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The moment the armor successfully powered up, the cave's electrical system instantly overloaded. The lights above exploded one after another, plunging the detention chamber into complete darkness.
At that moment, Tony was wearing the Mark I armor. He flexed his fingers and bent his knees, testing the joints. Everything felt normal. With unmistakable pride, he spoke:
"Gentlemen."
"Allow me to present to you the latest invention of the most talented scientist in the world—Tony Stark."
With those words, Tony piloted the Mark I armor out of the cave. Though the armor looked crude and bulky, its massive frame gave Yinsen an unexpected sense of security.
Smith Doyle, Puer, and Yinsen followed behind Tony, who was clearly eager to show off, and stepped outside the cave as well.
Tony surveyed the battlefield outside. Corpses littered the ground, along with severed limbs—but none of it caused him the slightest discomfort. These were the scum who had kidnapped him and nearly killed him. What truly caught his attention was Smith Doyle's strength, which he now understood far more clearly.
Ignoring the bodies entirely, Tony began demonstrating his invention.
Iron fists. Reinforced legs. Arm-mounted missiles. Even flamethrowers.
Tony Stark showcased them all.
As for the battlefield itself, Tony's "demonstration" had already reduced it to ruins. Anyone who came here afterward would be left in awe of the sheer destructive power of technology.
Smith Doyle watched with interest. Even Puer seemed intrigued, while Yinsen stared in astonishment at Tony's creation.
The only downside was that Tony had no opponent—and the corpses on the ground obviously weren't going to fight back.
After firing the weapons, Tony activated the flight system built into his arms and shot straight into the air, shouting excitedly:
"Did you see that?!"
"My armor is flying!"
"Haha—!"
Tony didn't even get three seconds to brag before the propulsion system suddenly shut down. His body immediately lost control and began plummeting toward the desert below.
"What—?!"
"Help!"
Whoosh!
Smith Doyle used his aerial movement technique and flew up instantly, grabbing hold of Tony's armor and lifting him before he could crash.
Tony stared wide-eyed at Smith, who had just saved him again.
"Oh my God," Tony exclaimed."You can fly?!"
"What are you—Superman?"
"Thank you for saving me again."
Yinsen's mouth hung open as he stared in disbelief.
"Is he… a god?"
Puer thought for a moment and said seriously,
"According to how people here refer to him, Master Smith basically is God."
Hearing that, Yinsen fell silent for a moment—then hurried over toward them.
Smith gently set Tony down on the sand. Tony opened the faceplate of his armor and said awkwardly,
"The environment was rough, and the materials were terrible. Once I get back, I want to build a truly reliable suit."
Smith smiled.
"I believe you."
Hearing Smith's affirmation, Tony's smile grew even brighter.
"Smith, I'll invite you to see my new armor as soon as possible. Trust me—I won't disappoint you."
Smith chuckled.
"I just hope you won't fall out of the sky next time."
Tony waved dismissively.
"This was a supply issue. It won't happen again."
Smith glanced at Yinsen and Puer running over and said,
"The armor's been demonstrated. Let's prepare to leave."
Smith Doyle took out a satellite phone and made a call to his people in the Assassin Alliance.
"Send a helicopter to these coordinates. Pick us up."
At that moment, Smith found himself missing the space pod. If he had one, he could have simply flown them back himself. He wasn't sure whether Bulma could recreate one under these conditions.
I hope we can find the materials here, he thought.Otherwise, even Bulma's skills would be useless.
Before long, a helicopter arrived above them. With Smith's help, Tony boarded while still wearing the armor. The four of them then flew toward the Afghan airport.
At the airport, Yinsen bid everyone farewell, saying he was returning to his hometown. He also declined Tony Stark's invitation to go to New York.
After transferring to a private jet at the airport, Tony removed the armor with Puer's help.
The plane was already en route to New York.
Tony took a shower, dried himself with a towel, changed into the clothes provided on the jet, and stepped out.
He looked at Smith Doyle, who was calmly eating a meal, and couldn't help feeling curious.
This man could fly. He had a flying blue cat. His combat power was terrifying. In Afghanistan, he could casually summon helicopters and private jets.
Is he some kind of fusion between Superman and Batman?
After glancing at the interior of the jet, Tony couldn't help complaining:
"Your status is pretty special, but this private jet is still a bit lower quality than mine."
"If you get the chance, I'll show you my jet."
"If you like it, I'll just give you one."
Faced with Tony's outrageously extravagant remarks, Smith Doyle didn't care in the slightest about the criticism.
"Then I thank you for your generosity."
He pushed a plate forward.
"Have a steak. Eat something."
As Tony began cutting into his steak, Smith took out his phone and made another call.
"Miss Pepper Potts, I've successfully rescued Tony Stark. You were right—he was kidnapped by armed militants. They've all been eliminated."
"Tony is safe now. We're on a plane and should arrive in New York in about six hours. You can arrange for someone to pick him up."
"Alright, I'll let Tony speak with you."
Smith placed the phone on the table and gestured to Tony.
Tony picked up the phone and began talking to Pepper.
"I'm fine. Really, not hurt at all."
"I'm your boss. I'm amazing."
"I told you I developed an incredible technology. Those guys were no match for me."
"Haha—but seriously, thank you for inviting Smith Doyle."
"It's a shame I didn't even get to properly fight."
Listening to Tony joke and reassure Pepper, Smith merely raised an eyebrow, unconcerned. His gaze drifted to the metal case beside him—the Mark I armor stored within.
The Mark I had been born.
And the birth of Iron Man was no longer far away.
Soon, the call ended. Tony set the phone down and looked at Smith.
"Thank you."