The Old Man Named Rogers

Although Henry didn't know the connection between this New York City Veterans Foundation and the official U. S. Legion, he did know that the foundation was a shareholder of Stark Industries and held a seat on its board of directors.

When Henry joined Stark Studios, he did some research on the public information of various companies, large and small, that bore the name "Stark." He wanted to at least know what resources he could utilize.

In particular, Tony Stark listed all his companies on the stock exchange, requiring him to disclose more information according to law, which also provided insight into Stark Industries ' shareholding structure.

This was to understand Stark Industries ' "connections" so as not to make a mess of things and end up destroying the temple of the dragon king.

It's difficult to investigate small, privately held shareholders, but it's impossible to find out the background of a major shareholder with a board seat. However, all we know is a New York City Veterans Foundation; the background of this foundation is rather mysterious.

Moreover... Henry's eyes narrowed behind his glasses, looking slightly rude. He felt the man looked familiar, and then remembered where he had seen him before.

That was about eight years ago, at Howard Stark's funeral, standing with Walter Old Bai and his group, and next to an old lady.

So, is he also a member of S.H.I.E.L.D..? And with the surname "Rogers," it's hard not to think of a certain Captain America.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Rogers," Henry greeted politely, while adding calmly, "I received some help from Timothy Dugan earlier, which resolved a considerable problem for me."

Henry was referring to the time when the Skrulls didn't know where they were taking him and Barbara Morse, and he had killed one and wounded the other. It was Timothy Dugan's Howling Commandos who took the two aliens away by helicopter.

In response to this probing question, Grant Rogers calmly released his grip and politely said, "Dugan and I are old comrades-in-arms, but that's all. I don't know much about their work after that."

"To put it bluntly, I could be considered a deserter. The only consolation is that the real war is over. Although there are still conflicts in this world, those who protect it have done a good job. There's no need to mobilize the entire nation like in the Great War."

Henry chuckled and said, "So that's why you became a representative of the Veterans Foundation?"

"Heh, yes. Someone has to prepare a place for them to return to. It's certainly tragic for people to be left on the battlefield, but it's even more heartbreaking for their hearts to be left there."

The veteran laughed heartily.

Henry felt a tickle of curiosity, like a kitten scratching at his heart, but he decided against asking if the man in front of him was the captain. He felt that no matter what the response was, once the question was asked, he would be entangled in the consequences.

This applies to many things: see through things but don't say anything. Because once you say it, there's no going back.

So Henry changed the subject and asked, "Mr. Rogers contacted me to help veterans find acting opportunities?"

"Oh, why do you think that?"

"Otherwise, what value do I, the CEO of Stark Studios, have? Oh—" Henry feigned sudden realization, leaning closer to the Old Bai man before him and whispering, "Or perhaps you'd like an autograph from a female celebrity, or maybe a chance encounter?"

Henry, stepping back with a smug grin, said, "I can help you find an autograph. But I don't do pimping; I don't even have the chance myself."

Faced with such a "misunderstanding," the seasoned Old Bai man, who had seen it all, was not speechless. He skillfully avoided the question that could easily make things worse, and said naturally, "The reason I approached you is because you are special."

"Because I'm Mutants?"

It's practically public knowledge that he possesses Steel Body. So, Henry usually uses his identity as a "Mutants" as a cover.

However, this disguise probably won't be useful for much longer. As the overall social atmosphere begins to show signs of conflict between Mutants and ordinary people, Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants also stirring.

This year alone, Henry has encountered other Mutants begging at his door more than once. Although they speak with great righteousness, they just want money and jobs, as if they, as a successful Mutants, owe their other Mutants brothers something.

The subtle shift in the social atmosphere did not affect the veteran's thinking. He also did not regard the young man in front of him as Mutants.

Grant Rogers said meaningfully, "Because I don't remember ever seeing you. And because of you, something is different."

"So, I should get lost? That sounds like something a girl would say to chase away a bitch who's hanging around her boyfriend," Henry joked.

The Old Bai man chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Hehe, it's not that serious. I just hope this change is a good thing and that it can continue."

Henry, in a fit of witty banter, couldn't resist arguing, "What constitutes a good thing? I believe everything in this world is predetermined; if someone gets a little more, someone else will get a little less."

"In the end, what you consider a good thing is only because you benefited from it. What If...? you had suffered a loss today, would you still think I did a good thing?"

Without rushing to refute or express agreement, the Old Bai man responded, "Hmm, that's an interesting point of view. I've never considered things from this angle before."

Listening to the Old Bai man, who was relying on his seniority and offering his opinion on the matter from a higher perspective, Henry knew that this kind of person was stubborn and wouldn't easily change his mind. But the man in front of him wasn't exactly eager to persuade others either; his personality was a mix of softness and firmness.

Grant Rogers suddenly asked, "Don't you believe in pure goodwill?"

"I believe in foolish and self-righteous goodwill. Such people are more despicable than those who are simply evil."

"Oh, how so?"

"Mr. Rogers, are you familiar with Buddhism?"

I have some understanding of it.

Henry said, "There's a story in Buddhism. The Buddha happened upon a Rabbit Armor being attacked by an eagle on the road. The Rabbit Armor begged the the Buddha to save it, and the the Buddha did indeed Rabbit Armor. He said to the eagle, 'All beings should have compassion; let this Rabbit Armor go.'"

The eagle said to the the Buddha, "I am a bird that must eat meat to fill my stomach; I cannot eat grass or fruit to stave off hunger. What If...? I let the Rabbit Armor go today, I will starve to death. Would you consider such an act compassionate?"

Upon hearing this, the the Buddha took a knife and cut off a piece of flesh from his own thigh, saying to the eagle, "Eat this to stave off hunger and spare the Rabbit Armor." Most people's kindness only goes as far as persuading the eagle to spare the Rabbit Armor. They are unwilling to sacrifice themselves to benefit both the eagle and the Rabbit Armor.

"They didn't care, or even want to know, whether the eagle would starve to death if it didn't eat the Rabbit Armor. They believed that as long as they saved the Rabbit Armor, they had done a good deed, so they stubbornly refused to let the eagle eat Rabbit Armor."

"So, Mr. Rogers, is this kind of goodwill really a good thing? What If...? you can't bring yourself to sacrifice your own flesh to feed the eagle, wouldn't it be better not to show any so-called goodwill in the first place?"