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S.H.I.E.L.D.
Seeing Tony in this state, Black Widow couldn't help but worry.
"Has Tony become this arrogant after getting the armor?""He's even fighting with his own best friend Rhodes in public! Completely ignoring everyone else around him?!""Does Tony even deserve the title of 'superhero'?"
Nick Fury chuckled. He had noticed many clues.
"No, you're all wrong. Look closely!"
"When Rhodes went to claim the Mark II, there was obviously an identity verification process."
"From my understanding of various high-tech weapons organizations, if this suit were unauthorized, Rhodes would never be able to use it in his lifetime.""Even if it fell into someone else's hands, it would ultimately become nothing more than scrap metal!"
"So the only explanation is that Tony did this deliberately!"
"All the chaos at the party, the fight with Rhodes—everything was designed to lure Rhodes into wearing the armor!"
"At the same time, it was a test—to see if Rhodes was worthy of wearing this armor! Tony wanted to use the fight to evaluate Rhodes' character and combat abilities!"
Black Widow suddenly realized it, but she still had a question.
"Then why insist on giving Rhodes the suit? Why go to such extremes???""It's completely unnecessary! He could have tested Rhodes' character and combat ability in a much gentler way!""It wouldn't have made the scene so… embarrassing!!!"
Nick Fury sighed after hearing her concerns.
"Well, based on the video, Tony transferred his company, made his girlfriend CEO, and donated his own wealth.""Then he let his friend, wearing that suit, fly away.""Clearly, Tony was preparing for his own… funeral!!!""Looks like Tony's really in danger this time…"
Stark Tower
As the saying goes, everyone involved was confused.Those watching from the sidelines could clearly see the situation.
Rhodes immediately realized something was off.
"You deliberately made me wear the Mark II in the video, didn't you?"
In fact, many details revealed the truth:
It was obvious he was intentionally angered.
He could have put on the Mark II directly, bypassing all identity verification.
And in the end, he left wearing the Mark II without Tony stopping him.
Too many details pointed to the same conclusion:if you still insist Tony didn't do this on purpose, it just doesn't make sense.
Tony understood this and nodded.It was a silent affirmation.
Tony: "By the way, Rhodes, what do you think of the name 'War Machine'?""Since you've taken my Mark II away, can I even still call myself Iron Man? That wouldn't fit my name anymore."
Rhodes thought for a moment.Yeah… that was true.
Rhodes: "I think 'War Machine' works.The Mark II I'm wearing is similar to yours, just without the paint.If you make me a real Iron Man suit later, make sure it comes with two submachine guns, a few machine guns, some cannons, and maybe a rocket launcher.""Only carrying that much firepower deserves the title 'War Machine'."
Tony stood next to him, eye twitching slightly.Wow… Rhodes had more imagination than him.
If the suit were built exactly as Rhodes suggested, it might not look great.But if Rhodes wore it into battle,whether for area control or one-on-one combat,it would dominate completely!
Tony looked at Rhodes with growing unease.Things were bad.Had Rhodes already secretly planned all this after seeing my Mark II in the video?
Fortunately, Rhodes was a friend.Otherwise…if someone else had done this—hey!Tony would be dead.
On the screen, a new title appeared:
"Famous Scene 5: A Father's Love Across Time"
Tony froze as he read the title.A flood of complex emotions washed over him.
In his memories, his father had always been eccentric, obsessed with weapons, and neglectful in raising his children.He probably didn't even know whether Tony was in elementary or middle school.If asked whether he preferred his father or mother, Tony would definitely choose his mother.
But…his father died in a car accident.His mother also died in the same crash.
Tony's feelings toward his father were extremely complicated.For that man, he didn't know how to approach these memories.So… he had always kept Howard in his heart.
Now, the next video was about his father's kinder side.Tony clenched his right fist, unsure what he was thinking.
Behind the military base
Young Howard's expression was also complicated.
To be honest, he didn't know how to feel about his own son, Tony.After all, Tony wasn't even born yet in those days.He had never experienced being a husband or raising a child.
Simply put,in the video, his son Tony looked older than he was.
If they met in real life,one would call the other "Dad,"and the other might call him "brother."
From any perspective, it was bizarre.
Although Howard had shown concern for Tony before,this felt more like concern for a distant relative he barely knew.
The next video would reveal Howard's paternal love.Howard felt a bit embarrassed.He really had no idea what the video would show…but he watched the screen, awaiting the next moment.