The Stark Expo was in full swing. Thousands had gathered, dazzled by Tony Stark's innovations, oblivious to the danger lurking beneath the celebratory facade. Tony, revitalized by the discovery of the new element, was ready to face the world—but not yet the storm about to strike.
In the Realm of Origin, tension rippled through the air. Holographic screens displayed Ivan Vanko—now free and operating under Justin Hammer's patronage—preparing to launch his attack. Hammer's naïveté was staggering.
"He really thinks he can control Vanko," said Hashirama, incredulity in his voice. "Pride and ignorance—a dangerous combination."
Tobirama narrowed his eyes. "Vanko isn't seeking domination. He seeks destruction. Hammer is just a tool in his vendetta."
When Hammer's drones, turned into deadly weapons by Vanko, began their parade, the festive atmosphere turned to horror. Vanko's commands overrode Hammer's control; the drones turned on the crowd, and the sky lit up with explosions. Panic erupted.
"It's begun," Naruto murmured, his aura intensifying. "Our intervention starts now—not to stop the fight, but to protect the innocent and ensure Tony fulfills his destiny."
The Realm of Origin's team deployed—not as visible forces, but as benevolent shadows, cosmic whispers guiding the chaos.
Thousands ran in all directions. The avatars of Hinata and Kushina were the first to act. Hinata, with her Byakugan enhanced by the Source, could perceive panic flows and the most dangerous escape paths. She and Kushina created invisible "channels" in the crowd—subtle energetic impulses that nudged people toward the exits with greater order. They dispelled intense pockets of panic using calming energy waves, reducing stampedes and injuries.
When a drone barreled toward a trapped family, one of Kushina's avatars briefly manifested an ethereal chakra wall—invisible to the naked eye and undetectable to most—which deflected the drone's trajectory just enough for it to crash a meter away, sparing the family. The impact appeared as a simple malfunction.
When Vanko took full control of Rhodey's armor, turning him into an unwilling enemy, the plan Sasuke and Tobirama had prepared was activated. An avatar of Sasuke materialized for a brief moment near the War Machine armor, releasing a precise energy pulse toward the "backdoor" they had implanted in Vanko's code. The impulse caused a minor interference—a glitch—that prevented Vanko from accessing the armor's full power and destabilized his control.
Simultaneously, an avatar of Tobirama sent a similar pulse toward JARVIS. That impulse allowed JARVIS to detect the vulnerability and begin a background override process—making Tony's task of freeing Rhodey much faster and less dangerous once he realized what was happening.
Natasha's infiltration of Hammer's complex was bearing fruit. She and Happy Hogan were rushing to disable the main drone control system. Natasha's physical abilities, enhanced by the Origin, were fully engaged. Every strike she delivered to Hammer's guards was executed with superhuman precision and power, neutralizing them instantly without excessive violence. Her speed allowed her to navigate the facility in record time.
When she encountered a dead end accessing the main server, her connection to the Realm of Origin granted her a flash of "intuition": the ventilation system. Her pre-existing knowledge merged with a "suggestion" from Naruto, allowing her to find the secondary access point much faster. The lock on Vanko's control interface was overridden through amplified hacking skills, and the data was transferred to SHIELD in a blink.
Meanwhile, Tony, in his upgraded armor, was battling a horde of drones—and his manipulated friend, Rhodey. The fight was fierce. Naruto and his council watched every move, ready to make subtle interventions.
When a drone lunged at Tony with a surprise attack, an avatar of Naruto briefly materialized in the drone's shadow for a split second, generating a shockwave just strong enough to deflect the weapon, causing it to graze Tony without making direct contact—saving him from a potentially devastating blow.
As Tony realized Rhodey was being controlled, he began searching for a way to free him. The "whispers" of JARVIS, improved by Tobirama's intervention, provided him with the necessary data to reset the War Machine armor and sever Vanko's link. It wasn't a magical fix—it was the culmination of careful, invisible groundwork.
Finally, Tony and Rhodey stood side by side, facing Vanko in his upgraded suit. The battle was brutal—the combined might of the two Iron Men clashing against Vanko's electrified rage.
Though not visible, the Bijuu were on alert. Kurama, in particular, could feel Vanko's raw fury and Tony's unshakable resolve. If the situation had spiraled out of control—if Vanko had attempted to unleash an explosion capable of leveling part of the city—Naruto would have drawn on Kurama's power to create a massive energy shield, absorbing the impact. But such an extreme measure proved unnecessary.
Thanks to teamwork—and the discreet interventions of the Realm of Origin—Tony and Rhodey defeated Vanko. The final explosions of the drones and Vanko's suit were contained. Naruto and the Ancient One had cast "anchoring spells" that stabilized the area, minimizing environmental and civilian damage.
The chaos subsided, replaced by smoke and silence. Tony and Rhodey had won. The world was safe. And the invisible architects of the Realm of Origin could finally breathe easy.
"The threat is contained," Natasha announced. "Vanko is dead. Hammer's been arrested. The world thinks Stark and Rhodey handled everything themselves."
"And that's exactly how it should be," Naruto replied. "Heroes must be recognized for their deeds. Our role is to watch, to guide, and to intervene only when absolutely necessary—never to steal their light."
The Stark Expo was a PR disaster, but a critical personal victory for Tony Stark. Not only had he survived the palladium poisoning, but he had also confronted his father's legacy and proven his worth as a hero. The Realm of Origin had woven its web, ensuring that fate stayed its course—while protecting those who needed safeguarding.