When Tony Stark announced the closure of the weapons division, Obadiah Stane was absolutely against it. And now this bastard had even used 10% of his own shares to hire a spokesperson?
Screw the spokesperson—10% of Stark Industries' shares would instantly land him in the top 30 of the global rich list!
But when Tony showed him that so-called miniature arc reactor, Stane fell silent… and changed his mind.
Within days, he'd even taken a trip to the Middle East to visit the Ten Rings organization, retrieving the disassembled Mark I armor Tony had built in the desert.
From then on, Obadiah Stane understood—
A new era had arrived. The Iron Man armor would replace all existing weaponry, becoming the ultimate ruler above all.
And the core of this technology… was the miniaturized arc reactor.
Two days later.
In the desolate Gobi Desert—
"…Looks like… I can't find my way back…"
Saitama scratched his head. He had been carrying Barton for two full days, yet somehow they had only gotten farther away—ending up in the middle of nowhere.
The two side missions, [Rescue Yinsen] and [Burger King], were already completed. But the main mission was stuck at 75%, and the system seemed to have vanished—no way to return to the One Punch world.
Saitama sighed.
"Hey, I know you're awake. Can't you at least give me some advice?"
He glanced at the man dangling from his grip.
Barton: "…"
What did sheer misery feel like? Like being carried non-stop for two days and nights and having to pretend to be unconscious the whole time!
"…Cough… we're already out of New York State. If we're going to Stark Industries, we should probably hitch a ride back…"
Unable to keep faking it, Barton's face twisted in pain. Two days of crossing New York State on foot… this was inhuman!
"But… since you have Stark's watch, it might have comms and navigation. You should try it."
He nodded toward the black wristwatch.
"Watch?"
Saitama looked at the gadget in confusion. Truth was, as a penny-pinching shut-in back in the One Punch world—who refused to turn on the air conditioner to 'train his willpower' and still used a flip phone—high-tech wristwatches were way out of his depth.
"Beep beep~~ Mr. Saitama!"
Suddenly—
While Saitama fumbled with it, a holographic projection popped up, showing Stark pale-faced, blood trickling from his ear, curled in pain on the floor. The miniature arc reactor in his chest was gone, leaving only a gaping hole.
"Baldy?"
Saitama was surprised—he had only just left, how did Stark end up like this?
"My apologies for disturbing you at this time. I'm J.A.R.V.I.S., Mr. Stark's assistant. He is in serious trouble, and my capabilities are limited. I hope you can assist him. I've transmitted his exact coordinates to you."
On the feed, robotic arm Dummy handed Stark the discarded Mark I reactor, barely saving his life.
But before Stark could recover, Stane donned the Mark II armor and blasted into the sky.
"Well, since you're fine, I'll put you down here. I need to go check on Stark—looks like he's in trouble."
Without waiting for a reply, Saitama dropped Barton to the ground and leapt.
Barton's eyes nearly popped out.
Holy—
That was easily over a thousand meters high!
He could only watch the Caped Baldy vanish into the sky, cold sweat soaking his back.
After a long moment, he croaked into his comm:
"Director Fury… you probably won't believe this… but… I think I just survived an encounter with that monster…"
Stark Industries, District 16.
Pepper Potts led S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Coulson and others to arrest Obadiah Stane. She had obtained solid evidence of his illegal arms dealings with Middle Eastern terrorists.
Unfortunately—
Nearly ten elite agents now lay sprawled on the ground, several dead on the spot.
The concrete floor cracked under massive strain as a steel giant, as tall as a building, emerged from below.
"Think you can run? You're of no use to me anymore."
Inside the massive armor, Stane felt an intoxicating rush of power. The suit's massive arm swung toward Pepper, gun barrels sliding into place from the joints.
Pepper's face went pale with despair. Bullets couldn't penetrate it. A human body would be crushed like tofu.
"Hey! Has Stark not arrived yet?"
Suddenly—
A voice rang out, out of place but oddly calm. And faster than the voice… a faint silhouette appeared.
(End of Chapter)
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