Plane Crash

"The Federal Government is putting pressure on us."

Norman said to Harry as an IV drip fed into his arm.

The Active Enhancer had eased his condition, but no one wanted anything to happen to Norman at a time like this.

"They're discussing restricting organizations other than the Military from owning Power Armor. This is practically an army."

"The National Guard is an army to begin with, that's right. As for this matter, I helped them bring in a huge amount of tax revenue, and they're still not satisfied?"

Harry shrugged indifferently. They had only just started applying pressure; there was still a long way to go.

Besides, it was merely symbolic pressure. The problem wasn't too serious.

The new Power Armor was about to enter service, and Congress had to show Harry some respect. Besides, once the label of terrorist attack was firmly attached, it would benefit them too.

Don't forget, the United States was still at war.

"But the Military is also very dissatisfied with us. They want us to mount weapons directly onto them—missiles, cool laser weapons, that sort of thing. And Hammer Industries..."

As Norman spoke, he rubbed his eyes.

"See for yourself. I don't know how Hammer Industries can be this stupid."

Harry took the files curiously.

The previous Power Armor models had likewise carried no weapons, and the Military had found them quite easy to use.

But after Iron Man appeared, they could no longer sit still. The Iron Man suit could fly, was agile, and carried a variety of weapons. Compared to Power Armor, it was indeed far more practical.

Yet the new Power Armor Harry had given the Military still carried no weapons. It had merely received transmission upgrades based on Stark's technology, making the armor more agile, more powerful, and better defended.

The Federal Government had also proposed handing over the Iron Man suit seized from Obadiah to Osborn for technological upgrades, but Harry had sternly refused.

"We only manufacture armor for soldiers to wear, to show that we are patriots. But we are not warmongers."

That statement won widespread approval, though some accused him of having it both ways. Harry didn't care.

Besides, Harry had already thoroughly figured out Obadiah's imitation.

And as for Hammer Industries, Justin Hammer wanted that order!

He eagerly took over the Iron Man suit, along with the Military's request to add weapons to the Power Armor.

The problem was, his technical skills weren't up to par...

Several soldiers who tried on Hammer Industries' Iron Man suits were left permanently disabled, meeting miserable ends.

The project to mount weapons on the Power Armor was not progressing well either. Hammer Industries' designs severely impaired the armor's movement, drastically reducing its agility. Rather than Power Armor, it was becoming more like a tank.

It felt like a technological regression.

"Forget it. We won't make weapons at this point in time. But we can contact those disabled soldiers and provide some humanitarian aid. The Military won't refuse."

"Alright. The next matter is about political parties. They want me to join them. What do you think?"

"I think... I think it would be better to remain independent."

There had been independent presidents before. Harry wasn't short on money anyway; he only needed to borrow a little influence to enter politics, then he could leave them behind.

That would save him from being constrained after taking office.

"Very good. Looks like we're thinking alike again." Norman took a sip of tea.

"Next is the matter concerning this Mr. Wilson Fisk."

It had to be said, the fat man was certainly energetic. He had diligently built up his influence in prison, but unfortunately, after Harry's Operation Thunder, no one dared give him special treatment.

On top of that, Harry had cleaned out all his henchmen. His old dirty methods had become far less effective, and several assassins had been arrested. Taking crooked paths no longer seemed viable.

So, thanks to good behavior, Kingpin received a full five-year sentence reduction after serving just one year!

That was an enormous reduction! Under normal circumstances, such a reduction required major meritorious service!

At this rate, he only needed another 138 sentence reductions before he could get out!

Kingpin was so happy he nearly smashed up the prison.

In reality, Harry had deliberately granted those five years to taunt him. Under normal circumstances, he would have been lucky to shave off a few months.

Then, when Norman fell ill and the Hand and Harmony Society began to act, someone approached Kingpin and promised to transfer him to another prison.

When Kingpin heard the news, his expression turned strange. Someone was using this method against Osborn again?

Prison really could change a person's mindset. Kingpin had even begun learning to see things from another perspective.

But of course, he would not warn the Hand and Harmony Society. Harry Osborn was no street-level hero.

Besides, the Hand and Harmony Society did not seem to be acting alone.

When Kingpin heard about the massive explosion, he was shocked—when had the Hand and Harmony Society become so bold? So capable?

Yet Norman woke up the very next day. He was nothing like the terminally ill man those fools from the Hand and Harmony Society had claimed he was!

If Norman was fine, that meant the most powerful man in New York State was Harry's father. It meant he could use the most devastating—and most effective—methods against these underground organizations!

Not to mention that Norman had classified this attack as a terrorist attack!

Kingpin felt somewhat relieved that he had already set foot on the path out of prison.

He puffed on his cigar and thought, Good thing I had the foresight not to bring out any of the stolen Powered Exoskeletons directly. I hid them all away instead.

Otherwise, those people probably would have stopped caring about him long ago.

Once he got back to the ground and found a chance to dispose of that batch of Powered Exoskeletons, he could make a comeback—perhaps even rise to greater heights.

Then he could hide in a Safe House and continue pulling strings from the shadows, just like before...

As long as he didn't run into Harry, based on Kingpin's understanding of Harry, he didn't seem like the type to pursue someone relentlessly or hold a grudge.

A bunch of idiots. Kingpin the Emperor was going back to being the emperor of the Gang!

After happily taking a few swigs of liquor, he suddenly noticed someone flying outside the plane...

Knock, knock, knock.

"Mr. Fisk, how was your little taste of freedom?"

The man in black-and-green combat armor knocked on the plane window, and the cabin broadcast came on.

Kingpin's whole body shuddered—it was Harry!

"Since you want freedom so badly, I'll give you a chance." Harry circled through the air like an agile bird, making Kingpin tense all over.

He narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to the window, only to see thunder suddenly rumbling outside.

"If you're still alive after the lightning strike, you'll be free!"

"The plane is about to descend..."

Kingpin's pupils contracted as the plane began its descent, gradually returning to the troposphere—

"No, Harry Osborn! It was them—"

BOOM!

"A Boeing 727 transporting violent criminal Wilson Fisk from New York State was struck by lightning several days ago. Its engines failed, and the plane crashed in the mountains."

"Other than Wilson Fisk, his escort team, and the flight crew all miraculously survived."

Norman slowly read the news report aloud.

Didn't like prison? Then go to Hell.

Father and son nodded in satisfaction.

"Cheers."

Harry really wouldn't pursue someone relentlessly.

That would be exhausting.