Humanity and Capital (Part 3)

"My appearance proves you're no longer the only one!" Ivan laughed upon hearing the military colonel's words. He lowered his voice and said, "They banished me before, but from today onwards, they will give me a chance. They'll send me to fight you. If I don't kill you today, I will one day! I missed my chance today because I toyed with you, but I won't do it again next time..."

"You think you can walk?" Tony Stark laughed at Ivan's words. He looked at the military colonel, his ears twitching as if he'd heard something. "Colonel Cumberland, is that it? Fine, a mere colonel dares to talk to me like that. Whether you're mentally challenged or being used as a pawn, it doesn't matter. All you need to do is tell the military that, starting today, all new energy weapons from Stark Industries will triple in price..."

"What are you doing? Threatening me? Don't think Stark Industries is the only weapons company in the world!" Cumberland's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't seem too afraid. In fact, a hint of expectation could be seen deep in his eyes as he looked at Tony Stark and said in a deep voice, "A soldier of steel does not tolerate any retreat!"

"Heh, you think I wouldn't know your identity after I've mentioned your name?" Tony Stark scoffed, his tone disdainful. "Your intentions are all too obvious. You want to be a dog for that trash Hammer Industries? Since you like being a dog, then don't be a human. If you can continue to be a colonel, forget about weapons; I won't continue providing the military with any social or financial resources from Stark Industries. And I can't guarantee after-sales service for any weapons or systems the military will provide in the future..."

"Of course, you can also choose inferior junk, like Hammer Industries. Their products are exceptionally rubbish, and their cash flow is far inferior to Stark Industries!"

When Tony Stark uttered the name Hammer Industries, both Ivan and Colonel Cumberland's pupils contracted, while Nick Fury, standing to the side, showed no reaction whatsoever, as if he already knew all along.

Yes, Colonel Cumberland was Justin Hammer's partner, and he even received a large sum of money from Justin Hammer to help Justin Hammer.

Justin Hammer had been keeping an eye on Tony Stark the whole time. When he saw Ivan severely Happy while constantly toying with Tony Stark, Justin Hammer was very excited because he had never seen the proud Tony Stark so disheveled.

Justin Hammer didn't even remind Ivan to kill Tony Stark as soon as possible, because he also wanted to see Tony Stark in such a sorry state to satisfy his twisted psychology.

It wasn't until Robet's sudden appearance that Justin Hammer realized something was wrong. Then he saw Tony Stark's Mecha flying over. Justin Hammer hurriedly contacted Colonel Cumberland, because Ivan absolutely could not die at Tony Stark's hands. He was Hammer Industries ' hope of catching up with and surpassing Stark Industries again!

Moreover, in Justin Hammer's view, the military already harbored some resentment towards Tony Stark. If it weren't for the sheer power of Tony Stark's weaponry, who would want to deal with such Tony Stark arrogant individual?

Therefore, Justin Hammer felt that since Ivan had demonstrated his value and the Arc Reactor, and with Cumberland acting as a go-between, the military, if not completely abandoning Tony Stark, could at least sway some of its high-ranking officers to his side...

That's why Justin Hammer was quite pleased when he heard Tony Stark say he was going to triple the price of Stark Industries. He thought that this would definitely anger more military leaders, since the military leaders weren't without options, Hammer Industries was still very powerful!

With a "whoosh!", another Mecha flew towards them. The newcomer was none other than Colonel Rhodes, Tony Stark's good friend.

Previously, when Tony Stark was developing a new Mecha, he couldn't withstand Colonel Rhodes' incessant harassment. In addition, the military had always coveted his Mecha and even made many counterfeit versions. Therefore, Tony Stark eventually authorized Colonel Rhodes a Mecha.

"Congratulations, Cumberland. You'll be suspended from duty and under investigation once you get back." Colonel Rhodes revealed his face, looking at Colonel Cumberland with a smile. "Cooperating with Hammer Industries is no problem, but taking money from Hammer Industries to sow discord between the military and Stark Industries is a big problem!"

"No! I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!" Cumberland immediately launched into a triple denial. "I had no intention of targeting Stark Industries. Don't you know how important the Arc Reactor is? The people who can build the Arc Reactor absolutely cannot be allowed to die..."

"Yes, Tony Stark is exactly that kind of talent!" Colonel Rhodes nodded matter-of-factly, interrupting Colonel Cumberland with a smile.

"..." Cumberland choked for a moment, then glared at Colonel Rhodes with displeasure and said, "Don't side with Tony Stark just because you're on his side. You should know very well how the higher-ups will choose!"

"Sorry, that's how the higher-ups made the choice. Otherwise, would I, a colonel, suspend you, a colonel?" Colonel Rhodes shrugged. He hadn't just arrived, but he had just received the news. Even with Ivan's presence, the military leaders ultimately chose to side with Tony Stark.

The main reason is that Tony Stark's wealth, network, creativity, and influence are on a completely different level from Hammer Industries. Of course, more importantly, the imitations produced by Hammer Industries are actually too rubbish. The military used them a few times as cheap goods, but simply couldn't continue using them.

The military is worried that if the Mecha built by Hammer Industries get inside, they might not be able to get out, which would be one thing, but if they explode inside, then it's all over...

Moreover, Tony Stark is just too rich. If he really falls out with Stark Industries, the military is fine overall, but his personal wallet will be in trouble!

Can military funding be compared to personal assets? Absolutely not. If it could, Colonel Cumberland wouldn't have been lured by Justin Hammer with such a large sum of money...

"..." Colonel Cumberland was stunned for a moment when he heard Colonel Rhodes's words. He opened his mouth, wanting to scold those old guys for being short-sighted and only caring about immediate interests. But then he thought about it and realized that he was probably like that too.

"Let's go, I'll personally take you back!" Colonel Rhodes ' lips curled into a slight smile as he looked at Tony Stark and said, "Tony, after I deal with him, I have a score to settle with you!"

"Settle accounts with me? Settle accounts with what?" Tony Stark was taken aback, looking at Colonel Rhodes with some confusion, not understanding what he was talking about.

"You dared to call yourself a mere colonel? You should know I'm just a colonel too! Let me tell you, unless you bring out your prized wine, this isn't over between us!"

Soon, Colonel Rhodes left with Colonel Cumberland. Tony Stark turned his gaze back to the silent Ivan and sneered, "Even if you had killed me before, they wouldn't have valued you. You would have just become my replacement, endlessly building Mecha for them for free, because you had no power to refuse..."

"You may understand human Greed, but unfortunately you cannot understand the power of capital. My current position is not solely due to my possession of the Arc Reactor, but because I am one of the masters of this country!"

With a "smack!" Tony Stark's words fell, and Ivan was knocked unconscious on the spot. Tony Stark still needed to think carefully about how to deal with this enemy who had almost killed him and Happy. However, Ivan possessed the Arc Reactor technology, and Tony Stark would never hand him over to anyone else!

"Tell me, who exactly is he? The information I've gathered suggests he's a bear-man. Is there some hidden secret behind this?" Tony Stark asked Nick Fury, who was still standing nearby.

"Well, to be honest, this matter has something to do with your father..." Nick Fury nodded and briefly recounted the past grievances between the Vanko and Stark Family. A look of understanding flashed in Tony Stark's eyes.

Tony Stark didn't bother to inquire whether Anton had truly harbored ulterior motives that led to Howard Stark's expulsion, because it would be pointless; he couldn't very well exonerate Ivan, could he?

"Is there anything else?" After listening to Nick Fury's story, Tony Stark looked at Nick Fury and asked.

"..." Nick Fury glanced at Robet, who was watching him calmly from a distance, but ultimately didn't say anything. He was worried that if he revealed anything, Robet would directly attack him or force him to hand over the Tesseract, since Carol wasn't around right now.

Neither his own accident nor the Tesseract's accident would be acceptable to Nick Fury. Therefore, in the end, Nick Fury restrained himself, nodded to Tony Stark, and said, "I'll head back now. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to contact me. We're partners, so let's not become too distant..."

"We'll talk about it another time." Tony Stark didn't give a definitive answer. After watching Nick Fury leave, he disdainfully threw Ivan's body to the ground. A Mecha flew over from the sky and Mecha Ivan inside.

Wearing Mecha not only grants the ability to fly and move freely, but also traps the user inside, preventing them from being free.

Robet, standing to the side, didn't pay attention to Tony Stark's methods, nor did he think there was anything wrong with Tony Stark's behavior towards Ivan. After all, if he hadn't come, Tony Stark and the other two would have died at Ivan's hands. When dealing with enemies, there's no need to be polite.

"He just left like that?" Robet could sense a change in Nick Fury's attitude, though he didn't know what Carol and Nick Fury had discussed. However, he could still feel the ill intent that Robet occasionally revealed.

"Looks like they haven't given up yet. Should we find an opportunity to kill him outright?" A thought flashed through Robet's mind.

"Thank you for saving Happy!" Just as Robet was pondering this, Tony Stark walked over and sincerely thanked Robet.

Robet had helped Tony Stark several times before, and Tony Stark's recovery from palladium poisoning was even attributed to Robet. But this time, Tony Stark's attitude was much better than before because he had truly witnessed his close friend Happy's life hanging by a thread. Tony Stark didn't want to see that kind of life-or-death distance again, especially not for his own family and friends...

"It's nothing, just a small favor!" Robet waved his hand, not taking it to heart. After all, Constantine wasn't nearby, so there was no need to fool Tony Stark into believing that his Healing Spell had come at a great cost.

"..." Upon hearing Robet's words, Tony Stark was momentarily at a loss for words. He wasn't exactly unfamiliar with Robet; they'd met several times and collaborated on numerous occasions. However, aside from knowing Robet's strength, Tony Stark didn't know much about him in other aspects.

Therefore, faced with Robet's attitude, Tony Stark was momentarily at a loss for words, especially since Tony Stark himself wasn't very good at humbly engaging in social interactions...

"Um, Mr. Saiyan, if it's alright, how about we treat you to a meal?" Pepper stepped in at the right moment to help Tony Stark ease the awkwardness, and tentatively asked Robet.

"A meal? Sure!" Robet was originally planning to go back, but upon hearing Pepper's invitation, Robet eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "I have a big appetite; I'm a famous glutton. You might need to prepare more food..."

"No problem! I'll hire a bunch of chefs to cook it right here!" Seeing that Robet had agreed, and that Pepper didn't even need to help make arrangements, Tony Stark demonstrated his financial power.

"Damn it! They were just taken away like that? Those military idiots! They're so domineering every time they see me. They even said they wanted me to fight Stark Industries, but now Tony Stark just threatens them a couple of times and they all back down?!" Justin Hammer's eyes flashed with anger as he spoke with great indignation after seeing Tony Stark leave the Amusement Park with Robet and the others, and after Ivan was also taken away.

Justin Hammer had finally seen a glimmer of hope in bringing down Tony Stark, but the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Naturally, Justin Hammer was unwilling to accept defeat...