Arrogant Stark

"Sir, I guarantee the mission will be completed." Coulson hung up the phone and sat in his car, lost in thought.

Just yesterday, the U.S. military announced that they had found Tony Stark, who had been missing for a long time, in a desert in Afghanistan. This news shocked the entire world.

Because Tony Stark had been missing for so long, people assumed he was already dead. But in reality, that was not the case; he was alive and well, and he seemed to have changed.

The day after his rescue, Tony Stark flew back to the United States on a military plane. This time, fearing that Tony might face further danger, the military even dispatched several fighter jets to escort him.

Generally speaking, after being held captive for three months, the first thing one should do upon returning home is go to the hospital or take a good rest for a while.

However, that was not what Tony did. The first thing he wanted to do upon returning home was to hold a press conference and eat a cheeseburger.

This caused an uproar among people from all walks of life, who wondered what kind of mischief this billionaire was up to now.

Coulson's arrival this time was to investigate the details of Tony Stark's escape.

More importantly, S.H.I.E.L.D. had uncovered a crucial piece of information: the group that kidnapped Tony seemed to be connected to a high-level executive at Stark Industries. If the news was true, he had to find a way to warn Tony to be wary of those around him.

These things sounded easy, but saying them was not easy at all.

Tony Stark was the only son of Howard Stark. Although he was gifted, he had an eccentric personality and was arrogant; it was said that he was very difficult to get along with. Wanting to speak with Tony alone?

Sorry, you have to see if he is in a good mood, or if there are other beautiful women attracting his attention.

Furthermore, Coulson had been worrying about another matter recently: the case of William Lister.

He had visited other super-powered individuals before, but this man was different from them all because he claimed to come from the future.

If it were a normal person, one would certainly think he was a lunatic. But after hearing the story of Judgment Day, Coulson actually began to slowly believe that what he said might be true.

S.H.I.E.L.D. was just that kind of strange organization, dealing with all sorts of bizarre things every day.

He had been scouring various documents these past few days, trying to find clues. He even used his S.H.I.E.L.D. clearance to search for information regarding Overwatch, but he found nothing.

Coulson had always thought that William's abilities were merely increased speed and strength, but after investigating for some time, he discovered that the matter was not that simple. William's abilities might be even more powerful than he had imagined.

Just as he was lost in his own thoughts, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly drove toward him. Coulson couldn't help but look over. Through the glass window, he saw a man with a bruised face eating a burger with great relish.

"Tony Stark!"

"He's back!"

At the entrance of the press conference, the people present were cheering and applauding to welcome Tony's return.

A middle-aged man in sunglasses opened the car door for him. This man was dressed in a suit, had a sturdy build, and was bald with graying facial hair. It was none other than one of the founders of Stark Industries, Obadiah Stane.

"Tony!" Obadiah gave Tony a hypocritical hug and said, "Why didn't you just stay in the hospital and rest?"

But Tony ignored him and pulled out another cheeseburger.

Watching their backs disappear into the entrance, Coulson hurried to follow. Talking to Tony was not that simple; he had to find Tony's secretary first, that charming Pepper Potts.

Pepper was standing behind the crowd, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Tony surrounded by people. Just then, Coulson stood beside her and said with a smile, "Ms. Potts, do you have a moment?"

Pepper glanced at Coulson's formal attire, assuming he was a reporter. "I'm sorry, although I don't have the authority to participate in this conference, it's about to start. If you have any questions, you can go over there to ask them."

"I'm not a reporter," Coulson replied solemnly. "I am Phil Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division..."

"What? Say that again. What division are you from?" Coulson spoke too fast, and Pepper didn't catch it at all.

"My fault, my fault. You can just call me Coulson," Coulson said helplessly, handing her his business card.

He couldn't be blamed for this; he had already suggested to the agency that they just call it S.H.I.E.L.D. from now on, but changing the name wasn't that simple.

It required layers of review from above and even the consent of the World Security Council before the name could be changed. For now, he had to keep using this long, clunky name.

"Mr. Coulson, is there anything else?" Just then, the press conference was about to begin, and Pepper asked.

"I need to learn the details of his escape from Mr. Stark." Coulson finally remembered his mission; he had to talk to Tony Stark quickly and warn him about the mastermind behind the scenes.

"I'll find some time for you."

The press conference had already begun, and Pepper didn't want to talk to Coulson anymore. Coulson nodded and said thank you.

He looked ahead. Obadiah Stane was standing on the podium saying a few polite words, but Tony Stark had actually sat down on the floor and pulled a cheeseburger out of his pocket.

What a strange guy.

Tony tore open the burger wrapper and gestured for everyone to sit down. The crowd was a bit surprised, but they already knew that Tony Stark was someone who didn't play by the rules. The hundreds of people present all sat down, wondering what Tony was planning to do.

"I don't know if my father ever hesitated. There are some questions I want to ask him—about the meaning of our company." Tony finished the burger, his expression turning serious because he thought of that doctor, the man who saved his life.

"I witnessed young people being killed, killed by our company's weapons. I never thought I would become that executioner!"

The reporters present were all confused. A reporter raised his hand and asked, "Mr. Stark, what exactly happened?"

"Oh, nothing. I just woke up." Tony stood up and said from the podium, "I have decided that, starting today, I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the quiet reporters suddenly erupted into a frenzy.

Why? This was huge news.

Everyone knew that Stark Industries started in the military manufacturing business, and now Tony was planning to shut down the weapons division. It wasn't just the reporters who were excited; even Obadiah ran up in a panic to save the situation.

But none of it mattered, because he had made up his mind since returning from Afghanistan, and no one could change it.

The scene was in chaos, and no matter what Obadiah Stane said, he couldn't salvage the situation. Tony strode out of the venue. Just as he reached the door, a man in a suit blocked his path.

"Hello, Mr. Stark," Coulson said with a smile. "I am from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division..."

Before Coulson could even state his name, Tony cut him off. "Did you make an appointment with my secretary?"

"I already have; she said she would find a time," Coulson replied.

"I'm very busy today. Try rescheduling when you have a chance," Tony said with a grin.

Coulson: "..."

Honestly, I'm such a die-hard fan of Nini~