Before this, when Loki suddenly vanished and Heisenberg immediately chased after him...
Tony, sitting in the passenger seat of the Aston Martin, instantly turned to Black Widow with a sympathetic look.
"Your boss ran off!"
"Shut up!" Natasha cursed gloomily.
"I'm saying your boss ditched you. You've been abandoned. Our plan's useless now!"
Tony kept talking while trying not to laugh.
"If I were you, I'd hurry back to SHIELD right now. Whether they catch you or you surrender on your own, nothing's going to happen to you."
"I told you to shut up!!!"
Natasha slammed the butt of her gun straight into Tony's face, smashing the nose he considered devastatingly handsome hard enough to send two streams of blood pouring down.
Tony shut his eyes in pain, tears flowing uncontrollably.
But before he could recover from the blow, he felt a foot slam viciously into his stomach.
"Ugh... fuck!"
Tony cried out in pain, then got kicked right out of the car door.
Fortunately, the car was only parked at the roadside, so after rolling twice, Tony managed to scramble back to his feet.
"Bleurgh...!"
He bent over and started vomiting. Natasha's kick had really left his stomach churning.
While throwing up, Tony forced himself to look toward Natasha in the car, only to see her pitch-black eyes as she raised her middle finger high at him.
"Fuck you, Tony Stark. I've wanted to say that for a long time!"
Natasha cursed disdainfully, then stomped on the gas. The Aston Martin roared away into the distance.
Watching the trail of exhaust left behind by the car, Tony smiled knowingly.
That damned female agent might have looked ruthless as hell, but in the end, she had not really gone on a killing spree.
Otherwise, why would she let him off so easily?
And as for himself...
After vomiting, Tony stood there with a frown and sank into thought.
He suddenly realized something.
Saving people did not seem to be Iron Man's exclusive privilege. Even tonight, when he had only been Tony Stark, he had still saved a whole group of people!
In that case, did he really still need to be Iron Man?
He looked deeply toward Central Plaza. The ground there was a complete wreck, and all around it were injured people who had been caught in the aftershock of the battle.
Tony understood.
If all he really wanted was to save people, then how could Iron Man's efficiency possibly compare to New York City's rescue organizations, let alone the various large-scale emergency response systems across America and even the entire world?
If he wanted to save people, then instead of being Iron Man, he might as well build an international rescue organization with larger scale, more personnel, more professional technology, and more advanced equipment!
And if what he truly enjoyed was simply the sense of achievement that came from being a hero...
Then was Iron Man really him, or was it just the suit?
Did Tony Stark really lack attention?
No matter what industry he entered, he was destined to be the brightest one there!
Tony suddenly made up his mind. At last, he had decided to completely change his life.
"I'm going to build an international rescue organization.
One that can effectively rescue all victims during all kinds of natural and man-made disasters!
At the same time, I'm going to help at least the vast majority of New York's disaster victims rebuild their lives afterward!
A rescue company. A construction company. The moment I get back, I'll do it!"
As he muttered to himself, he gave the battered Central Plaza one last look.
"After all, with Heisenberg around, New York's definitely going to suffer one disaster after anoth...!!!"
Before he could finish speaking, a sudden change struck in an instant.
Looking at the rainbow-colored pillar of light that abruptly appeared over Central Plaza, Tony almost coughed up a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
Was his mouth really that cursed?
Did whatever he say just come true?
Who the hell was showing up this time?!
...
Near the Ehrenburg Restaurant, the medical teams had still not made it over yet. After all, less than five minutes had passed, and nighttime traffic in Manhattan was notoriously terrible. There was no way they could arrive that fast.
But to everyone's complete surprise, before the medical workers could even properly gather, members of the Nuke Gang had already begun carrying out emergency aid around Ehrenburg.
On the nearby streets, one thug after another in sleeveless leather jackets, covered in nose rings and lip piercings, was swearing nonstop while rescuing the victims.
"Fuck, they actually dared stir up trouble on the boss's turf. The boss is definitely gonna smash that bastard to death!"
"No kidding. Hey, switch with me for this one. The chick you're carrying is pretty hot, huh?!"
"Oh, cut the crap. Yours isn't bad either. Shame her leg's broken though. Send her to the boss's private hospital first."
"Heh, not bad my ass. The one I'm carrying isn't even wearing underwear. You can tell at a glance she's no good."
"Come on, we're saving people here. Why are you talking so much bullshit? How many socialites are actually decent? Their private lives are a total mess!"
...Those were two underlings carrying a stretcher.
Not far away, an old woman was being helped toward a car by one of the gangsters. Her husband and child had both died in the recent attack.
Her legs were so weak she could barely walk, but she still tearfully thanked the person supporting her.
"Thank you. You're one of Lord Heisenberg's people, right? Thank you so much..."
"Hey, why the fuck are you being polite to me?
I'm taking you to our boss's private hospital for a checkup. Sit tight!"
...That was a gangster enforcer who had never been to school a day in his life, now handling the evacuation of mobile victims.
Scenes just like this kept appearing all over the area. Looking at the bizarrely harmonious rescue effort all around him, Bullseye, dressed in a black trench coat, was grinning from ear to ear.
"That's right. This is exactly the kind of scene the boss wants. First we take responsibility onto our own shoulders, then next comes taking the power and the taxes too!"
As he said that, he suddenly noticed someone familiar.
He immediately trotted over at top speed, wagging like a lapdog as he greeted a woman who was not particularly stunning.
"Ms. Potts, my God, what are you doing in a dangerous place like this?!"
As he spoke, Bullseye frantically waved at his men in an exaggerated manner.
"You blind idiots, get over here and escort Ms. Pepper away from this disaster zone!
Take her to the boss's bedroo...
Ahem, I mean, take her to the theater to rest!!!"
Ever since Billy had gotten two innocent days off, Pepper had already become something of a legend within the Nuke Gang.
No matter how curious the underlings were about the boss's tastes, no one dared show her any disrespect to her face.
And so, with a completely baffled expression, Pepper got swept up and pushed toward a car.
As she walked, she asked in total confusion, "I have my own car. Please take me back to Stark Tower. Why do I need to go to the theater?!"
Hearing that, Bullseye naturally refused. He was not about to let any opportunity to gain the boss's favor slip past him!
"Ms. Pepper, think about it. In New York right now, what place could possibly be safer than the boss's turf? I'm doing this entirely for your safety!"
"B-but... but... I...?!"
At that exact moment, the sky suddenly changed. Thick clouds twisted rapidly, turning into a giant vortex in the blink of an eye.
And at the center of that vortex, a brilliant rainbow-colored pillar of light landed precisely in the direction of Central Plaza!
The moment he saw the sky, Bullseye inwardly cursed.
He quickly said to Pepper, "Something unexpected happened, and the boss isn't even here. Ms. Pepper, please follow the arrangements. I have to take people over there and handle the emergency!"
With that, he dashed off without a second's pause. As he got into the car, he roared into his communicator.
"Did all members of the Injustice League see what just happened at Central Plaza?!"
...
Hearing the question over the comms, Daredevil felt deeply offended...
He tapped his alloy blind cane unhappily and replied, "We're the Justice League. Also, I may not be able to see, but I heard it!"
"Heh, you blind guy, weren't you just assigned to Central Plaza?
Be careful. Daddy's bringing Big Sis Jessica to save you!" Bullseye shamelessly took advantage of the situation while flooring the accelerator.
Hearing Bullseye's words, Jessica glanced worriedly at the rainbow light in the sky that was beginning to fade, then replied, "Shut up, dumbass. You're the big sis. Why don't you just call yourself Mom while you're at it!
And I'm on the south side of the plaza right now. Night Devil, rendezvous with me first. Where's Elektra?"
"I'm clearing the traffic routes in Manhattan with my people. The ambulances are completely jammed!" Elektra replied hurriedly.
The moment she finished speaking, Rumlow's voice rang out through their in-ear comms.
"Drop everything. The Injustice League is officially assembling. The boss is chasing that alien bastard, so this newly arrived guy is ours to handle!"
"Got it, Commander!" That was Bullseye.
"Mhm." That was Elektra.
"Only this once, I'll listen to you!" That was Jessica, whom Rumlow did not dare provoke.
"We're the goddamn Justice League!!!"
That was Daredevil, gripping his blind cane and charging toward the rainbow light!!!
...
By the time the Bifrost's light faded, Thor still had an excited expression on his face.
But the moment he got a clear look at his surroundings, he froze on the spot!
"By Odin, is Midgard at war? And where is Loki?"
He looked around in every direction, but instead of seeing Loki, he only saw a man in black with a blindfold rushing toward him.
"Not bad. Even on a battlefield, someone is here to welcome the mighty God of Thunder?"
He gave Daredevil a foolish grin and waved, so much so that even Daredevil, who had originally treated him as an enemy, was left stunned.
Seeing that Thor did not seem particularly vicious, Daredevil hesitated and slowed down, stopping roughly ten meters in front of him.
Before he could speak, Thor cheerfully greeted him first.
"Hello there, Midgardian?
This is how you people on Midgard say hello, right? Jane taught me that."
"Ummm..."
Daredevil stood there blankly for a moment, then asked with a helpless smile, "Midgardian? You mean Earth?"
"Oh, right, right, Earth. My mother just told me that.
Earthling, have you seen my brother?"
"Huh?!!"
Daredevil was even more confused now. How the hell would I have seen your mother and your brother?
Fortunately, they were speaking English, so Daredevil did not glance below Thor's waist.
After thinking for a moment, he hesitantly asked Thor, "Your brother... does he have long black hair, an evil-looking smile, a green robe, and a ridiculous pair of horns on his helmet?"
"Pwahahaha, that's absolutely right! That really is a ridiculous pair of horns. Then it's definitely my brother!
I like you, hahaha! I'm going to tell Loki that. I'll laugh at him for a thousand years, hahaha!!!"
But the moment Thor finished speaking, Daredevil's face abruptly turned serious. He lightly touched his ear with one hand, then spoke into the comms.
"The newcomer is the older brother of the previous attacker. We have trouble!"
"Shit!"
"Damn it, I'm almost there!"
"Blind guy, don't throw your life away!"
"Leave it to me. Don't let the bastard run!"
Four voices rang out in unison, while Daredevil raised his cane and pointed its sharpened tip at Thor.
"Unfortunately for you, your brother caused immeasurable damage to our city. Do not make any rash moves. Once we've dealt with your brother, we'll give both of you a fair trial!"
"What the hell?!!"
Daredevil's words left Thor utterly baffled. His brain turned over several times before he finally understood the current situation.
With a flick of his right hand, armor and cape instantly appeared on his body, while his hammer, crackling with lightning, began to spin wildly.
"I understand now!"
Thor said with a frown, "No wonder those humanoid craters looked so familiar. Loki must have been very well taken care of by you people. Where is he? Hand him over to me, and I can unconditionally forgive your offense against an Asgardian prince!"
"Heh, offense?"
Hearing Thor's words, Daredevil let out an unwilling laugh.
"He took countless Earthlings' lives, yet in your eyes, that's only an offense. In that case, we're going to offend you good and proper, sir!!!"
/-\
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