"Don't underestimate an old-school military-industrial giant. You've still got a lot to learn, kid."
Tony Stark said this with a grin.
The new Stark Industries had shifted directions, focusing only on light industry and energy-related products, but that did not mean it had lost the ability to produce military equipment.
"Mr. Heath, I have a question."
Susan spoke directly.
Mister Fantastic Reed's application to the Superhero Association had been rejected, which the other members of the Fantastic Four found very strange. Because of that, Susan had become the representative of their little team within the Association.
"Go ahead, Invisible Woman."
Zod looked toward her.
"I won't deny that this system is indeed advanced and useful."
Susan started with a bit of polite formality.
"But if this is really implemented, then the Association will inevitably grow bloated and corrupt over time. It will become just like those terrible organizations."
"The heroes will start fighting for their own interests."
"Or they'll climb upward at any cost."
The problem Susan raised made perfect sense to everyone else as well. Or rather, they had already seen too many similar cases before.
They had joined the Superhero Association because Zod Heath had stepped forward and called for it. They only wanted to uphold justice, not turn into the kind of people they had once despised and looked down on.
"I know that no system can ever be perfect. Or rather, even if a perfect system existed, people would still twist it out of shape when carrying it out."
Zod nodded, then continued,
"So we need a structure for ranks, rewards, punishments, and everything else that is as complete and refined as possible. On top of that, we need a truly selfless person in power, someone responsible for managing all Association affairs, preventing people from fighting over authority and benefits, and guiding the Association toward better development."
"In addition, there should be a supervisor, the Sword of Damocles, responsible for punishing those who fall into corruption."
"Not a bad idea, but if you do that, then the person in power would have far too much authority."
Tony Stark understood that issue very well.
"That's why I'll be the one in charge. I already have money, fame, and power. I'm not interested in most things, and there's nothing out there that could tempt me. As for the supervisor, that position will stay vacant for now."
After some thought, Zod Heath figured he should go dig the frozen popsicle out someday. Letting the popsicle act as the supervisor actually sounded pretty fitting.
No one else could really argue against Zod Heath, while Tony Stark merely pursed his lips.
There was nothing he could do. After all, the Superhero Association had been founded by Zod Heath, and its popularity was sky-high. Even if Tony went off and started something like a Justice League himself now, he still would not be able to compete with Zod Heath.
"Zod, the reporters are already waiting."
Urd walked over and said.
The Superhero Association had already released prior news through the press, and their own Global Daily had naturally secured the first scoop, almost a full day ahead of the other papers.
Now the reporters had gathered because the Superhero Association building was complete, and they were there to announce the news publicly.
When Zod walked into the venue, the flood of camera flashes was bright enough to blind a person on the spot.
But what kind of scenes had Zod not already lived through? Wearing the kind of smile only a top-tier CEO could manage, he stepped onto the stage and lifted a hand, signaling for everyone to calm down.
Some of the female reporters even thought that smile looked especially good.
Money really did add filters.
"Mr. Zod Heath, shouldn't the identities of the other superheroes in the Superhero Association be made public by now?!"
At that moment, one reporter raised a sharp question.
Zod immediately fell silent and simply stared at the reporter who had spoken.
"What is it?"
Locked under the cold gaze of a major capitalist, the reporter felt immense pressure and could not help asking.
"Sir, may I ask what exactly you mean by that question? Is it just idle curiosity, or something else?"
Zod asked coldly.
"Of course it isn't idle curiosity. I'm not some third-rate entertainment reporter!"
That reporter immediately raised his voice.
"Is that so?"
Zod responded noncommittally.
"Then I can only take that to mean that you're one of those criminals."
"Hey! What are you talking about?"
"Am I wrong?"
Zod raised a brow.
"If not, then why do you want to know the real identities of superheroes? What exactly are you trying to do?"
That was the kind of accusation nobody could easily bear.
"I'm just curious. It's human nature."
The reporter said it in a flustered panic.
"Is that so?"
Zod turned to look at the others.
"Are you curious?"
"A little."
"But we wouldn't ask that in a situation like this."
"You know how dangerous it would be if their real identities were exposed, right?"
Clearly, most of the reporters were very sensible.
Or rather, very well funded.
That single reporter instantly found himself condemned by everyone around him.
"As an Association, you even accept donations! What's wrong with us asking for their identities?"
Maybe he had already smashed the pot and stopped caring, or maybe he thought he had found a point to fight back with, but the reporter suddenly shouted those words.
"No, you're mistaken. The Superhero Association does not accept any donations. Blade Technology Industries is solely responsible for all of that."
Zod said it righteously.
"As long as I'm here, as long as Blade Technology Industries is here, that's enough. The identities of the other heroes will remain top secret and will never be disclosed, unless they choose to reveal them themselves. It's enough for heroes to bleed. I have no desire to see them stabbed in the back, or questioned from behind, while they're out there fighting."
"That's how it is. Does anyone else have any questions?"
Zod leaned forward, both hands braced against the table, and looked over everyone present.
Those who had originally planned to make trouble, or just run their mouths, finally realized something.
Dark Knight Zod was not someone who was easy to deal with.
Aside from being a hero, he was also the founder of the monstrous corporate giant that was Blade Technology Industries.
Offending that kind of major capitalist for the sake of a hot headline or a few sharp words was not a wise move.
As for the so-called uncrowned kings of the press, that sort of thing might fool children, but not anyone else.
"Y-you... you think just because you have money, you can do whatever you want?!"
That reporter had become completely furious. Faced with Zod's towering presence, magnified by wealth and status, he felt fear, resentment, and humiliation all at once, and could not help roaring the question.
"Sorry. Having money really does let you do whatever you want. I just don't think you'll ever understand that truth in your entire life."
Zod Heath had to admit, being a major capitalist really did feel wonderful.
And he was not lying either.
It was only a Superhero Association. How much money could that possibly cost?
Not to mention the oil field he had just acquired. Even secondary Kryptonite alone, that money-printing monster, was more than enough to give Blade Technology Industries money it could never finish spending.
After all, over on the rabbit's side, their bottomless appetite for secondary Kryptonite meant they were still buying it without hesitation, even at ten thousand dollars per gram.
/-\
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