Ivan Vanko

Pepper Potts walked over and looked at Tony Stark, who was staring thoughtfully at the Formula car. "Mr. Chairman, what are you thinking about?"

"I have an idea." Tony Stark glanced at Pepper Potts.

"Mm-hmm?" Pepper Potts raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going to install my intelligent system in a Formula car. I've even thought of a name: Super Intelligent Formula." Tony Stark tilted his head with a smug look, waiting for Pepper Potts to praise him.

"Wow, you're really something. If you entered the racing or automobile industry, our company's stock would definitely soar. I've even thought of a name: Tesla." Pepper Potts replied sarcastically, sounding thoroughly annoyed.

"Hahaha, as expected of my secretary. You're brilliant." Tony Stark grinned mischievously and wrapped an arm around Pepper Potts's waist.

"Hmph." Pepper Potts shook off Tony Stark's wandering hand, pouted, and walked away.

"Hey, aren't you going to say anything?" Tony Stark called after Pepper Potts as she turned back and gave him a speechless look.

"Be careful when you drive. You're not a professional racer." After saying that, Pepper Potts quickly left before Tony Stark could respond.

Pepper Potts's concern put Tony Stark in a good mood.

"Honestly, we came here to discuss business, and he ended up racing." Pepper Potts hurried off. She could not keep their business partners waiting too long.

Tony Stark sat in the red Formula car's cockpit, his eyes fixed firmly on the track ahead. The roar of the engine filled his ears, and he could feel the surge of speed spreading through him, bringing with it an intoxicating thrill.

Monaco's street circuit was twisting and steep, testing a driver's skill and reflexes. Tony expertly controlled the wheel, weaving nimbly between corners and straights. Every turn pushed him to the limit.

"Awesome!"

Tony Stark could not help shouting inwardly.

But suddenly, Tony felt a sharp pain shoot through his chest. He frowned and struggled against it, but the toxins mercilessly spread through his body. He knew something had gone wrong with his reactor. It was the source of his heart's power and the key to his identity as Iron Man.

Tony's vision blurred, and he felt his body gradually slipping out of control. The Formula car began to lose balance. He fought to steady it, but as the toxins spread, his body could no longer hold on. Gritting his teeth, he steadied the wheel and began to slow down.

Just as Tony was about to despair, a lightning-fast figure appeared, clearing the way with Electric Chains. With a crackle and a deafening snap—

The car was blasted over and sent flying backward.

Tony was thrown from the car, his body rolling painfully across the ground as blood mixed with dust.

"Oh! Tony!" Seeing this from the VIP room, Pepper Potts cried out in panic, "Happy, get Tony his armor!"

"Now!"

"I'm on it!" Happy Hogan rushed over at full speed.

Pepper Potts immediately called the police.

Tony Stark struggled to evade Ivan Vanko's attacks. His body had already been ravaged by toxins, weakening his strength, but his willpower stubbornly held on.

Ivan Vanko's exoskeleton armor gave him immense strength. Wielding Electric Chains, he attacked Tony without mercy. The chains whistled through the air with terrifying destructive force, and every strike filled the air with the scorched smell of electrical arcs.

"I finally found you, Tony Stark. The sole survivor of a family of thieves. Soon, you too will enter—"

"Death."

He stared at Tony Stark's battered appearance, the corners of his mouth curling upward as excitement gleamed in his eyes. Every swing of his Electric Chains brought him closer to avenging himself against the Stark family.

But Tony Stark was not brought down by Ivan's attacks. Though badly injured, he relied on his unyielding will and desire to survive, constantly dodging the Electric Chains' fierce assaults.

"You."

"You... who are you?" Tony Stark panted as he looked at Ivan Vanko's sinister smile.

"Tony Stark, you don't need to know who I am. But if you really want to know..." Ivan Vanko raised his hand and brought it down. "Then I am death." He swung the Electric Chains, his vicious gaze locked onto Tony Stark. He whipped the destructive chains toward him.

But Tony Stark dodged the attack with astonishing agility and reflexes.

Pressed against the Formula car, Tony was in a miserable state. He held his breath, and as he dodged, the Electric Chains traced a lightning-like arc through the air. Using his nimble movements, Tony quickly vaulted over the Formula car's hood and rolled off to one side. The Electric Chains slammed viciously into the hood with a thunderous crash.

Tony Stark kept his balance as he landed. The wounds on his body sent waves of pain through him, but he clenched his teeth, endured it, and focused on facing Ivan.

"I can't hold on much longer." Tony Stark watched Ivan Vanko slowly approach, Electric Chains in hand.

"I originally planned to use whips, but someone told me chains seemed more useful. Now I see that they were right." Seeing that Tony Stark seemed to be exhausted, Ivan Vanko no longer suppressed his delight, a smile spreading across his face.

"Die!" Ivan Vanko stepped forward and brought the Electric Chains crashing down.

Bang!

Ivan Vanko was instantly blasted away by the custom portable repulsor in Tony Stark's palm.

"Tony!" Happy Hogan arrived, panting heavily.

"Perfect timing." Tony Stark gasped for breath and said no more as he took the portable suitcase Iron Armor Happy Hogan handed him.

"Transformers: activate!" Watching from the VIP room, Nathan Hawke recalled the words that had flashed through his mind when he had watched Tony Stark transform like this at his computer desk as a teenager.

Tony Stark rapidly put on the Iron Man Armor. The armor fused perfectly with his body, granting him immense power and protection. Feeling its strength flow through his body, he resolved to completely destroy Ivan Vanko's exoskeleton armor.

"Whoever you are, this clown show is over."

The Iron Armor gleamed with metallic luster, every plate shining with a cold light. Tony's gaze hardened as he stood atop the Formula car like an unshakable fortress.

"This..." Ivan Vanko watched Tony's transformation, anger and fear mingling in his eyes. He realized that his advantage had vanished. Before Iron Man, his exoskeleton armor had become fragile and vulnerable.

"Time... time..." Ivan Vanko murmured unconsciously.

Tony swung his iron gauntlet, carrying tremendous force as he charged at Ivan. His fist smashed brutally into the exoskeleton armor, producing a deafening roar.

Ivan was driven back by Tony's attack, sparks flashing across his exoskeleton. Blood stained the corner of Ivan Vanko's mouth as hatred flashed in his eyes. Tony gave Ivan no chance to catch his breath, launching a rapid series of attacks. Every punch made the exoskeleton armor more fragile.

Ivan Vanko desperately defended himself, but the gap between their equipment became clear. Tony seized the opportunity, activated his rocket boosters, and accelerated in an instant. He circled behind Ivan at high speed and punched the back of his exoskeleton.

Then he grabbed it and, with a tearing sound, flung Ivan Vanko aside.

Ivan Vanko rolled across the ground and struggled to his feet, roaring furiously, "Damn it! Damn the Stark family!"

The Monaco police finally arrived at the scene. They moved swiftly and subdued Ivan Vanko. Fury filled Ivan's eyes as he stared at Tony Stark, the corners of his mouth lifting in wild mockery.

"Stark, do you think you've won? Do you think you can get away with everything forever?" Ivan's voice was filled with endless rage and hatred.

When he saw that Tony was ignoring him, Ivan's anger burned even hotter. He struggled, trying to break free from the police officers restraining him. He glared at Tony through gritted teeth, madness flashing in his eyes.

"You will pay for what you've done, Stark! You and your entire family will fall into the abyss of destruction!" Ivan's voice was filled with hatred and menace.

"This isn't over!"

Ivan Vanko was taken away.

Meanwhile, Iron Man collapsed on the track, his fate unknown.

"Die, die, die, die, die..." Nathan Hawke looked speechlessly at the excited Justin Hammer, who stared at Iron Man lying on the track and muttered frantically under his breath.

Nathan Hawke saw Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts, the police, the medical personnel, the dismantling crew...

"Boss, Operation Hedgehog has begun." A security guard, who was actually a member of Umbrella Corporation's internal special forces, spoke into Nathan Hawke's ear.

"Understood." Nathan Hawke nodded and said nothing more. Wesker was the overall commander of this operation, and Nathan Hawke trusted him with it.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The red alarms blared continuously, accompanied by the dense rush of countless footsteps.

Umbrella Corporation's special forces were engaged in a fierce battle with Hydra. Hydra's soldiers occupied advantageous positions and launched cunning counterattacks, making it difficult for the special forces to gain a clear advantage.

The special forces launched precise attacks, coordinating closely as they used cover and suppressing fire against Hydra's soldiers. Sephiroth commanded with calm and sharp tactical judgment, directing his team through the enemies as they searched for openings and weaknesses.

Hydra's soldiers fought back fiercely, forming a tight defensive line in an attempt to stop the special forces' advance. Intense gunfire echoed through the base, explosions rang out without pause, and the battlefield descended into chaos.

The special forces worked closely together, seamlessly alternating between firing and providing cover as they protected one another. Sephiroth displayed exceptional command skills, and his shooting was equally flawless, every shot striking an enemy's vital point.

However, the enemy's stubborn resistance brought the battle to a stalemate.

"Commander, the enemy has an overwhelming numerical advantage." The adjutant looked toward Sephiroth.

Sephiroth thought calmly. He knew they needed a more imposing entrance to turn the tide.