How to Deal with the Invincible Kingpin?

"Osborn Group factory attacked, over a hundred high-tech equipment stolen!"

"Exoskeleton equipment safety in question; public demands restrictions on personal and corporate ownership of exoskeleton gear."

Harry swirled his glass, irritation bubbling inside him.

Are these people out of their minds? I'm the one who got robbed, and instead of demanding the NYPD do their job on public safety, they blame us for making gear that's too advanced?

"Father, has business been affected?"

Norman was reviewing documents nearby. At the question, he closed his laptop.

"Yes. Civilian exoskeleton orders have dropped significantly, and some companies have canceled theirs. But military orders remain unaffected."

"What about the media and the authorities?"

"They want more money. It seems someone already tipped them off in advance." Norman's expression darkened. "Looks like a big shot."

Of course it's a big shot—the head of every gang in America.

Ring-ring—

Harry's phone rang. The father and son exchanged a glance, then put it on speaker.

"Mr. Osborn, I'm deeply sorry for your company's misfortune and losses. I'm calling specially to send my regards."

The man's voice was gentle and low, speaking with the polished courtesy of a gentleman.

"Thank you for your concern. May I ask who this is?" Norman inquired.

"Ah, right, my apologies. In my eagerness, I forgot to introduce myself." The caller paused. "I'm Wilson Fisk."

Hearing that, Harry frowned. What does this guy want?

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Fisk. Is there anything else?"

"Actually, I noticed your company seems to have run into some trouble lately. I have friends in all walks of life, and I might be able to help you resolve these issues."

After a moment of silence, Norman replied:

"Sounds good. And what can we do for you in return?"

"Haha, no need to be so formal. I never ask for anything when helping friends. Also, I noticed your company seems to be facing some financial difficulties. If you're having trouble with the municipal power grid project, I can help ease your funding issues."

So that's his angle? The New York power grid?

"Also, I'd like to place an order for a batch of exoskeleton gear. It's time I equipped my employees with some protective measures..."

Hearing this, Harry understood. So this fat man is playing us for fools!

Without a doubt, Kingpin would lowball the exoskeleton price, then demand Osborn Group illegally sell military-grade Power Armor, and finally insist on a stake in the municipal grid project—this fat man's appetite is enormous!

Harry was genuinely angry now. He gave Norman a slight shake of his head.

"Hmm... Your offer is very tempting, but the company has a lot on its plate lately. I'll need some time to think it over."

"Oh, of course! Such an important matter deserves careful consideration! Then I won't disturb you any longer, Mr. Norman Osborn, and Mr. Harry Osborn."

Snap.

"He's trying to shake us down." Norman shrugged. He'd seen plenty of people like this. Fisk was just a slightly bigger fish.

"No, Father. He really has the ability to make these problems go away." Harry pulled out his laptop and started fiddling with it. "Father, do you know who Kingpin is?"

"A gang boss who controls all the gangs in America? But that's just a legend. Don't tell me it's real?"

"He might not be as mythical as the stories say, but he does exist." Harry opened a projection and continued, "Think about it, Father. Hours before the attack, all the cameras on the roads leading to the factory were shut down. The NYPD showed up late, claiming a shortage of manpower. And you know what? Yesterday's paper ran a story about the NYPD helping an old lady find her lost cat—on the very same day."

"Sounds troublesome... So, should we just pay to make this go away? What's this?"

"No. We can't get involved with them."

The projection showed Kingpin's truck route after the heist. It was clear they'd taken a few deliberate detours.

"Is that... a Tracker? You want to handle this yourself? That sounds like gangster tactics."

"No... Father, the point of showing you this route isn't where the Tracker stopped. It's the route itself."

In fact, the Tracker signal had eventually stopped on a suburban road—either the battery died or the signal was jammed.

Harry highlighted several segments of the route.

"These areas aren't even precincts. Some of them have police stations nearby. And I haven't heard of any major cases that night that would tie up all the cops. Yet they just wouldn't help."

"Sounds like... this Kingpin has a lot of influence."

"He does. But most of his methods are shady: bribing higher-ups and then manufacturing leverage; loan-sharking to the lower class, threatening them, taking their families hostage. If we decide to cooperate with him, he'll eventually find a way to hold something over us too."

Norman had nearly become the Green Goblin himself, so he understood this well. Besides, Osborn Group had never been stingy with "hospitality" expenses.

"Kingpin isn't a big deal. But if we don't dismantle the gangster order he represents, there'll always be another Kingpin coming to demand favors."

"So, you're not going to suggest I become the next Kingpin, are you?" Norman joked.

"No, Father. I want you to become President."

The words hung in the air. Norman's expression twisted into something bizarre. President? As if you could just decide that on a whim.

"This isn't a joke, Father. First, we need to get you elected Governor of New York State. That shouldn't be too hard—after all, you were once the CEO and Chairman of the renowned Osborn Group."

Seeing that his son was not joking, Norman gradually slipped into character.

Considering the Osborn Group's influence, any political party would need such a corporation as a pillar of support.

The war in Afghanistan was raging at the moment. Logically, using the military industry as an entry point to participate in the ruling party's caucus activities would be a solid start. But Harry, being a transmigrator, knew that another major opposition party was a better long-term fit for Norman.

Tony Stark had already gone missing in Afghanistan. Once he returned, he would abandon most of Stark Industries' military contracts and preach anti-war ideals as Iron Man. On top of that, after years of fighting in Afghanistan, domestic anti-war sentiment was fierce. The war would become a burden rather than a good vote-getter.

Most critically, aliens were coming soon... In this world, internationalization was inevitable.

After a round of discussion, Norman Osborn—who was supposed to become the Green Goblin—decided on his future path: he would become the President of the United States.

The next day, news that Norman Osborn had resigned as CEO of the Osborn Group and would run in this year's New York State Senator election exploded across every major media outlet.

Kingpin, huh? Gang lord, huh? Just you wait.