After that, whether Tony was interested in the Super Soldier Serum or had another objective is unknown, but it seemed he made contact with General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross through Rhodey's introduction.
I was busy because the two super yachts I ordered earlier had arrived at the island and I was modifying them. One, with Nano's help, was built with cutting-edge technology far surpassing Earth's scientific level within the Marvel worldview: energy shields, space navigation, anti-gravity technology, and automatic repair using nanoparticles.
The other was intended for use as an Avengers mobile base, so it was equipped with active camouflage panels (stealth), an arc reactor engine, and aerial navigation using plasma thrusters like Iron Man, similar to Marvel's tech level. Both yachts had powerful artificial intelligence and a landing pad large enough to fit one Quinjet.
And since the size was large, I also ordered one super-large ship just in case other international organizations might raise objections. This ship was being built as an aerial comprehensive resort ship that could fly, similar to a helicarrier, with 4 large fans and 2 emergency fans for contingencies, containing hotel, theater, and casino facilities.
Making three ships cost a lot of funds, but considering my current wealth, it wasn't even a dent. Since I had no talent for naming these constructed vessels, I took Nano's recommendation and named them as follows:
The ship with the cutting-edge technology for my use: 'Nautilus'
The ship for use as the Avengers mobile base: 'Odyssey'
The aerial comprehensive resort ship: 'Lakshmi'
Being busy making ships like that, two years passed quickly. That's not to say I was stuck on the island only making ships. I participated in the Stark Expo with Tony and helped with the production of Iron Man Mark 5. And I continued sponsoring Kamar-Taj.
SHIELD, having been severely tricked by the Baby Shark virus once, didn't intrude on the island or do such things afterward.
2010, now the starting point of Iron Man 2 was approaching. The 'Nautilus' was now completed and stored in my inventory, the 'Odyssey' was undergoing final checks. And the resort ship was also almost in the completion stage. While checking the 'Odyssey's systems on the island, I got a call from Tony.
"Jin, why is it so hard to see your face lately?"
"Oh~! Tony, long time no see. I'm busy with a new business."
"Anyway, you know there's a hearing soon, right? I understand why they called me, but I don't know why they called you."
"Tell me about it."
I had a rough idea. The ships I was building must have been captured by satellite. Even if the 'Odyssey' made as the Avengers mobile base is one thing, the resort ship 'Lakshmi' was about the size of the island, so it was clearly visible. In fact, there was an intentional aspect to hiding the two ships.
"Then, see you at the hearing. Let's have a drink after it's over."
"Great! Then, see you then."
A few days later, Tony and I met in front of the Capitol building.
"Long time no see. Jin."
"Good to see you, Tony. And Miss Pepper."
"Hello, Jin."
We exchanged greetings with handshakes.
"What have you been so busy with?"
"Actually, I made something for a new business. That's why."
"Oh~ really? Can I come see it later?"
"Sure. You'll be surprised when you see it."
"Really? I'm looking forward to it."
Anyway, I was only going to show the resort ship, so it didn't matter. Then my secretary raised her arm and tapped her watch. It was a signal that the hearing time was approaching.
"Let's go in now."
Tony and I sat side by side in the witness seats, and Pepper and my secretaries sat in the back row. Senators entered one by one, and the hearing began.
"Technology is highly advanced, weapons that threaten security—"
At that time, despite being in the hearing, Tony was critiquing the female reporters around me, then turned around and asked Pepper which good restaurant we should go to today. Pepper flustered and gestured for him to look forward, but Tony kept talking. Unable to bear the sight, Senator Ben Stern banged his gavel and called Tony.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Mr. Stark, please. Could you look forward? Mr. Stark!"
Then Tony reluctantly looked forward and said.
"Yes, miss."
Hahaha
People laughed despite it being a hearing at Tony's joke.
"Please focus!"
"Sure."
The attack came directly at Tony.
"You possess a special weapon? Iron Man, I mean."
"That is not a weapon. It's a state-of-the-art high-tech prosthetic."
Hahaha
People laughed again, thinking it was a joke. But Tony, as if this time it wasn't a joke, continued immediately.
"That's the most appropriate analogy."
"Mr. Tony Stark, that is a weapon. Surrender the Iron Man suit to the state."
I knew Senator Ben Stern was a HYDRA operative, so I knew he wasn't attacking with pure intentions. It wasn't for the country, but because it interfered with their grand scheme.
"That's not possible. I am Iron Man, and the suit and I are one. That is, you're asking me to offer my body. If I handle my body carelessly, I'll get arrested for prostitution. I can't offer it."
Hahaha
With two years of Iron Man's activities, public opinion was not on Ben Stern's side. So Ben Stern called for reinforcements.
"I'm not an expert in this field, so I've invited a weapons expert separately. Mr. Justin Hammer supplies weapons to the Department of Defense and is a weapons expert."
Justin Hammer is the CEO of 'Hammer Advanced Weapon Systems,' a rival company of Stark Industries. He came to the witness stand, took the microphone, and gave a speech.
"Tony Stark has created a sword of infinite possibilities. But he claims it's a shield and tells us to hide behind it and trust only him. I want to trust you too. Sincerely. Because I want to live in a safe world with open doors. The grave threats looming ahead are something even Mr. Stark cannot predict. Thank you."
Senator Ben Stern clapped loudly and induced others to clap, and some people followed with applause.
"Well heard, Mr. Hammer. Now let's hear from Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes (Rhodey)."
"What? Rhodey?"
Tony was quite surprised, seemingly not expecting Rhodey to be at the hearing, and stared at Rhodey entering the hearing room. Rhodey greeted Tony and sat in the witness seat.
"This is a weapons report related to Iron Man prepared by Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes. Could you read line 4 on page 57?"
"Are you asking me to read only a specific excerpt? That could distort the meaning..."
"Just read it, Lieutenant Colonel."
"...Understood."
"'Since he is not affiliated with the government, Iron Man could be a threat to U.S. security and interests.' But if you look at the following part, the utility value is greater so..."
"Ah, that's enough."
Rhodey tried to defend Tony somehow, but Ben Stern kept interrupting, so he couldn't say anything.
"And could you show the photo materials related to the report?"
A satellite photo appeared on the monitor set up in the hearing room. The photo was of low quality, making some buildings and equipment hard to recognize.
"The equipment in the photo taken by reconnaissance satellites are enemy nations replicating Mr. Stark's suit. According to intelligence analysis, these suits could be operational at any moment."
Then, Tony next to me fiddled with his smartphone, hacked the screen, and said to Rhodey.
"There's other material. Let me borrow the screen for a moment."
Tony hacked the hearing room monitor and showed a video. Then people began to murmur.
"Everyone, look at the screen. That is North Korea."
The screen showed a crudely made suit, with North Korean speech, unable to walk properly, falling over, malfunctioning, and shooting people around it.
"Next is Iran."
Iran was also similar, a video of the suit emitting black smoke, flying around, then crashing to the ground and exploding.
"Turn it off now!"
Seeing that video, Ben Stern urgently spoke. Then Justin Hammer got up from the witness stand and began looking for a way to turn off the monitor.
The next video showed Justin Hammer testing a suit.
"Is that, Hammer? Hammer also makes suits?"
Justin Hammer's suit test video was a horrific scene where the lower body was stationary and the upper body suddenly rotated 180 degrees, with the scream of the occupant heard.
Ugh...
The hearing attendees watching the tragedy frowned, sighed, and buzzed.
Hammer, unable to find a way to turn off the monitor, just pulled the plug, and the monitor finally turned off.
"As you can see, there is no grave threat. It would take other countries at least 10 years to make one. Hammer company, 20 years."
Tony stood up triumphantly and spoke loudly.
"Since I am acting as a war deterrent, America is safe, so don't think about taking my stuff! I have achieved world peace on behalf of the government."
Then the hearing attendees stood up and applauded.
"But what more do you want? Cut out this clown show!"
Unable to contain his anger, Ben Stern cursed.
"Fuck you, Stark! Sigh... Everyone, go have lunch and prepare for the afternoon hearing."
Rhodey, Tony, Pepper, my secretaries, and I left the hearing room and moved to the cafeteria.
"Impressive, Tony?"
"What, this is easy for a genius. Right, Pepper?"
Pepper sighed and said.
"Did you prepare that video material in advance?"
"No, I hacked it on the spot."
"What? Then what were you going to do if there was no video material?"
Pepper asked Tony as if it was absurd.
"Well, wouldn't it have worked out somehow?"
"Really... Should I say that's so like Tony..."
We arrived at the cafeteria and continued talking while eating.
"I think I'm done, next is your turn, Jin? Still don't know why you were called?"
"No, I know. I also prepared all the materials to defend myself."
Then Rhodey spoke with a serious face.
"Tony got through well, but Jin might not have it easy. The evidence is too solid."
"What evidence? Jin, what did you do? Get into an accident after drinking?"
Rhodey, as if finding it absurd, looked at Tony and said something.
"You think Jin is like you?"
"You never know. Jin is still young, it's the age to get into one or two accidents."
"Jin is 32, right? Really... he sure could get into accidents."
Frankly speaking, I was 48 in the bunker, went through Konosuba and a few more works, and added 12 years here, so I was 61. Cute guys.
"Anyway, I said I was making something new. That must be what got caught."
"What is it?"
"A giant flying ship."
Rhodey didn't seem that surprised, as if he already knew, but the others were greatly surprised and spoke.
"What? Really? Is that why you were so hard to meet?"
Tony, being an engineer, was very interested in such things.
"Yeah, I was busy making that, couldn't contact you."
"Got any pictures? Let me see."
"Not now. I'll show you after the hearing is over."
"Okay. I'll pick a date and come visit. Show me around."
After finishing the meal, we returned to the hearing room. Hammer and the senators also returned. The hearing began again, and Ben Stern spoke.
"I hope everyone had a good meal. We begin the afternoon hearing. First, everyone look at the satellite photos."
The monitor, which had its plug pulled, was working again, perhaps reconnected after lunch. And on that monitor, a satellite photo was displayed showing my island and the resort ship 'Lakshmi', which was about the size of the island.
"Chairman Jin has purchased as many as three ships over the past three years. One is a super-large ship and two are super yachts. But now the super yachts are nowhere to be seen, and the super-large ship was modified, gradually growing in size until it became similar to the size of Chairman Jin's private island."
The monitor showed satellite photos with about a month's time difference. Then the super yachts had disappeared at some point, and the large ship had various attachments added, visibly growing in bulk. Seeing it like this was kind of interesting. It was like watching those old YouTube time-lapse videos of plants growing or animals getting bigger.
"Let's hear from Agent 'Phil Coulson' of the international security agency under the World Security Council."
An international security agency under the World Security Council meant SHIELD. Looking back, I saw Phil Coulson holding documents coming to the witness stand. SHIELD had been messed with by me a lot, so it was obvious Phil Coulson wouldn't say anything good. Phil Coulson sat in the witness seat and placed the documents on the table.
"Agent Phil Coulson, please read the report on Jin's privately owned island."
"Understood. Jin's privately owned island has extremely tight security, with hundreds of armed drones constantly patrolling so no one can easily approach. Underwater drones also roam to prevent easy approach from the sea. No people have been observed coming or going; only enormous amounts of supplies being moved by drones have been observed. It is completely unknown what the island is used for. That is all."
"Then, I'll ask Chairman Jin. What on earth are you doing on this island?"
"I'm building a Gundam."
=============================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 51
Link: patreon.com/UltraMagnus_T