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28.57% With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter / Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Dr. Helen Zhao

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Dr. Helen Zhao

Bang, bang, bang.

In the villa's gym, Daniel Davis resumed his daily routine after returning from his latest adventure. Despite his mastery of magic, Daniel never neglected his physical conditioning. The capabilities of the Op-Op Fruit relied heavily on stamina, so maintaining his physical fitness was crucial.

Unlike magic, which required innate talent, physical strength could only be enhanced through relentless training. There were no shortcuts here.

Daniel didn't keep his training a secret; he openly installed a gym in his villa. After all, most wealthy homes had such amenities. As for how much they were used, one could look at Tony Stark's gym, which, before his transformation, was mostly frequented by Pepper.

The equipment Daniel used now was almost entirely custom-made with a 3D printer. His physical prowess was too much for standard equipment. A typical punching bag would be sent flying with a single punch, much like how Captain America would handle it.

Kamar-Taj's magic could heal the body and enhance physical capabilities. This was why, in a way, it made sense that Kamar-Taj's sorcerers would use magic to cut down enemies.

Thor's immense power had initially left Daniel awestruck, but he had come to terms with it. After all, Thor was the God of Thunder and Odin's son. It would be surprising if he weren't formidable.

Such innate advantages were simply out of reach for most people.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. moves quickly," Daniel noted with a chuckle, seeing how the news framed the New Mexico incident. The official line was that it was a terrorist attack. 

There was no mention of Asgard or the Destroyer in the media. Only Daniel and S.H.I.E.L.D. knew that Thor was an Asgardian. As for the Destroyer, anyone who had first encountered it had been killed, and survivors could only describe it as some kind of advanced robot or armor, akin to Iron Man's suit.

Given Tony Stark's emergence as Iron Man and the public appearance of the Iron Patriot, not to mention the earlier attack on Stark Expo, such revelations wouldn't be overly concerning.

With the second major terrorist event following Stark Expo being linked to Stark Industries, the USA ramped up its counter-terrorism efforts significantly.

"The Anti-Stark coalition is coming together." Although the news didn't contain anything particularly noteworthy to Daniel, Red Queen's surveillance revealed something interesting: Following Obadiah Stane's death, most of his subordinates were dismissed by Stark Industries, and many were even imprisoned.

Stark was lenient towards Stane, but not towards his underlings. It was obvious who had built the Iron Monger.

In this chaos, Mysterio started to connect with some of Stane's former associates. These individuals were highly competent, many holding doctorates. One, in particular, was the chief research officer for Stark Industries' drone program, responsible for creating Mysterio's drones.

Stark Industries could afford to lose these people, but for Daniel, their research was invaluable. Mysterio had used his advanced holographic systems to trick even Spider-Man effectively.

"It seems the holographic system isn't fully developed yet. Keep pushing, Mysterio. When you finish, I'll have a special gift for you—a ticket to meet Mephisto."

Mysterio's final holographic system would be far more advanced than what Stark and Daniel currently had, able to integrate directly with drones. Such technology, if misused, could be incredibly dangerous. As a responsible individual, Daniel decided to neutralize this threat early and safeguard the technology himself to prevent its misuse.

"Norman Osborn hasn't been captured and is still Oscorp's CEO. Did Spider-Man go soft, or did Osborn manage to escape?" After checking up on Norman Osborn's status, Daniel found it less concerning.

"Dr. Helen Zhao, hello." At the New York Empire Hotel, Daniel met Dr. Helen Zhao, the future pioneer of nanotechnology. Knowing her potential, Daniel wasn't going to miss this opportunity.

Once nanotechnology was developed, its applications would be vast. Nanomedicine alone could resolve many current health issues like limb regeneration and kidney stones. Not to mention the potential for nanotech cars and planes—the economic value was immeasurable.

"You're the chairman of FeiFei Group?" Dr. Helen Zhao looked surprised upon meeting Daniel.

"That's right. Our group has secured medical licensing and is setting up a lab for this field. If you agree, Dr. Zhao, you'll have full control over this lab," Daniel offered.

At this point, Dr. Zhao wasn't yet famous. Offering her full control of the lab, along with unlimited funding, was enough to win her over.

He wouldn't make such an offer to just anyone, but for Dr. Zhao, enabling the early arrival of nanotechnology was worth the investment.

Daniel wasn't a native Westerner, and unlike Stark, he didn't need vast amounts of materials. As someone who rarely indulged in luxuries, he had significant cash reserves sitting in the bank.

"Why choose me?" Dr. Zhao asked, puzzled. Her research was in nanotechnology, but she wasn't a leading authority in the field. Many were more prominent than her, and she was just a regular researcher at the moment.

Research into nanotechnology had been ongoing, but since no significant breakthroughs had been made, investment had waned. Capitalists generally hesitated to fund projects that didn't promise immediate returns.

"I've read your papers. You have a fresh perspective. In this field, you show more promise than those so-called experts. Just sign here, and the lab is yours. I have a good relationship with Stark, so I can get any equipment we need," Daniel said, pointing to the contract with a smile.

"With such good terms, how can I refuse?" Dr. Zhao said as she signed the document.

"I'd like to see the lab first."

"In a hurry, aren't we? How about we have lunch first?"

"Lunch can wait. I can't wait to see the lab," she insisted.

"Alright then."

Soon, Daniel led Dr. Zhao to the FeiFei Group's headquarters on Staten Island. Stark had initially suggested buying a building near Stark Industries for Daniel's headquarters, so their companies could be close.

But Daniel had refused. To avoid getting caught up in the Battle of New York, he hadn't even bought a villa in Manhattan. There was no way he'd place his company near Stark Industries, making it an easy target for the Chitauri.

It wasn't just about being a target; if Dr. Zhao were harmed, the entire nanotechnology project could be jeopardized.

"Alright, this place is all yours now. If you need anything, contact him." After introducing a secretary to Dr. Zhao, Daniel left.

With Pepper Potts busy with Stark Industries, Daniel had to personally handle matters at FeiFei Group. After all, as the company's owner, he couldn't remain absent all the time.

___________________

Read Ahead

P@treon.com/Mutter


Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Stark's Recovery

"Old satellites?" Daniel Davis pondered as he watched the casual-dressed Ada on the other end of the video call. The rate of technological progress in the Marvel Universe far outstripped that of his original world. Analog signals had been rapidly overtaken by digital ones, which quickly blanketed the globe, rendering analog obsolete in a matter of years.

At this stage, acquiring an analog satellite was ironically more expensive than obtaining the latest digital ones due to the need for bespoke manufacturing and the wait time involved. However, if it was an old satellite, the situation changed.

Old satellites were not only cheaper but also readily available. These pieces of technology were built to last, and as long as they were tested and refurbished, they could be operational in no time.

"Alright," Daniel agreed after a moment of consideration. Even old satellites could function for decades, and by then, the magical world's digital satellites might be developed as well.

"Stark really is the quintessential capitalist," Daniel chuckled, looking at the Arc Reactor produced and sold by Stark Industries. Although it shared the design of the one powering the Iron Man suit, the consumer version's energy output was only a tenth of that.

Stark Industries offered several Arc Reactor models, differentiated by their energy capacities. As for the Arc Reactor powered by the new element Tony developed, it wasn't available on the market at all.

"The price of palladium has surged quite a bit, surpassing even gold. That's quite a windfall," Daniel mused. Given that Stark had designed his Arc Reactor to use palladium, it was only natural that he had bought up large quantities of the element in advance. Although Stark Industries had already stockpiled a significant amount due to their large Arc Reactors, the new demand had led them to purchase even more.

Daniel, following the trend, had also invested heavily in palladium. Unlike uranium or other regulated materials, palladium was easy to acquire, allowing him to make a tidy profit. For Daniel, who was more interested in interdimensional wealth, these profits were just small change compared to what the larger financial institutions were raking in.

After all, the Marvel Universe offered vast opportunities. For instance, in Harry's world, Daniel had an unobstructed monopoly on palladium. And there were always other dimensions to explore.

"You want to go to the magical world?" Daniel was stunned upon hearing Tony Stark's request in his New York villa.

"That's right," Stark affirmed with a firm nod.

"That's going to be difficult," Daniel replied after a brief pause. "The International Ministry of Magic strictly prohibits outsiders from entering."

Daniel felt a bit frustrated. He hadn't anticipated Stark making such a request. Indeed, man proposes, but God disposes.

"Isn't there another way? You could sneak me in, or maybe I could go as an ambassador of Earth," Stark suggested, showing how keen he was to visit the magical realm.

"I'll have to report this and see what they say, but I doubt they'll agree. The magical world is very insular, especially towards people from Earth."

"This is the modern era; shutting yourself off from the world isn't wise," Stark lamented, clearly disappointed. It was understandable—Daniel had painted such an enticing picture of Harry's world that Stark was eager to see it for himself. If it turned out to be less than Daniel had described, it would indeed be embarrassing.

"I definitely can't take Stark to Harry's world. It would be too humiliating. I need to find a way to access a second dimensional world. That way, if he asks again, I can take him there. But first, I need to test if it's even possible to bring someone into another dimension."

The Quantum Realm and dimensional spaces were unknown territories for regular people. Daniel could survive there thanks to his Kamar-Taj training, but Stark wasn't a sorcerer.

"Let's not worry about that for now. I came here today with a way to remove the shrapnel from your body for good."

"Really?" Stark leapt to his feet, his excitement palpable. To others, the Arc Reactor embedded in his chest might look cool, but only Stark knew the daily struggle it represented.

Beyond the issues of bathing and other daily inconveniences, it also affected his love life. Since his return from the Middle East, Stark had stopped his promiscuous behavior and had entered a committed relationship with Pepper Potts. But Pepper had been hesitant about intimacy due to concerns over Stark's health.

"What do I need to do?"

"Just strip down completely. Well, you can keep your underwear on."

"Here?" Stark looked incredulous.

"Right here."

"I've never been naked in front of another man," Stark hesitated.

"You're not a beauty queen. It's not like I want to see you naked. Hurry up. Oh, and turn off JARVIS," Daniel urged.

"Turn off JARVIS?" Stark asked, confused.

"Yes, it's a unique magic. I don't want it exposed to anyone else, just you," Daniel explained. Despite JARVIS's strong firewalls, Daniel preferred caution, especially regarding the arcane.

"Alright." Stark reluctantly complied, shutting down JARVIS and stripping down to his underwear.

"Nice physique," Daniel commented, drawing a scalpel.

"I thought this was magic?" Stark questioned, eyeing the scalpel instead of a wand, looking puzzled. His trust in Daniel as a friend was clear; he hadn't considered the possibility that Daniel might harm him.

"It is magic. Room." Daniel activated his power, and with several swift cuts, Stark's body was disassembled, his head and limbs floating in mid-air, his torso split into three sections.

"What the hell is this?" Stark's disembodied head yelled. Unlike the Purple Man, who had been terrified by a similar experience, Stark's reaction was simply to scream, showing his impressive composure.

"Could you lower your voice? You're distracting me," Daniel retorted, holding his scalpel in front of his eyes. With a glint of light, he continued, "Room, Scan."

Daniel's power allowed him to detect the dozens of tiny shrapnel pieces clinging to Stark's chest. The Op-Op Fruit's abilities mimicked a surgical operating room, complete with a scanning function.

With a flick of his left hand, the shrapnel fragments were pulled from Stark's body and collected in Daniel's grasp. To ensure nothing was left behind, Daniel performed another thorough scan of Stark's body, confirming the removal of all shrapnel before deactivating his power.

These fragments were incredibly minute. Without the Op-Op Fruit's scanning ability, Daniel would have had to painstakingly extract them one by one, a process that would have taken significantly longer.

"You won't need this anymore," Daniel said, removing the Arc Reactor from Stark's chest. He then healed the surrounding tissue and applied a generous amount of dittany to the open wound, promoting rapid healing.

After completing the procedure, Daniel collapsed onto the nearby sofa, exhausted. Although the operation had been brief, it had drained a considerable amount of his stamina.

"No wonder Law always looks exhausted. This ability really takes a toll."

"What the hell just happened?" Stark's head, lying on the floor, shouted.

"Exactly what you saw. Just wait until your wound heals," Daniel replied. Stark currently felt no pain, but once Daniel reassembled his body, the pain would set in.

"Can you pick up my head at least?" Stark's limbs and head were scattered around the room, with his head positioned at a particularly awkward angle.

"Room, Shambles." With a nod, Daniel summoned Stark's head and placed it on the table in front of him.

"This is amazing. Just amazing. I'm still alive despite this. Quick, bring my leg over. I want to see," Stark said, reacting to his situation with characteristic curiosity rather than fear.

"Wait a moment. I'm very tired. I can barely manage this much right now," Daniel waved him off, taking deep breaths, though it was more for show.

"This is incredible."

"There's no need to thank me," Daniel replied.

"This is miraculous, but it defies all logic," Stark murmured as he examined his reassembled body. He had left one leg unhealed to study it more closely, marveling at how the blood flow seemed to be held back by a mysterious force, preventing it from spilling out.

"Don't ask me. I have no idea how this works," Daniel said, waving his hands dismissively at Stark's questioning gaze. He couldn't explain the underlying mechanics of the Op-Op Fruit's abilities.

"I should head home. Rest for at least seven days to let the wound heal properly. I'll let Pepper know to keep an eye on you," Daniel added, picking up his phone to inform Pepper Potts of Stark's recovery and to ensure she kept him in check.

Pepper was the only person who could effectively restrain Stark.

"How long can this leg stay like this?" Stark asked, holding up his disassembled limb.

"If you want to experiment, use an animal next time. Don't mess with your own leg. I'm very tired, so I'm heading back to rest," Daniel replied, using his power to reattach Stark's leg.

Technically, body parts severed by the Op-Op Fruit could remain separate indefinitely and could be reattached or combined with other parts, much like a certain swordsman who kept his upper and lower halves apart.

But in the Marvel Universe, with its myriad of advanced technologies and Infinity Stones, Daniel worried that Stark might somehow end up causing serious damage to himself.

"Hey." Stark started to say something but stopped as Daniel left. "Animals, huh," he mused, looking at his reattached leg.

___________________

Read Ahead

P@treon.com/Mutter


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