Howard insisted that he wasn't weaker than others in his life—even his son wouldn't dare try to surpass him.
Lucas said speechlessly, "Are you planning to replace your son as Iron Man? Sure! You can be the first-generation Iron Man, let your son be the second generation, and find a third-generation Iron Man before your son retires."
[CHAT GROUP]
Howard Stark: Something like the Hokage system? Nah… We all know that system is garbage anyway!
Senju Hashirama: ...
Senju Tobirama: ...
Namikaze Minato: ...
Howard Stark: The name Iron Man is a bit vulgar. What do you think of the nickname 'Mr. Man'?
Lucas: Yes, you and your son's shamelessness and narcissism are indeed inherited in the same bloodline.
Senju Tobirama: Howard, could you really research mechanical armor? If you had such technology back then, you wouldn't have been killed so easily, right?
Senju Hashirama: If I remember correctly, Howard was killed by a sargent. If the ranking system in this world is similar to that of the Pirate World, then Howard's strength must be truly weak.
Fisher Tiger: If I recall correctly, the Marine system should be like this—Sergeant/Officer, Lieutenant, Captain, Vice Admiral. Marine Admiral is the highest rank, with Sergeant/Officer being the second lowest.
Golden Lion Shiki: What about Fleet Admiral Marine?
Fisher Tiger: Fleet Admiral Marine is just a position; the rank is still Admiral.
Howard Stark: This world differs from the pirate world and doesn't determine status based on personal strength. Besides, I'm not combat-oriented—you all know this.
Senju Tobirama: In that case, Howard, why didn't you develop mechanical armor to protect yourself? You claimed you're no worse than your son!
Howard Stark: I was researching medicines to improve physical fitness. Mechanical armor wasn't within my research scope. You must understand that my energy is limited.
Lucas: Howard, were you capable of creating mechanical armor back then?
Howard Stark: Simple armor would have been fine, but energy was always a critical issue. Although I conceived solutions to the problem, the technology at that time wasn't advanced enough to implement my ideas. So I synthesized that energy method and passed it to Tony through secret channels.
Senju Tobirama: Because his wisdom was beyond his time, many problems couldn't be solved? What about Vegapunk. He has claimed to be 'beyond his time'—what are you showing off about?
Howard Stark: Fine! Alright, can't I admit my mistake? Second Hokage, you're really persistent!
Uchiha Madara: Senju Tobirama is just a sly bastard—don't take him too seriously.
Howard Stark: No problem! Let's ignore him and continue discussing mechanical armor. Although current technology hasn't reached my expected level, I now have limitless energy. With the Group Leader's assistance, technological limitations won't be an issue.
Whitebeard: Gurararara! Howard, do you want to replace your son as Iron Man to prevent his future death?
Howard Stark: I'm not concerned about that. I believe the Group Leader will help resolve it. Additionally, I want to know how Tony sacrificed himself to save the universe.
Pirate King Roger: I want to know too! Group Leader, are you certain he saved the universe rather than just a planet? We all merely inhabit one planet—it's difficult enough to save a single world. How could he save the entire universe?
Senju Hashirama: If Tony Stark truly sacrificed himself to save the universe, it suggests future events in this world could endanger the entire universe. This isn't promising, considering even our Group Leader cannot destroy the universe.
Howard Stark: Group Leader, what crisis did Tony resolve?
Lucas: Remember the Cosmic Cube you studied?
Howard Stark: Could it be that mythological god appeared and initiated a war ? A divine conflict could indeed destroy the universe. But how did Tony address this crisis? He's merely mortal!
Pirate King Roger: Gods? Unbelievable! Mythical like Pluto, Poseidon, Uranus?
Uchiha Madara: If that's the case, this world is fascinating. No wonder the Group Leader indicated the world has such depth that even gods exist.
Sebastian Shaw: If I recall correctly, the Cosmic Cube is indeed Odin's treasure in mythology.
Lucas: Gods do exist in this world, but they're simply powerful space races with technology and magic that appear divine to ordinary people. If the Ōtsutsuki clan from the Ninja World were introduced here, they might also qualify as gods.
Uchiha Madara: The Ōtsutsuki clan? If they're a race with Sage of Six Paths abilities, then calling them gods is appropriate. So, will there truly be a divine war in this world?
Lucas: There's no Divine War or God War! If anything, it would be the Infinity War caused by the Infinity Stones.
Howard Stark: What are Infinity Stones? You mentioned they're connected to the Cosmic Cube.
Lucas: Infinity Stones were formed from universal laws, possessing rule-based power like Devil Fruits in the pirate world. Simultaneously, they contain infinite energy, similar to the Ten-Tails in the Ninja World, representing primordial forces.
Whitebeard: A war over these Infinity Stones nearly destroyed the entire universe? That's difficult to believe! Even the most powerful Devil Fruits in the pirate world couldn't trigger a world-ending conflict.
Senju Tobirama: I see! Is the Group Leader exaggerating about saving the universe? Just like those powers that previously claimed to destroy the world.
Lucas: To address Whitebeard's question first—Infinity Stones aren't as numerous as Devil Fruits, only six exist. Moreover, their power far exceeds Devil Fruits. Someone who collects all six Infinity Stones could snap their fingers and eliminate half of all life across the universe.
Howard Stark: Impossible!
Whitebeard: How could such a thing happen? If Infinity Stones are truly that powerful, Devil Fruits aren't worthy of comparison.
Lucas: I merely stated they're similar regarding rule-based power—who asked you to compare their strength? Devil Fruits and the Ten-Tails correspond to one planet, while Infinity Stones correspond to billions of planets across the universe!
Senju Tobirama: Consider the terrifying power a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki wields on the ninja planet. One genjutsu could exterminate all ninjas. After collecting six Infinity Stones, eliminating half the universe doesn't seem impossible.
Lucas: It's beyond that! Someone with all six Infinity Stones is far more terrifying than a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki in terms of authority. The Ten-Tails Jinchūriki has only power, but someone with six Infinity Stones can reshape the universe at will.
Howard Stark: Is this the crisis Tony averted? But if Infinity Stones caused the problem, what's the connection to the Cosmic Cube?
Lucas: The Cube's core is the Space Stone—one of the six Infinity Stones. How else could it possess infinite energy?
Howard Stark: I see. Group Leader, do you want the Cosmic Cube?
Lucas: That's right! It is powerful, and I need its abilities.
Howard Stark: The Cosmic Cube isn't my property—I can't decide to give it to you, Group Leader!
Lucas: If the Cube isn't yours, wouldn't that be better? I can take it without any psychological burden...
Howard Stark: ...
Golden Lion Shiki: Shihahaha! The Group Leader is right—just take what you want. Since this item doesn't belong to Howard Stark, the Group Leader needn't hold back.
Lucas: Indeed! I hesitate to take things from group members, but others' possessions are fair game.
Howard Stark: Fine! Since the Group Leader wants this object, you can acquire it yourself. Do you need my help locating it?
Sword God Ryuma: Seriously? The Group Leader intends to take your planet's important treasure, and you won't stop him—you'll even help? Hasn't the Group Leader already explained the Infinity Stones' value?
Howard Stark: Precisely because I understand the Infinity Stones' significance, I recognize Earth shouldn't possess such items. If the Group Leader doesn't claim it, these gems will eventually attract others to our planet, potentially causing devastation.
Whitebeard: Gurararara! As long as the Infinity Stones leave this planet, any war over them won't involve Earth. Is that your reasoning, Howard?
Golden Lion Shiki: I think you should work harder and attempt to harness the Infinity Stones' power. Are you so afraid of conflict even after obtaining such a powerful treasure?
Howard Stark: I've researched the Cosmic Cube for years without meaningful results. The Group Leader mentioned this object resembles Devil Fruits—don't you understand Devil Fruits' nature? Simply possessing one doesn't guarantee mastery!
Senju Tobirama: Indeed! A weakling like Howard Stark couldn't utilize either Infinity Stones or Devil Fruits effectively.
Doflamingo: Fufufufu~ Devil Fruits depend on development. Personal application of abilities far outweighs the fruit's inherent power.
Tohsaka Tokiomi: Haven't you all realized? The Cube is Odin's mythological treasure. Did Odin lose it? If so, those holding the Cube should exercise caution.
Lucas: Odin didn't lose the Cosmic Cube—he deliberately concealed it on Earth. He recognized the trouble Infinity Stones would bring, so he hid it elsewhere.
Howard Stark: Even the king of gods fears the Cube's consequences. This object must be removed. Group Leader, do you know the Cube's whereabouts?
Lucas: "I don't know—I need your investigative assistance. Have you contacted anyone from S.H.I.E.L.D.? To my knowledge, they possess the Cosmic Cube, but I can't determine its exact research location."
Lucas knew where the Cube would be twenty years later but was uncertain of its current placement. Howard Stark could help investigate, saving Lucas the effort.
Although Lucas could use genjutsu to discover the Cosmic Cube's location and retrieve it himself, such actions would draw unwanted attention.
Before acquiring the Infinity Stones, Lucas preferred maintaining a low profile, given his limited influence in this world.
Howard Stark: "I'll contact them soon! But when meeting them, how should I explain my changes? Mentioning the Group Leader seems inappropriate, but fabricating excuses won't fool them."
Lucas: "Simple—divert their attention with more critical information. I'll give you valuable intelligence to share with the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director—Nick Fury will surely earn his trust."
Howard Stark: "What intelligence?"
Lucas: "S.H.I.E.L.D. has been infiltrated by HYDRA, and Pierce, the former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, is a HYDRA member. Is this information sufficient?"
Howard Stark was stunned: "What What What?"
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