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Inside the cave, Tony Stark began constructing his powered armor. Time was running out, so he hammered the metal again and again, shaping it into exactly what he needed.
After destroying two hideouts, Smith Doyle finally located the mountain where Tony Stark was suspected to be imprisoned.
The sun had not yet risen; the sky was only beginning to lighten.
Scanning the area below with his combat power detector, Smith Doyle saw a large group of weak enemies and paid them little mind. He was certain this was the place—the sheer number of Stark Industries–manufactured weapons confirmed it. The firepower here was far greater than at the previous sites.
Studying the defensive layout below, Smith Doyle grew concerned that a direct assault might endanger Tony Stark. He therefore summoned Poole from his system space.
"Master Blacksmith!"
Turning to the figure that appeared beside him, Smith Doyle said,
"Poole, I need you to infiltrate the cave below using your transformation ability. In the deepest chamber, there are two people. One of them has a glowing circular object embedded in his chest. His name is Tony Stark."
"Your only task is to protect him and ensure he is not put in danger."
Poole looked down toward the cave and replied calmly,
"Understood, Master Smith. I will ensure the target's safety."
Poole drifted downward, transformed into a gecko, and swiftly crawled inside.
Smith knew that if he wanted Tony's cooperation, he had to rescue him before Tony escaped on his own. Otherwise, once Tony broke free independently, the favor he could gain would be greatly diminished. If he intervened before Tony took action, then even if Pepper Potts paid the price, Tony Stark himself would still owe him a favor.
Smith Doyle had complete confidence in Poole's abilities. Even if he launched an attack from outside and the enemies inside attempted to use Tony as a hostage, Poole would be able to stop them and buy him enough time to rush in.
Locking onto Poole's signal on the combat detector and seeing that he had penetrated deep into the cave, Smith Doyle knew it was time to act.
He condensed a gas bomb in his hand and hurled it toward the defensive position below.
"Boom!"
The gas bomb exploded the instant it reached its target, kicking up clouds of dust.
The massive explosion immediately alerted the guards below.
"Enemy attack! Defend the base!"
Alarms blared. Inside a tent, Zara jolted awake, grabbed her weapon, and rushed outside.
As the smoke cleared, the guards saw Smith Doyle standing before them and opened fire with their submachine guns.
"Rat-tat-tat!"
Bullets poured toward Smith Doyle like rain.
Clink. Clink. Clink.
The bullets struck his body, throwing off sparks, some of them falling harmlessly to the ground.
The sight stunned everyone. Some of them even stopped shooting.
"Since you've stopped attacking," Smith Doyle said calmly, "now it's my turn."
He raised his right hand, sending another gas bomb flying into the crowd—carefully avoiding the ammunition storage to prevent a chain explosion.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions rang out one after another, blasting the Ten Rings members into the air.
In moments, countless members of the Ten Rings lay dead or wounded. Smith Doyle showed no mercy, swiftly eliminating every hostile in front of him.
…
Inside the cave.
Tony Stark was nearly finished with the armor. After completing the final component, all that remained was assembly. Just then, the explosions outside startled him, causing him to stop his work.
He looked at Yinsen and asked,
"Yinsen, what's going on outside? Was that an explosion?"
Yinsen moved to the door, pressed his ear against the frame, and listened carefully.
"It sounds like an attack. I hear machine-gun fire and explosions."
Tony Stark's eyes lit up. Uncertain but hopeful, he said,
"Could it be the military? Did they find this place?"
At that moment, a gecko crawled in through a crack. After spotting the two men inside, it immediately fixed its gaze on Tony Stark.
Bang!
Poole reverted to his original form, appearing directly in front of Tony.
"Tony Stark?"
Tony staggered back in shock and shouted,
"What are you?"
Even someone as worldly as Tony Stark had never seen anything like this—a blue cat floating in midair and speaking.
Yinsen was equally stunned, stammering,
"An alien?"
"From another planet?"
The sight had clearly shaken him to his core.
Poole ignored Yinsen and addressed Tony Stark directly.
"Tony Stark, my name is Poole. I was sent by Master Smith to protect you."
Yinsen glanced at Tony, who looked equally confused. He had no idea who this so-called "Master Smith" was, nor how this blue-cat-like creature could possibly hold off a group of armed militants. Could it really withstand a hail of bullets?
His armor was nearly complete. Once assembled, it would be able to protect him—but assembling it would take time. And judging by the chaos outside, time was something he might not have.
Hearing the constant explosions and shouting outside, Tony Stark asked uncertainly,
"Who is Smith?"
"Were you sent by the military to rescue me?"
"Is the firefight outside because of you?"
Tony didn't recognize this creature or the name Smith Doyle. The only people he could imagine rescuing him were the military or his own company. Since he didn't know them, the military seemed the only possibility.
Perhaps this strange being was some kind of secret weapon developed by the armed forces.
After hearing Tony's questions, Poole explained calmly,
"We are not soldiers. But the disturbance outside was indeed caused by Boss Smith. He is dealing with the Ten Rings."
At that moment, the Ten Rings guards monitoring the cave also noticed unusual activity from the prisoners. They were shocked to discover a strange creature had appeared.
"What is that?"
"Go check on Tony immediately—and capture that thing!"
Three armed Ten Rings members rushed toward the cave where Tony was being held.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Poole said quickly to Tony,
"They're coming. Hide, now."
Tony Stark and Yinsen exchanged glances and followed the advice, moving to cover and blind spots while holding the prepared armor in front of them as a shield. Poole floated to the entrance and hid above the cave opening.