Two weeks have passed since the Justice League concluded its global mission.
For the past two weeks, the Earth has been calm and peaceful.
Loki seemed to have vanished completely, never to be seen again.
And taking advantage of this rare window of opportunity.
Luca did something that kept the business and political world up at night.
He spun off the superhero division, which was originally affiliated with Stark Industries.
It integrates Osborn Group's public relations department, some civilian technology patents from Wakanda, and Kingpin's distribution channels throughout the United States.
The Global Defense and Hero Management Group was eventually officially established.
Under Luca's commercial management, the Justice League has now become a purely business-driven alliance.
Spider-Man figurines sold out across the United States.
Ghost-Spider and Scarlet Witch graced the joint cover of Time and Vogue, becoming new icons for young people worldwide.
Even the Punisher, with his menacing appearance, was packaged by the public relations department as a tough veteran and a crime fighter.
They also launched a co-branded tactical bulletproof vest.
The people idolized the Justice League.
Stark Industries ' stock price is breaking Wall Street records every day.
However, while some revel, others fear.
For the past two weeks, a persistent gloom has hung over the corridors between the Pentagon and the White House.
Just think about it: what happens when a private company not only monopolizes the world's energy, pharmaceuticals, and metals?
Most importantly, they also possess a team of superpowered individuals who are not subject to government control.
Their fighting power is so strong that they could wipe out a medium-sized country in a single day...
All of this was more despairing for politicians and the military who were used to controlling everything than the revival of the Soviet Union.
Thus, with the joint efforts of General Ross military representative, and Senator Stern, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, it was decided that...
A subpoena from the United States Congress was sent to Stark Tower.
They took advantage of the fact that Tony Stark was away from the country and only Stark was left to launch their attack.
Then, under the pretext of safeguarding national security and preventing private armed groups from monopolizing power, they forcibly convened a special congressional hearing that was broadcast live worldwide!
9:00 AM, Washington, D.C.., Capitol.
The large hearing hall, which can accommodate hundreds of people, was packed to capacity.
The media area was filled with cameras of all sizes and specifications.
Reporters from major news networks around the world held their breath, awaiting the start of this clash of the century.
In the high, semi-circular hearing box, a dozen or so congressional leaders, led by Senator Stern, sat upright.
Beside them, General Ross, wearing a star of command, had a grim expression and his eyes were fixed on the entrance like those of a hawk.
" Senator Stern, are you sure this tactic will work?"
General Ross lowered his voice and spoke to Stern beside him.
" Luca Stark is an unpredictable madman."
"Back in Flushing, I witnessed him tear apart titanium tentacles with his bare hands. If he were to overturn the table at the hearing..."
"This is the United States Congress, General! Not a gangster's street!"
Senator Stern straightened his tie, his face radiating arrogance and confidence.
"There are hundreds of National Guard outside, and two armed helicopters overhead. More importantly, there are hundreds of cameras below broadcasting live to the entire world!"
At this point, Stern gave a cold laugh.
"No matter how good Luca Stark is at fighting, he's still a businessman first and foremost."
" Stark Industries is worth three trillion dollars; he makes money by packaging superheroes as idols."
"So, with billions of viewers watching, would he dare to attack us?"
"If he dares to show any violent tendencies, the stock market will immediately crash, and the world's opinion will label him a dictator and tyrant!"
"Today, we'll use legal rules and taxpayer considerations to put a collar on him!"
"Not only must he relinquish command of the Justice League, but he must also give half of Wakanda's Vibranium procurement quota to the military!"
After listening, General Ross slowly nodded, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.
Just then...
The door was pushed open from the outside.
The entire room fell silent, and all the camera lenses turned towards the doorway.
Luca Stark walked in.
Today he was wearing a black suit, his black hair was neatly combed, and a smug smile graced his handsome face.
Three people followed behind him.
On the left is the group's president Pepper Potts, wearing a suit and skirt.
On the right are Natasha in a secretary's outfit and Jessica in a bodycon skirt.
The two women were each carrying a briefcase and a thermos coffee maker.
"Wow, look at this scene. I thought we were here for the Oscar."
As Luca walked, he waved to the media cameras on both sides, attracting a flurry of camera shutters.
He then strode over to the questioning area in the center of the hearing and sat down.
Jessica immediately stepped forward.
Then, with practiced ease, he unscrewed the thermos, placed a cup bearing the Stark Industries logo on the table, and filled it with steaming hot coffee.
Natasha gracefully opened her briefcase, took out a tablet, and placed it in front of Luca.
Then, the two women took a half step back and stood on either side of Luca behind him.
Upon witnessing this, Stern's expression darkened.
He picked up the wooden mallet on the table and struck it twice forcefully.
Thump! Thump!
"Silence! The special congressional hearing concerning Stark Industries' illegal formation of Superman armed force and its monopoly of strategic resources is now officially in session!"
Senator Stern looked down at Luca and launched a fierce offensive right from the start.
" Mr. Stark. Luca Stark."
"For some time now, you and your Tony Stark have been doing things without the consent of the United States. government."
"Including but not limited to, recruiting multiple dangerous superhumans, including the Hulk and a mutant Spider-Man, without the approval of the Department of Defense and Congress, to form the so-called Justice League."
"Then they established a militarized base off the coast of New York, and bypassed the United Nations and the Department of State, secretly signing an exclusive strategic metal monopoly agreement with Wakanda in Africa!"
After speaking, Stern slammed his hand on the table, his words echoing through the hall via microphone, brimming with a sense of justice.
" Mr. Stark, I'd like to ask you a question on behalf of all United States taxpayers!"
"Where do you put the laws of the United States of America?!"
"Do you believe that as long as you possess superpowers and money, you can rise above the nation and establish a state within a state, free from any oversight?!"
It must be said that Stern truly lived up to his reputation as a veteran politician.
The implication that this label, which places the state above all else, instantly caused a slight wavering in the hearts of those present at the scene and those watching on television.
The reporters excitedly jotted down their notes, eager to see how Luca would handle this deadly attack.
Luca Hawthorne remained unfazed by Stern's outburst.
He even smiled, took a sip of his coffee, and then slowly adjusted the microphone.
" Senator Stern, your speech was brilliant. It's a waste of your talent that you're not performing in Broadway operas."
As soon as Luca opened his mouth, soft laughter rippled through the room.
"However, I must correct a few errors in your word choice."
Luca extended a finger, his smile slowly fading.
First, the Justice League is not an illegal private armed group.
"We have full and legal registration with the New York State Bureau of Industry and Commerce; our full name is Global Defense and Public Security Outsourcing Services."
"We pay up to 35 percent of our corporate income tax to the Internal Revenue Service on time."
"Strictly speaking, we are a legal private security company that aims to assist the government in maintaining public order."
"Secondly, regarding Vibranium."
"This is a legitimate cross-border business acquisition and mineral development investment by Stark Industries."
"Senator, the America is a free market economy. Since when did a private company need to report to Congress when it buys mines abroad?"
"Do Wall Street oil tycoons need your permission before buying oil fields in the Middle East?"
Stern choked for a moment, his face turning red.
"That's utter nonsense! Would a security company be equipped with heavy weapons capable of blowing up a building?! Would ordinary minerals be used to manufacture individual mechs?!"
" General Ross can testify that your forces have seriously threatened national defense security!"
General Ross immediately took over the conversation, speaking in a deep voice into the microphone.
"That's right, Mr. Stark. According to the military's assessment, all of your so-called superheroes are dangerous and unstable elements."
" The Hulk once caused immense destruction in Harlem. The Punisher is a wanted criminal with dozens of lives on his hands!"
General Ross stared intently at Luca, his true intentions revealed.
"For national security reasons, the Pentagon has formally proposed this to Congress."
"I recommend the immediate dismantling of Stark Industries ' superhero division! All superhumans must be incorporated into and placed under the unified supervision of the military!"
"At the same time, Stark Industries must unconditionally grant the military access to its Vibranium reserves and the core technology of the Iron Man Armor! Otherwise, we will consider you the number one threat to national security!"
boom!
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
Pepper turned pale with anger.
These robbers have finally shown their true colors!
These people aren't acting out of concern for national security; they're clearly just jealous of the Justice League's power and resources and want to rob them outright!
In front of their televisions, countless United States watching the live broadcast were also discussing it animatedly.
While people love superheroes, General Ross's mention of the sabotage and wanted criminals in Harlem did indeed strike a chord with many people's fears.
In the hearing room, Stern and General Ross exchanged a glance, a smug smirk flashing in both their eyes.
In their view, Luca was in Extremis.
If they don't agree, it's considered an act of defiance against the state apparatus.
If they agree, the Stark brothers will end up working for the military.
However.
The other person sighed softly.
" General Ross, Senator Stern."
Luca stood up, placed his hands on the table, and scanned the entire room before finally fixing his gaze on the main camera lens of the live broadcast.
"You keep saying that for national security and to protect the United States people, you're handing the Justice League over to your military and Congress for oversight."
At this point, Luca gave a cold laugh.
"Originally, I had great respect for everyone."
"After all, I even prepared a two-hundred-page ' Public Safety Outsourcing Cooperation Act ' in hopes of reaching a business partnership with the government."
"But since you insist on talking to me about who is more qualified to protect the people, and insist on questioning Stark Industries ' moral standards..."
Luca turned his head and snapped his the Snap at Natasha.
" Assistant Natalie, please show the taxpayers across the United States the corporate qualification comparison report we prepared."
"Okay, boss."
Natasha smiled slightly and tapped her finger lightly on the tablet.
The next second.
A large screen in the hearing room, originally used to display evidence, and all television screens around the world broadcasting the hearing flickered for a moment.
Then, the screen switched to a set of high-definition video and image materials!
"What are you doing?! Who gave you permission to control the Congressional screen?! Cut it off! Cut it off now!"
Senator Stern shouted in alarm.
But it was completely useless.
Under JARVIS's control, the Capitol's technicians couldn't even press a key on their keyboards and could only watch helplessly as the video played on the screen.
The first page of the screen displayed a headshot of General Ross, along with a series of experimental videos and financial records marked as top secret by the Pentagon!
Luca smiled slightly and slowly spoke to the camera.
Dear viewers at home
" General Ross just accused my employee Dr. Bruce Banner, of causing damage in Harlem."
"But he seems to have forgotten to tell everyone why Dr. Banner turned into the Hulk, and who created the Abomination, the other monster that truly Carnage civilians in Harlem!"
On the screen, a clear image was shown of General Ross personally ordering the injection of illegal genetic agents into soldier Blonsky in the laboratory.
This ultimately led to his loss of control and transformation into Abomination, resulting in surveillance footage of him Carnage citizens in the streets!
Following this was a long list of casualties and financial statements.
"Over the past five years, General Ross has misappropriated a staggering $4.7 billion in defense funds without congressional approval in order to create super soldiers under his personal control!"
"He used this funding to conduct more than twenty illegal human experiments! The tragedy in Harlem was entirely his doing!"
Luca looked at General Ross with a half-smile.
" General Ross, is this what you call military oversight?"
"Does regulation mean handing over my employees to you so you can continue turning them into monsters that destroy the city?"
"No... this is slander! This is fabricated!"
General Ross suddenly stood up, pointed at the screen, and roared at the top of his lungs, cold sweat pouring down his face like a waterfall.
This is dirt on him, something even S.H.I.E.L.D.. didn't have. How did Luca get it?!
"Whether it's forged or not, the Pentagon's military court will verify it. Let's continue."
Luca gave Thaddeus Ross no chance to breathe, flicking his finger lightly.
The screen then switched to Senator Stern and seven or eight other congressional leaders present!
This time, the leaked information came from Kingpin's New York underground intelligence network, as well as expense reports compiled by Natasha and Jessica!
" Senator Stern, you just questioned where I place United States law."
"Then I'd like to ask you on behalf of the taxpayers."
"Where did the $36 million in your anonymous Union Bank of Switzerland account ending in 8848 come from?"
"Why is the Kingpin Kingpin's command that specializes in smuggling drugs from Hell's Kitchen?"
"And Congressman Williams, when you went on vacation on your private yacht in the Bahamas last month, should I release photos of the Eastern Europe girls under the age of sixteen who accompanied you?"
"And Congressman Smith, after Stark Industries announced the closure of its conventional weapons division, you secretly accepted $20 million in political donations from Hammer Industries and repeatedly obstructed the passage of the New Energy Act in Congress..."
Ironclad evidence upon evidence! Scandals upon scandals!
High-resolution photos, bank transfer records, and even hotel room audio and video recordings that Kingpin secretly made to manipulate these politicians back in the day!
All of these things were presented to audiences across the United States and around the world!
boom!!!
The hearing room was in complete chaos!
The reporters in the media section were snapping photos like crazy, the flashes turning the room into daylight!
Countless reporters rushed to the front, desperately thrusting their microphones toward the hearing stand.
"My God! Senator Stern is colluding with drug lords and gangsters?!"
" General Ross is the real culprit behind the Harlem massacre?!"
"What kind of scum is running our country?!"
Chaos erupted in the hearing room.
Stern's legs went weak, and he slumped into the chair, his lips trembling but unable to utter a single word.
Congressman Williams, who was named, covered his face and tried to escape through the back door, but was stopped by the Capitol Police who had reacted at the door.
In front of their televisions, people across the United States erupted in unprecedented anger!
The White House and Congressional complaint hotlines were overwhelmed with calls within a minute!
Luca stood below the stage, gently adjusting his cuffs.
That's why he came today.
He wants to use public opinion and rules to tear their faces off and trample them into the ground!
When the credibility of the government and military collapses, Luca Stark's business empire will naturally take over everything!
Luca picked up the microphone, his voice drowning out the noise in the room.
"Dear viewers, dear taxpayers."
Luca gave the main camera a responsible smile.
"As you can see."
"These are the politicians who keep accusing us of endangering national security."
"They are corrupt, incompetent, and greedy."
" Hell's Kitchen has been rotten for over a decade, but they turned a blind eye because they were being paid by gangsters."
"When monsters appear, the army always sets up a cordon only after the fact."
As he spoke, Luca's tone became passionate and profound.
"And what about the Justice League?"
The scene shifted again, now displaying a well-produced promotional video!
In the footage, Luca catches missile debris in Los Angeles.
Spider-Man saves a little girl from being hit by a car on the street.
Daredevil and the Punisher wiped out the drug cartel in Hell's Kitchen overnight, moving the surrounding residents to tears.
There was also the scene of Stark Industries signing a cooperation agreement in Wakanda, announcing that they would use Vibranium Technology to solve the global medical and energy crises!
"We don't spend a single penny of taxpayers' money! We use our own funds to develop technology, and we risk our lives to fight supernatural threats that the military simply cannot handle!"
Luca opened his arms, like a messiah saving the world.
"As for the Punisher that General Ross mentioned..."
"That's right, he used to be a wanted criminal, but that was because the incompetent law couldn't protect his family, so he had no choice but to take revenge himself!"
"And now, under our strict management system and psychological counseling, he has become an outstanding employee in cleaning up urban garbage!"
"Just a few days ago, we reduced the crime rate in Hell's Kitchen to zero in just one night!"
"It has been proven that politicians and the military are inefficient in dealing with the supernatural crises and extreme crimes of the new era!"
"Only a professional team like ours can truly protect the safety of citizens!"
At this point, Luca took a folder from Pepper and held it high.
"Therefore, on behalf of Stark Global Defense Group, I am formally submitting this ' Superman Security Outsourcing and Authorized Law Enforcement Act ' to Congress and the White House today!"
"We don't need government membership; we only demand that the government grant the Justice League, independent law enforcement powers and immunity from lethal force!"
Simply put, as long as local governments or residents purchase our city safety insurance service...
"So when you encounter terrorists or threats, the Justice League has the right to eliminate the target on the spot without going through legal proceedings!"
"We charge based on performance, and any incidental damage will be fully covered by Stark Insurance Company!"
Luca looked at the camera and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Would you rather entrust your life to the politicians and generals on the stage, or to the Justice League that is always on the front lines protecting you?"
"The decision rests with the entire United States people!"
The words had barely left his mouth.
The entire venue was silent for a few seconds, and then thunderous applause erupted from the media section!
Immediately afterwards, tens of thousands of citizens gathered outside the Capitol erupted in a deafening roar of cheers!
" Justice League! Justice League! Long live Stark!"
"Get the corrupt politicians out of here! We need the Justice League to protect us!"
"Pass the bill! Pass the bill!"
Public opinion instantly erupted! Stark Industries ' stock price soared once again!
Inside the White House office.
President Ellis, watching the out-of-control situation on the live stream and the crowds of protesters outside, sighed helplessly.
He then wiped away his cold sweat and picked up the internal phone in despair.
"Notify Congress... adjourn immediately and arrest Stern and Thaddeus Ross."
The president slumped back in his chair, his voice hoarse.
"Contact Luca Stark. Tell him that his ' Authorized Law Enforcement Act ' is accepted by the White House in its entirety and should be signed immediately."
At this moment, Luca won.
Inside the hearing hall.
Luca smiled slightly as he listened to JARVIS's message through his earpiece that the White House had compromised.
He turned around and, under the flashing lights, walked confidently out of the Capitol with the three women.
"Well done, Luca."
Walking down the corridor, Pepper joked with a smile.
"From this day forward, the Justice League is truly unstoppable."
Natasha and Jessica, who were following behind, were filled with nothing but awe.
Not only are they invincible in terms of military force, but when it comes to manipulating political opinion and business rules, they can also make politicians run wild like monkeys.
In the end, they still have to beg and plead to hand over the power.
How can Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D.. possibly win against people like that?
"This is just the beginning, Potts."
Luca put on sunglasses, the blinding sunlight shining on him.