"Sir, I recommend increasing your security detail."
"In these special times, Mr. Hogan alone isn't enough!"
Jarvis had also seen the contents of the diary and immediately made this suggestion to Tony Stark.
"Mr. Hogan" was none other than Happy Hogan, Tony Stark's driver and bodyguard.
Like Pepper Potts, Happy was also one of Tony Stark's most trusted and capable subordinates.
But, how should one put it...
Happy was perfectly competent as a driver; he excelled at it.
However, in terms of being a bodyguard, Happy still had a lot of room for improvement.
Normally, that wouldn't be a problem.
Given Tony Stark's status, he rarely encountered serious criminal activity.
Happy was usually sufficient.
But now, it was completely different!
In a little over two weeks, Tony Stark was going to be kidnapped by an international terrorist organization!
The intelligence source was also highly reliable!
Under these circumstances, who would dare to be careless?
"What I hate most is having a bunch of idiots following me around all the time."
"That makes me feel uneasy."
"Happy would be very sad if he knew, wouldn't he?"
Tony Stark frowned slightly.
Thinking about that scene made him uncomfortable.
"I believe he will understand."
Jarvis continued to persuade Tony Stark.
Tony Stark didn't say anything more, instead falling into a state of contemplation and consideration.
Don't let the playboy's usual arrogant and cool demeanor fool you; he acts like he doesn't care about anything, like he's above it all.
But Tony Stark wasn't stupid.
Behind a series of reckless actions was nothing more than a display of his confidence and arrogance.
Because Tony Stark knew.
Relying on his status, position, and talent, he could do those things without any consequences.
But now?
"I'll leave this matter to Pepper to handle."
Tony Stark ultimately made this decision.
Since his life was at stake, even Tony Stark couldn't afford to be careless.
"Should we contact Colonel Rhodes?"
Jarvis offered the suggestion again.
With Tony Stark's connections to the military, he could certainly request protection.
"No need."
Tony Stark waved his hand and then asked Jarvis seriously, "What's the latest on the Ten Rings?"
"The Ten Rings remain restless, engaging in various criminal activities around the world."
"However, I haven't detected any suspicious activity related to you."
"I will continue to monitor closely."
Jarvis replied.
Unsurprisingly, there was nothing to be found.
Tony Stark understood, simply nodding without saying much.
Instead, he refocused his attention on the diary in front of him.
But, how to put it, everything is fated, I guess.
If it weren't for that kidnapping, how could Stark become Iron Man?
Become that Superhero, respected and admired by countless people?
Think about that jerk sacrificing himself to save the world, with so many people in tears!
All of humanity mourned the loss of a Superhero. To put it bluntly, this kidnapping is what made Stark, allowing him to transform!
Tony Stark's expression couldn't help but become a little strange.
The diary says it's definitely me?
Respected and admired by countless people, even causing them to shed tears upon my sacrifice?
It was true that Tony Stark was greeted with cheers and screams wherever he went, and was wildly praised by countless people.
He was even more popular than the top stars.
But even if Tony Stark was arrogant and conceited, he knew that wasn't respect and admiration.
It was just because of his status.
If he were to die, he doubted there would be many people shedding tears.
And sacrificing himself to save the world? That was even more ridiculous.
What good has the world ever done for him that he would sacrifice himself to save it?
That's totally not his style!
Although Tony Stark didn't know what his parallel universe counterpart went through during his kidnapping to turn him into a Captain America-like fool.
But Tony Stark was certain that he would never become like that.
That would be too stupid.
Compared to all that.
Tony Stark was more concerned with why this world needed "Iron Man" to save it.
Was it the arrival of the Asgardians, the invasion of the Chitauri, or something like the Ultron Army, or Cosmic Thanos?
Or some other crisis?
In short, the future seemed to be filled with all sorts of crises.
And that other version of himself clearly stepped up during countless crises.
That's why he's called a "Superhero," right?
[Not just Stark himself, this kidnapping is incredibly significant for the entire Marvel universe!]
[After all, the age of Superheroes in Marvel was ushered in by Iron Man!]
[After Iron Man, Super Soldiers, Aliens, Witches, Sorcerers, and so on.]
[A parade of powerful figures, each displaying their unique abilities. That's the real Marvel world.]
[Because, what's Marvel without Superheroes?]
The Superhero era!
Tony Stark couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, immediately intrigued by the term.
Because the word was indeed packed with information.
Since it was called an "era," it meant there would be many, many superheroes in the future!
Didn't the diary also mention them?
Super Soldiers, Aliens, Witches, Sorcerers and the like.
It seemed there were quite a few.
However.
So, this was what a Superhero was like?
All along.
Tony Stark had been skeptical of the term "Superhero" proposed by Zhou Cheng.
He wasn't sure if the "super" in Superhero meant the "super" of a Super Soldier like Captain America, or the "super" of a superstar.
However, he seemed to have the answer now.
Judging by the examples in the diary, it was obvious.
The Superheroes recorded in the diary were people who possessed extraordinary powers!
So, this era was actually started by him, Tony? Even a kidnapping had such a significant impact on the entire world!
As expected of him! He was awesome! A smirk began to spread across Tony Stark's face, and it slowly became a smug grin.
But, what did "Iron Man" mean? From the literal meaning, did he gain the ability to control iron?
What kind of ability was that? Some kind of cool magic?
Although he didn't know how it worked, it sounded pretty cool!
Looking at the notes in the diary, it seemed his abilities stemmed precisely from that kidnapping.
Thinking about it like that...
Tony Stark suddenly found himself looking forward to that kidnapping!