Tony Stark had hit rock bottom. Consumed by palladium and his own inner demons, he finally discovered his father Howard Stark's hidden message through the Expo films of 1974. The Realm of Origin had observed every step of this revelation, subtly adjusting the circumstances so Tony wouldn't miss the crucial clues.
In the Observation Hall of the Realm of Origin, the images of Howard Stark's secret lab played one after the other. Tony, finally sober, working relentlessly, decoding his father's encrypted messages.
"He's found it," Tsunade said, a glimmer of relief in her eyes. "The blueprint for the new element. His body will finally begin to regenerate once he synthesizes the catalyst." The tension that had held her for days eased slightly.
"Howard knew. He always knew his son was special," Minato remarked, Naruto's father, a gentle smile on his face. "He didn't just leave a solution behind—he left a message of love and trust. Tony needed that more than anything."
Naruto, eyes fixed on the projection of Tony, nodded. "It's the confrontation with his past that will make him stronger. He can't become the hero the world needs unless he first heals his inner wounds. The cycle of hatred between Howard and Ivan nearly destroyed Tony—but his father's love saved him."
Natasha, always pragmatic, added: "Now that he has the solution, his paranoia and self-destructive tendencies should subside. But the threat from Vanko and Hammer won't disappear. On the contrary—it's about to explode."
With Tony on the path to healing, the Realm of Origin could now focus fully on the looming threat. Vanko's plan for the Stark Expo was nearly complete, and Justin Hammer's madness was about to unleash an uncontrollable drone army.
It was time for Natasha to activate her SHIELD cover. Her mission: infiltrate Hammer Industries and expose Vanko's illegal operations. Naruto and the council had prepared this phase with the utmost precision. Avatars of Natasha were sent to subtly create breaches in Hammer's security systems—mysterious "camera malfunctions," slightly unlocked doors—just enough to ease her infiltration.
Natasha's avatar, while maintaining the appearance of "Natalie Rushman," was imbued with a portion of Origin energy—making her faster, stronger, and enhancing her perception. Her SHIELD gear and gadgets were subtly upgraded for optimal performance. Her interaction with Happy Hogan, and her infiltration mission to locate Vanko and access the internal data, unfolded smoothly. When she confronted the guards, her Origin-infused power allowed her to neutralize them with stunning efficiency, moving through them like a deadly, graceful dance.
The climax came when she accessed the server. Tobirama had pre-programmed an "Origin virus" into the data systems Natasha used. This virus didn't destroy data—instead, it rearranged it in such a way that the crucial intel on Vanko, his plans, and his control protocols over the drones were instantly highlighted and downloaded by SHIELD, without anyone noticing. Hammer's system recorded a simple data transfer—not a breach.
Meanwhile, James Rhodes, under government pressure, was having the Mark II suit modified by Hammer Industries, transforming it into War Machine. The Realm of Origin knew Vanko would soon seize control of that suit. Sasuke and Tobirama worked remotely to implant "ghost countermeasures" within War Machine's systems.
When Vanko inserted his control chip into Rhodes' armor, the countermeasures didn't activate immediately. Instead, they created a subliminal "backdoor" in Vanko's control code—a hidden vulnerability that would allow Tony or JARVIS to regain control of the armor more easily during the final battle. It was an imperceptible flaw, a single line of code that seemed harmless at first glance—but would prove to be the key to Rhodey's liberation.
As Vanko's technology prepared for deployment, the Earth's energy resonances grew increasingly chaotic. The Ancient One, in her sanctum, could feel the mounting pressure. Through their bond, Naruto amplified her energetic aura, allowing her to maintain the mystical balance of the Earth in the face of rising disturbances.
"The storm is coming, young Naruto," the Ancient One said, eyes closed. "Vanko's machine is a technological anomaly—it disrupts even the magical flows."
The 2010 Stark Expo was meant to be Tony's crowning achievement, but it was becoming the stage for Vanko's vengeance. The crowd's excitement masked the looming danger.
Naruto and his council watched with growing intensity.
"Vanko's show is about to begin," Naruto declared. "Tony is on the right path to synthesizing the new element, but he won't have it in time for the attack. He'll have to fight while still weakened."
Hinata, her Byakugan active, scanned the Expo's layout. "Thousands of civilians. Panic will be inevitable. We must prepare for large-scale protection."
Kushina, her fist clenched, stood ready to unleash her full strength. "We won't let anyone get hurt unnecessarily."
The battle loomed. Tony Stark, now armed with knowledge and the means to heal, was about to face the bitter legacy of his father—not alone, but with the silent, watchful guardians of the Realm of Origin protecting him from the shadows. The stage was set for chaos, and the keepers of the Omniverse were ready to intervene.