Inside the base-
Daisy stood by the window, watching Coulson leave.
Nearby, Shizuka glanced at her and said, "He's about to leave. Aren't you going to say goodbye?"
Daisy shook her head. "No need. Knowing he made it back alive is enough."
…
Elsewhere-
Pym Tech, in collaboration with the Hidden Sand Puppet Shop, held a grand product launch.
The event attracted a massive number of domestic and international media, creating an even more electrifying atmosphere than Hidden Cloud's previous press conference.
With Pym Tech's backing and Tony Stark's presence, the media turnout was more than triple that of Hidden Cloud's event.
Standing on the stage, Pakura introduced Hidden Sand Puppet Shop's latest product to the eager audience.
"Hidden Sand Physical Enhancement Serum," she announced.
"After use, it grants an explosive force of up to 5 tons, a running speed of 50 km/h, and an endurance allowing for hours of continued effort."
"It enhances recovery, boosts immunity, and protects against common ailments, enabling the user to reach the maximum potential human lifespan."
A video displayed on the large screen behind Pakura, showcasing various scenarios.
Users of the serum could effortlessly flip cars, subdue robbers, and even dash into burning buildings to rescue loved ones.
In simulations of alien invasions, users could defend themselves against alien soldiers with surprising ease.
With a smile, Pakura explained, "With the Physical Enhancement Serum, an ordinary person can easily elevate their social standing—whether in politics, the military, or as a public figure, they can quickly advance."
"For those aiming to become influencers or celebrities, wealth and success would be within easy reach."
"For the wealthy, the serum offers improved health and longevity, allowing families to ensure their legacy is passed on, providing more time and energy for succession planning."
She added, "To ensure everyone has access, Hidden Sand Puppet Shop will not accept cash payments. Instead, we're adopting a bartering system."
"If you possess any mysterious or energy-infused items, you may bring them to Hidden Sand Puppet Shop for an exchange."
"If the item is deemed valuable by our experts, you'll receive a vial of the Physical Enhancement Serum in return."
With her announcement concluded, Pakura called, "And now, please welcome our special guest, Iron Man, Tony Stark."
Tony Stark descended onto the stage in his Iron Man suit, prompting cheers from the crowd.
"Whoa, it's Iron Man!"
"Tony!"
"Mr. Stark!"
Tony struck a few confident poses, then addressed the crowd, "The Hidden Sand Physical Enhancement Serum—a product you can trust. Welcome to the world of the extraordinary, where anyone can become a hero."
Tony's endorsement brought a sense of assurance regarding the serum's safety and quality.
Pakura then announced, "Let's move on to the Q&A session."
She scanned the crowd of reporters and pointed, "Third row, fourth seat."
The chosen reporter eagerly raised the microphone, "I'm a journalist with CCBA. Mr. Stark, as an Avenger, a scientist, and a billionaire, have you personally used the Physical Enhancement Serum?"
With a grin, Tony replied, "When I'm out of the suit, I'm just a regular person. To be better prepared for the challenges and threats we face, I've taken the Physical Enhancement Serum."
Tony answered candidly about using the serum himself, though he refrained from mentioning that he had used a more potent variant from Charles's organization, which increased his strength by eight tons and granted a faster running speed than the publicly available version.
However, Tony had no intention of sharing these details with others.
The reporter quickly followed up, "Thank you for the information."
Tony simply smiled, paying no further attention to the matter.
Pakura then called on another reporter.
"I'm Louise from Global Times. With both Hidden Sand and Hidden Cloud starting to acquire special items, is there a reason for this?"
"Are these items potentially more powerful than the Physical Enhancement Serum itself? After all, no business would willingly make a loss."
Pakura chuckled, "No, no, no, I believe there's a misunderstanding. The purpose of accepting these items is simply to give everyone a chance to acquire the serum. For us, monetary wealth holds limited value."
She continued, "We could set a price of $2 billion per dose of the serum, but that would make it far out of reach for most people. Mysterious items or antiques, on the other hand, are more accessible."
"Of course, these items have inherent value, but for most people, they hold little purpose and can even be harmful."
Among the audience, T'Challa felt a tinge of concern, wondering if vibranium could still be used to exchange for the Physical Enhancement Serum.
Given the requirements, the only suitable Wakandan item left was the heart-shaped herb, which he had no intention of trading.
He thought it was best to discuss this matter with the Hidden Sand representatives since Shuri still hadn't managed to replicate the serum.
Pakura, having addressed the question, turned to the reporters again, "First row, second from the left. You may ask your question."
The selected journalist stood up, "Thank you for this opportunity, Ms. Pakura. I'm from CBA News. I'd like to know if there will ever come a day when the Physical Enhancement Serum becomes accessible to the general public. For most, $2 billion or possessing rare items is out of reach."
"Once production costs are recouped, might the price of the serum become more affordable, like a smartphone?"
The journalist's question drew the crowd's attention. The idea of an affordable serum for everyone was alluring.
Under the hopeful gazes, Pakura shook her head, "The serum's production costs remain extraordinarily high, requiring numerous rare ingredients, making the price unattainable for the average person. This is also why we prefer the barter system."
Many in the crowd seemed visibly disappointed; it appeared that the only way for regular people to obtain the serum was by sheer luck.
"Those are the three questions for today. This concludes the press conference."
With that, Pakura and Tony exited the stage, leaving it to Pym Tech's Hope.