Tony Stark did not want Uehara Naraku to know that he received a letter.
However, Tony Stark would never have thought that this letter was penned by Uehara Naraku, and each letter was carefully considered by him.
With just a few simple words, you can easily influence others; sometimes language is the cheapest and most straightforward cost in this world.
Even though Tony Stark received the relic left by Howard Stark at S.H.I.E.L.D., it did not hinder the letter from adding some distrust towards S.H.I.E.L.D.
Howard Stark mentioned in the letter that he left behind something at S.H.I.E.L.D., containing the key to unlocking future energy elements.
He spoke frankly!
The model diagram of the Stark Industries Expo!
"Tony.
I discovered a new energy element from the Tesseract.
The leader of Akatsuki once told me that this energy is the purest in the universe, immense and free of any impurities and dangers.
However, I didn't have time to create it.
In the future, I will hide the atomic structure of the new element within the model of the Stark Industries Expo; in fact, I hope you will discover the key before receiving this letter."
Alright…
Now Tony Stark doesn't even need to verify. He just needs to get the expo model to find out what new element the Ark Reactor of the Iron Man suit needs…
His father, Howard Stark, has once again taught him a lesson!
Besides, the bunch at S.H.I.E.L.D. seem pretty useless…
Although S.H.I.E.L.D. brought back his father's relics, even including videos, they are not as useful as this paper letter kept by the Akatsuki Organization.
Just as Tony Stark was pondering why his father left two methods, Howard Stark's letter provided an answer.
"Tony.
After the end of World War II, I collaborated with friends to create a very interesting organization, where I also left clues to the new element.
It was a test for them.
We once hoped that the organization would become the frontline against cosmic invasions in the future; thus, I knew its potential for development.
If they haven't handed over the clue of the new element to you, that organization has become your enemy, and I hope you will use your means to resolve them.
Sorry.
I've left you with a problem.
Tony, you may find it difficult to understand because, in my view, if that organization goes astray, it will surely become the nightmare of the entire world."
"..."
Tony Stark let out a slight sigh.
Now it seems this letter is even more unfit for S.H.I.E.L.D. to know about!
Alright.
Now all the clues match up.
His father, Howard Stark, was indeed one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s founders.
If S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't hand over the clue to the new energy element, then he has to find a way to deal with S.H.I.E.L.D., truly a huge problem passed down from his father...
Fortunately, S.H.I.E.L.D. handed over the clue to the new element; at least this way, Tony Stark feels there's no need to take action against S.H.I.E.L.D.
Now it seems S.H.I.E.L.D. hasn't changed its nature much, and there are quite a few decent individuals; at the very least, Uehara Naraku seems rather agreeable…
Tony Stark's eyes slowly descended, looking at the last passage left by Howard Stark in the letter, unsurprisingly some fatherly apologies.
"Tony, sorry.
We are all doing this for the first time.
Just as you slowly grew up in this world to become a living person for the first time, I also became a father for the first time.
The most regrettable thing is, becoming someone's father doesn't require any exams, your arrival truly made me at a loss... and my only source of experience as becoming a father seems to have been your grandfather.
We are all doing this for the first time.
I became a father for the first time.
Maybe it is the most joyful, yet the most apologetic thing in my life.
Tony.
If I've ever done anything to make you feel it was inappropriate, it's okay if you never forgive me. No matter what you become in the future, I will always love you.
Alright, that's all for now.
From Howard Stark."
"..."
Tony Stark's eyes were slightly red.
All along, no matter in whose presence, Tony Stark has always kept a proud demeanor and an inherent pride maintaining his self-esteem.
Now, this man finally could not suppress his emotions. Tears slowly rolled down his eyes, eventually dropping onto the letter in his hand...
This letter…
Made Tony Stark completely forgive his father.
Even the Howard Stark video brought by S.H.I.E.L.D. cannot compare to the emotions this letter conveyed to Tony Stark, allowing him to finally understand the deep love of a father.
Tony Stark did not wipe his tears.
This man simply silently watched the contents of the letter, bit by bit the tears fell onto the paper…
On the other side.
Uehara Naraku leisurely drank his juice, maliciously speculating on Tony Stark's expression at this moment: "That guy has probably started crying, right? After all, even I was moved by the letter I made up... Fatherly love is like a mountain..."
Uehara Naraku was very confident in his linguistic skills.
As long as Tony Stark finished reading that letter, he would undoubtedly no longer doubt its origin, because the father-son sentiment he needed would subconsciously make him believe that it was written by his father, Howard Stark.
By utilizing the emotions and bonds between people to achieve his goals, Uehara Naraku was highly skilled. Ultimately, there was only one purpose for all of this.
To make Tony Stark believe everything written in that letter!
From now on, Tony Stark would definitely be filled with goodwill towards the Cosmic Mercenaries Akatsuki Organization, due to the letter and his father Howard Stark's attitude...
He might even believe it unwaveringly!
The only problem was, if Tony Stark found out that the letter didn't originate from his father, but was a forgery by Uehara Naraku...
Dawn was breaking.
Accompanied by the light of dawn, Tony Stark returned to his seaside villa with the model diagram of the Stark Industries Expo, his eyes still a bit swollen.
It was evident that Tony Stark hadn't slept all night.
Overnight, Tony Stark seemed to have matured, and he could only bury everything from the letter deep in his heart, its contents not to be shared with anyone.
At least, not for now.
Uehara Naraku stood waiting at the seaside villa for Tony Stark to return home, showing a hint of urgency on his face: "I've already notified Director Fury and Special Agent Romanoff, where have you been? Who were those two people who appeared yesterday?"
"How come?"
Tony Stark looked at Uehara Naraku's anxious face due to not knowing anything, teasingly said: "They're my friends, do you want to meet them?"
"Stop joking!"
Uehara Naraku quickly shook his head, speaking earnestly: "I heard what they called you, Howard Stark's son? They don't even know who you are, right?"
Damn...
That guy's face is so thick-skinned!
How can he shamelessly claim they're his friends!
"Well, maybe not now."
Tony Stark spread his hands, leisurely continued: "Anyway, I have no obligation to explain to you, they're not Hydra people, nor are they our enemies..."
"I have to report to Director Fury..."
"No comment."
Tony Stark's face instantly turned cold, looking at Uehara Naraku and said: "Agent Uehara Naraku, I saved your life last night, maybe more than one life, so you'd better not delay my work now."
"..."
Uehara Naraku's face immediately showed a hint of hesitation.
At this moment, as someone saved by Tony Stark, it's really not suitable to obstruct his benefactor, yet as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, he must be responsible...
Uehara Naraku's expression gradually became more and more conflicted.
Tony Stark couldn't be bothered with Uehara Naraku's complex emotions, tapped the model diagram he brought over of the Stark Industries Expo, and continued: "If you're free, come over and help... I'm about to start working."
New element.
New energy panel.
New Iron Man suit.
And a new life and existence.
Tony Stark didn't want to waste any of his time, he quickly analyzed the structure of the new element through the model diagram of the Stark Industries Expo.
An entirely new element not belonging to Earth.
This element will serve as the new energy for his Iron Man suit, solving the palladium poisoning problem in his body, and allowing the combat time of the Iron Man suit to be more sustained!
For several days, Tony Stark was busy with his work.
He completely screened off everything from the outside world, even directly rejecting the demands put forward by the military!
Just because Major James Rhodes from the military was his friend, Tony Stark casually handed over his discarded Mark 2 to Rhodes to take back and cope.
As Tony Stark diligently synthesized and manufactured new element energy, Ivan Vanko from New York's Hammer Industries was also modifying his battle machines...
Uehara Naraku wasn't idle either.
Uehara Naraku continuously played the role of a double agent perfectly, reporting all the strange occurrences recently encountered at Tony Stark's house to Nick Fury and Alexander Pierce.
Nick Fury was terribly anxious!
If it wasn't for Nick Fury being in Washington discussing the investigation of Hydra with Alexander Pierce, he would have rushed to California to interrogate Tony Stark!
Alexander Pierce was even more anxious than Nick Fury!
Because all this time, Nick Fury constantly discussed Hydra matters with him, causing Alexander Pierce's nerves to be terribly strained!
Now that members of a small organization impersonating Hydra seem to have appeared, Alexander Pierce naturally wouldn't let it go, almost making daily calls to inquire about Uehara Naraku's work progress, eager to personally come and supervise!
"So annoying..."
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but twitch his lips when hanging up Pierce's call, slowly turning his head to the somewhat dark sea surface: "How could there be people impersonating Hydra in this world? Minister Pierce, I'm also a member of Hydra..."
At some point, the sky darkened.
Heavy dark clouds lowered more and more, almost connecting with the darkening sea, lightning flashes continuously moved within the clouds!
Bang!
Lightning suddenly tore through the sky!
In the fleeting electric light, a sea serpent of over a hundred meters slowly rose to the surface, swimming towards Tony Stark's seaside villa!