Chapter 31: Double the Observation Haki Range! (Please Add to Your Library)
Stark stared at the young man across from him, stayed silent for a long moment, then sighed.
If Ivan Vanko could build an Arc Reactor Core, fine.
But now two students had hand-crafted a brand-New Element and copied the Arc Reactor Core.
It gave him the feeling that Arc Reactor Cores were as common as cabbage.
Not long after,
Eustass brought a masked Helen Cho and climbed into Stark's sedan.
"These are one-way windows; no one outside can see in," Stark said.
The two took off their masks.
"Why the childish masks?"
Stark spread his hands, grinning at the pair of students.
One wore a Cartoon Monkey King Mask, the other a cartoon Mickey Mouse.
"Without backing, exposing our faces would mess up our private lives."
Eustass looked at Stark and spoke.
He only wanted money; he'd never planned to become a public target like Stark.
He and Helen would marry and have kids, and he didn't want that peace shattered.
"Fine—not everyone can stand in the sun like Iron Manand enjoy the World's praise and applause."
Sitting in the passenger seat, Stark said this rather narcissistically.
"Shut up!"
Still rattled, Pepper was furious at Stark's nonchalance. From the driver's seat she yelled, "These kids are right; keeping a low profile is the best protection for family."
With that, Pepper stepped out and slammed the door shut.
"Hey, Pepper, you—"
Stark tried to stop her, but she was too angry to respond.
"She's finally gone; time to hold someone accountable."
Stark sighed.
All his clowning had been an act.
He'd been furious too.
"Still, I suggest you find time to talk with her. You love her, don't you?"
Eustass smiled at Stark.
Even before crossing over he'd shipped the Stark-and-Pepper CP.
"Why do I feel you're just here for the drama? Still, you're right—thanks for the reminder."
Stark nodded.
Happy got in to drive, heading for the local prison.
Stark took the passenger seat, gazing out the window.
He really did love Pepper.
At first, after being kidnapped and tasting war firsthand, Stark realized what he should do and what he wanted.
Later he discovered the one he'd always loved was Pepper.
He wanted to face his feelings, but feared his playboy self would let her down, so he hesitated at the dance.
Later he'd realize how dangerous life could be and kept dodging, afraid that danger would reach Pepper.
Stark and Pepper's romance was always bumpy—yet unbreakable.
In the back seat, Eustass glanced at Stark but didn't butt in.
He and Helen sat whispering sweet nothings, forcing Stark to swallow dog-food by the bowl.
Soon,
Stark went to the Temporary Prison to see Ivan Vanko.
Eustass and Helen waited outside while he checked his reward.
[host defeated Whiplash!]
[Reward: Observation Haki range doubled!]
Eustass's current Haki could sense half of Queens; with this reward, he could feel the entire borough.
'Whiplash is great—if only I could farm him repeatedly…'
he mused inwardly.
Inside the Temporary Prison,
after trading barbs with Ivan Vanko, Stark stood to leave.
"Hey, Tony, don't forget: Palladium Poisoning will kill you—ugly."
Stark, back to Ivan, stifled a laugh.
If he hadn't met those two students, he'd have stalked out grim-faced; now the threat sounded hilarious.
Stark left the prison and walked toward Eustass and Helen.
About to ask Helen for a hug,
Eustass lifted a leg and kicked.
"Oh, shi—!"
Stark clamped his legs together, face scarlet, while nearby officers gawked.
"Looks painful—want a friendly hug?" Eustass grinned, arms spread wide. "I just learned a new Suplex…"
"N-no need, th-thanks for… the offer."
Stark limped off,
realizing this guy was insanely jealous; a simple hug with his girlfriend was impossible.
If Eustass were hostile, a single blast from that wrist device would have sent Stark to the afterlife.
Stark eased into the passenger seat, yelping in pain.
The playboy had kicked a steel plate—one with spikes.
Eustass took Helen's hand and walked to the car.
"Sorry, kids—I forgot you're not used to Western etiquette."
Stark, in the passenger seat, gave himself an out.
"Indeed."
Eustass tossed him the ladder: "But if a God is wounded, what do you think the others will do?"
Stark turned, suspecting a bug on him.
"When miracles can be copied, what then?"
Eustass rephrased, watching him.
"I'm Iron Man—of course… you can be exceptions."
Stark said proudly, then deflated. "Challenges—they'll crawl out of the woodwork."
"So why not let them?"
Eustass smiled.
Stark nodded, understanding the fishing tactic: look weak, lure them out, net them all.
"What about your New Element?"
Stark glanced back.
"Say the profit talks broke down—deal collapsed."
Eustass offered a random excuse.
"You're a sly one," Stark laughed. "Future tycoon material."
Soon,
on Stark's Private Jet,
Pepper chatted with Helen Cho.
Nearby, Eustass and Stark spent ages negotiating cooperation on the New Element.
Telling outsiders they'd squabbled over spoils sounded plausible.
Real-World profit talks rarely wrap up quickly.
Perfect time to spread rumors and bait enemies with new-tech tidbits.
Stark needed to erase hidden threats;
Eustass wanted payback.
No matter how strong he was, he couldn't find conglomerate bosses in hiding.
His Haki had only just awakened; without intel, its range wasn't enough.
He needed Stark's help to dig out the masterminds behind Helen's kidnapping and eliminate them one by one.
Sunlight flooded the cabin as Eustass and Stark sat opposite each other, raising glasses that shimmered amber in the sunset.
The two glasses clinked:
"Cheers!"
Bathed in golden afterglow, the private plane sailed through the Sea of Clouds.
Chapter 32: 32. Fishing for Fishermen, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Location! (Please collect!)
As soon as he returned to America, Eustass took Helen Cho and left in the car Stark provided, settling into one of Stark's secret Villas in New York.
No one else knew about that Villa, so Stark began his performance.
First, he spread the news of the new element, which the higher-ups had concealed. Then, he announced that both parties had a falling out over the "Iron Man Suit" technology and the "new element" technology due to uneven profit distribution.
As a result, Stark received another subpoena from the Senate Committee that very day.
At the same time, Eustass and Helen Cho also received the same subpoenas.
However, the two were intimately involved in the Villa, and Stark had hidden and protected them.
The Senate couldn't find them at all, so they couldn't deliver the subpoenas.
To put it plainly, Eustass and Stark gave certain ambitious individuals an excuse, a blatant excuse to snatch things away.
With this, Eustass could use his grudge notebook to write them all down.
Then find an opportunity to kill them.
Los Angeles.
Inside the cliffside ocean view Villa.
Stark stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the palladium poisoning marks on his chest.
He was silent for a long time. If Eustass hadn't meticulously discovered the model problem, he would have either died of poisoning, going crazy before his death, or been used by someone with ulterior motives.
"Have you decided which watch to wear, Mr. Stark?"
Natasha walked over, asking softly while wearing a dress.
"Let me see..."
Stark said, turning around to face her, "We're canceling the birthday party, right?"
"Maybe."
"Yeah, it's a bit..."
"Inappropriate."
"Exactly, it would send the wrong message."
"Indeed, it's not appropriate."
Stark looked at the beauty in front of him, placing his drink aside.
Natasha felt she was playing her role well, but Starkalready knew through Eustass that she was a spy.
He had set up restrictions in all important areas of the Villa.
He could fool the enemy, but he couldn't let S.H.I.E.L.D.steal any of his technology.
Outside the Villa.
Colonel Rhodey was driving, refusing his superior's orders.
And near the Villa, people from the Senate were also watching the Stark family.
Even in New York, there were many people staking out Stark Industries and the Eustass Family residence.
A group of people were extremely nervous, all wanting to snatch something, wanting Stark, Eustass, and Helen Cho.
Stark was partying in the Villa, DJing, and then directly urinated in his Iron Man Suit.
Tony was ecstatic.
New York.
Suburban Villa.
Music played inside the house.
Eustass was connecting with Helen Cho.
S.H.I.E.L.D..
"Sharon Carter, I'm asking you again, where are Eustass Mola and Helen Cho!?"
Fury stood in the interrogation room, slamming his hand on the table.
"I'm very sorry, I don't know."
Sharon smiled at him. She had long grown tired of the S.H.I.E.L.D. life.
Aunt Peggy would protect her, and she felt it was time for some changes.
To find the life she wanted.
As for the interrogation by Motherfucker Hero, she didn't take it seriously at all.
She wasn't clear about what S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted to do?
They wanted the technology but didn't want to pay for it to save some funds, right?
"They are in great danger right now. I know you had a relationship with that boy for a while. Are you really willing to watch him step by step into danger?"
Fury quickly said.
"We broke up a long time ago. Don't ask me, I don't know."
Sharon leaned back casually, resting on the chair.
Fury had been lying to her.
Saying Eustass was being hunted.
But in reality, she understood that her ex-boyfriend's escape plan had already been made, and she had guessed that her ex-boyfriend was going to cooperate with Stark.
So she didn't believe Fury at all.
No matter how much he interrogated her, she wouldn't reveal a single word!
As long as she insisted that she and that group of Agents had a personal grudge, her Aunt Peggy could get her out.
"Then you still helped that kid escape, he's already been subpoenaed by the court!"
Fury tried to scare her.
"I didn't help him, it was just a coincidence."
After Sharon finished speaking, Fury was so angry he swore directly.
"Motherfucker!"
Motherfucker Hero kept repeating "motherfucker," with an extremely high concentration of "motherfucker."
Sharon looked at the handcuffs on her wrist with worry, wondering how her ex-boyfriend was doing now... New York.
Helen Cho was sleeping soundly, exhausted.
Eustass had just finished showering and was sitting in the living room with his phone, calling Sharon.
He had previously suspected that his ex-girlfriend was a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, and that Sally was likely a fake name.
When they left on the plane that day, his Observation Haki had sensed Sharon's actions.
He was a little worried about Sharon.
Just as he was about to make the call... Eustass quickly took out a phone without his personal information and an unregistered SIM card, handed it to a Thread Clone, and told it to leave the Villa as quickly and as far away as possible.
The Thread Clone transformed into Eustass's likeness, with a large amount of infrared-detecting material mixed into its body, making it impossible to distinguish between a real person and a fake one.
S.H.I.E.L.D..
Fury looked at Sharon's phone in his hand; it was ringing.
There was no name labeled on Sharon's phone, and after each call, the records were completely deleted.
Fury didn't know who it was.
Sharon suddenly became nervous.
She was afraid it was her ex-boyfriend.
Her ex-boyfriend had been busy for so long, wasn't it all for the other party's future?
She was afraid that the other party didn't understand anti-tracking common sense and would be located by S.H.I.E.L.D. with a single phone call.
Fury observed Sharon's expression, his black finger descended, and he tapped to answer.
He didn't speak.
Then he looked at Sharon.
Fury picked up his own phone, facing Sharon, and it displayed his words:
'He's exposed. Say something, preferably get him to cooperate.'
Sharon looked at the phone, silent for a long time.
At the edge of Eustass's Observation Haki range, the Thread Clone stood beside an alley trash can and dialed the phone.
The other side didn't speak, and neither did he.
After a long time, when Fury was getting impatient.
The Thread Clone directly ended the call, crushed the phone, and then transformed into numerous threads that scattered and disappeared.
Not long after.
A black car stopped at the alley entrance.
A large number of armed personnel rushed in with guns, but only found a phone with no information, and it was broken.
S.H.I.E.L.D..
Sharon breathed a sigh of relief.
Her ex-boyfriend wasn't stupid after all.
He knew. Through the silence, he understood her current situation.
The One-Eyed Man, however, stood opposite Sharon with a smug look, thinking that the kid would be brought back.
As long as they found Eustass and Helen Cho in advance and brought them into S.H.I.E.L.D., then the technology would belong to S.H.I.E.L.D..
Then, they would follow the usual procedure to integrate them into their team, and naturally, they wouldn't have to worry about trouble.
Everyone would be on the same side, so what patents would there be to discuss?
This was S.H.I.E.L.D., always freeloading.
"Report, we didn't find him!"
His subordinate's voice came through the phone.
Fury's face fell.
New York.
In a certain alley.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. armed squad quickly got into their cars and returned to headquarters.
Numerous threads slowly moved, coiling around the bottom of the car...
Chapter 33: 33. True and False Hawkeye! (Please collect! Please vote for monthly tickets! Please vote for recommendations!)
Suburbs.
Villa area.
Eustass took out some banknotes, wrote a note for Helen Cho, and then left the Villa.
He traveled all the way into the city, wearing an outer suit woven from silk threads, closely following S.H.I.E.L.D.'s vehicle.
S.H.I.E.L.D. drove far away, and he stayed at the edge of his Observation Haki's range, perceiving while using Soru to follow behind.
Queens covers about 460 square kilometers. Eustass's Observation Haki could sense such a large area. No matter how vigilant S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents were, they couldn't discover that someone was tracking them on foot from such a great distance.
Eustass pursued them relentlessly as the car drove out of the city and headed towards the suburbs.
Eustass chased them all the way to an abandoned factory, where the people finally stopped their car. Under his Observation Haki's perception, they entered the factory and moved some heavy objects.
The armed team members pulled open a ground panel, revealing an input panel. They entered the password, closed the panel, and waited for a while. Not far away, the ground split open, and an elevator slowly ascended.
The armed team members stepped onto the elevator and descended with it.
Eustass knew that these people's Base couldn't be that simple.
Although the plot revealed that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters was in Washington, S.H.I.E.L.D. should have Bases all over America; this was basic Agentprocedure.
If he were truly foolish enough to run to WashingtonState to save someone, then he would really be an idiot.
Washington State is in the northwesternmost part of America, while New York is in the northeast... these are two very distant places.
S.H.I.E.L.D. most likely held Agent Sharon in a Base on the East Coast.
Underground Base.
Many soldiers were stationed in the corridor, and in one of the interrogation rooms holding traitors.
Agent Sharon sat in the interrogation room, extremely worried.
She looked at the reinforced concrete room, like a solid wall. Even if she used Agent methods to remove her handcuffs, she couldn't escape this room.
It was truly difficult for her to open the reinforced concrete interrogation room without tools.
Just now, Director Fury, in order to curry favor with Tony Stark, took some items left by Old Howard to find Stark.
Sharon sincerely hoped that Eustass had not been located by S.H.I.E.L.D.
'Don't mind me, don't mind me...'
Sharon kept thinking, hoping he wouldn't be so foolish.
Abandoned factory.
Eustass bypassed all hidden cameras in the factory and came to the hidden panel.
Standing there, his Observation Haki permeated downwards to perceive.
Beneath his feet was an underground Base.
The underground Base had many rooms, but he only sensed Sharon's presence in a very inconspicuous corner room.
The silk threads on Eustass's body began to weave. He also wore a layer of brownish-yellow Mohawk hair on his head. The silk threads wove into a battle suit, with a quiver appearing on his back, and a long bow woven from silk threads.
His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, bright and piercing, like an extremely dangerous hunter lurking in a dark forest.
Eustass put on a Hawkeye Barton disguise.
He moved the goods aside, opened the panel, entered the password that the armed team members had entered, and then waited for the elevator to come up.
Not long after.
Underground Base.
A group of soldiers carrying submachine guns passed by. Seeing the elevator open, they all looked over, gripping their submachine guns, ready for battle.
A towering figure walked in, carrying a quiver and a long bow, striding quickly. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, scanning around, sending chills down their spines.
Clinton Barton!
Several soldiers quickly saluted respectfully.
Barton nodded slightly and passed them by.
The soldiers exchanged glances. They hadn't heard that Agent Barton was coming.
But their rank was not high enough; they shouldn't ask what they shouldn't ask.
The soldiers thought Agent Barton had something urgent to do, and they continued their patrols.
Eustass, wearing Barton's disguise, hurried towards the secret room where Sharon was held.
The reason he entered this way was simply that he didn't want to kill innocent people indiscriminately.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had bad people, but also good people.
When he couldn't distinguish, he didn't want to kill indiscriminately due to personal grudges.
He was just having malicious fun beating people up and getting rewards while wearing Doffy's disguise outside, tricking others was enough, he shouldn't trick himself... Eustass hurried towards the secret room where Sharonwas held.
The patrolling personnel on the road quickly saluted him.
Anyone who saw him would have the illusion that Bartonhad grown taller... Eustass is over two meters tall, while Barton is 1.75 meters (according to movie settings, as it's written for the movie Universe).
The height difference was too obvious; many people found it fake.
When Eustass arrived at the interrogation room door, the underground Base's elevator was double-locked both physically and by authorization, and all armed team members were on high alert guarding the exit... In New York, on a certain road.
Hawkeye Barton was driving, preparing to leave New York to take a plane from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New York branch to New Mexico.
Then his phone rang, and he quickly answered it.
"Hello."
"Okay, I'll be right back."
Barton looked at his phone with a grim expression, quickly turned the car around, and headed towards the underground secret Base.
A two-meter tall thug was impersonating him to cause trouble at the Base.
If that guy were the same height as him, he would be in big trouble later.
Hawkeye gripped the steering wheel tightly.
He would definitely use his archery skills to properly deal with that audacious fellow!
...Under the night sky.
Fury got off the plane, arrived in Los Angeles, and drove his SUV all the way to Stark's Villa.
His phone rang.
"Answer the phone."
Fury said.
"Yes, sir."
The car system responded, and the call connected.
"Hey, Director, we have a big problem. A fake Hawkeyebroke into the New York underground secret Base. We've sent people to catch him, but we've suffered heavy losses."
"Barton, you're my capable subordinate, right?"
Fury asked while driving.
"That's right, my archery is divine."
Barton said proudly.
"Go, bring that Joker back to me."
"Joker?"
"I mean he's a clown impersonating you. Damn it, if he were the Joker, you wouldn't go, you'd die."
"Understood!"
Fury ended the call and continued to find Stark.
He couldn't return to New York.
There were more important matters here in Los Angeles; he needed to persuade Stark to pull himself together... New York.
Underground Base.
Inside the interrogation room.
"Boom!"
A heavy metallic impact sounded, and the thick alloy door of the interrogation room bulged significantly.
Sharon, sitting inside, recoiled in fright.
"Holy crab, what kind of monster is this!"
Sharon said anxiously. She wasn't afraid of enemy Taxi Soldiers or Agents, only supernatural monsters.
Just now, gunshots and screams had echoed from outside.
"Boom boom... boom!"
After several consecutive loud bangs, the alloy door was instantly shattered, and a large hand wrapped in silk threads flung the door away.
The silk threads on Eustass's hand dispersed, and the large hand made of silk threads vanished into nothingness.
He stepped into the interrogation room, came before Sharon, and untied her.
With two pulls, the handcuffs broke open.
Chapter 34 – 34. Archery Showdown: Barton Flees in Defeat! (Please favorite! Keep reading!)
Barton? Wait… no, you're not Barton!
Sharon reacted instantly—the height was wrong.
The next second, Sharon broke free and swung a fist at Eustass.
Eustass caught her fist, then grabbed her other arm.
Sharon kicked upward, aiming low.
Eustass clamped her leg between his, leaving her standing on one foot.
Off balance, Sharon felt Eustass release her fist and shove her back.
Eustass couldn't speak in his own voice—surveillance was everywhere; one word and S.H.I.E.L.D. would know exactly who he was.
He pressed Sharon onto the seat and leaned in.
Sharon's eyes widened; she finally knew who he was.
After all those years with Eustass, if she hadn't figured it out, their relationship had been meaningless.
Eustass let go; Sharon sat stunned.
"Fufufufu! Not bad at all. Stop wasting your life on this stupid organization—join me and serve Dressrosa!"
Eustass spread his arms, grinned wickedly, voice low and magnetic.
Sharon understood: Dressrosa might be her ex's outfit; she quickly fell in step.
Eustass pinched her chin, murmured, "Not bad at all," turned and walked away.
Sharon hurried after him.
The corridor looked like a spider's nest.
Strands of silk covered the walls; Agents hung in cocoons, bodies twisted, bleeding heavily, bones broken.
Eustass, leading a stunned Agent Sharon, finally reached the exit elevator.
The lift was locked; only top-level clearance could override it.
Eustass wrapped his leg in Armament Haki and kicked the iron gate apart.
He slipped an arm around Sharon's waist and stepped into the shaft.
He vaulted up, heel crashing into the elevator roof, smashing it open.
Then, using Moonwalk, he shot upward.
Sharon clung to Eustass, staring up at him in a daze.
She had no idea what he'd gone through to become the villain everyone called Joker.
After a moment's thought, she still chose her boyfriend's side.
To the victor go the spoils—and justice.
That was Sharon's verdict after years inside this shameless organization.
Eustass was strong enough to crush S.H.I.E.E.L.D.'s forces; beside him stood a brilliant woman running R&D.
As long as they kept winning, nothing else matter.
Betrayal? Irrelevant.
Besides, she really loved him… abandoned factory.
Bang!
The elevator hatch shattered; an arrow whistled in, perfectly timed.
Eustass wrapped his hand in Armament Haki, caught the arrow between two fingers and snapped it.
Abandoned factory, second-floor stairwell, behind the crates.
Hawkeye Barton gasped—it was Joker!
Barton spun and fired an explosive arrow at Eustass.
Then leapt toward the window.
Eustass's threads became arrows; one collided with the explosive arrow and detonated.
More threads merged into several arrows, streaking through the fireball, trailing sparks, aimed at Barton.
Crash—glass shattered as Barton dove through the window, dodging a few arrows; the next instant, one arrow pierced his arm.
Barton grunted, tumbled into the wild grass, stumbled to a hidden motorcycle, throttled up with one hand and roared off.
Barton was an Agent—he knew when he was outmatched; against Joker, he wouldn't foolishly throw his life away.
On the highway, Barton clung to the handlebars, racing ahead.
With his pierced arm, he awkwardly adjusted the rear-view mirror and glanced back.
The man had dropped the disguise; he now looked exactly like Joker.
Golden hair whipped in the night wind as Joker flew through the air.
The night wind was bleak, the atmosphere oppressive.
Joker's lips curled in a classic, low, evil grin, eyes fixed on Barton's back like a predator savoring a panicked prey.
"Damn it!"
Barton clutched the throttle, eyes darting to the mirror.
Buzz—helicopter rotors thundered overhead.
A S.H.I.E.L.D. gunship swooped in; a missile streaked straight for Joker.
Even standard troops now feared Joker; the first greeting was a missile.
Countless threads twisted into a whip; Eustass lashed out, the homing missile evaded.
In an instant, Eustass wove a web, snaring the missile's trajectory, threads closing in.
The missile slammed into the web and detonated.
A blinding fireball burst overhead.
Eustass flicked a thread, slicing the gunship in two; it plummeted, crashing in a fiery explosion.
Under cold silver Moonlight.
Barton forced himself upright, motorcycle vanishing into the night.
Eustass hovered, gave a cold laugh, and carried Sharonaway.
He had no intention of killing Barton.
If he'd wanted to, the arrow he'd shot into Barton's arm could have exploded, countless threads piercing Barton's arm and spiraling into his organs.
He'd only wanted to scare him.
Later.
Eustass set Sharon on the ground and stood over her.
"Nothing to ask?"
Eustass asked.
"No."
Sharon shook her head. "Since I walked out with you, I've decided to follow you all the way down the dark path."
"Think carefully—you're choosing the dangerous Joker, not the peaceful Eustass."
Eustass said, looking seriously into her eyes. "It's dangerous."
"Then I'll be Joker's girlfriend, and Zhao will be Eustass's girlfriend—fair, right?"
Sharon pouted. "You really know how to play."
Eustass pinched her cheek.
"I love you. Promise me, come back to me—I'm willing to die for your ambition."
Sharon clasped his hand to her heart, solemnly promising.
Eustass bent down and kissed her.
"Th-there's a patch of grass over there…"
Sharon said quickly.
Eustass carried her into the tall grass.
Later.
"I'm leaving. The code word, and the safe house only we know—only we know. I'll wait for you."
Sharon said, gathering her clothes.
"Funds okay?"
Eustass asked.
"No problem—I'm not short on money."
Sharon shook her head. "Be careful. S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't as friendly as they seem—they're shameless."
"Don't worry."
Eustass nodded… "Ah!"
On the highway.
Barton raced away on his motorcycle; sudden, intense pain shot through his arm as threads writhed inside, unbearable.
The bike swerved; Barton tumbled across the asphalt, rolling into the grass.
Barton passed out from the pain; only then did the threads under Eustass's control withdraw from Barton's body and vanish.
Chapter 35: S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Marvel Gene Bank! (Please collect!)
[The host defeated Hawkeye Barton!]
[Reward: Observation Haki strength doubled!]
Eustass watched Sharon disappear into the night when the system reward sound suddenly rang in his mind.
Strength is strength, range is range.
Range determines the distance his Observation Haki can perceive.
Accumulating a certain level of strength will make his Observation Haki more powerful, giving him a greater advantage when fighting against others who also possess Observation Haki.
It's also possible that accumulating a certain level of strength will lead to a qualitative change, allowing him to awaken Top-tier Observation Haki.
Top-tier Observation Haki is the ability to foresee the future, while dodging attacks and predicting attacks are merely basic operations of Observation Haki, not foreseeing the future.
Eustass turned and left, rushing back to the Villa.
Arriving at the bedroom, Helen Cho was still resting.
He crawled into bed and rested.
The next day.
West Coast.
A small town on the outskirts of a certain city.
Above a donut shop, on a large donut decoration, Starksat there, wearing his armor, taking off his helmet, eating a donut, pretending to be lazy.
The earliest master of slacking off—Stark.
An SUV stopped not far away.
Fury, wearing a black trench coat and an eyepatch, was about to get out of the car to talk to Stark when his phone rang.
It was Natasha Romanoff.
"Hello?"
"We found Agent Barton severely injured and unconscious on the side of the highway."
"Uh-huh, failed, right?"
"That's right, it was Joker."
"How's Barton?"
"One arm severely injured, but not life-threatening."
"Oh, oh, oh, Joker, that's interesting..."
Fury tapped the steering wheel; he found a blind spot.
Joker would kill super villains, but for superheroes, he just... fought them?
"We suspect Joker has a connection with Eustass. Sharonwas just detained and is about to be convicted, and then Joker appeared. Although he came to snatch talent, it's very likely related to Eustass."
Natasha questioned.
"Don't question so casually. What about that phone call last night?"
"The phone had no personal information, and neither did the SIM card."
Fury listened to Natasha and nodded, "Then it has nothing to do with that kid. No one is to act on their own initiative."
"But he's a major suspect."
"No, you're wrong, Natasha. He has no suspicion at all. That's it, don't let personal emotions get in the way."
After Fury finished speaking, he ended the call and instructed other Agents to keep a close eye on Natasha.
Natasha and Barton have a good relationship, so it's very possible she'd hate Joker, or Eustass, because of this.
Fury was very shrewd; he understood Joker's intentions, and he was just returning the goodwill.
You do your mischief, and I'll indulge you to come and go as you please, as long as you don't kill innocent people, there's still a possibility of cooperation.
Fury regarded the other party as a neutral person with a bit of a twisted sense of humor, someone not worth provoking.
Besides, Joker had absolutely no personal information on this Planet; he suspected the other party was an alien.
When it comes to aliens, it's better to be careful. He didn't know if the other party's homeworld was full of such powerful and warlike individuals.
If he captured Eustass, Joker's possible friend, then next time Joker wouldn't just turn the S.H.I.E.L.D. Base into a Spiderweb Cave.
Next time, it would be a Carnage of S.H.I.E.L.D.
He dared not gamble.
An unpredictable powerhouse is what enemies fear most.
"Sorry, sir, please come down from the donut."
Fury got out of the car and shouted at Stark.
Soon after, inside the donut shop.
"I told you, I don't want to join your super boy band."
Stark held a coffee in one hand, looking at Black卤 Egg.
"Hahaha, no, no, I know you're a lone wolf. I just came to borrow two people from you to join this cool group~"
Fury sat opposite, smiling.
"Oh, did I hear that right? You're asking me to lend you people? Hahaha~"
Stark laughed, reaching for his coffee.
A mechanical whirring sound rang out, and he raised his arm again.
The armor was still not very flexible; his arm wouldn't lift... Stark put down the coffee.
"You know who I want. Listen, Tony, they're in danger right now. Many people across America want to dig them out, drain their value, and then throw them away like trash."
Fury said.
"Oh, and then? I guess their heads will be treated like watermelons by the armor, BOOM~!"
Stark made a gesture of smashing a watermelon.
With his funding, materials, and technical support, those two kids could make excellent iron man armors.
"I think Black卤 Egg, what you should be worried about is those two kids being too impulsive and smashing the watermelon heads of those behind-the-scenes financial groups~"
Stark said with a smile.
Fury rubbed his forehead. Stark was still Stark, ruthless enough to disregard that he himself was a member of the financial elite.
"Hey, you're Iron Man. You should set a good example for those two kids."
Fury quickly said. What he feared most was that Eustassand Joker were truly friends.
Then, under Joker's influence, Eustass would become the next Joker, which was not what he wanted to see.
Black卤 Egg wanted to get close to that kid and then brainwash him little by little... ahem, slip of the tongue, civilize him.
"I have no right to teach him anything, haha. Do you need anything else? Hey bro, a glass of wine~"
Stark shouted at the waitress.
"Sir, we only have coffee here."
The waitress said helplessly.
"Oh, well, whatever~"
...That day.
Stark returned to his messy Villa.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal work was disrupted by Hawkeye's incident.
Hawkeye recuperated, Coulson went to New Mexicoearly, and Black Widow was responsible for watching Stark for Fury.
"Oh, you're really something. So you're a S.H.I.E.L.D.Agent. Well, it's nice to re-meet you, S.H.I.E.L.D. Gene Bank."
Stark looked at Natasha, who stood before him in an Agent uniform. Natasha and the departing Black卤 Eggwere both stunned.
"What do you mean S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Black卤 Egg had strong opinions about this. He was already cleaning out the moles, though with little success... "Uh, are you insulting me?"
Natasha clenched her fists, somewhat angry.
"Uh, yes. You can choose to leave, and I won't call you that anymore. Bye~"
Stark waved with a smile. Just as he turned to leave, Natasha kicked him in the knee, then elbowed him, knocking him to the ground.
"Oh, damn it, I knew I shouldn't learn from that kid Eustass, but I just couldn't help it.
Miss Natasha, do you need me to complete your genes for you?"
Stark said lewdly, lying on the ground.
Natasha gave him a 360-degree skin twist.
Inside the Villa, Stark's pig-like screams rang out.
New York.
Inside the Villa.
Eustass sat on the sofa, waiting for those who had previously tried to capture him to jump out.
Then he would take them down one by one.
Chapter 36: Eustass Appears, Eating, Sleeping, and Beating Ni-ni! (Seeking Collection!)
"Stark Industries collaborating with two genius college students? A new element?"
"Oh, come on, guys, don't joke around. Instead of listening to Stark's genius persona hype, you should check out Hammer Industries!"
"Welcome everyone to the Flushing Expo in Queenstomorrow night at 8 PM. Hammer Industries Expo welcomes your presence, to witness the dawn of a new era with Justin Hammer.
America leaving Stark Industries doesn't mean we can't do without him.
Stark, is trash~"
After the host finished speaking, he crumpled the photo of Stark in his hand and threw it into the trash can.
He even spat in a very undignified manner, and the audience below cheered wildly.
"Now, let's welcome Mr. Hammer, Mr. Daniel, and Mr. Grumman..."
Outskirts of New York.
Inside the Villa.
Eustass watched the program on TV, and he finally understood some things.
Senator Daniel, who had been clashing with Stark in court and later subpoenaed him to hand over his technology, had a large financial group, Grumman Company, behind him.
This consortium deals in radar and warship business, so it makes sense that they would want to use Daniel to get involved in other industries.
As for whether S.H.I.E.L.D. is behind it, only they themselves know.
On TV, Senator Daniel spoke eloquently, echoing Mr. Grumman, both stating that the new element represents significant importance and should not be controlled by a young man with no capabilities.
"I think this is a waste for U.S. interests. The new element, applied to energy cores, will bring more powerful endurance and attack power to warships..."
"Yes, yes, the little brat from the Moira family doesn't have the ability to manage this technology. I heard he's an orphan who was picked up?
Oh my God, he's so lucky, but also not. He can't manage this technology. Handing it over to America is the best choice.
We'll offer a very good price, like paying for his expensive college tuition?"
On TV, the host, Daniel, Mr. Grumman, and Hammer all expressed their opinions, mocking Iron Man and Eustass.
"Don't be angry, they're just dogs."
Helen Cho quickly said, sitting beside him.
"What are you thinking? I'm not angry."
Eustass laughed, knowing these people wouldn't live much longer anyway.
The next day.
Flushing, Queens.
Hammer Industries Expo.
Eustass and Helen Cho sat in the seats below.
Not far away.
Natasha, following Pepper, watched Eustass in the distance with a grim expression.
Perhaps because Joker hurt Barton, and Joker has a connection with Eustass, she really wanted to beat Eustass and force him to reveal Joker's whereabouts.
Perhaps it was the nickname Eustass gave her that made her very angry.
In short, when she saw Eustass, she wanted to do a U.S.-style Iaijutsu... "I'm going to see some friends, I'll be right back."
Natasha said to Pepper, as she was responsible for protecting Pepper.
"Okay, go ahead."
Pepper said with a smile.
Natasha quickly walked towards Eustass, sat next to him, and whispered in a voice only they could hear:
"Tell me, where did Joker take Agent Sharon?"
Natasha said directly, her hand in her small bag, a miniature pistol in the bag pointed at Eustass's kidney.
"Joker, he's my idol, but that's all he is."
Eustass shrugged helplessly and replied softly, then looked at Helen Cho, "Darling, could you get me some drinks?"
"Okay."
Helen Cho pecked him and smiled as she got up and left.
"You're not stupid, you know to hide it from your partner. Tell me, where is that traitor Sharon?"
Natasha poked Eustass with her bag.
"Oh, Miss, you look great in that corset tonight. Do you need me to complete your genes?"
Eustass grinned mischievously, the gloves on his hands subtly emitting a white glow, aimed at Natasha's slender waist.
"I imagine you wouldn't want that lovely slender waist to become ugly with a gash, would you?"
After Eustass said that, Natasha quickly looked down, her face horrified, her pupils dilated.
She finally understood why Eustass was strangely wearing a pair of gloves today.
Natasha put her bag away and engaged the safety on her gun, but Eustass didn't retract his hand.
"You..."
Natasha's face was furious. They had agreed to both put away their weapons, but he reneged!
"Nice slender waist."
Eustass said with a wipe.
Natasha shivered.
"Don't worry, my genes are very precious, I won't lend them to you."
Eustass insulted Natasha, making her so angry she wanted to do a U.S.-style Iaijutsu.
But she didn't dare... Outside the expo.
A coffee shop.
Sharon, wearing a waitress uniform, stood there, watching Helen Cho come to buy a drink, and asked with a smile what she wanted.
"A coffee, with less sugar, please."
"Okay."
Sharon nodded and turned to make the coffee.
She was there to cooperate with Eustass and incidentally prove his innocence.
Before being exposed, he would hide what he could. After all, Eustass didn't want to run around if he could live a peaceful life with his wife.
Hammer's expo was boring.
Stark at least knew to find a group of bikini beauties to dance.
Hammer only knew how to awkwardly dance alone and hog the spotlight, drawing boos from the audience.
They came for two things: to see the armor and to see beautiful women... but only saw an ugly clown jumping around.
Before long, Helen Cho returned and sat next to Eustass:
"Oh, he looks like a ridiculous clown."
"Hmm, more like an idiot."
Eustass said, then secretly patted the Marvel gene bank, telling the other party to leave.
"Bye, talk next time. We at Hasbro have had a pleasant collaboration with you."
Natasha chuckled lightly, her face not looking good as she left.
Lost the wife and lost the army... Not only did she fail to threaten Eustass, but she was also taken advantage of.
On stage, Hammer was saying shameless things.
He talked about peace, saying that new technology and weapons should be sold, also to protect their peace, and that Stark, Eustass, and Helen Cho shouldn't be so stingy and should hand over the new technology.
Nonsense!
America's downfall is the greatest peace in the World.
"Your bankruptcy is the greatest peace! Motherfucker!"
Outside the exhibition, protesters were throwing vegetables and shouting.
Eustass even wanted to give them a thumbs up.
"Electing Joker as a senator is the greatest peace!"
Someone shouted from somewhere; this must be an overexcited Joker fan who snuck in.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today I will introduce to you, America's newest weapon, the Hammer iron man armor!"
"Army!"
"Marine!"
"Air Force!"
"Marine Corps!"
Squad after squad of unmanned iron man armors rose with the platform, appearing before everyone.
The next moment, the armor worn by the Black Colonel rose from under the stage. The armor had already been altered beyond recognition, and countless people cheered as they saw the Gatling-gun-wielding armor.
The sound of flame thrusters suddenly erupted, and a red and gold figure descended abruptly.
Stark walked towards Hammer, ready to have a discussion.
He didn't want the iron man armor to be used in wars between human factions.
The next moment.
All the iron man armors on stage aimed their weapons at Stark and Eustass in the audience.
"Whoa, whoa, what do you want to do?"
Stark quickly shouted.
"I didn't do this, someone's controlling the armor!"
Rhodey shouted.
Below the stage.
Eustass and Helen Cho put down two portable cases, stepped on them, and the mark v transformed, covering their faces as they put it on.
Eustass raised his hand, blocking the audience behind him, and the bullets fired by the unmanned armors were intercepted.
Building across from the expo.
A tall figure stood there, dressed in a pink fluffy coat, on the rooftop, the coat flapping in the wind.
Sharon Carter, crouching with a sniper rifle, observed the interior of the semi-open expo through the scope, looking at Joker with a bewildered expression, then at Eustass, who was wearing a mark v and acting as a hero inside the expo, also with a bewildered expression.
Sharon was stunned.
The man inside the expo was her boyfriend, so what was going on with this one next to her?
"Operation begin!"
Joker said in a deep voice.
"Take down Hammer, Daniel, and defeat Iron Man Stark!"
After Joker assigned the tasks, Sharon was stunned again.
She wouldn't question Eustass's ability to create two clones for now, but what the hell was he doing, saving people at the venue while also being a bad guy beating Iron Man?
Multiple personality disorder?
Inside the venue.
Eustass's lips were slightly pursed. Of course not. Taking down Hammer was for revenge.
Saving people was just a convenience. As for beating Stark, he just wanted to test if beating him a second time would grant a second reward.
If it does, he might just follow in the footsteps of a certain senior Outlaw and beat Ni-ni every now and then.
Chapter 37 – Alice-style Blitz! War on Two Fronts! (Please bookmark!)
Stark piloted the iron man armor and shot out of the expo first, a swarm of Air-Force Drone suits and Rhodey's armor hot on his heels, guns blazing.
"Whoa-whoa, ground's yours, Eustass!"
Stark weaved through the fire while radioing Eustass.
"How's the new element core, Tony?"
On the ground, Eustass raised an arm; a beam lanced out and vaporized an Army Unmanned Battlesuit's control core.
"Tastes like coconut water with a splash of metal…"
Stark's colorful comparison.
[host has defeated Army Unmanned Battlesuit A019!]
[Reward: Wind Dial!]
'Mediocre…'
Eustass thought, then raised his arm again; light condensed and another beam fired.
An Army Unmanned Battlesuit aiming its shoulder-cannon at Helen Cho's mark v was cored through the control unit by the blast.
[host has defeated Army Unmanned Battlesuit A02!]
[Reward: Wind Dial!]
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
Suddenly a Marine drone's shoulder launcher swivelled toward Eustass and Helen, spitting a swarm of missiles.
The two of them rocketed skyward in their suits.
The mark v was a suitcase armor—portable but, for that convenience, its outer plating was thinner.
That many missiles would shred it.
"Get outside and evac people—leave the floor to me!"
Eustass told Helen.
"On it!"
Helen nodded, banked, and streaked away.
Eustass snapped off a palm repulsor, obliterating a Navy Drone.
[host has defeated Navy Drone N022!]
[Reward: impact shell!]
He spiralled over the expo, methodically picking off drone after drone.
With Observation Haki he sensed every move, dodged, and blasted each drone with surgical precision.
No need to kite them; he simply danced in place and dismantled the swarm.
[host has defeated Navy Drone N03!]
[Reward: Reject Dial!]
[host has defeated…]
The system voice kept chiming as wreckage piled below and Sea Dials filled his inventory.
Wind, Flame, Flash, Impact, Reject, and Blade Dials.
All of them—Sky Island products from the Pirate World.
Wind Dial stores wind and releases it in a gust.
Blade Dial stores a swordsman's slash and can replay it on command.
Not much use to Eustass, but handy for Helen's self-defence.
With her armed, he could stop worrying about the home front.
Elsewhere.
Armor control room.
Hammer burst in, frantic, demanding answers.
"The software's been altered—every drone is rogue, we've lost control!"
the supervisor blurted.
Outside, chaos reigned and shells kept falling.
Hammer paled—if this continued, Hammer Industrieswas finished.
"Impossible—call security!"
he shouted.
"All landlines are cut!"
a tech yelled back.
"Then hit their cells!"
Hammer ordered.
"No signal—nothing's getting through!"
the tech called moments later.
In the distance.
Pepper dashed up with Natasha close behind.
A single rifle crack rang out.
The control-room window exploded; LCDs shattered and a bullet punched through Justin Hammer's gut.
Pepper screamed; Natasha tackled her down.
More shots followed—each slug slamming into Hammer's body.
He shrieked and collapsed.
The man was a bloody ruin.
A single sniper round can punch a hole through concrete and sever an arm; several of them hit Hammer… he was beyond dead.
'Silenced…'
Natasha realised—Hammer had been a pawn, discarded and eliminated once he'd outlived his usefulness.
Across the street.
On a rooftop.
Sharon Carter's team swiftly broke down the sniper rifle and melted away without hesitation.
Everyone in the control room stayed crouched on the floor for ages before the bolder ones dared to peek up.
"The sniper's gone!"
someone shouted.
Natasha sprang to her feet, scanned the street, snatched her radio to check the Agents' vantage points, and sprinted out in pursuit.
"Miss Potts, come with me—this place is compromised!"
Natasha yelled over her shoulder before dashing off.
An army of iron man armors, a shadowy mastermind, a whole sniper squad… far too dangerous.
Out on the street.
Senator Daniel, red-faced and heavy-jowled, watched the unmanned armors streak overhead, scrambled into his sedan, and barked at the driver,
"Go, go—get us out of here at top speed!"
The driver gave a slight nod.
"Ignore the pedestrians—floor it!"
Daniel roared.
He'd only come to butter up Hammer Industries at their expo; he never expected the iron man armor rampage.
The driver stayed silent, stamped the accelerator, and shot forward.
"Beep!"
"Beep-beep…"
"Beep-beep-beep!"
A crisp electronic chirp from the passenger seat made Daniel's heart lurch.
He unbuckled, leaned over the front seat, and peered beneath it.
From under the passenger seat came the steady tick of a timer.
The bomb had been planted up front; Daniel had climbed straight into the back and never noticed.
"Mother—there's a bomb in the car and you didn't warn me? You're dead, punk!"
Daniel bellowed, then glanced sideways to find the mute driver pale as paper, mouth sewn shut by threads, staring at him in horror.
Parasite Threads had seized the driver—of course he couldn't alert Daniel.
"Happy death~"
a robotic voice intoned from the driver's phone; the next instant the car erupted.
"BOOM—!"
Flames swallowed the sedan, shredding Daniel's body.
Across from the expo, atop an office tower.
Sharon led her men down the elevator at full speed.
They hit the lobby only to find Natasha surrounding the building with a swarm of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents.
"Sharon Carter—surrender now!"
Natasha thundered.
Sharon spun and charged back into the building.
Natasha's team opened fire while tightening the cordon.
One squad sealed the ground floor; another followed Natasha upstairs.
On the roof Natasha spotted Sharon poised on the ledge and shouted, "Come back, Carter! Expose what Dressrosareally is and the Bureau will go easy on you!"
Sharon whipped her pistol up; Natasha mirrored the move.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Gunshots cracked.
Sharon flipped backward off the building, bullets whizzing over her head.
Her men leapt after her.
"Damn it!"
Natasha cursed, wondering what brainwashing Joker had used—his people would rather jump than return to S.H.I.E.L.D.
Moments later a burst of gunfire rose from below; Natasha rushed to the edge.
Sharon and her squad, suspended by near-invisible threads, hung upside-down and gunned the unsuspecting Taxi Soldiers on the street.
They landed softly; Sharon looked up, smirked, flipped Natasha the bird, and led her team away.
"Screw this!"
Natasha fumed—she'd been played.
High above.
A swarm of Air-Force Drones chased Stark, machine guns rattling and missiles crisscrossing the sky in endless booms.
Explosions lit up the night, making Queens look like New Year's Eve—
if not for the terrified screams.
Now and then a giant fireball blossomed, sometimes veering into a skyscraper, sometimes plummeting to the pavement in a dazzling bloom.
People sprinted for their lives, turning into instant Olympians.
Some tumbled down stairwells like spinning tops, showing bewildered tourists the true meaning of a fast getaway.
"Whoa-whoa-whoa—no, no, no!"
Stark, trying to shake the drones, spotted a kid in a plastic mask raising a toy repulsor at an Army Unmanned Battlesuit.
A towering figure dropped, stomping the drone into scrap under an Armament Haki-coated boot.
Chapter 38. Executing Whiplash! Iron Man, Round Two! (Seeking Collection!)
The Thread Clone stood in front of the child, looking up at the many iron man armor suits flying high in the sky.
Stark glanced back at him.
A look was exchanged, confirming he had met the right person.
"Fuck!"
Stark cursed inwardly. The battle maniac had arrived!
The opponent certainly takes out the bad guys, but every time he appears, he also gives Tony a beating.
"Go home. You're still young. This isn't your era."
Eustass controlled the Thread Clone, yelling at the little brat Peter behind him.
"Hey, I knew it! Joker is a good guy. Everyone who speaks ill of you is a bad guy!"
Peter Parker cheered and jumped happily.
The Thread Clone instantly flicked his head lightly:
"I told you to scram, kid."
Peter covered his head, feeling wronged, tears welling up in his eyes. He nodded and turned to run away.
Little Spider was cute, but this was not the place for him right now.
The Thread Clone pointed at an Air Force Unmanned Armor Suit, shot out threads that entangled it, and instantly flew up.
The threads continuously retracted. Eustass controlled the Thread Clone to close the distance. Then, a large amount of threads condensed, turning into a Thread Pillar. Using the Surpassing Strangling Whip technique, the Thread Pillar suddenly shot out, piercing through the body of an unmanned Air Force armor suit.
[The host defeated Air Force Unmanned Armor SuitAF01!]
[Reward obtained: Slash Dial!]
"Woah, woah, woah!"
Stark flew ahead, having Jarvis monitor the situation behind him using street surveillance.
After understanding the situation behind him, he grew anxious.
"Is this guy here to take out the menace, or is he going to take me out too!?"
Stark couldn't help but speculate.
He piloted the armor suit, flying beneath the bridge.
Suddenly, the Thread Clone shot a thread that wrapped around a pillar ahead. Simultaneously, it quickly retracted the thread, accelerating its body forward, blocking Stark.
Stark was about to dodge, but then he thought of something and decided to take a gamble.
The Thread Clone suddenly released a large amount of threads, which transformed into a dense net and spread out. The moment Stark approached the large net, he instantly swerved.
A large number of Air Force Unmanned Armor Suits rushed up behind him. Because Ivan Vanko was controlling them remotely, there was inevitably a tiny delay, making it inferior to on-site operation.
Consequently, all these Air Force Unmanned Armor Suits failed to dodge in time and were caught within the net.
The dense net, wrapped in Armament Haki, suddenly contracted. The spatial compression squeezed the large number of Air Force Unmanned Armor Suits together. One by one, they were crushed by the Haki-wrapped threads, causing their bodies to burst.
The net threads scattered.
"Dong!"
A heavy, muffled sound.
The mass of Air Force Unmanned Armor Suits was squeezed into a giant iron ball, which slammed onto the ground, flattening many cars below.
"Hey, Tony, save me..."
Near the edge of the iron ball, Colonel Rhodey's armor suit was pinned underneath.
Stark quickly looked down. The energy core in his chest concentrated energy, and a powerful beam shot out, blasting the giant iron ball open.
Colonel Rhodey was pinned underneath; his armor was severely deformed and unusable.
Stark looked at the Thread Clone and was about to persuade him not to attack, when a Thread Pillar swung over, directly sending the iron man armor flying.
"Bang!"
The armor suit crashed into a pillar.
"That battle maniac!"
Stark roared angrily and quickly piloted the armor suit to flee the scene.
The Thread Clone shot out a thread, wrapping around Stark's armor suit.
"Burn it off!"
Stark shouted.
He was terrified of Joker, so he had added Ultra-High Temperature Nozzles to every armor suit to burn off Joker's threads.
A section of the armor's body flipped open, and a small nozzle emerged, spraying flames onto the threads wrapped around the suit.
"Reporting, Sir. The ultra-high temperature flames are failing to burn through the threads. The outer layer of the threads may be coated with undetectable, Ultra-High-Density Material."
Jarvis quickly reported.
"Shit!"
Stark cursed angrily. The iron man armor quickly skimmed over a pool between the buildings, sending spray flying as the suit sped past.
"What the hell is he doing?"
Stark quickly shouted; he hadn't felt Joker attacking him.
"I don't know, Sir. Based on human behavior, it appears to be similar to a yacht towing a surfboard..."
After Jarvis finished speaking, Stark cursed angrily.
This guy was treating him like a tool?
"Jarvis, ascend! The higher, the better!"
Stark shouted.
"Sir, are you intending to?"
"I'm going to make him let go voluntarily because of the cold!"
Stark said.
The armor suit changed direction and rapidly climbed in altitude.
Before he could fully fly toward the higher, colder sky, there was a metallic clang. A steel figure quickly flew over and crashed directly into Stark's armor suit.
Stark and the figure violently smashed through the glass of an Ecological Garden and crashed inside.
Inside the garden, water flowed gently.
The two iron man armor suits tumbled for a long time before stabilizing themselves.
The armor suit that had knocked Stark down stood up.
"It feels great to be back~"
Ivan Vanko retracted his faceplate and said smugly.
"Zzzzz!"
Two long electric whips lashed out. Ivan stared contemptuously at Stark and Joker.
Threads suddenly flew over, wrapping around Stark's armor suit.
"Hehehe, buddy, I think we can take him on together!"
Stark quickly tried to dissuade the battle maniac.
"DUANG~!"
The Thread Clone wrapped its fist in Armament Haki and slammed it into Stark's armor helmet.
Even with the helmet protection, Stark's head was rattled and dizzy. That iron fist was too brutal.
The Thread Clone violently swung Stark's armor suit, using all its strength to throw it clear out of the Ecological Garden.
"You're truly arrogant, but you lost my enemy, damn you!"
Ivan Vanko spat, his helmet instantly closed, and his twin whips flashed with blue electric light as they lashed out.
The Thread Clone wrapped its entire body in Armament Haki, grabbed one blue electric whip, and quickly walked toward Ivan.
"Grabbing an electric whip barehanded, you monster!"
Ivan roared angrily, and his other hand quickly spun, bringing the electric whip down in a chop.
The Thread Clone extended one hand, grabbed the electric whip, planted its feet firmly on the ground, and rotated its arms.
"Damn it!"
Ivan cursed. The next moment, he was swung around by the Thread Clone, continuously crashing into objects inside the Ecological Garden.
Tree after tree was smashed. Then, the Thread Clonesuddenly swung harder, and the armor suit crashed, destroying a small bridge with a loud rumble.
Ivan had just gotten back up when his body, along with the armor suit, flew up again, losing control and being swung around like a flail by the opponent.
Whiplash's armor had electric whips connected to the main body, with roller mechanisms inside the mechanical arms to retract the whips, making it generally difficult to break the weapon.
Ivan Vanko had brought trouble upon himself; not only could he not hurt Joker, but he was also being swung around like a kite.
The next instant.
Two threads wrapped in Haki secured the electric whips, pulling them outward and tightly binding them to fixed objects.
The Thread Clone quickly rushed forward, clenched its hand into a fist, wrapped it in Armament Haki, and punched toward Ivan!
A metallic shriek sounded. The armor suit was punched clean through, and the Thread Clone retracted its fist.
Ivan Vanko, along with his armor suit, knelt on the ground, his head tilted. His body was bound by threads, maintained in a kneeling posture, as if he had been executed.
Ivan Vanko died.
The Thread Clone quickly evacuated the area.
[The host defeated Iron Man!]
[Reward obtained: Moonwalk Speed x2!]
[The host defeated Whiplash!]
[Reward obtained: Luffy's Recovery Talent!]
Chapter 39 – 39. Meow-Meow Hammer: Hela's Stress-Relief Toy! (Part 1) Please add to your collection!
The Hammer Expo venue.
Eustass, clad in the mark v, weaved through the air, firing beam after beam that blew apart one Hammer drone after another.
Energy was dropping fast—the portable suit never carried much, and endurance had never been its strong point.
Eustass closed in on several drones, smashed one Army drone to the ground with a heavy punch, Armament Hakicoiling round the mark v's frame, then stomped straight through its torso.
He spun and slammed another fist, shattering the control core of a Naval drone.
The next instant a beam lanced out, blasting the head off an Army drone that had tried to sneak up behind him.
Helen Cho, also in mark v, swooped down beside him, palms flashing as repulsor blasts toppled drone after drone.
"Beep… beep-beep-beep!"
The frantic chirps rose in unison; the fallen drones flashed crimson. Eustass and Helen ignited their thrusters and rocketed skyward, speeding away.
Below, wrecked armour littered the ground, hazard lights winking non-stop.
Suddenly Eustass's foot slipped—the suit's power ran dry. Helen caught him in a rush and carried him toward a distant tower.
She hadn't known he could Moonwalk; seeing him falter had terrified her.
They had barely landed on the rooftop when a gargantuan blossom of fire erupted behind them.
The blast was huge, billowing like a giant firework that lit up Queens.
Perched on the edge of the building, they pulled off their helmets and gazed at each other, eyes deep with feeling.
"I took out that many drones all by myself—surely I've earned some kind of reward?"
Eustass said with a grin.
"A reward for you…"
Helen whispered in his ear; he nodded happily.
"A night this perfect would be a waste if we didn't do something with it."
He leaned in and kissed her.
"I think we should head home and… discuss something meaningful."
Eustass looked down at her.
"Mm-hmm, at your command."
Helen smiled back.
"A-hem…"
A cough interrupted them.
They spun round.
In the dark, on the rooftop, stood a Black man.
An eyepatch, black coat, he gave them an awkward grin, teeth flashing.
"Evening, kids. Think you could shelve the private stuff for a minute? We need to talk."
Nick Fury looked at the pair and spoke.
"Why is it only your teeth smiling?"
Eustass quipped.
"Not funny, kid."
Fury sighed.
"Sorry—your Stealth Talent's just too good."
Eustass shrugged.
The Mother-F***er wanted to swear.
But he needed to build the Avengers, and Eustass and Helen were indispensable.
Helen's scientific brilliance and gifts were top-tier.
Eustass in the armour was a born fighter—and apparently knew the powerhouse Joker.
So Fury swallowed the insult for now.
"I've got a proposition—mutual back-scratching. Interested?"
Fury studied Eustass's eyes.
"Such as?"
Eustask kept his tone level.
"You know what I mean."
Fury stared—meaning Joker's antics.
After a long look he still read nothing on Eustass.
Some time later.
Eustass Family home.
Fury sat in the living room pitching grand, noble, shining ideals, hoping to recruit Eustass for S.H.I.E.L.D.
Eustass wasn't buying.
If he turned hero, how would he farm superheroes?
To him every cape was a loot-piñata—why team up when he could beat and strip them?
He humoured Fury while checking his Sky-Shell rewards.
[Wind Shell ×15!
Flame Shell ×5!
impact shell ×10!
Rejection Shell ×6!
slash shell ×15!]
Decent haul: Flame Shell could absorb fire and counter-attack, impact shell store shock-waves and release them.
Rejection Shell delivered ten times Impact's power—at deadly recoil cost to the user.
slash shell stored cutting waves for later release.
All handy, but they had to be charged first.
He'd load one with a slash to leave with Helen for self-defence.
Double-speed Moonwalk felt great—he'd test it when he could.
And Luffy's recovery talent? Ridiculous—now he too could "rubber-band" back from any beating like a proper protagonist.
"I think you'll want to see this file."
Nick Fury slid a folder across the coffee-table.
Eustass picked it up and glanced inside.
On the first page: Sharon Carter's profile photo.
He flipped—family background next.
Sharon, Peggy Carter's niece, S.H.I.E.L.D. field Agent.
Then her service record.
"Sharon Carter—'Shari'—was your girlfriend a few years back, on assignment."
"Not long ago, under our protection, Joker abducted her—and…"
Fury paused. "She left with him. Became his operative. And his woman."
"She was yours?"
Eustass asked.
Fury, watching for any flicker, nodded. "Yes."
"Then go get her back yourselves!"
Eustass slammed the table.
"We're trying. That's why we want you and Helen as consultants—help us, we help you."
Fury said.
"…Let me think. We're history, after all."
Eustass answered quietly.
"Fair. Await your answer."
Fury rose to leave.
At the door he glanced back.
He couldn't tell if Eustass was acting or truly clueless; either way, both needed a ladder to climb down. Furyneeded a line to Joker; Eustass needed S.H.I.E.L.D. intel to find more supers to brawl and loot…
Days later. Old Bridge Town, New Mexico.
Night black as ink; a lonely desert road. A speck of light appeared.
An SUV sped toward it, headlamps cutting the dark.
"Whoosh!"
The car flashed past roadside weeds, rock music blasting inside.
Eustass at the wheel, Helen beside him, both belting out "London Calling."
Chapter 40. 40. Meow-Meow Hammer, Hela's Stress Relief Artifact! (Part 2) Please Collect!
Eustass agreed to become a Consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D. so he could participate in subsequent events and beat up Superheroes and Supervillains.
Of course, he had to charge a fee.
The car drove along the highway, and a sign stood near the edge of a small town.
Old Bridge Town.
Eustass drove, leading Helen Cho through the town. First, they bought some food and coffee at a town store before driving out of the town in another direction, heading toward their destination.
The car drove all the way to a large crater.
Eustass stopped the car and got out.
Not far away.
A man in a black suit quickly walked over, shook hands with Eustass, and smiled:
"Let me reintroduce myself, Phil Coulson, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Hello, Agent Coulson."
Eustass shook his hand. "Honestly, your forehead is really shiny."
Coulson gave an awkward laugh; he knew from Black Widow how sharp Eustass's tongue was.
"I'm truly sorry about last time."
Coulson quickly apologized.
"It's nothing. Everyone has their job, I understand. Tell me the situation."
After Eustass spoke, he looked at the structures rapidly being built around the large crater.
In the center, surrounded by the structures, was the Thunder God's Meow-Meow Hammer, Hela's Stress Relief Artifact—mjolnir, which Hela could crush with a squeeze.
"Just before, a hammer fell from the sky here, discovered by the owner of a pickup truck. After that, a group of people started having a party here, competing to see who could lift the hammer first."
Coulson said, "An old man driving a pickup tried to pull the hammer, but the hammer didn't budge, and the truck bed was flipped over."
"Rumble—!"
The sky was overcast, clouds churning, and thunder rumbled, like streaks of luminous snakes constantly weaving and swimming through the sea of clouds.
Eustass looked up. "Let's go inside to talk."
"Alright."
Coulson nodded.
Eustass and Helen Cho followed him toward the Temporary Base S.H.I.E.L.D. had established surrounding mjolnir.
Upon arriving inside the Temporary Base.
"We obtained some data, photos, and footage from a Research Team studying the weather."
After Coulson spoke, he led Eustass into a small room.
Next, he showed Eustass a Weather Map.
Within a mass of airflow, a black humanoid Shadow appeared on the Weather Map.
"Our people cannot explain this thing at all."
Coulson said, spreading his hands.
"That's impossible. How can someone fly in the sky... unless he also has a set of iron man armor."
Helen Cho looked at the Weather Map and quickly said.
As Helen Cho looked at the Weather Map, preparing to study it, the thunder outside grew stronger. Mjolnir in the center of the Base continuously emitted electromagnetic waves, causing the electronic devices in the Temporary Base to become unstable.
Heavy rain poured down, and sirens blared.
"Put on your armor and protect yourself!"
Eustass said to Helen Cho. He quickly ran out. Helen Chonodded, placed the Briefcase on the ground, separated her hands, and the armor transformed and attached itself to her body.
Coulson glanced at Eustass, then at Helen Cho wearing a full set of armor.
He decided to go to the Monitoring Room first to check the situation.
Eustass ran all the way to the Platform above the Base, snatched the Sniper Rifle from a Sniper's hands, quickly surveyed the situation below, and aimed the Scope to observe the distance.
A Blonde Strong Man ran into the Temporary Base, overturning several strong Taxi Soldiers.
Eustass was pleasantly surprised. Thor had brought him a reward as soon as he arrived—how thoughtful!
Thor ran straight into the interior of the Base, charging recklessly.
Several soldiers were directly thrown through the Temporary Base's Plastic Tarp by the opponent, falling into the muddy Rainbase.
Group after group of Taxi Soldiers continuously surrounded him, but the Blonde Strong Man still broke through the encirclement, overturned everyone, and ran toward the center of the Base.
Suddenly, the Plastic Curtain tore open, and a Big Black Guy grabbed the Blonde Strong Man and slammed him outside.
The two fought fiercely in the mud. The Big Black Guychoked the Blonde Strong Man's neck. The Blonde Strong Man landed a sharp elbow strike on his chest, hitting him several times, causing the Big Black Guyunbearable pain. The Big Black Guy grabbed the Blonde Strong Man's shoulders, kicked upward fiercely with his right foot, and flung him backward into the mud.
Just as the Big Black Guy stood up to continue fighting, the Blonde Strong Man leaped up and fiercely kicked the Big Black Guy's chest with both feet, knocking him over.
Both men fell simultaneously, splattering mud everywhere.
Then, the Blonde Strong Man and the Big Black Guy got up one after another, and the Blonde Strong Man fiercely kicked the opponent's head.
The Blonde Strong Man glanced disdainfully at the silently defeated Mo, then walked toward the Temporary Base to retrieve his Mjolnir.
As soon as he stepped inside, he saw an Oriental Mansitting majestically in the center of the corridor, blocking his way.
"Are you trying to stop me too? Mortal!"
Thor said coldly. The arrogant and conceited Thunder God believed that no Mortal could defeat him, even stripped of his Godly Powers!
Eustass sat on the Chair, looking at Thor.
The next moment, Eustass suddenly stood up, strode forward, and punched Thor.
Thor quickly extended his arm and threw a punch, meeting the attack.
The two figures rushed at each other. Eustass's and Thor's heads crossed paths, and with a bang, Thor took a punch to the chest, crashing straight through the Plastic Curtain and flying out, rolling a long distance in the muddy Rainbase.
"Are you very strong?"
Eustass stood at the edge of the torn curtain, looking at Thor in the Rainbase.
"I am Thor, Son of Odin, Thunder God Thor!"
Thor roared, stood up, rushed over, and threw a punch at Eustass.
Eustass lifted his leg and fiercely kicked Thor in the chest, sending him flying.
Thor's body traced a Parabola in the air before landing heavily in the mud.
"Aaaah, I will defeat you!"
Thor, his face covered in mud, stood up, roared, and rushed forward with a kick. Eustass, one hand in his pocket, used Observation Haki to sense the opponent's movements, instantly dodged the kick, and delivered a High Kick, fiercely striking Thor's chin.
"Pfft!"
Several of Thor's teeth flew out, he spat blood, and his whole body was thrown into the air, crashing heavily onto the ground.
His golden hair was stained with mud. When he stood up again, his head was spinning, and his body swayed.
"Aaaah, I am unwilling!"
Thor roared to the sky, his speech whistling through missing teeth, and charged again. He wanted to reclaim the hammer, restore his Godly Powers, and gain his Father King's approval!
Eustass instantly raised his right arm, punched through the wind, and fiercely smashed his fist into Thor's cheek.
"Pfft!"
Thor spat out another mouthful of blood, was thrown out like a kite, and fell to the ground.
"I... I will defeat you..."
Thor's body swayed as he tried to stand up, but Eustass's fist landed on his forehead, knocking him down instantly, unconscious and unable to rise again.
[The host has defeated Thunder God Thor!]
[Reward obtained: Armament Haki strength doubled!]