"Currently, thirteen law firms have officially announced their acceptance of Future Biopharmaceutical's invitation to join the lawsuit against Mr. Tony Stark. According to information leaked by Newman & Associates Law Firm, Mr. Tony Stark, our Iron Man, may find it difficult to escape legal punishment this time." — New York Daily
"The cause may be the two newly joined superheroes of Future Biopharmaceutical. This demonstrates the company's protection of its superheroes. Taking Spider-Man as an example, according to estimates by relevant firms, the IP value of the superhero Spider-Man has currently risen to 4.2 billion dollars." — The Daily Bugle
"With nearly a thousand charges, we can imagine the privileges Tony Stark has as a superhero and the owner of Stark Industries. Fortunately, another company has stepped forward today. They will fight Stark to the end. Let's see..."
Click!
Tony Stark turned off the projector TV. In the BBC host's words, he was practically a terrorist threatening US national security. But Tony swore that aside from speeding, the rest were rumors — probably.
"Jarvis."
"Sorry sir, although I've connected to the network, I still can't find any information about Future Biopharmaceutical, including the person you met last time. However, what the Daily Bugle said might be true — that Future Biopharmaceutical is acting on behalf of its superheroes. After all, the owner of the Daily Bugle is Lady Kaguya."
Tony Stark said impatiently, "But I don't even know their superheroes! And they've hired so many law firms. Is the pharmaceutical business really that profitable?"
If he only relied on Stark's legal department, he'd probably be crucified by the opposition. He'd undoubtedly be sent to a New York prison. At that point, he probably wouldn't even have the right to bail, because if they were sending him in, they wouldn't give him any chance to get out.
Although for someone at his level, going to prison would just be like living in a different kind of villa, Tony Stark didn't want anything to do with prison. The worst outcome he could imagine was the US government...
"Based purely on silhouette analysis, the two newly joined superheroes should be no older than sixteen. From their registered residence changes, we can find information on these two superheroes."
After Jarvis spoke, a virtual projection appeared before Iron Man, showing Wanda and Quicksilver's identity information and photos. Their guardian was Kaguya. Considering they might attend school later, their identity and residence details weren't hidden. However, they were still ordinary citizens; only someone like Jarvis, approaching true AI, could freely access all US citizen information.
"Sokovia..."
After Tony Stark saw the information on the two, he began searching for connections between himself and Sokovia. For some reason, Tony Stark was starting to believe the Daily Bugle's account.
With Jarvis's powerful information search capabilities, he quickly found the link between Stark and Sokovia.
Back then, several rebel factions in Sokovia had all used Stark weapons. Of course, not directly purchased from his company — they must have come through various channels.
"Shit. This is just scapegoating."
Seeing this information, Tony couldn't help but curse. Just as Tony Stark finished complaining, Pepper walked in from outside. Seeing this, Tony Stark closed the virtual projection.
Approaching him, Pepper said to Tony, "Tony, Colonel Rhodes is here to see you. Also, I've sent invitations to other law firms, but the responses we've received..."
"Don't worry. If the target is the owner of Stark Industries, many people will choose to join the opposing side for this moment. Sometimes reputation is more useful than money."
Tony stood up, stretching, and said to Pepper. He had already guessed this outcome. The other side was mysterious, whether in financial power, their AI superior to Jarvis, or their miraculous healing methods. From the moment the news broke, they had already secured all the top lawyers.
Now, he needed to see Rhodey. This time, he might have to compromise a bit.
Actually, Tony Stark really didn't want to compromise on this matter. He had just made a Congressman break down not long ago, but then encountered someone named Ivan Vanko who had built an arc reactor, forcing him to make concessions to the US military regarding his suits.
But this way, Tony's actions might at least get some Congressmen to speak for him, since 'Iron Man' was no longer exclusively Tony Stark's. Even though the US military, once they got the Iron Man suits, would probably have zero innovative ability.
"Since you made the first move, I'll have to fight back..."
"Did you say something?"
Pepper thought she heard Tony muttering something and turned back to ask.
"No, nothing." Tony Stark shook his head, then walked over to her and said, "Let's go. Let's go see Rhodey."
"So this is the Space Stone. You can really feel the immense power contained within. It's very difficult to control."
Kurenai Yuhi looked curiously at the Space Stone in her hand. Clenching it in her palm, she delivered chakra into it.
The next second, Kurenai Yuhi felt the vastness of the universe, as if it were boundless. Even with the help ofthe Space Stone, she couldn't see where the universe ended.
Whoosh.
Kurenai Yuhi disappeared from Hyuga Mirai's embrace, using the power of the Space Stone to move back and forth.
Just as Kurenai Yuhi left, Peter Parker brought Wanda and Quicksilver to knock on the door. Receiving permission, they pushed it open and walked in.
"Sir, Pietro and Wanda have decided. They want to be like me — go to school and experience being superheroes on the side."
Peter Parker looked delighted. This way, he would become a senior. When he went on hero activities with Ms. Tsunade, he had almost turned from Spider-Man into Spider-Sidekick. Now, with the chance to mentor newcomers, he would go from Spider-Sidekick to Spider-Senior.
"That's good news. So, do you have any schools in mind, or would you like the company to help you choose one?"
After Hyuga Mirai asked this, he continued, "You'll still need to cooperate with ability development. However, Quicksilver's ability is a bit special; it can't be fully utilized within the company building. From now on, development will take place at the research center. You'll need to spare half a day each week."
Peter Parker interjected, "I know the address. I can take you there when the time comes. Sir, still Sunday afternoons?"
"Yes, synchronize the time."
Just as Hyuga Mirai finished speaking, Kurenai Yuhi suddenly appeared in the room. In one hand she held the Space Stone, and in the other, a large suitcase.
"Kurenai, you..."
"I just went to Las Vegas and brought back the money Tsunade-nee just withdrew. It seems like her last stash. She'll probably be back soon, hahaha."
Kurenai Yuhi said with a smile, then noticed the somewhat dumbfounded Peter and the others. She cleared her throat lightly, straightened her posture, and handed over the suitcase. "Peter, Wanda, and Pietro, this is a gift for the three of you."
"Uh, thank you, Ms. Kurenai..." If Peter hadn't just heard what Ms. Kurenai said, he might have believed her.
Kurenai Yuhi waved her hand with a smile, then handed the Space Stone to Hyuga Mirai. She had just been to the moon, then to Antarctica, and finally to Las Vegas. With the Space Stone, it was incredibly convenient.
Pietro and Wanda had been living very comfortably in the company this period of time. They had gone from being test subjects in a Hydra base to living like princes and princesses. This life of having everything done for them almost corrupted them. It was only when a bunch of lawyers came to ask them for details about the lawsuit that Wanda and Pietro were awakened from their pleasant life.
As for suing Tony Stark, Hyuga Mirai had created a memory extraction machine, turning Wanda and Pietro's childhood memories into video evidence. However, it would be difficult to inflict substantial punishment on Tony Stark with this particular lawsuit; at most, it would affect public opinion, because the lawyers couldn't prove that these weapons were directly sold by Stark Industries to the warring factions.
But influencing public opinion was enough. If Tony Stark got caught up in this, it would be hard for him to extricate himself, even though he had already closed the weapons division.
Wanda and Pietro were already satisfied to have gotten Tony Stark to this point. They had also spoken with many lawyers. As it stood now, the ones who could truly sue Tony Stark and make him face punishment weren't Pietro and Wanda.
It was others directly affected by Tony Stark. For example, there was a black vendor running a mobile hamburger cart who had been frightened by Tony Stark speeding, fell, and broke his arm. This scene happened to be captured by a nearby surveillance camera and was found by 18.
Besides him, there were others. The lawyers hired by Future Biopharmaceutical had found them all and, with persuasion, got them to join the lawsuit against Tony Stark. Actually, they were all minor offenses, but accumulated, they would be enough to give Tony Stark a real headache.
Later, Wanda and Pietro also told Hyuga Mirai that after this matter was settled, they wanted to become superheroes and donate all their income to establish a War Disaster Relief Fund, to help refugees affected by war worldwide.
Hyuga Mirai had no objection to this. He was probably the person on Earth who cared least about money. He could even use his abilities to control the price of gold below one dollar, or directly sell planets, things like that.
What he cared about was the Chaos Magic within Wanda. If it could be developed, it would probably be on the level of the six Infinity Stones.
They chatted for a while longer. The conversation only ended after Tsunade returned. Peter, showing good judgment, took the suitcase and left.
Tony Stark certainly wasn't going to take the lawsuit from Future Biopharmaceutical lying down. Stark was, after all, an established company with a history of over seventy years. Although many prominent law firms had been invited by the other side, Pepper had still found many lawyers to handle the case.
With potentially hundreds of lawsuits filed against him, they needed to divide the work among many lawyers; otherwise, they wouldn't have the energy to respond effectively.
At Future Biopharmaceutical, Natasha had just finished ordering lunch for all the lawyers across three floors when she received a call from Nick Fury.
"Director, what do you need?"
"Any recent gains, Natasha?" Nick Fury asked. "You sound like you're in a rough state. Need me to book you a doctor's appointment?"
Natasha sighed and refused. "Thanks, no need. Just a bit tired from handling meals and coordination for over a hundred lawyers every day. As for gains... it's all about Tony Stark. Are you planning to help him?"
"Wish him luck."
Nick Fury offered a prayer. Tony Stark wasn't willing to cooperate with him, so there was no need for him to rush to help. Besides, Tony's issues were minor; the worst consequences would probably be fines and community service.
"Anything else? Any news about the owner of Future Company?"
"None at all, Director. I'm already packing my things to run. Call Hill and have her give it a try."
Natasha wasn't exaggerating. After work today, she had already given up her nearby apartment and was now getting ready to drive away from here.
"My promotion recommendation got rejected. My background didn't pass their check. This company probably knows my background. I can't even get close to the CEO."
Nick Fury was silent for a moment upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Natasha to be compromised. As for contacting Hill, he could call her over. But Hill wasn't a professional infiltration agent. And if they knew Natasha's background, they would probably know Hill's identity as well.
"Alright. Then come back for now. But I hope you can help me find another guy. He's abroad right now. I need to go convince some Council members."
"That's a good choice, Director." Natasha started the car, then saw a text message on her phone from the bank. The content showed her salary had been deposited. They knew she was running, and they'd even paid her.
"Without SHIELD's resources, I would advise you to give up opposing this company. There's simply no hope."
After ending the call, Nick Fury took out an old-fashioned communicator. But after thinking for a moment, he put it back.
Internal Earth disputes wouldn't be solved by calling in outsiders, unless the other side threatened intergalactic peace. But it seemed a bit far-fetched for a pharmaceutical company to have that ability, unless they fully developed the power of the Tesseract.
"The Avengers must be formed!"
Nick Fury thought to himself. He didn't understand why those stupid Congressmen had passed that bill allowing individuals or companies to register superheroes and cooperate with the government. Wasn't that equivalent to allowing private organizations to possess nuclear weapons?
He had already obtained considerable intelligence from Tony Stark, plus Hawkeye and Hill's investigations. Nick Fury felt he could probably convince the Council now.
Ever since learning that the other side had an AI more powerful than Jarvis, Nick Fury had changed his methods of communication and intelligence gathering.