Punching Open a Path

"Not exactly."

Leon pointed to his ear. "From the intelligence I've heard over the past few days, the few people currently holding power in S.H.I.E.L.D. are fine for the time being. Hydra's people are only the backbone and elite members."

"Only the backbone and elites?" Tony was speechless. "How is that much different from all of them? The organization Father created was just handed over to the enemy by those idiots!"

He paced back and forth beside the workbench. "No, Leon. It's our responsibility to deal with the problems the old man left behind. We need to destroy this organization!"

"I agree." Leon had no objections. "I can't stand how this organization has no real strength, yet always fantasizes about being the world's savior."

"Besides, it also fits with my plan for revenge."

Leon waved at the holographic projector, and an image of Nick Fury appeared.

"Nick Fury, the current director of S.H.I.E.L.D. He has an extremely strong desire for control and wants to keep the entire world's security in his own hands."

"That does sound a lot like Hydra. Wait, then why isn't he Hydra?" Tony asked.

"I don't know. Maybe the previous director was worried that if he joined the organization, he'd threaten his position."

Leon waved his hand again, and a file package popped up on the display.

"This contains the list of Hydra members within S.H.I.E.L.D. that I compiled, along with the evidence and identities."

"Afterward, Tony, find a way to send this file to Nick Fury and let them start tearing themselves apart internally."

"Remember, don't just have JARVIS send it. They'll be able to trace it back."

"Then, once they're in enough chaos, we'll release these files and expose Hydra completely."

"At that point, the whole world will spontaneously stand against Hydra."

"We can use the opportunity to uncover the truth behind our parents' deaths. Evidence or murderers, we need all of it!"

Leon revealed a rather unfriendly smile. "And during this process, I'll show the world my power."

"How?" Tony froze for a moment.

"Force them to use weapons of mass destruction. Intercontinental missiles, hydrogen bombs... anything works!"

"Then I'll take a missile head-on with my body and punch one of their military bases into rubble."

Leon poured himself a glass of water. "That will show both my defense and offense, while also making clear that I show no mercy when I strike!"

"I imagine that after that, even if I wear a Superman uniform while coming and going from home, no one will dare come looking for trouble."

Tony imagined Leon being bombarded by missiles and opened his mouth. "Isn't that... a little too risky?"

"Don't worry. It's not like I'm in a hurry to die. I'll only act if I'm confident. Besides, if I can't take a missile, can't I just dodge it?"

As he spoke, Leon pulled a case out from behind him.

"I still need to get stronger. I'm not planning to throw my life away... Tony, take a look. This is the uniform I made. What do you think?"

He opened the case and took out a Superman uniform woven from gold, blue, and red.

The uniform lacked the traditional underwear-on-the-outside design. It was entirely dark blue, with a golden inverted pentagon containing an S emblem on the chest and a red cape fastened at the shoulders.

"A Superman suit woven from Kevlar fiber. Bulletproof, soft, and most importantly, stylish."

Despite the weight in his heart, Tony could not help commenting, "It looks good. I'm glad you didn't wear your underwear on the outside. And this S—I remember it means hope, right?"

"No. Now it means Stark, the first letter of Stark."

Leon flicked the "S." "Starting tomorrow, I'll wear this uniform and head to Afghanistan to eliminate the Ten Rings. From then on, I'll be Superman."

"You seem to have forgotten about me. I'm coming too!" Tony seriously grabbed Leon. "This is my own trouble. I have to deal with it myself."

"But you still have to carry out the plan we just discussed." Leon pointed at the projection. "I think you're extremely eager to uncover the truth."

Tony shook his head. "That doesn't stop me from dealing with some hateful thugs ten thousand kilometers away while investigating the truth."

Tony had been keeping an eye on the Ten Rings these past few days. Those people had considerable influence from Afghanistan to the Middle East.

Within their sphere of influence, ordinary people suffered oppression and plunder every day.

Even if Leon had not mentioned it today, Tony would soon have chosen to act and dismantle the gang.

"Fine, but you must be careful about S.H.I.E.L.D. In the early stages, try not to let them trace anything back to us. That would mean a lot of trouble."

"I'll listen to you." Tony looked at Nick Fury's face on the projection, then asked, "Still, I'm curious. You should be able to find Hydra's bases, so why not just strike directly?"

Leon shook his head. "Hydra's upper ranks have prominent identities in countries all over the world. Those bases belong to them. If I act directly, they may manipulate public opinion and label me a dictator or accuse me of provoking war."

"I'm not afraid of that, of course. Even if things came to that, I'd only have to strike a few more times."

"But if a problem can be avoided in advance just by using your brain, why wait until it comes knocking and leaves you with no choice but to solve it by force?"

Tony nodded approvingly. "I knew you were a man who didn't like being passive, just like me."

Leon ignored his flirtatious remark. "That's also why I want to demonstrate my strength to the entire world."

"After all, I can't hide my superpowers forever. My identity will be discovered someday."

"And once my identity is exposed, the first thing every force will do is test me!"

"But if others have already started testing me and showing hostile intent, can I still hold back?"

"Yet if I go straight to their doorstep, whether to protect their authority or avenge their people, they still won't let it go."

"In the end, it might turn into a situation where I have to wipe out most of the armed forces in the world before I can return to a peaceful daily life."

"Since that's the case, I might as well plan ahead, pull out a public enemy of the world, and display all the power needed to make them afraid right in front of the world's major powers!"

Tony could not help applauding. "Not a bad idea. You made the most correct choice, Leon."

"Thanks for the praise. I just don't like people interfering with my normal life."

Leon put the uniform away. "That's everything I intend to do. I've told you everything, so now you can finally rest easy, Tony."

Tony smiled. "I was never worried... By the way, a question. Why pretend to be Superman and dress like a... pajama baby? Forgive my bluntness, but do you want to be a superhero?"

"No. I just like Superman. But I won't become a righteous hero like him."

Leon left while carrying the case. "Maybe I'll be the sort of good man who helps when he sees injustice, but doing good deeds full-time and saving the world? I'll pass."

Tony shook his head behind him. "What a shame. I even came up with a name for our hero duo: the Super Iron Brothers. What do you think?"

"I think it's childish!" Leon's voice vanished into the stairwell. "It sounds like two kindergarten babies!"