking.

"On the surface, your relationship with the military is a little tense. They might make things difficult for you."

"But hasn't someone already extended an olive branch to you?"

Harvey said.

"You mean that homeland-whatever bureau?"

"Do they really have that kind of authority?"

"After all, they called it a huge price just to come up with twenty million dollars."

Tony Stark realized Harvey was referring to the military organization that had extended an olive branch to him, but his tone was full of disdain.

In his view, the ambition behind the Avengers Initiative they wanted to form was commendable, but in terms of status and authority...

Tony Stark did not think that homeland-whatever bureau held much status.

It was only twenty million dollars, not two hundred million, yet they called that a huge price. That homeland-whatever bureau was really poor.

Or perhaps that homeland-whatever bureau was being squeezed dry. They called themselves agents, but in reality, they were just miserable wage slaves.

When Harvey heard that they had needed approval at every level just to put together twenty million dollars, he naturally knew Tony Stark was referring to Nick Fury raising money to arrange a meeting with him.

"They may be poor, but since they claim to be agents who specialize in handling strange incidents, their authority and standing within the military shouldn't be low."

"Besides, whether their authority is really high or not, why not just ask?"

Harvey said understandingly.

"Fine. I'll ask."

After hearing Harvey's words, Tony Stark thought it over and decided to make an inquiry.

"Jarvis, contact Coulson for me."

Tony Stark gave the order directly, and Jarvis immediately carried it out.

Coulson answered in less than five seconds.

"Mr. Tony Stark, is there something you need help with?"

Coulson's voice immediately echoed through the underground laboratory.

Because Coulson had answered practically the instant the call came through, Tony Stark deliberately glanced at Harvey.

Harvey simply pretended not to notice Tony Stark's look, which carried both a hint of showing off and complaint.

"Agent Coulson, my father, Howard Stark, was closely connected with the military in the past. He should have worked with them on many projects."

"Does the military have any relics left behind by my father, Howard Stark?"

When Tony Stark said this, he paused slightly. Clearly, mentioning his father made his feelings somewhat complicated.

"Are there any remaining relics from Howard Stark?"

"I can help you investigate information regarding your father."

"Please give me an hour. I'll find out whether your father left behind any relics that were never handed over to you."

Hearing that Tony Stark genuinely needed help, Coulson realized this was an excellent chance to build a friendship. He agreed without wasting words.

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you."

Hearing that it could really be investigated, Tony Stark glanced at Harvey Anberaka before replying seriously.

"Leave it to me."

Coulson answered before ending the call.

"If he really finds it for me, then I'd owe their bureau a favor."

Seeing Coulson's almost steroid-fueled enthusiasm and efficiency, Tony Stark spoke.

"Usually, getting something requires paying a certain price."

"But if you're merely retrieving relics your father left behind, how significant that favor is depends on how you see it."

Harvey replied indifferently.

"Returning relics can indeed only count as returning something to its rightful owner. But if I discover a new element through my father's relics..."

"And improve the Arc Reactor, then that favor won't be a small one."

"Of course, if I really manage to develop it, I won't forget the favor of your reminder either, Harvey Anberaka."

Tony Stark said.

"It was nothing worth mentioning."

Harvey looked at Tony Stark and smiled.

Although Tony Stark had always been narcissistic and arrogant, and although his sharp tongue often made his words unpleasant to hear, his clear distinction between gratitude and grudges had always been one of his strengths.

Even if Tony Stark said nothing on the surface, he would remember any kindness others had shown him.

Once the opportunity arose, Tony Stark would find a way to repay that kindness.

That was why Harvey had never minded giving Tony Stark a little guidance.

After all, once a friendly relationship was established, Tony Stark would be a very good friend.

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