Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/Draco_
*****
After the incident in Gemira, Scott and the others stayed behind for the time being, while Tony rushed back home.
Stark Industries' public phone lines were nearly overwhelmed with calls, all asking the same thing: "Is Tony Stark really Iron Man?"
Both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the military had been trying to reach him. Initially, Tony didn't want to deal with them—nor did he have the time—but his good friend James Rhodes gave him a call, asking him to take a moment to respond and help clear things up. He also pleaded with Tony not to admit that he was Iron Man.
Rhodes suggested coming up with some flimsy excuse—like Iron Man was simply someone who looked a lot like Tony—to brush off the media and the public.
After thinking it over, Tony agreed and decided to hold an impromptu press conference.
Otherwise, the constant pestering would never end.
The conference was held at Stark Industries, and once word got out, the media swarmed in like sharks smelling blood.
Reporters crowded in, waiting for Tony's appearance. Behind the podium, James Rhodes and Pepper Potts stood nervously, looking out at the restless sea of people.
"Let's hope Tony sticks to the plan," Rhodes muttered, already feeling a headache coming on.
Pepper glanced at him and gave a nearly imperceptible shake of her head.
If Tony Stark ever behaved as expected, he wouldn't be Tony Stark.
Sure enough, just as the thought crossed her mind, a red-and-gold Iron Man suit smashed through the ceiling and appeared before everyone.
Rhodes and Pepper were stunned, their jaws practically hitting the floor.
The reporters erupted, surging toward Tony like a tidal wave.
"Everyone, calm down!"
Jarvis's voice rang out, processed through the suit's metallic speakers.
The reporters froze in place, though the camera flashes continued nonstop.
The faceplate opened, revealing Tony's face.
There was no trademark smirk, no playful glint—only seriousness and resolve.
Rhodes's heart sank at the sight, and he quickly stepped to Tony's side. "You—"
"You've all seen it. I am Iron Man," Tony declared calmly.
No buildup. No nonsense. So blunt it was hard to believe.
Rhodes covered his face in exasperation.
This guy never listens!
After everything he'd said, Tony hadn't taken a single word to heart…
And yet—
Looking at the energized Tony, Rhodes couldn't help but smile.
That's the real Tony Stark.
After answering a few quick questions, Tony's faceplate snapped shut. He said coldly, "I've got other matters to attend to. You're on your own."
With that, he shot into the sky, widening the hole in the ceiling as he disappeared in a flash of light.
The room fell silent.
The entire press conference had lasted less than three minutes—it felt more like a drive-by appearance.
Tony's performance left the impression that he was just squeezing this in between other engagements.
Pepper looked up at the hole in the ceiling and growled, "That jerk. Can't he just use the door like a normal person?"
"Jerk?" Rhodes looked at her in surprise. "Weren't you always calling him 'boss'?"
"My current boss is Mrs. Maria," Pepper replied, eyes gleaming. "She's my idol."
Rhodes chuckled mischievously. "Poor Tony. He's lost a great assistant. Let's hope his 'baby' of a life doesn't completely fall apart."
Pepper blushed slightly. "I'm still his assistant."
Rhodes raised an eyebrow and gave her a meaningful smile. Watching the reporters leave, he said, "Time for me to report back. Hope I don't get chewed out."
With a bitter smile, he turned and walked away.
"I am Iron Man."
The next day, images of Tony's announcement exploded across newspapers, online platforms, and television news. Anyone following the story was instantly caught up in the frenzy.
Billionaire. Playboy. Genius. Superhero.
When all those identities combined into one person, Tony Stark became the hottest topic overnight.
But Tony had no time for the hype.
Most of his attention was now focused on tracking down the Ten Rings.
After the battle in Gemira, he finally learned the name of the organization that had kidnapped him. He also reached an agreement with Logan and the others to form a pursuit team, launching a campaign to eliminate the Ten Rings.
This wasn't just about personal revenge—it was for Gemira, and for all the other places still living in fear under the Ten Rings' shadow.
The Ten Rings were notoriously ruthless. If Tony and the others had simply left after the battle in Gemira, there was a high chance the town would suffer brutal retaliation.
This was exactly what Tony and the others had hoped to avoid.
So, the only option was to eliminate the Ten Rings and remove the threat entirely.
Three months later, the Ten Rings had suffered heavy losses and had all but vanished from sight.
But Tony and the others knew the truth—the organization hadn't been completely destroyed. Instead, after taking severe damage, the Ten Rings had been forced into hiding.
Given that no traces of their remnants could be found, this was already the best possible outcome.
Tony, Logan, and the others finally departed the Middle East. After fighting side by side, they had grown closer.
Tony already had a favorable impression of Xavier's School thanks to Charles, but this experience only deepened that respect.
After three months of continuous combat, they were finally returning to normal life.
Aboard the Blackbird, Tony, clad in his Iron Man suit, said his goodbyes to the trio. When the hatch opened, he flew off into the sky.
As they watched him leave, Logan suddenly wore a serious expression.
"Tell me something—how does that guy take a leak in that thing?"
The atmosphere inside the jet suddenly froze.
"Maybe like astronauts? Recycled and reused? Or maybe it's collected and expelled?" Scott speculated.
"What about number two?" Logan pressed.
Scott had no answer. Remy LeBeau chuckled softly.
Logan stroked the stubble on his chin and continued, "And what if it's diarrhea? Wouldn't that be worse?"
"Logan, that's disgusting!" Remy groaned. "Now I can't unsee that image. I'll never look at the guy the same way again."
Just imagining Tony Stark having a messy accident inside the Iron Man suit sent a chill down his spine.
Scott couldn't help but say, "Ask him yourself next time you see him."
Logan shrugged. "Hey, it's a question any normal person would wonder about."
The other two gave him a look and turned away in silence.
They were nearly back at the school.
Once home, they would no longer be warriors—they would be teachers.
Teachers...
At the thought of this role, all three of them smiled.
After all this time, they really missed the kids at school.
But what Logan didn't know was that a very big surprise was waiting for him at Xavier's School.
(End of Chapter)