Those words tore away all pretense, turning this into naked plunder by force.
The entire room instantly fell silent. Everyone waited to see Tony bow his head and compromise.
But Tony only gave a soft scoff, his gaze turning utterly cold.
He shed every trace of nonchalance, his presence instantly becoming razor-sharp. His eyes swept over the senior military officials and senators as he declared firmly:
"First of all, I have successfully privatized world peace."
That brief statement landed like a thunderbolt! Everyone's pupils abruptly contracted.
Tony continued at an unhurried pace, "I own this technology. I control this combat power. To date, I am the only person in the world who has successfully built and can perfectly operate the Iron Man Armor.
You want the technology? You want to replicate the armor?
Fine. But before that, let me ask-which of you can build it?"
Stern suddenly sneered, interrupting Tony's grand speech and dropping a bombshell:
"You may not know this, but the evidence we've obtained shows that someone has already replicated your work!"
An uproar erupted throughout the room.
Tony was instantly stunned as well.
Seated in a corner, Coulson stared grimly at that idiot Stern. He had actually blurted this out in front of the entire world! Coulson wanted to stop him, but it was already too late.
Before Tony could question him, Stern continued, "While a terrorist armed group called the Ten Rings held you captive, they obtained your Arc Reactor and armor technology!
Everyone here should understand the consequences of this falling into the hands of a bunch of terrorists.
Tony, do you still claim you're the only one who possesses it? That no one else can replicate it?"
He paused, his tone growing even more certain. "We now have confirmed intelligence that the terrorist organization known as the Ten Rings suddenly invaded Salia some time ago, seized control of five major provincial capitals, and purchased vast quantities of specialty alloys and high-tech equipment. They are manufacturing your armor, your 'prosthesis'!"
Gasps instantly rang out throughout the room.
Was that true?
A terrorist organization had obtained Tony Stark's armor technology?
God, if this terrorist organization grew, it would be nothing short of a disaster!
Stern kept his eyes fixed on Tony, pressing him further. "Your technology has already put the entire world in danger! Only by handing your so-called 'prosthesis' over to the nation can we prevent a war that would plunge the world into chaos!"
Watching the live broadcast, Fury's expression was thunderous.
What was wrong with Stern?
All of this was strictly classified so they could locate the Ten Rings' main base and wipe them out immediately, preventing them from spreading the technology in a desperate last stand.
And now he had announced it in front of the whole world. The Ten Rings would be prepared immediately. Everything was ruined!
The military representatives looked just as furious, wishing they could rush up and tear Stern's big mouth apart.
Pierce, who was also watching the broadcast, wanted to eat Stern alive.
He had only told them to publicize the danger posed by the Ten Rings and their leader within the military, stressing that the Ten Rings had to be dealt a devastating, lightning-fast strike.
He had never imagined this idiot would expose the Ten Rings in front of the entire federation and the whole world!
If the Ten Rings buckled under global pressure and spread the technology, those major powers would obtain it and immediately start mass-producing troops. What the hell would Hydra be able to do then?
Far away at his headquarters in Salia, Wenwu was also watching the broadcast, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
He, too, felt things had gotten a little out of hand.
"Looks like I'll have to scrap my plan entirely! Still, it's time the Ten Rings stepped into the public eye and cleaned up its image!"
The corners of Wenwu's mouth lifted slightly. This was fine, too.
At the hearing, Tony looked at Stern with a sigh.
He had actually long suspected that the organization that kidnapped him had obtained his technology.
Though this was his first time learning that it was the Ten Rings.
And now this guy had actually announced it publicly here. How exhausting!
He took a deep breath, absolute confidence filling his eyes once more, and said coldly, "You say you have evidence. Then show it to us."
Stern instantly choked. He, too, had come to his senses by now, his face deathly pale and cold sweat pouring off him.
Evidence? If he claimed to have evidence and produced it, wouldn't Hydra and the military skin him alive?
Tony's mockery had actually goaded him into blurting out the matter of the Ten Rings!
"We can't disclose the specific evidence publicly. We can provide it to you in private," Stern forced out, looking utterly uncomfortable.
"Impressive, Senator. Could it be that you don't have any evidence at all?"
Tony challenged him mercilessly. "I didn't even know the organization that kidnapped me was the Ten Rings. Senator Stern, why don't you produce your evidence? You're not deliberately manufacturing panic just to steal my armor, are you?"
Tony spared him no dignity and kept pressing.
Stern's face darkened with fury. Humiliated and enraged, he slammed the table and bellowed, "Tony Stark, you're slandering me!"
"I'm not slandering anyone. Everyone's watching."
Tony shrugged and said loudly, "Everyone, tell me, have I slandered him? I asked him to produce evidence, and he can't. Naturally, that makes people suspicious!"
Tony declared, "Besides, as I said, this technology is mine alone in the entire world. No one can replace me!
So what if they obtained my technology?
They're just a bunch of primitive people who got their hands on advanced technology. They probably can't even understand the principles behind it.
Oh, right. That includes you!"
Tony looked toward the senators, then swept his gaze over Justin Hammer's seat, his words dripping with arrogance and disdain.
Justin Hammer felt that Tony was mocking him, and his chest instantly tightened with frustration.
Then Tony continued:
"So let me tell you all: until one of you, including that Ten Rings or whatever, can build armor like mine, world peace will remain under my private contract for the time being.
I will not hand over the technology!
I will not give up the armor.
I alone am enough to keep every potential threat in check. I don't need military interference, and I don't need a government takeover."
Those supremely arrogant words utterly crushed all the power and arrogance in the room!
Colonel Rhodes sat below the podium with a helpless, wry smile. He had not expected Tony to push back so hard, either.
Senator Stern completely lost his composure and demanded hoarsely, "Mr. Stark! You're disregarding federal legislation and showing contempt for the Senate's authority! This is extreme selfishness and arrogance, leaving open the possibility of the world descending into chaos!"
Tony raised his eyes slightly and replied calmly, "Come talk to me about rules when your technology surpasses mine. Until then, what belongs to me will always remain mine.
I'll investigate the Ten Rings myself. Even if they really have obtained my technology, I'm capable of taking it back myself."
With that, he stood straight up, adjusted his suit, and ignored the room full of powerful figures, the cameras, and the live broadcast.
Under everyone's stunned and shocked gazes, Tony Stark turned and strode out with effortless poise, leaving behind a room full of politicians and senior military officials who had lost all dignity.