Kapitel 21: Chapter 21: So This is the Truth About Iron Man
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[Finally!]
[The military is about to present the Ultimate Prize to the Big Shit, the critical moment is finally here!]
[Is Big Shit finally going to be kidnapped?]
[This is indeed a day worth celebrating.]
[Should we go out for a nice meal?]
As Zhou Cheng's thoughts flowed, corresponding words began to fill the pages of the diary.
The words brimmed with Zhou Cheng's most sincere excitement and simplest expectations.
Stark Tower.
Tony Stark's expression instantly soured as he sat in his luxurious office.
The corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
Damn it.
The playboy really wanted to hunt down Zhou Cheng and give him a good beating.
Was his own kidnapping really something to celebrate?
To go out and celebrate it?
Can you hear, the whispers of others?
[But now it's actually possible to contact agents to sell houses and such.]
[The timing is almost perfect!]
[Big Shit has been kidnapped for over two months, out of sight, dead or alive.]
[The mainstream opinion widely assumes that he's already dead!]
[Stark Industries' stock price has plummeted for the first time!]
A slight frown formed on Tony Stark's brow.
So this was Zhou Cheng's plan all along?
He planned to capitalize on my kidnapping and make a killing.
The kidnapping was even seen by him as a chance to change his life.
That's why he had been obsessing over the fact that I should be kidnapped.
And all this was just to play the stock market?
Tony Stark's lips curled with a hint of disdain.
That was the extent of Zhou Cheng's vision.
Limited to such petty financial maneuverings.
But... the first plunge?
Tony Stark keenly noticed this point.
If there's a first plunge, it implies that Stark Industries' stock price will face a second steep decline.
Why would that happen?
Is there any news worse than my own death?
After everyone assumed I was dead, did something happen to Stark Industries?
[And when Big Shit escapes and returns, announcing the permanent shutdown of the weapons manufacturing division, Stark Industries' stock price will suffer a second plummet!]
[No, it should even be called a bloodbath!]
[That's when I will seize the perfect opportunity to enter.]
[I'll be able to buy Stark Industries' stock at rock-bottom prices.]
[Haha, smart as I am!]
What's this?
Shut down the weapons manufacturing division?
Tony Stark was completely baffled.
Stark Industries was known for manufacturing weapons, and was even America's top weapons producer.
How could he possibly shut down the weapons manufacturing division in the future?
Madness!
What the hell was going wrong with me to make such an absurd, utterly illogical decision?
What an international joke!
No wonder the company's stock was about to crash a second time.
If a weapons manufacturing company stopped making weapons, who else would crash if not them?
"What exactly happened during the time I was kidnapped?"
Tony Stark's gaze became profound as he seriously pondered this question.
Undoubtedly.
The other version of himself in that parallel universe must have made such an aberrant decision because of the kidnapping.
It was the kidnapping that triggered such a change!
Wasn't it written in the diary too? The kidnapping was the beginning of the great Tony's transformation.
So~
What the hell was that damn kidnapping about?
Not only that.
Zhou Cheng chose this particular moment to buy into Stark Industries' stock at rock-bottom prices, planning to make a fortune.That means, the stock price of Stark Industries will see a reversal at some point in the future!
Tony Stark became genuinely curious.
Having shut down the weapons manufacturing, what move could Stark Industries make to achieve this reversal?
**[Then just sit back and wait for the show!]**
**[When I announce 'I am Iron Man' at the press conference.]**
**[Admitting this other identity in front of the whole world, the stock price of Stark Industries will soar again.]**
**[When the time comes to act, won't that just rake in a huge profit?]**
**[A bright tomorrow is waving at me!]**
???
Tony Stark fell into contemplation again.
Why would the stock price of Stark Industries surge after announcing himself as Iron Man?
Could the identity of "Iron Man" or rather, the concept itself, offset the impact of shutting down the weapons division?
So, what exactly is Iron Man?
Tony Stark had always subconsciously thought that "Iron Man" described a sort of power.
Like what was mentioned in the notebook about witches, wizards, and other extraordinary powers.
But now, it seems that's not the case.
Simply having this kind of ability wouldn't cause Stark Industries' stock to jump again.
After all, people are profit-driven; without tangible benefits, who would invest real money?
The only reason for Stark Industries' stock surge must be that investors and shareholders see the immense commercial value of the company once more.
Why does becoming Iron Man bring immense commercial value?
There's only one answer.
"Iron Man" is a product!
And this fits with Tony Stark's identity as a scientist.
In other words, although Stark Industries no longer makes weapons, Tony has developed other incredible products.
Only this explains everything.
"If that's the case…"
Tony Stark's eyes lit up, feeling a sense of sudden clarity.
What product could make him "Iron Man"?
He could only think of one product that made logical sense: an iron armor suit!
"So, this is the truth behind 'Iron Man'?"
His gaze was profound and filled with a shining brilliance.
It all makes sense!
Everything makes sense!
No wonder the notebook mentioned him swinging a big hammer in a cave.
Tony Stark was initially confused by that.
But now, it seems that swinging a hammer was just a covert way of making an Iron Man suit?
And this time, the notebook mentioned his "return from escape."
He's just a playboy heir, what power does he have to escape from the Ten Rings, an international organization with centuries of history?
Of course, it's the Iron Man suit!
Finally!
After Zhou Cheng "spoiled" so many fragments of information, the pieces of that kidnapping puzzle were starting to come together.
The truth is, he had created an Iron Man suit during his captivity and used it to escape!
Perhaps this is also the reason why Zhou Cheng repeatedly emphasized how important the kidnapping was to him?
Everything makes sense now!
Tony Stark had clarity in his eyes.
The concept of an armored suit wasn't new, and many capitals had already invested in this field.
There were even many similar proposals within Stark Industries.
But how to put it, the concept was fresh, but the relevant technology hadn't developed to a matching level.
So, it wasn't very cost-effective.
It was more about hype and raising one's status.
But what if it was Tony Stark himself doing the research?
He is Tony Stark, after all!
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein