"Tell me," Justin Hammer finally said after a long pause, his resistance crumbling under the weight of temptation. His fingers drummed against the armrest as he leaned forward, eyes fixed on Ivan like a gambler about to push all his chips onto the table.
Ivan Vanko didn't rush. He spoke calmly, as if the outcome had already been decided. "Your group contributes capital. We provide the technology. Every suit sold—seventy percent of the profit goes to us."
Justin's reaction was immediate and explosive. He shot to his feet, face flushed with disbelief. "Seventy? That leaves me with thirty? What am I even doing this for?"
Ivan's expression didn't change in the slightest. "It's not a loss," he said flatly, then added with a subtle edge, "If you think it is, you're free to go work with Iron Man. Let's see how your old rival treats you."
The name alone was enough to sour Justin's mood. The thought of partnering with Tony Stark made his stomach twist. Stark had always been ahead, always untouchable, and Hammer Industries had been forced into his shadow for years.
Justin slumped back onto the sofa, running a hand through his hair as he tried to regain control. "That price is ridiculous," he muttered. "I'm supplying materials, funding everything… you get forty percent. That's the highest I'll go."
"Fifty," Ivan replied instantly, leaving no room for negotiation. "Even movie theaters split profits evenly. You're a billionaire—don't tell me you're worried about a little money."
Justin clenched his jaw, his frustration boiling over. He understood the value of what he was seeing. These suits weren't just weapons—they were a revolution. If mass production became possible, they could rival or even surpass Stark's most iconic creations.
It wasn't just profit.
It was dominance.
After a long silence, he exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping in reluctant acceptance. "Fine. Fifty-fifty," he said through gritted teeth. "Taking Stark down matters more."
From a strategic standpoint, it made sense. If Stark Industries collapsed, Hammer Industries would stand alone at the top, absorbing the market and multiplying profits far beyond this initial split.
Still, the bitterness lingered.
Why was Stark still standing? Why hadn't everything he built already fallen apart?
Justin jotted down notes quickly, his mind already racing through future projections. Not far away, Danny Rand watched the exchange, barely hiding the satisfaction in his eyes. Seeing Justin, a man who usually commanded every deal, forced into compromise was… refreshing.
Once the agreement was finalized, Ivan and Donatello followed Justin toward the laboratory, escorted by an overwhelming force of Shadow Legion members. The sheer scale of protection was enough to make Danny blink in disbelief.
"My brother… isn't this overkill?" he asked cautiously. "That guy doesn't have the guts to cause trouble."
From the side, Li Xuan didn't even glance over. "What others think doesn't matter," he said calmly. "I want certainty."
The simplicity of the statement carried a terrifying weight.
Danny felt a chill run down his spine, admiration rising despite himself. This was the mindset of a predator—one that left no room for accidents, no openings for reversal. Like a lion hunting a rabbit, overwhelming force ensured the outcome before the fight even began.
When Li Xuan returned to the camp, the remaining three turtles were still locked in intense training with Carnage, their movements sharp and relentless. Meanwhile, their master had already slipped back into the sewers, chasing some abstract "ninja path" that only he seemed to understand.
Li Xuan clicked his tongue lightly, amused by the absurdity of it all. Then his expression shifted.
A pale, terrifying light flickered within his eyes.
Ancient symbols flowed through his vision like a hidden language of the world itself, as if he were glimpsing the underlying laws that governed everything. Energy surged within his body, building steadily, the divine tree bloodline awakening further with each passing moment.
A faint rustling echoed.
Behind him, a golden phantom tree manifested, its branches swaying gently, adorned with shimmering tassels of pale gold. It loomed like something sacred, something ancient—like a throne waiting for a king.
At that exact moment, a notification cut through his thoughts.
[Ding. A random mission has been detected nearby.]
[The Blood and Tears of Dr. Lizard: Dr. Connors dedicated his life to researching limb regeneration, hoping to save others. He sacrificed himself, becoming the Lizard. He saved Gwen, yet was branded a villain by the Avengers. His rage has reached its peak.]
[Ding! Assist Dr. Lizard in humiliating the Avengers. Rewards will scale based on his gratitude.]
Li Xuan's lips curled slightly, genuine interest flashing in his eyes.
An unexpected opportunity.
He had already been laying groundwork to crush Stark Industries through Ivan, stretching the timeline for maximum gain. Now, another thread had appeared—one directly tied to Tony himself.
Was it coincidence?
Or was something pushing him forward?
Either way, he wasn't about to ignore it.
"Then I'll take it," he said softly, his eyes gleaming.
He turned his gaze toward the courtyard, where training still raged. Steel clashed as Leonardo brought his blade down in a brilliant arc, forcing Michelangelo to his knees under the sheer force.
A distant roar interrupted everything.
Back on the battlefield, Connors had completely lost control.
His massive body surged with power, his movements wild yet devastatingly effective. He no longer tried to suppress the primal instincts tearing through him. There was no hesitation left—only destruction.
He charged.
Each step shook the ground as his enormous claws slammed down toward Tony Stark, striking like a battering ram. Blow after blow landed with crushing force, each impact sending shockwaves through the armor.
Cracks began to form.
The once-impenetrable suit groaned under the strain, its surface splitting as it struggled to withstand the onslaught. This was armor that could survive a fall from the sky without a scratch—and now it was being pushed to its limits.
Connors' transformation had taken him beyond anything Tony had anticipated.
Nearby, Gwen Stacy wiped her tears, her fear replaced by desperate hope as she clenched her fists. "Come on… you can do it," she whispered, her voice trembling but determined.
Even George, standing beside her, felt a flicker of satisfaction.
But not everyone shared that feeling.
Steve's expression tightened as realization hit him. If Tony fell here, they would be next.
That couldn't happen.
Natasha and Clint exchanged a quick glance, understanding passing between them without words. Then, together with Steve, they surged forward, closing the distance to join the fight.
Off to the side, the cyborg symbiote remained strangely still.
Its wide, glowing eyes watched the chaos unfold, its mouth hanging open in a perfect "O" as if completely captivated.
For now, it wasn't fighting.
It was watching.
And for the first time since its creation, it seemed to be enjoying the show.
.....
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