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23.44% With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter / Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Iron Man (Part 1)

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Iron Man (Part 1)

Kingpin and Madam Gao are the heads of the underground forces in New York's Hell's Kitchen and are major adversaries of Daredevil. These two are well-known figures in New York's underworld, especially Madam Gao, who even Kingpin dares not provoke too much.

Madam Gao is no ordinary character. Despite her frail appearance, she is a master martial artist connected to the mystical city of K'un-Lun and is over a hundred years old. She is deeply involved in the drug trade.

Daniel Davis had no intention of dealing with her unless necessary. American crime should be left to the government to handle. If their own government doesn't want to solve it, why should he interfere?

Unfortunately, Daredevil, Matt Murdock, is constantly fighting these evils in the shadows, but it's essentially futile. These criminal activities have deep roots. Without addressing the source, eliminating one head will only have another rise in its place.

In fact, fighting for the head position will lead to fierce internal conflicts. It might be better to maintain the status quo since it's just an underground force. If the government wants to, they can easily dismantle these seemingly enormous forces in an instant.

Even Hydra, which was immensely powerful and hidden for years, was quickly taken down once exposed.

Matt, as a lawyer, still believes in the country's laws, which Daniel finds hard to comprehend. American laws are entirely made for the wealthy. As long as it doesn't involve rich people, the law is relatively just. But once it involves the wealthy, justice disappears immediately.

Of course, Daniel's view is somewhat biased. No matter the country, some people remain loyal and believe the country is good and the laws are just, like Matt.

"What? Stark is missing?" One day, while Daniel was contemplating how to advance the technology in the Harry Potter world, Red Queen played an important news report for him.

"When did he go for an arms deal and not tell me?" Even though Daniel knew Stark's disappearance was the prelude to him becoming Iron Man, this was the real world. He couldn't be as calm as watching a movie. After all, he and Stark were friends, and this world wasn't purely the Marvel universe. Who knows what might happen?

Daniel had planned to protect Stark during his arms deal for the Jericho missile.

Going to Stark Industries, he couldn't just Apparate there, so he rarely opened his garage and drove one of the luxury cars Stark had given him.

Stark's disappearance was a big issue. By the time Daniel arrived at Stark Industries, the entrance was already crowded with reporters.

Luckily, he was familiar with the place and didn't need to enter through the main gate.

"No comment, no comment." In the lobby, Obadiah Stane kept repeating to the reporters.

"What happened? When did Tony go missing?" On the top floor of Stark Industries, Daniel found a worried Pepper Potts. Even though she used his research to stay energetic, she was visibly distressed.

"He's been missing for ten days." Pepper explained the situation to Daniel, including why they didn't inform him immediately.

It turned out Daniel had assumed too much. In the movies, he knew Stark was attacked and captured during the arms deal, but this was real life. Arms deals were highly confidential and not something publicly announced. Even if they were, it would be by the military.

American arms companies are legal, but this doesn't mean every weapon sold or deal made is reported in the news. Confidentiality is crucial.

News about Stark typically covered awards or his escapades with models, not the specifics of his arms deals.

America is a free country, where almost anything can be reported, including terrorist statements, but they do have news control.

Stark's disappearance during an arms deal was a significant event, and of course, it wouldn't be leaked casually. Those aware of it in the military were under strict orders to keep silent.

Even now, Pepper didn't know how the news got out. Normally, it wouldn't be disclosed until Stark was found, dead or alive.

With the news out, Stark Industries' stock was taking a major hit, and many were frantically selling their shares, including some company shareholders.

As shareholders, they received the news first and prepared accordingly. Many believed Stark's situation was dire, and without him, Stark Industries' value would plummet.

Only Obadiah Stane believed that Stark's disappearance would allow him to lead Stark Industries to greater heights.

Typically, arms companies dealing in smuggling arms are common. That's how most arms companies operate, including Justin's company. But Stark never allowed such practices in his company, only selling weapons to legitimate military forces.

Without major wars, the military wouldn't make large-scale purchases unless re-equipping. Even though Stark Industries' weapons were expensive and high-end, the profit was still less than other arms companies.

Obadiah Stane was very dissatisfied with this. To him, as long as it made money, he didn't care who he sold to, even terrorists. In fact, selling to terrorists was the most profitable.

This thinking is common among capitalists. Hank Pym's disciple even wanted to sell the Ant-Man suit to Hydra, despite Hydra's identity being exposed.

The arms trade isn't about morals, and that's what Stane ridiculed Stark for.

He didn't realize that if Stark was harmed, Stark Industries might profit in the short term but would definitely fail in the long run. Stark Industries' new weapons were all developed by Tony.

Moreover, S.H.I.E.L.D. was backing Stark. If something happened to Tony, and Nick Fury got angry, Stane wouldn't escape punishment.

"To stabilize the stock price, use my company's money to buy back shares. We'll discuss further once Tony returns." To stabilize the stock, they needed a lot of cash, and Daniel had plenty since he didn't spend as recklessly as Stark or need to buy a lot of experimental materials. He usually borrowed them.

"Thank you." Pepper's expression eased a bit. Her priority was to ensure Stark Industries didn't suffer massive losses before Tony's return.

As for the possibility that Tony might never return, Pepper didn't dare think about it.

"Arrange for me to visit where Tony went missing." After authorizing Pepper to use his funds, Daniel said.

"That's not necessary. It's very dangerous, and many soldiers and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are already searching for Tony." Pepper, grateful for Daniel's financial support, didn't want him to risk himself.

"Don't worry. If I go there, I might find Tony quickly. I forgot to tell you," Daniel said, pulling out his wand and waving it, causing a nearby sofa to levitate. "I'm a wizard. I can use magic to find Tony."

"A wizard?" Pepper gaped at the levitating sofa, then quickly grabbed her smartphone. "Happy, arrange a private jet."

No matter how magical, Tony's safety was more important.

"We must find Tony."

"Don't worry."

Led by Happy, Daniel quickly reached a military airfield and boarded Tony's private jet. Thanks to Stark Industries' good relationship with the military, his jet was stored at a military base.

This was why Daniel didn't want a private jet. Without his own airfield, the yearly storage fees alone would be hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention the crew and other costs. Even without flying, a private jet costs at least a million dollars annually.

Despite being very wealthy now, Daniel wouldn't waste money like that. He wasn't born into wealth and understood the value of money. If he had stayed in his previous life, a million dollars was something he could only dream of.

"Long time no see." As he disembarked, Daniel saw a familiar face: Coulson, along with his partner, Melinda May, and surprisingly, Captain America.

On second thought, it made sense. With S.H.I.E.L.D.'s connection to Howard Stark and Cap's relationship with Howard, their presence was expected.

"I didn't expect to see you so soon," Daniel greeted the trio.

"Pepper said you have a way to find Tony." After some pleasantries, Coulson got straight to the point. Apparently, Pepper had informed him during Daniel's flight.

"Yes. First, take me to where Tony disappeared. I hope we can still find some clues. Why didn't you inform me earlier?" Daniel complained in the jeep.

"Sorry, this matter is quite sensitive, so..." Coulson trailed off, but Daniel understood.

Tony's arms deal was highly confidential, as was the route he took back. The terrorists ambushed him along his route, indicating an inside job. S.H.I.E.L.D. was investigating everyone who knew Tony's whereabouts, including his only friend in the military, Colonel James Rhodes. Obadiah Stane was also under scrutiny.

"So, what have you found?"

"Sorry, that's classified."

S.H.I.E.L.D. undoubtedly found something, but they couldn't disclose it to Daniel.

"We're here." The jeep arrived at the site where Stark was attacked. There were still traces of the battle.

After disembarking, Cap and Melinda took up positions to watch for any threats.

"So, how do you plan to search? I must admit, I'm curious about a wizard's methods." Coulson asked after scanning the surroundings.

After Stark's disappearance, S.H.I.E.L.D. and military experts had thoroughly searched the area but found no clues.

"Wait a moment. I need to check something." Daniel said, pulling a tablet from his backpack to Coulson's surprise.

"Search for tracking spells." He began searching through the tablet, which contained most of his magical knowledge, just like his time at Kamar-Taj. This preparation prevented him from being helpless in the current situation.

Fortunately, he was in the Harry Potter world. If it were any other world, he might not have a solution.

"Got it." After reviewing the spell description, Daniel put away the tablet, took out his wand, and

 planted it in the ground.

"Revelio Traces." With a burst of white light from his wand, ghostly images of past events appeared like a hologram.

"Rewind faster." At Daniel's command, the images sped up. After about half an hour, Stark's figure appeared.

Fortunately, this was a deserted area. In a crowded place, it would have been much harder to use magic like this. Magic wasn't omnipotent.

Cap and Melinda, seeing this, approached as well.

"He's alive, taken away." As Stark's figure was dragged away by two figures, the image vanished.

"Amazing," Coulson marveled, then quickly called his team, directing them to search in the direction Stark was taken. They finally had a lead instead of blindly searching.

While Coulson made calls, Daniel moved to the crater left by the missile, carefully searching it. Under a rock, he found a piece of fabric.

"Tracking spell." He touched the fabric with his wand, and it floated up, drifting in a specific direction.

"Wait a moment. I'll call for backup." Coulson quickly understood the spell's purpose.

"You guys stay here. I'll check it out first." Daniel said, pulling a long broomstick from his backpack, and flew off after the fabric.

___________________

Read Ahead

P@treon.com/Mutter


Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Iron Man (Part 2)

"I hate wizards." Watching Daniel Davis fly away on his broomstick, May's expression turned distinctly sour, while the Captain's face remained impassive.

"Get a plane to my location immediately," Coulson barked into his phone.

"The fact that wizards really exist in this world is unbelievable," Hill remarked from the depths of a secret room in Triskelion headquarters as she watched Daniel fly away on his broomstick, disbelief etched across her face.

"Keep tracking him," Fury ordered, his face emotionless as he observed the scene. After a long silence, he spoke into his earpiece with stern resolve.

"Understood," May's voice replied through the earpiece.

"Finally, the miniaturized Arc Reactor makes its debut." Daniel, seated on his broomstick and trailing a piece of fabric, muttered to himself. 

The kidnapping of Stark and the emergence of the Iron Man suit were significant, but the real game-changer was the miniaturized Arc Reactor. Energy is paramount in both the scientific and wizarding worlds, although wizards measure energy in terms of magical power. 

Even though the Harry Potter world lacks a precise unit for measuring magical power, it clearly differentiates between strengths. For example, if a child tried to use the Killing Curse against an adult Auror, it might only cause a nosebleed at most, failing to be lethal.

In the mundane world, the Arc Reactor's arrival heralded massive changes, though most ordinary people wouldn't directly feel these shifts. 

In movies, such nuances are even less perceptible.

Iron Man suits have existed in the Marvel Universe for a while, with Stark Industries' competitors like Oscorp also delving into similar technologies. However, their suits were impractical without a powerful energy source, often tethered to large cables for power during demonstrations—a clear disadvantage on the battlefield.

The advent of the Arc Reactor solved this energy conundrum.

Despite this breakthrough, Iron Man suits didn't proliferate in the Marvel Universe for several reasons. Key among them was the necessity for an AI system to fully utilize the suits' capabilities. Without AI, operating an Iron Man suit could be less effective than using a tank, especially considering the suits' exorbitant cost.

Post-Arc Reactor, not only could it power the suits but also tanks, planes, and even rockets and missiles. 

It could be argued that tanks, planes, and vehicles might need a redesign to incorporate Arc Reactor energy, significantly enhancing their capabilities.

Hydra's Insight program and their three massive heli-carriers were only feasible thanks to Stark's Arc Reactor and the anti-gravity system.

Given these factors, the rarity of Iron Man suits in the Marvel world becomes clear. Even SHIELD and Hydra lacked the AI to make full use of such technology.

"With an Arc Reactor, I could build an Iron Man suit and use it to take down Voldemort. That would be quite something. But to achieve that, I'd need to launch satellites in the Harry Potter world first." Daniel, contemplating Voldemort battling a swarm of Iron Man suits, chuckled at the thought as he flew on his broomstick.

Living in the Marvel Universe, Daniel had spent his free time studying Iron Man suits and Stark's history. He envisioned two potential designs for his own Iron Man suit.

The first was Stark's model, with a person inside, aided by AI, allowing for highly agile combat.

The second involved remote control via AI, which, while less flexible, wouldn't require a person inside. This option, not needing to prioritize human safety, could be more robust and carry more ammunition, making it cheaper to produce.

For Daniel, with his ability to use an Undetectable Extension Charm, space wasn't an issue.

Human-operated suits required safety considerations and costly materials, whereas unmanned suits didn't need such precautions and could even be designed for kamikaze attacks if necessary.

Unlike Stark, who could afford lavish displays like fireworks made from Iron Man suits, Daniel needed to be frugal. His current resources paled compared to Stark's wealth.

But that was only the current situation. Daniel was confident that his future ventures would eventually surpass Stark's. His ambitions extended far into the cosmos.

Of course, to maintain the integrity of Stark's character, Daniel didn't plan to use Iron Man suits in the Marvel world. But in reality, who cared about maintaining a persona? The main reason was that Daniel lacked Stark's influential background. If he showcased an Iron Man suit, others would quickly try to seize it, along with his AI.

Another reason for sticking to his persona was self-preservation. Daniel's mysterious wizard identity offered significant protection, especially with the fabricated wizarding community backing him up. Although this group was no longer entirely fictional.

This fabricated wizard community was Daniel's strongest shield, akin to why Thor could operate on Earth as an Avenger—he had Asgard behind him.

"There's nothing more dangerous than an educated rogue," Daniel thought, feeling a twinge of pity for the terrorists who had kidnapped Stark. How could they have been so short-sighted to let Stark build the first Iron Man suit right under their noses?

Aside from Obadiah Stane's deal with the terrorists, they had hoped Stark would create Jericho missiles for them. Yet, the difference between a missile and an Iron Man suit should have been evident. If anyone among them had been a bit smarter, Stark might not have survived.

"It looks like we've found him." Spotting the fabric fragment descending, Daniel scanned the desert below and saw a figure trudging along. Adjusting his broomstick's course, he flew closer and recognized Stark, who looked on the brink of collapse.

"Lost traveler, you seem to be in need of some help," Daniel called out with a smile as he flew closer to Stark.

"Water... water..." Stark, swaying and barely conscious, looked up at Daniel on his broomstick without a hint of surprise, mumbling for water before collapsing.

"You really are in a bad shape," Daniel remarked, dismounting his broomstick and approaching Stark. Noticing the Arc Reactor in Stark's chest, he shook his head slightly, then drew his wand and muttered, "Aguamenti."

A gentle stream of water flowed from Daniel's wand, reaching Stark's lips.

After a few sips, Stark regained some clarity, his eyes widening in shock as he recognized Daniel.

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. You've been missing for so long; Pepper is really worried." Daniel smiled.

"No, wait. I think I saw someone flying on a broom just now," Stark recalled, puzzled.

"You mean this?" Daniel pointed to the hovering broomstick, a mischievous grin on his face.

"What kind of new tech is this?" Stark immediately rushed to the broomstick, examining it closely.

"It's not tech; it's magic." Daniel joined Stark, who was inspecting the broomstick with disbelief. He then sat on it and pulled out his wand, conjuring a transparent seat in front of the broomstick.

"Let's talk later. We need to get out of here." Daniel patted the transparent seat, gesturing for Stark to sit.

"Magic? That's impossible. It has to be some cutting-edge technology." Stark, ever the scientist, ignored the seat and continued scrutinizing the broomstick.

"Don't break it. This is the latest model of the Nimbus 2000 series, and it cost me a fortune," Daniel warned as Stark probed the broomstick's tail. 

In the wizarding world, the Nimbus series was the equivalent of a Ferrari or Lamborghini in the mundane world.

After a thorough inspection, Stark finally conceded that the broomstick lacked any advanced technology. "This defies all scientific logic," he exclaimed, baffled.

"It does, but it's perfectly magical," Daniel chuckled.

"Alright, let's go. I don't want to stay in this desert any longer." Daniel remounted the broomstick, signaling Stark to join him.

"Is this thing safe?" Stark glanced at the scorching sun above, then at the broomstick, before hesitantly climbing onto the transparent seat.

"Don't worry, it's certified safe by the International Confederation of Wizards. Absolutely no issues with safety." Once Stark was seated, Daniel waved his wand, and a safety harness appeared, securing Stark to the seat.

The broomstick then lifted off and began its flight. Daniel's wand conjured a transparent umbrella, shielding them from the sun.

Since they were both seated, the broomstick's flight speed was moderate.

Though Daniel could have opened a portal back to New York instantly, he chose not to, to maintain his cover. Similarly, Apparition wasn't an option; Stark's chest injury made it too risky, potentially lethal under the pressures of magical travel.

"Wow." Stark, despite having flown countless times in planes, was exhilarated by the experience of flying on a broomstick.

As they flew at a low altitude, Daniel reflected that Stark was likely airlifted out, given the difficulty SHIELD and the military had in finding him. On the ground, experts in tracking would have found clues long ago.

Daniel's use of magic to locate Stark worked primarily because of the desolation of the desert. In a bustling city, the sheer number of people would have diluted any magical traces left by Stark, similar to how physical tracking becomes challenging with many footprints overlapping.

Magic wasn't omnipotent. In crowded places, traces left by others would overshadow any singular presence, much like trying to find a specific footprint in a busy snowy field.

"Who exactly are you?" Stark asked after his initial excitement faded.

"I'm a wizard," Daniel replied just as their surroundings darkened. Looking up, they saw a black plane overhead with SHIELD's insignia—a Quinjet. The aircraft hovered above them, its ramp opening.

"Hey," Coulson greeted, waving at them to come aboard. Daniel deftly maneuvered the broomstick into the Quinjet.

"Mr. Stark, it's a relief to

 see you safe," Coulson said as Stark dismounted the broomstick, though Stark barely acknowledged him, his focus fixated on Daniel's wand.

"Is this the wand?" Stark asked, eyes wide in astonishment at the wand that had conjured the sunshade.

"Yes, it's a wand, made with a dragon's heartstring core." Daniel handed the wand to Stark, casting a discreet glance at May and Coulson before continuing. "It's my only wand, and it's quite delicate. Please handle it carefully. If it breaks, I'll have to explain to the Ministry of Magic and get a replacement."

___________________

Read Ahead

P@treon.com/Mutter


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