Super Soldier Frank

"Harry, your surgical plan was too... advanced. Even General Ross's side hasn't reached this stage yet."

That was how Connors assessed Harry's proposal.

"That's because I won't let them reach this stage for now." Harry shook his head. Some things were better kept to himself.

When Harry had undergone his own self-modification, the success rate had been below ten percent. But through prolonged experimentation and improvement, combined with the Active Enhancer, the chance of avoiding serious consequences had risen above ninety percent.

"Are you ready, Frank?"

Frank, lying on the operating table, took a deep breath and nodded.

Then let's begin.

Doctor Connors led the surgery. Thanks to his cooperation with General Ross, he had extensive experience operating.

Harry-controlled Leining served as the assistant. With Harry's senses working in tandem with Leining, the precision of their incisions surpassed that of most machine tools in the world.

Harry had also undergone the same modification surgery himself, so he was more than qualified to assist.

The operation lasted a long time. Connors took several breaks midway through, with Harry taking over each time.

Overall, it was about as bloody as Harry's own procedure, though not as comprehensive.

"The operation is complete. Frank, can you hear me?"

"I... I can... It's too bright. Too... slow—" Frank's reaction was somewhat strange. He said the outside world had slowed down, but to Harry and Connors, it was Frank himself who seemed to be moving slowly.

It looked like he would need time to adapt to the changes. After all, this modification hadn't been performed by the system.

The capillary modifications could promote activity in his retinal rod and cone cells, giving him vision that could even rival that of the animal with the sharpest eyesight—the eagle.

Compared to Frank now, Hawkeye's name was starting to seem undeserved.

The neural modifications would multiply his reaction speed and, as a result, enhance his intelligence and memory.

Other than his bones and muscle cells, all of his modifications were identical to Harry's.

Bone and muscle modifications also had extremely high failure rates. Unless absolutely necessary, Harry would not casually modify Frank further.

"His vital signs are normal. Next comes postoperative health monitoring," Connors concluded.

Harry watched Frank gradually return to normal with satisfaction. This was his first Super Soldier, someone who would play a major role in future battles.

After telling Frank to properly adapt to his changes, Harry handed him the facility's security key. Until he made progress, Frank probably wouldn't want to do anything else.

And once Frank succeeded, Harry would be prepared to use the Secret Medicine to revive Norman. If the plan involving the four Serums failed, he would still have a way out.

"Doctor Connors, how are the four Serums progressing?"

"They're remarkable," Connors said frankly. "Some phenomena I'd never understood before have appeared, completing the final piece of my research. But I still need to understand how they work."

Connors's face was filled with excitement. After studying them in depth, he had discovered that this was clearly the project Harry had once told him to abandon!

"Excellent. Then, Doctor, go back and get some rest. I'm heading to the company first."

The two parted ways at the facility entrance, and Harry returned to the company.

He had been absent for far too long.

"Harry, where have you been? The company is swamped! You can't keep dumping the entire company on me and then disappearing!" Heli's call was the first to come through.

"Your father is the Governor now. He can't keep serving as CEO like before. You have to shoulder this responsibility!"

"I went to witness a miracle. It was a major scientific discovery."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. I'm on the way. I'll be at the company in five minutes."

Harry was in an excellent mood. The resurrection had been half-successful, Frank's operation had succeeded, and he had even received a new mission.

Things were back on the right track. He no longer needed to deal with those underground factions.

As for Alexandra, Madam Gao only wanted her alive. She hadn't asked Harry to release her.

After all, the trouble that woman had caused was no small matter.

Once the Hand and Harmony Society's legitimate businesses completed their handover, she would no longer be of any use.

Back in his office, Heli gave him a detailed report filled with losses, giving Harry a headache.

However, the group was still making a profit, so the problem was not too serious. Besides, after the explosion, land prices in many areas had fallen, and Osborn could buy them up for redevelopment.

New York was thriving.

Just then, Harry's phone rang.

"Harry? Do you remember what we agreed on?"

It was General Ross.

Judging by the timing, he should have been trying to capture Hulk...

"Regarding that matter, I may need to discuss it with you face-to-face."

"I can't get away right now. I'm in Maryland. How is that thing coming along?"

"Based on your description, I did create an Implant capable of paralyzing the target. But according to your description, the target's cortex seems difficult to penetrate. We can't provide a recommended surgical plan."

"...That won't be a problem. Also, I need your latest T-51 Power Armor right now. Hand them over to the people from the domestic procurement office."

"Of course. As long as the Military needs it, Osborn has always been happy to provide equipment."

"...Hmph. Then why didn't you mount weapons on them?"

General Ross hung up before Harry could answer.

"See, Heli? The order's here. Isn't making money the most important thing for a company?"

Heli rolled her eyes, flipped through her memo, and continued.

"Congress has invited you to attend a hearing. It concerns Iron Man."

Harry stroked his chin. This hearing was probably organized by Senator Stern. The senator was actually one of Hydra's men, and they wanted Tony to hand over the Mark armor.

Hydra's public-facing forces had never given Harry any trouble. Presumably, they had already gotten their hands on the Powered Exoskeleton.

Military control was strict. At the very least, none of the Powered Exoskeletons on record had gone missing. But it was unavoidable for them to be borrowed out, and that was beyond Harry's control.

There were two other possible sources of trouble. First, the Powered Exoskeleton Kingpin had stolen still hadn't been recovered. Second, there were the fifty sets of E1 Power Armor sold to the Hand and Harmony Society this time—but those things were about to be replaced by newer models anyway.

Harry estimated that he would release two more versions of Power Armor before they became non-commercial products.

"Tony's hearing? I should go. I happen to have some scientific matters to discuss with him."

S.H.I.E.L.D. would send Tony Lithium Dioxide to alleviate his palladium poisoning, but Harry had tested it himself. Once this stuff entered the human body, it would react with water to form a strong alkali. If that stuff really was pure Lithium Dioxide, it would be absurdly powerful.

Still, although Harry didn't know what exactly was being injected, he knew the clue to the New Element.

Harry was someone who knew how to share.

"Arrange the shipment, then prepare a plane to Washington," Harry said as he began reviewing the materials.

"Taking a plane this time?" Heli teased.

Harry put down the materials, glanced at Heli, then pulled her over in one swift motion.

"Ha, after not seeing me for a few days, you seem to have gotten a little bold."

"Stop! We're working right now..."