Natasha shook her head. "I wasn't aware of the initiative."
Smith leaned against the laboratory table. "It's a S.H.I.E.L.D. project to form a superhero team. Tony and I will both be involved."
He studied her reaction carefully. "S.H.I.E.L.D. will definitely place their own agents on the team. You and Hawkeye are both outstanding operatives. You should both be considered. After all, given Fury's personality, he wouldn't allow a special department like this to be filled exclusively with outsiders."
Before the Chitauri invasion, the so-called Avengers would just be a name on paper. No missions, no operations, just a contingency plan waiting to be activated.
Natasha's expression remained neutral. "What do you need me to do?"
Smith smiled slightly. "Nothing extra. Just behave normally. As for the information you want to gather, that depends on what you can find."
Natasha nodded. "Understood. It's unfortunate I can't visit openly like I have been."
As Natasha departed, Smith turned to Bulma. "Thank you for developing the antidote. You've saved many lives."
Bulma's face lit up with a bright smile. "I'm happy I could help Brother Smith."
Smith looked at her thoughtfully. "Tomorrow is the product launch. Remember to get some rest tonight."
Bulma blinked her large eyes. "Do you need me to come on stage and introduce myself?"
Smith shook his head. "I'll handle the product introduction. I'm mainly bringing you to enjoy a change of scenery."
The Chinese Theatre was a beautiful tourist attraction, after all. Bulma deserved an outing after all her hard work.
Hearing they'd be sightseeing instead of working, Bulma's smile widened. She hugged Smith's arm playfully. "Brother Smith is the best!"
Smith stroked her blue hair gently. "Look forward to tomorrow's trip. I need to arrange some work first."
Bulma suddenly perked up. "Oh, Brother Smith! I made improvements to the scouter. It can now display decimal points in power level readings. Like 4.2 or something similar."
She gestured excitedly. "I noticed many people have power levels between 4 and 6, or even lower. If someone has a value below 1, they can clearly see their improvement with decimal precision."
Smith understood immediately. She'd effectively split each power level point into ten increments. "Will this increase production costs?"
Bulma shook her head. "Not at all. The original scouter was already capable of accurate detection. The limitation was unnecessary."
Smith nodded approvingly. This update would actually make the product easier to sell. For ordinary soldiers and agents in this universe, an improvement of even a few tenths of a point mattered significantly and could be felt intuitively.
"Excellent work, Bulma. This is a brilliant idea. I believe we'll receive substantial orders tomorrow."
He squeezed her shoulder gently. "I have some arrangements to make. You should get that rest."
After Smith left, Bulma clasped her hands together happily. "I get to go on a date with Brother Smith tomorrow! What a wonderful day!"
Leaving the laboratory, Smith summoned Fox to his office. He retrieved the control platform and unlocking ring from his desk drawer.
"These control the Black Widows trained by the Red Room and deployed by Dreykov worldwide." Smith gestured to the platform. "This device can control all living Black Widows except Natasha's family. It contains their names and locations."
He handed both items to Fox. "Bulma developed an antidote. I'm leaving these people and the control platform in your hands. Review them and arrange detoxification."
Smith's expression grew more serious. "If suitable candidates emerge, recruit them for our intelligence division."
Fox accepted the control platform, studying it briefly. "Aside from a few ungrateful individuals and those wanting retirement, I expect most will choose to join us."
He looked up at Smith. "People in this profession struggle adapting to life without assignments or objectives. Based on my experience, some who can't adjust themselves eventually return to the same path they walked before. Sometimes to even darker work."
His jaw tightened. "Just like mercenaries."
Smith agreed completely. "Make the arrangements. I trust you'll utilize this group effectively."
Fox nodded, turned, and departed with the control platform and authentication ring.
The next day arrived.
Los Angeles. Chinese Theatre.
The Universal Capsule Company had reserved the entire venue for its product launch. Thanks to Smith's status as a Stark Industries shareholder and his superhero reputation, countless media outlets and reporters descended on the location.
However, many reporters quickly discovered a problem. Without an invitation, they couldn't enter. Only select media with official invitations gained access to the press conference.
The reporters turned away didn't leave. The guest list alone made this event newsworthy. When Tony arrived first, the crowd outside erupted with excitement.
"I knew Iron Man would come! Given their relationship, of course he'd show support."
The moment Tony stepped from his car, reporters swarmed him, shoving microphones toward his face.
"Tony, what are your thoughts on Universal Capsule Company's new product?"
"Iron Man, we heard Colonel Rhodes from the military is attending. Will Universal Capsule's products be weapons-related?"
"Mr. Stark, can you tell us anything about the product direction?"
Pepper Potts and Happy immediately formed a barrier against the press.
"Mr. Stark isn't giving interviews at this time," Pepper announced firmly.
Through Happy and Pepper's efforts, Tony pushed through the reporter circle and entered the venue. The journalists who'd followed to the outer perimeter found themselves blocked by security personnel.
Inside, Tony scanned the assembled guests, his eyebrows rising steadily. Colonel Rhodes from Air Force Weapons Development. Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. General Ross from the military. Directors from the CIA and FBI weapons procurement departments. Even personnel from foreign weapons acquisition agencies filled the seats.
Tony suspected representatives from the KGB, Mossad, and MI6 were present as well. Looking at the crowd, a question formed in his mind. Could Smith's products actually be weapons? Otherwise, why would all these people attend?
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