Chapter 72: Chapter 72
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"Jarvis, check on Anton Vanko."
After some thought, Tony Stark issued this command to Jarvis.
"Sir, Anton Vanko was expelled and sent back to the Soviet Union after his fallout with Mr. Howard."
"What exactly happened after that, I cannot find any information."
He was sent back to the Soviet Union?
Tony Stark's brows furrowed slightly.
This did not match his expectations.
If Anton Vanko was in the Soviet Union, surely he wouldn't go through multiple countries to become an enemy to him?
Or could it be that after being sent back to the Soviet Union, he had quietly returned?
Was he that persistent?
Tony Stark didn't dwell on this thought he couldn't figure out by mere speculation. He only asked again.
"Does Anton Vanko have a son named Ivan Vanko?"
"Sir, Anton Vanko did not have any descendants before his deportation, and as for after, that is unclear."
Is that so?
In that case, Tony Stark really couldn't identify which Ivan Vanko was the one with the whip!
Well then!
Shaking his head, Tony Stark decided not to linger on the issue any longer.
After all, with his, Tony's, excellence, no matter who this Ivan Vanko really is, so long as they dare to challenge him, Tony, they will be mercilessly crushed under his, Tony's, feet!
He, Tony, had even fought Thor!
"Whiplash?"
"Another super-soldier!"
Black Widow raised an eyebrow too.
Although she knew the future was an era of superheroes, weren't there just too many super-soldiers?
Since this Ivan Vanko was Stark's nemesis, it meant he had the capability to confront the Iron Man suits!
No doubt he was an extraordinary warrior.
And "Whiplash", was this a super-soldier who wielded a whip?
[Of course, to be honest, among Iron Man's foes, Whiplash's power isn't very impressive.]
[In fact, if it weren't for Stark being in that portable suit, which had its functionalities weakened, Whiplash definitely would not stand a chance against Iron Man.]
[I just wonder if that portable Iron Man suit had been developed yet.]
[Hold on!]
[Stark isn't even Iron Man anymore, who knows what's going on in this universe, and whether he'll still go to the Moroccan race.]
[Whether he'll encounter Whiplash is still uncertain.]
A portable suit?
Tony Stark's eyes lit up; that was a good suggestion!
His Iron Man suit was superb in every aspect, no doubt about that, but it also had a significant limitation.
It couldn't be carried around!
To use the Iron Man suit, one must return to their mansion.
But Tony Stark couldn't possibly live in his mansion forever, right?
If he encountered a situation like in Afghanistan again, he couldn't just say, "Let me go home, get my suit on, and then you can come to fight me."
A portable suit was indeed necessary!
And the diary was indeed correct.
Considering technical limitations, if he were to create a portable suit, its overall functionalities would have to be significantly reduced.
So, Ivan Vanko "Whiplash" has this impressive nickname, yet he could only fight a basic version of the suit?
Iron Man couldn't help but smirk.
He became even less concerned about this second nemesis set by Zhou Cheng.
However, Tony Stark still paid close attention to the mention of "Morocco" in the diary.
As a super-rich heir who always enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, Iron Man was certainly aware of that city.
For no other reason.
The Grand Prix in Morocco was one of the world's most famous and challenging F1 races.
The diary mentioned that he encountered Ivan Vanko while racing in Morocco.
So, the question was.
Did Ivan Vanko follow him to Morocco, or was he a resident there who came across him by chance?
Both possibilities existed at the same time but could not be ruled out.
"Jarvis, is there an Ivan Vanko in Morocco?"
Tony Stark inquired again from Jarvis.
"Sir, there is not!"
So, it seemed that the other party had followed him to Morocco?
Iron Man immediately felt certain.
It appears that this Ivan Vanko, just as described in the diary, harbored deep hatred for him.
He had even followed him to Morocco.
This meant that, no matter who that guy was, he must be watching Tony, monitoring him all the time.
Waiting for the right moment to strike!
If that was the case…
A flash of determination crossed Tony Stark's eyes. It meant that the guy would eventually show himself!
Hmm.
Tony Stark let out a cold snort.
Whiplash, oh Whiplash, I hope you're wise enough not to do anything foolish.
Otherwise, you will regret it!
[However, considering Ivan Vanko's hatred for Stark, I think it doesn't matter whether Stark goes racing or not.]
[Sooner or later, Vanko will still come for Stark, determined to put an end to him.]
[No, wrong, Vanko's aim is not to kill Stark, but to destroy "Iron Man"!]
[Otherwise, there are numerous ways to kill Stark; why would Vanko choose to use Stark's technology to confront him?]
[He wants to show everyone that Iron Man is not a myth; he can be defeated and replicated!]
???
What in the world?
If initially, Tony Stark wasn't too concerned about this so-called second nemesis,
Now, the individual completely changed his perspective.
The diary mentioned that the person used his own technology against him!
So Ivan Vanko also managed to master the technology to build Iron Man suits?
That's right.
The text mentioned that when Ivan Vanko confronted him, he was in a portable Iron Man suit.
Although the portable Iron Man suit was inferior to the real deal, it wasn't something the average person could handle.
Ivan Vanko no doubt possessed some extraordinary method.
Tony Stark didn't know what that extraordinary method was previously, but now he did—it was also an Iron Man suit!
You've got to be kidding!
His suit was technology beyond this era, something others couldn't possibly master.
Even if someone did manage to make the suit, without a proper power source, it remained impossible to overcome that barrier.
That was the genuine key technique and the true technological barricade!
Also, a technique constrained by the era.If it weren't for the constraints of the era, Howard Stark himself could have miniaturized the Arc Reactor without waiting for Tony Stark to step in.
With Iron Man's level of expertise, this much is certain.
But the notebook says this technology is also in the hands of Ivan Vanko?
How exactly did he achieve this?
"Wait a minute!"
With a slight frown, Tony Stark suddenly recalls something, or rather, makes a connection.
Or perhaps, the connection involves a key figure.
Anton Vanko!
Normally, the Arc Reactor technology would not be mastered by anyone else.
But what if it's Anton Vanko who developed the reactor alongside Howard Stark?
It could only be him!
Apart from himself, it could only be Anton Vanko!
This Ivan Vanko has the same last name as Anton Vanko and has mastered technology only Anton would have.
Connecting all this, Iron Man wouldn't believe there's no relation.
"Sir, it seems there must be a tight connection between Ivan Vanko and Anton Vanko."
Jarvis reaches the same conclusion.
"Yes, exactly!"
"Jarvis, put both of these people on the surveillance list."
"Notify me immediately of any developments."
Tony Stark nods, giving Jarvis this order.
[Although Whiplash is eventually defeated by Iron Man, to some extent, he indeed succeeds.]
[Whiplash has proven to the world that Iron Man's technology isn't unique, it can be mastered by others.]
[Whiplash has caused Iron Man to be fraught with doubts.]
[Even when Whiplash returned, if it weren't for Iron Man and War Machine joining forces, Iron Man would have likely been taken out.]
Whiplash returned after being defeated by me?
And he almost took me out?
I have to admit, Tony Stark didn't anticipate this.
It seems I've underestimated this Ivan Vanko.
He actually produced an even more powerful suit of armor after being defeated by me!
Since this is the case, it looks like I need to take this Ivan Vanko more seriously.
Iron Man believes that with his intelligence, as long as he takes that guy seriously, he won't be able to cause any trouble.
As the diary says, letting him come back won't happen!
Not an issue.
The real problem that catches Tony Stark's attention is War Machine. What is that all about?
Considering the context, it's clear that War Machine is also a superhero wearing an iron suit, just like himself.
Even the nickname War Machine is on par with my own, the Destroyer.
The diary earlier mentioned Rhodes having a suit of armor, and spoiled Ivan Vanko.
And now there's a War Machine popping up?
How many people have mastered iron suits?
That shouldn't be right!
This technology, which others shouldn't be able to create, why does it seem like it's everywhere in the future?
Could it be that the military or some related organizations have stolen it from me?
Impossible, right?
Or are those armors not leaked from me, but from Ivan Vanko?
Iron Man can't be sure for now, but one thing is certain.
Since I've learned of this in advance, Tony Stark won't allow it to happen again!
The iron suit can only belong to me!
Iron Man's eyes are filled with unparalleled determination.
Then, Tony Stark's focus turns to the name War Machine.
He silently ponders.
Who could be this other person who also wields an iron suit?
Without any context, Iron Man can't deduce anything and hopes the diary will provide an answer.
Unfortunately.
At such a critical moment, the diary stops updating once again!
"That guy really knows how to keep one's appetite hanging!"
Tony Stark mutters to himself and pulls his attention away from the diary.
He begins a detailed review and analysis of the spoilers mentioned in the notebook.
Overall.
The spoilers still reveal quite a bit of critical information, even some that could be considered bombshell revelations.
Whether it's the Destroyer from Asgard easily obliterating a town, the impressive Guardians of the Galaxy.
Or Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy joining forces on Titan, or even the final battle where I myself snapped my fingers.
All demonstrate the future era of superheroes' cruelty and chaos, giving Tony Stark a deeper understanding of this age.
Of course.
Since the information is fragmented and mythical or interstellar in nature.
It's intangible and unapproachable.
Apart from silently spectating, there's not much Tony Stark can do.
The only thing he can address now is the last spoiler about Ivan Vanko, aka "Whiplash," and the suspicious Anton Vanko, whom Tony Stark has instructed Jarvis to investigate.
There's no question about this.
Additionally.
There's also the Winter Soldier, whom Iron Man has always sought answers about, a subject that Jarvis has been investigating persistently.
As Tony Stark's AI butler, Jarvis finds himself quite exhausted.
As for the portable armor, that's a trivial matter for Iron Man.
Nothing much to discuss.
Ding ding ding!
Ding ding ding!
Just as he is finishing up with these matters, taking a break with a few cups of coffee, the alert from the door panel sounds.
Tony Stark turns his head, and unsurprisingly, it's his assistant.
No, his future wife, Pepper Potts.
Pepper Potts walks in wearing her professional attire, as capable and imposing as ever.
Iron Man finds himself increasingly satisfied as he looks at her.
Not only that.
Ever since learning from the notebook about his future with Pepper Potts, Tony Stark has been both openly and subtly expressing his feelings to her over this period.
And Pepper Potts has responded!
Their relationship is no longer just that of a boss and assistant but now has an underlying romantic undertone.
Iron Man is thoroughly enjoying this feeling.
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