“Spiritual energy can actually exist?” Tony looked at Roy in confusion.
He could understand physical energy.
Spiritual energy, however, was much harder for him to comprehend.
“It can.” “It’s just not something everyone can produce.” Roy replied.
“Then how do you make your mind produce energy?” Tony continued asking.
“I don’t know the exact underlying principle either.” “You can just think of it as another kind of superpower.” Roy answered unhurriedly.
Hearing that, Tony immediately gave up on pursuing the subject.
“I’ll start by improving the physical-enhancement formula developed by Oscorp and eliminating its side effects.” “As for the spider serum, I’ll need to analyze Spider-Man’s blood sample and determine the exact nature of his genetic mutation before I can begin researching it.” “So there’s no need to rush Gwen’s blood sample over yet.” Roy nodded.
“All right.
When you need it, call me.
I’ll bring it over as soon as possible.” With that, Roy prepared to use the Flying Raijin Jutsu and return to New York.
Just then, Tony quickly stopped him.
“Hold on.” “Something else?” Roy asked.
Tony didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he spoke to JARVIS.
“JARVIS, bring up the holographic model of the Mark V.” “Of course, sir.” JARVIS’s voice immediately responded.
The next second, a holographic image of the Mark V appeared above the nearby table.
Tony pointed at it with a smile.
“This is the Mark V portable armor I’m currently developing.” “Its offensive and defensive capabilities are weaker than the Mark III’s.
It’ll only be able to withstand small-arms fire and relatively minor explosions.” “But its advantage is portability.” “It’s only about the size of a suitcase, and in an emergency I can deploy it without needing any additional equipment.” “Pretty good, right?” Although Tony hadn’t even finished building the Mark V yet, he was already unable to resist showing Roy his latest creation.
From a certain perspective, Tony’s current mentality wasn’t much different from a child showing off a brand-new toy.
“It is pretty good.” “But being unable to move during the deployment process is a fatal weakness.” “Your enemies aren’t going to stand around and patiently watch you finish putting the armor on.” Roy replied.
“You’re right.” “That really is the Mark V’s biggest weakness.” “But for now, this is already the most efficient deployment method I can come up with.” Tony admitted helplessly.
“If that’s the case, why not scrap the original deployment concept and design an entirely new rapid-deployment system?” “You’ve already incorporated folding assembly technology into the Mark V.” “Why not take it a step further and use the same technology on a full combat suit?” Roy suggested calmly.
“I could apply folding assembly technology to a full suit.” “But there’d be no way to compress something like that down to suitcase size and carry it around.” Tony immediately replied.
“You don’t need to carry it around.” Roy continued.
“If I don’t carry it with me, what happens when there’s an emergency?” “The entire reason I designed the Mark V as a suitcase was so I could put the armor on while I’m away from home.” Tony frowned.
“Add a laser-guided tracking system.” “Use the armor’s own flight capability and have it fly directly to you.” This wasn’t a rapid-deployment concept Roy had invented himself.
Tony had invented it.
More precisely— The future Tony Stark had invented it.
The Mark VII would be the first armor to implement laser-guided tracking deployment.
That method would later become the foundation for the deployment systems used by many subsequent Iron Man armors.
Laser-guided tracking?
Tony froze for a moment.
Then his eyes lit up.
An initial design immediately began taking shape in his mind.
“I didn’t expect you to come up with a deployment method like that.” “That’s a very good suggestion.” “I’m taking it!” Tony happily slapped Roy on the shoulder.
“If there’s nothing else, I’m heading back.” “You can take your time researching it.” Roy replied.
“All right!” Tony nodded.
The next second, Roy vanished from his sight.
After Roy left, Tony first put away the super-spider venom, physical-enhancement formula, and the other materials on the table.
Then he walked over to the computer.
“JARVIS, create a new project.” “Project name: Laser-Guided Tracking Deployment System.” “Of course, sir.” JARVIS responded immediately and created the new project in the database according to Tony’s instructions.
…
One week later.
Culver University, Virginia.
Bruce Banner was in a particularly miserable mood.
He had been on the run for five years.
After finally finding the flower “Mr.
Blue” had told him about in Brazil, he’d seen hope that he might cure his mutation and become a normal person again.
That hope lasted only a few minutes before it was shattered.
And misfortune never came alone.
His location had also been exposed, prompting General Ross to send a capture team after him.
Although Banner successfully escaped, he lost all of his belongings in the process.
After enduring a grueling journey and sneaking back into the United States, he came to Culver University hoping to retrieve the experimental data stored in the university’s database.
Instead— He couldn’t even get inside the building.
And that wasn’t all.
While secretly watching his ex-girlfriend, Betty Ross, from a distance, Banner discovered that she already had a new boyfriend.
Watching Betty smile happily as she left the university hand in hand with another man hurt far more than he wanted to admit.
That night.
Stanley’s Pizza Parlor.
After his old friend Stanley saw off the final two customers, he flipped the sign on the door to CLOSED and began locking up.
Banner, who had been waiting in a nearby alley for several hours, quickly approached the restaurant and knocked on the door.
Without looking up, Stanley continued locking the door and pointed toward the sign.
Banner knocked again.
Stanley finally raised his head.
The moment he saw that the man outside was Banner—who had disappeared five years ago—his face filled with disbelief.
He immediately opened the door and brought Banner into the kitchen.
“Stan, I swear, none of the rumors about me are true.” Banner looked at Stanley seriously.
“I know!” “I’ve always known!” “No matter what anyone says, I’ve never believed you’d steal classified military information!” Stanley replied.
“Have you gone to see her?” He didn’t say Betty’s name.
But Banner knew exactly who he meant.
“No.” “She doesn’t know I’m back.” Banner paused.
“She has a new boyfriend?” “Yeah.” “Her new boyfriend is a psychiatrist.” “I’ve heard he’s one of the best, and apparently he’s a really good guy too.” Stanley replied.
“Good.” “That’s…
good.” Banner’s expression immediately became deeply dejected.
Seeing the look on his face, Stanley didn’t know how to comfort him.
After a few seconds, he said, “Bruce, if there’s anything you need me to help with, just say it.” “I need somewhere to stay for a few days.” “You can use the spare room upstairs.” “There’s one more thing.” “I need to make a delivery for you.” “A delivery?” Stanley looked at Banner in confusion.
Banner didn’t hide anything and explained his entire plan.
After listening, Stanley smiled.
“No problem.” “That’s easy.” …