A space vortex appeared in the sky.
Tony Stark's face couldn't hide his amazement.
As a physicist, Tony Stark's vision was exceptional; he could immediately recognize it as something akin to a spatial wormhole!
This kind of technology...
Absolutely couldn't exist on Earth!
Because it's something almost contrary to Earth's physical principles!
Moreover, what especially amazed Tony Stark was that this space vortex was controllable, slowly absorbing air without exhibiting excessively strong gravity.
Those extraterrestrial technologies in the universe...
To what terrifying extent have they developed!
This sight left Tony Stark no doubt about Akatsuki being space mercenaries; such technology can only exist in the broader universe than Earth!
"Perhaps we'll never meet again!"
"Son of Howard Stark!"
The blonde youth waved his arm in farewell.
The red-haired boy raised his head to look at the space vortex, gently sighed, "We were able to create a space vortex, thanks to Howard Stark's willingness to let us study the Tesseract; he's truly a genius in seeking truth..."
"Speaking of which, our organization's leader always said Howard was a genius, but now it seems that Howard Stark's son doesn't appear particularly noteworthy... we're... not inviting him to join the organization, are we?"
"Shut up, Deidara..."
"Genetic inheritance doesn't only optimize..."
"Moreover... the situation of our organization..."
"Let's go..."
"..."
Just as Tony Stark's curiosity grew stronger and he was about to speak to persuade them to stay, that white giant bird and the two Akatsuki members flew into the space vortex.
The space vortex quietly closed.
The white giant bird and two people disappeared without a trace.
The last two sentences of conversation between the two people before they left fell into Tony Stark's ears, causing his face to darken involuntarily; these two extraterrestrials seemed to look down on him a bit!
Damn it, they looked down on him!
And even extraterrestrials thought his father was better than him!
Tony Stark immediately lowered his opinion of the two extraterrestrials, although his curiosity about them and the cosmos increased; he must find out what this is all about!
However, at this time, Tony Stark's doubt about the identities of those two Akatsuki members reached its lowest point; his father indeed should have had dealings with space mercenaries!
But...
Tony Stark's mood turned sour again.
Originally this afternoon, having seen the video left by his father Howard Stark, Tony Stark felt a faint stir in his heart...
Because in the video, Tony Stark saw his father acknowledging him, even declaring that Tony was the greatest work of his life!
Yet...
By evening...
Tony Stark was devastated!
What great work of his life, presumably anyone who knew Howard Stark wouldn't think there was anything remarkable about his son?
Two extraterrestrials said so!
And those two guys didn't look down on him at all!
They even didn't deign to converse a few words with him, Howard's son!
If it weren't for the letter Howard Stark left him at home now, Tony Stark would truly want to get thoroughly drunk to drown away his worthless life.
Thankfully there's still the letter.
Tony Stark reluctantly pulled himself together and returned to his living room, casually murmuring through the letter left by his father; he no longer thought the letter could have any effect...
"Tony.
When you see this letter, the Akatsuki organization has appeared before you; you should know how vast this universe really is, right?
The universe is vast.
Earth has never been lonely.
Tony, you're likely very confused now, aren't you?
I, like you, was once confused, thinking that we could never possibly catch up with other humans in the universe.
Simply those technologies beyond our imagination, no matter how, seem impossible to catch up.
The leader of Akatsuki asked me a question, which I should pass on to you.
If ancient humans from five thousand years ago appeared in this era, would they think their tribe could never transform into what this era looks like?
The Earth is very young.
Or, we are all very young.
I once inquired about some aspects of the universe; some planets have excessively high oxygen levels, possibly giving rise to the legendary Titan Giant race.
Perhaps this can tell you.
The myths and legends on Earth likely are all true.
The legendary Nine Realms truly exist; Odin from Nordic Mythology is the Divine King of Asgard, and Thor is his son; the legend of Asgard spreads through the universe as well.
What saddens me is that I cannot disclose this to anyone on Earth.
These news might end the Cold War or might send everything on Earth into collapse.
Tony, I wanted to tell you this when you grow up, maybe you no longer need it.
Because the Akatsuki organization is secretly investigating a deity named Igo who came to Earth; reportedly, Igo is an avatar of a planet's will, though even I find it hard to believe.
If there's a chance, you can explore this yourself in the future.
The leader of Akatsuki is my friend.
Or rather, he can be our friend.
This is not to guide you; if I guessed correctly, they discovered that you possess wisdom beyond mine, and might invite you to join them; you can refuse this invitation.
Though I recommended you, the leader of Akatsuki promised a position for you.
Once you become one of them, you may find this organization actually more interesting than you anticipated, although most of it I heard from the leader of Akatsuki."
"..."
Tony Stark's expression subtly turned strange.
At this moment, Tony Stark really wanted to tell his father that his son had embarrassed him; the Akatsuki organization not only didn't invite him to join, they thought he wasn't qualified!
Moreover, those two aliens constantly displayed their arrogance, looking down on Earth and its armed forces with disdain...
Just as Tony Stark was silently a bit unhappy, he recalled the last words of that red-haired youth, that the Akatsuki organization was facing a crisis of destruction...
Perhaps…
Is this the most important reason?
Tony Stark vaguely remembered the indistinct words spoken by the two aliens when they left.
Now, the situation for the Akatsuki organization might indeed be too dangerous, which is why they directly skipped inviting him to join...
At this moment…
Tony Stark faintly sensed why his father recommended him to join the Akatsuki organization…
Because the members of the Akatsuki organization, just like Tony and his father, all appeared cold on the outside but actually had their unique warmth inside!
For example, that blonde young man, wasn't his name Deidara?
He seemed to have said that they would never meet again, maybe he would have to face a powerful enemy when he returned...
Tony Stark slightly understood his father.
Precisely because of this, his father trusted the Akatsuki organization and became good friends with their leader, because friends who are so similar to oneself can be called true confidants, right?
Tony Stark couldn't help but think of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Uehara Naraku, another guy who seemed cold and sharp-tongued on the outside but was actually soft-hearted…
There really are quite a few people like that in this world!
The next second.
Tony Stark remembered what the blonde young man said before he left, that the artwork he left behind could very well explode!
Tony Stark quickly put away the letter he hadn't finished reading and rushed to his platform, where he saw Uehara Naraku carefully holding the clay doll, slowly moving away from the house!
That idiot…
He really is a kindred spirit…
Willing to risk anything to prevent his friends from falling into danger, but wouldn't easily say anything to ease their relationship.
"That guy..."
Tony Stark's gaze instantly deepened, and he immediately called Uehara Naraku: "Hey, hurry back and let Jarvis scan the thing in your hand… maybe it's really just a clay-made doll..."
"...It's nothing."
Uehara Naraku shook his head while holding the phone.
"I suggest you bring it over quickly."
Tony Stark immediately found Uehara Naraku's weak spot: "If you're too far from this house, can you still monitor me?"
"..."
Uehara Naraku fell into silence.
Five minutes later.
Uehara Naraku returned to the villa.
Jarvis scanned the clay doll, which contained enormous energy and could explode at any moment, capable of destroying everything within a ten-kilometer radius!
"That guy left behind such a dangerous thing..."
Tony Stark couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, the corner of his eye twitching uncontrollably: "Was he trying to blow us up together?"
"I'm going out for a bit."
Uehara Naraku quickly grabbed the clay doll and drove off, leaving behind an unfinished sentence: "Don't think about leaving here. If I come back and don't see you, I will..."
"..."
Tony Stark's face gradually turned serious.
Although Uehara Naraku's words were still as harsh as ever, they were more heartwarming than the media praises about him.
"Jarvis, help me put on the Iron Man suit."
"Sir, your body."
"A few minutes' time, it really doesn't matter."
After putting on the Iron Man suit, Tony Stark fully armed himself and flew out of his home, sticking close to Uehara Naraku's fast-moving old pickup truck, knocking on his window with his knuckles.
"What are you trying to do?"
Just as Uehara Naraku opened the window, Tony Stark quickly grabbed the clay doll bomb, which could explode at any moment, and flew into the sky!
Uehara Naraku watched Tony Stark's figure, showing a slightly strange expression on his face...
This guy really loves courting death!
In the dead of night.
A magnificent explosion shook the heavens and earth.
All the trees and animals in a canyon were reduced to smoke and dust by the explosion and vanished!
Tony Stark recalled the moment when he detonated the clay bomb, feeling a faint, uncontrollable fear.
This time, he seemed a bit reckless, but luckily he flew at an altitude of ten thousand meters...
Just in terms of explosive power, this clay bomb was terrifyingly powerful, directly obliterating everything within ten kilometers at the molecular level!
It seems…
What a waste!
The only problem is it's somewhat uncontrollable.
The members of the Akatsuki, what kind of monsters are they, when even a small clay-made doll bomb has a power comparable to a small tactical nuclear bomb, with even greater destruction!
The enemies they face...
How terrifying must they be?
"Unimaginable..."
Tony Stark somewhat understood the confusion mentioned by his father in the letter; he stood in an empty underground crater, shaking his head and murmuring to himself.
"Does Earth... really have a chance to catch up with them?"
To find an answer, Tony Stark pulled out the letter left by Howard Stark.
Tony Stark planned to finish reading Howard Stark's letter here before Uehara Naraku started asking questions, and handle Uehara Naraku after going back.
The contents of the letter were too explosive...
He absolutely couldn't let Uehara Naraku know about this letter now!