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Chapter 35: The Hearing Begins
The next day.
"Master, the hearing is about to begin. Would you like me to connect the live broadcast feed for you?"
The hearing was finally starting?
Rimuru's eyes instantly lit up.
The current situation was completely different from the original story—and far worse than anyone could have imagined.
So how would Tony respond this time?
"Handle my school transfer procedures."
"Yes, Master."
The screen switched to a live broadcast of the hearing in Washington, D.C.
"Mr. Stark, let us continue the topic we were discussing."
Trying to get Tony's attention, Senator Stern repeatedly tapped his gavel on the desk, reminding him to take the hearing seriously.
Tony, however, couldn't care less.
He paid almost no attention to the senator and instead chatted quietly with Pepper, looking thoroughly entertained.
Seeing this, Rimuru was momentarily speechless.
This was somewhat different from what she had imagined.
In the movie, Tony had been at the peak of his success. His arrogance and confidence were understandable.
But now?
He had first lost to Iron Monger, then failed to defeat the Abomination, and public opinion was still overwhelmingly against him.
So why was he even more arrogant than before?
Maybe it was just an illusion, but even Rimuru felt that Tony looked far more conceited than he had previously.
She simply couldn't understand his way of thinking.
"Mr. Stark, please pay attention."
Seeing Senator Stern practically begging for Tony's attention, Rimuru almost burst out laughing.
You're actually pleading with Tony Stark to listen to you?
How embarrassing.
Of course, Stern was secretly a HYDRA agent.
He had an important mission at this hearing.
The leadership of HYDRA coveted Tony's humanoid armor technology.
If HYDRA could mass-produce dozens or even hundreds of powered armors, their influence would expand dramatically.
Senator Stern asked,
"Do you possess a weapon?"
Tony Stark replied,
"That depends entirely on how you define the word 'weapon.'"
"The weapon in question is Iron Man."
Tony shrugged.
"I think my invention has been misunderstood. It's actually a highly advanced prosthetic device. That's the best description I can give."
The entire hearing room erupted in laughter.
Senator Stern's expression immediately darkened.
The veins on his forehead visibly twitched.
To prove that Iron Man was a weapon, Stern followed the same strategy as in the original timeline.
He invited "weapons expert" Justin Hammer and asked Colonel Rhodes to present their reports.
However, things were different this time.
The military possessed far more information than before.
Thanks to Tony's battle against the Abomination, detailed combat footage existed everywhere.
All of it strongly suggested that Iron Man was, indeed, a weapon.
Yet Stern still found himself repeatedly outmaneuvered by Tony's quick wit.
Rhodey's friendship with Tony also made things difficult.
Every time Stern thought he had gained the upper hand, Tony somehow turned the situation around.
Things became even worse when footage of Hammer Industries' failed attempts to replicate powered armor was displayed.
Tony casually mocked Justin Hammer.
"Most countries are still years away from this technology."
He pointed toward Hammer.
"Justin Hammer is several more years beyond that."
The audience burst into laughter again.
Justin Hammer instantly became the clown of the hearing.
Tony then stood proudly and declared:
"The truth is, I have successfully prevented nuclear blackmail."
"Iron Man works."
"The world is safer."
"America is safer."
"And if you're trying to take my technology away from me, forget it."
Then he added smugly:
"I've already done the world a huge favor."
"I alone have achieved world peace."
Bang! Bang!
Senator Stern immediately slammed the gavel down.
Finally, he had found an opening.
A smile spread across his face.
"Mr. Stark, what exactly do you think world peace means?"
"And do I need to remind you that not long ago you lost to the Abomination?"
"Furthermore, there is the Silver-Armored War God—Fengshen—whose combat capabilities appear to exceed those of your Mark armor."
The entire hearing room instantly exploded into discussion.
Everyone turned their eyes toward Tony.
This was a topic nobody could avoid.
Even Rimuru became curious.
How would Tony answer?
To everyone's surprise, Tony remained completely calm.
His confidence never wavered.
"Fengshen is more advanced than my Mark armor?"
Tony smirked.
"Only someone completely ignorant of technology would say something like that, Senator."
"Do I really need to explain that Fengshen and the Mark armor are based on the same technological foundation?"
The audience exploded once more.
This was the first time anyone had publicly suggested a connection between Fengshen and Iron Man technology.
After all, Fengshen looked completely different from Tony's armors.
Their combat styles, designs, and capabilities seemed worlds apart.
Especially Fengshen's displayed abilities:
Spatial teleportation Optical invisibility Devastating destructive power capable of creating massive craters
All of these appeared impossible to replicate.
The crowd was shocked.
Senator Stern stared at Tony.
"You know the true identity of the Silver-Armored War God?"
Tony spread his hands.
"Senator, I think your English comprehension needs work."
"Do I really have to explain something at a kindergarten level?"
"Then tell us. Who is the Silver-Armored War God?"
Tony grinned.
"I know."
"But I'm not telling you."
The room fell silent.
Countless people were stunned.
Even Rimuru was speechless.
Tony was far too arrogant.
Someone really needed to punch him.
Senator Stern nearly suffered a heart attack on the spot.
After taking several deep breaths, he finally regained control of himself.
Keep dancing, Tony Stark.
We'll see how long that lasts.
Refocusing on his objective, Stern continued.
"The identity of the Silver-Armored War God is not today's topic."
"Iron Monger was defeated by him. You don't deny that, do you?"
Tony nodded.
"Correct."
"And you failed to defeat the Abomination recently."
"Also correct."
Stern's smile widened.
"Then your claim that you alone can maintain world peace is clearly absurd."
"For the safety of the United States and for world peace, you should surrender Iron Man technology."
"It should be used to protect the American people—not kept as your personal toy."
"Tony Stark, you cannot place personal interests above world peace."
"On this matter, you should learn from your father, Howard Stark."
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the hearing chamber.
Justin Hammer clapped so hard his palms turned red.
Tony, however, remained smiling.
He slowly stood up and faced the entire audience.
"I am Iron Man."
"And Iron Man is me."
"My advanced prosthetic technology has already reached its third generation."
"This is a completely new product."
"And its performance is no worse than any powered armor in existence."
He paused dramatically.
Then announced:
"I am officially launching the Stark Martial Arts Tournament."
"It will run for one full year."
"Anyone is welcome to participate."
"Any pilot."
"Any armored suit."
"Any challenger."
"The winner will receive one of Stark Industries' latest-generation powered armors."
"You want my technology?"
Tony's grin widened.
"Then come and take it."
For a brief moment, the room was silent.
Then the hearing chamber erupted into the loudest cheers it had seen all day.