Luca locked the container in the safe and turned to look at Tony.
"How's the armor repair going? You looked pretty badly damaged tonight."
Tony's expression turned serious when this was mentioned.
The two stood at the workbench on the other side, gazing at the damaged armor parts.
"That energy was strange; it corroded the armor's energy transmission lines."
"Tonight's battle made me realize that there are many threats beyond Earth that we cannot comprehend. Conventional defenses are no longer sufficient."
"I've decided to accelerate the development of Anti-Magic Armor and new battle armor. For example, adding an energy-absorbing coating to the surface of the battle armor. Next time it encounters this kind of attack, I'll show it what the crushing power of technology is."
Luca nodded in agreement.
"That's right. We need to find a way to get a stronger metal when we have time. The materials for the armor need to be changed."
Tony nodded in agreement.
They shared the same opinion on this point.
The metals currently available on the market are too fragile; in high-intensity combat, they would basically shatter the armor in a single exchange.
After a moment of silence, Luca's eyes turned cold.
"Now, we've established ourselves in New York, and the superhero division is officially launched. The whole world is watching us; no one dares to lay a hand on us at this time."
"So, it's time to get down to business."
Tony understood what Luca meant.
His eyes began to flash with murderous intent, and his fists clenched tightly together.
" JARVIS," Luca said coldly.
"Yes, sir."
"Use global satellite computing power to bypass the firewalls of various countries and secretly find a man named Bucky Barnes for me."
"His defining characteristic is that he has a metal left arm. No matter where he's hiding on Earth, even if he's hiding in a rat hole, we'll dig him out for me."
"Understood, sir. The global search has been initiated."
Seeing the data jumping wildly on the screen, Tony gritted his teeth and said.
"I'll turn the earth upside down. When I find that bastard, I'll kill him with my own hands!"
at the same time.
In a room on another floor of the apartment.
Jessica locked the door and drew the curtains.
After confirming that there were no surveillance devices in the room, he took out a miniature encrypted communicator from his underwear.
Her hands were still trembling slightly.
Everything she witnessed at the expo tonight has shattered her pride as Hydra agent.
She is indeed a superpowered person, but the chances of dying while she's with this group of people are far too high!
Press the communication button, and the screen lights up.
Alexander Pierce's somber face appeared on the screen.
"Reporting, Agent."
Pierce's voice sounded tired.
Jessica took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady.
"Sir, although you've already seen it on the live stream, I still have to report: Justin Hammer's operation has been a complete failure."
" Hammer Industries ' armored army was defeated by the Justice League, Justin Hammer was imprisoned, and Ivan Vanko was crippled by a single punch from Tony Stark."
Jessica swallowed hard, the image of Luca instantly killing the alien monster flashing through her mind.
" Luca Stark seems to have gotten stronger again. You saw it too, he took down that alien monster in an instant."
"Sir, he also brought back a mass of alien matter. His current strength is beyond assessment. We simply cannot defeat him."
Pierce remained silent for a long time on the other end of the communicator.
He knew that Hydra had kicked a real hornet's nest this time.
If they continue to provoke the Stark brothers, Hydra's empire could be destroyed.
"I see."
Pierce exhaled, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
" Agent Drew, listen to my next order."
"From this moment forward, cease all probing and hostile actions against Luca Stark. Under no circumstances should he discover your true identity."
"Do whatever he tells you to do. If he tells you to serve tea or water, serve tea or water."
Seemingly remembering something, Pierce made a rare joke.
"If he tells you to wear lace, you wear lace! If he tells you to wear a pencil skirt, you wear a pencil skirt!"
"As long as you can stay alive, as long as you can remain in Stark Industries ' inner circle, Hydra will reimburse you for all expenses! Do you understand?!"
Jessica was speechless.
She was a top-tier spy for Hydra, proficient in various assassination and combat techniques.
Has she really sunk so low as to have to wear sexy lingerie to please a jerk and save her life?
This is an utter disgrace!
But she dared not disobey Pierce's orders.
"Yes... yes, sir. Hail Hydra."
The communication was disconnected.
Jessica slumped helplessly to the ground.
His gaze fell on the several sexy maid outfits and leopard-print bodycon skirts that Pepper had sent to him in the closet.
In that instant, tears of humiliation streamed down her cheeks.
The life of a working-class person is fucking miserable.
On the other side.
Washington, D.C.., S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.
The director's office was a complete mess.
"OMG Fuck!!"
Nick Fury saw the news on the TV screen and smashed everything on the table in a fit of rage.
"Those two bastards! They've turned saving the world into a business they're marketing? What kind of heroes are they?!"
"Or are they using S.H.I.E.L.D.. as a stepping stone?!"
Fury's eyes were bloodshot, and his chest heaved violently.
Right now, the whole world only knows about the Justice League; nobody cares about S.H.I.E.L.D..
Just as Fury was gripped by impotent rage.
The office door was pushed open, and Coulson strode in.
His expression was very serious, and he held a document stamped with a top-secret seal in his hand.
"Chief, there's an emergency."
Coulson walked to the desk and handed the file to Fury.
"Our agents in Eastern Europe have sent back the latest intelligence."
"We discovered traces of recent Hydra activity at an abandoned base in Siberia."
Coulson lowered his voice, his tone grave.
"Furthermore, we found some data related to 1991 in the remaining archives at the base."
"It seems... to be related to the death of Mr. Stark. Howard Stark back then."
Upon hearing this, Fury abruptly looked up.
The next second, the one-eyed man narrowed slightly, a calculating glint in his eyes.
" Howard's death?"
Fury grabbed the documents and began flipping through them quickly.
A few seconds later, he frowned, but quickly smiled again.
"Very good. Coulson, immediately send an agent to Siberia and bring all the data back to me."
In his excitement, Fury went to the floor-to-ceiling windows to admire the Washington night view.
" The Stark brothers think they've won? No, the game has only just begun."
"Once I know the truth about Mr. Howard's death, I'll have leverage over them."
Fury shook his head.
"This world ultimately needs to be controlled by S.H.I.E.L.D.., not by Playboy who treat saving lives as a business."