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Tony Stark had been kidnapped by terrorists while demonstrating the latest Jackley Missile in Afghanistan!

The earth-shattering news swiftly seized every headline.

Tony Stark himself was a man who attracted attention, regularly making headlines even in ordinary times.

Now that such a famous figure had been kidnapped, the entire world was genuinely shocked.

Some applauded, while others lamented.

But most people were merely spectators enjoying the spectacle.

So what if he had been kidnapped? What did it have to do with them?

During this time, Stark Industries’ stock price also slid like it was on a playground slide.

Watching the battlefield in Afghanistan on television, where the ground was covered in devastation, vast stretches of desert had been vitrified, and even solidified lava had appeared, Xu Yue naturally knew that Reincarnators with "more advanced intelligence" had also arrived in Afghanistan ahead of time and fought fiercely over who would get Tony Stark.

Fully aware of the Space’s inertia and already knowing about the big shots backing them, Xu Yue could not help but shake his head and sigh at the devastated battlefield. He had already given up on such a shortcut, so he truly did not know where they got the courage.

Xu Yue was not worried about Tony’s safety. Even if the Reincarnators succeeded, all they wanted was an easier way to grind Tony’s favorability. Wouldn’t they have to serve him like he was the Empress Dowager?

"It’s about time. I should go find Pepper Potts."

While that group of Reincarnators had secretly slipped off to Afghanistan to fight to the death, Xu Yue went to the entrance of Stark Industries and waited for his prey.

By evening, he finally saw Pepper Potts emerge from the main entrance, looking exhausted as if she had not slept well.

Tony’s close friend and lackey, Happy, was beside her, seemingly acting as her bodyguard.

Happy’s chubby, comical face was also filled with worry.

Tony Stark was the backbone of both their lives. Now that he had been kidnapped, it felt as though their souls had gone with him.

Just as they were about to get into the car, Xu Yue walked over.

Potts was still only Tony Stark’s assistant and did not yet have the authority she would possess in Iron Man 2, so she had not drawn much attention. The bootlicking reporters were all focused on Obadiah Stane, Stark Industries’ second-in-command.

"Miss Potts, could we talk?"

Xu Yue’s approach immediately drew Happy’s vigilance. He raised his fists in a boxer’s stance and shielded Potts behind him, his face practically saying, I dare you to try something.

But Xu Yue ignored him completely, merely staring straight at Potts as he waited for her response.

"I’m sorry, but I’m tired. I don’t want to give any interviews."

Potts was in no mood to talk and refused outright.

"It concerns some information about Mr. Tony Stark. If you aren’t willing, then forget it."

With a faint look of disappointment, Xu Yue turned and walked away, but two voices quickly called out from behind him.

"Wait!"

"Hold on!"

Potts and Happy spoke almost in unison. Happy even reached out to grab Xu Yue’s clothes, but Xu Yue evaded him without leaving a trace.

"Oh, it seems there is something to discuss after all…"

"Bastard! At a time like this, you’re still trying to sow discord within our board of directors. You must be a Spy they sent."

Inside the car, Potts slammed her hand against the console in front of her, while Happy, in the driver’s seat, appropriately displayed his strength by crushing an aluminum can in one hand.

"Oh, if Miss Potts didn’t believe me, then instead of scolding me, she should be throwing me out of the car."

Xu Yue smiled as he replied.

"Evidence."

Potts did not argue. She merely spoke with a cold expression.

Tony’s safety was what mattered most right now. As for internal conflicts, they could settle those slowly after Tony was safe.

"The evidence is on Obadiah Stane’s office computer. The kidnappers who took Tony should have been in contact with him. With your abilities, I imagine it wouldn’t be difficult to crack his password and obtain the relevant information."

Xu Yue casually began selling out Obadiah Stane again.

"What do you want, and even if we know, how are we supposed to save Tony?"

Potts asked calmly.

"Me? I just get along rather well with Mr. Tony. Mr. Happy should have seen me before."

Xu Yue picked up a delivery rider’s helmet and put it on, then smiled at Happy, who had finally recognized him.

"You’re that pizza delivery guy?"

"You’re that superhero who acts on a whim, Delivery Man?"

Happy and Potts spoke at the same time again, making the smile on Xu Yue’s face twitch slightly.

Given Potts’ relationship with Tony, it was perfectly normal for him to share such an amusing incident with her. Xu Yue simply had not expected that guy to give him a nickname too.

Delivery Man?

That really was…

"There’s actually no need to worry too much about Mr. Tony’s safety. Have you seen those strange battle scenes? Quite a few heroes like us, silently fighting on the front lines, have gone to rescue Mr. Tony."

Xu Yue promptly used the other Reincarnators to reassure Potts.

"But even if you obtain evidence that Obadiah Stane planned Tony’s kidnapping, it will still be difficult to bring him down directly. It would be best to wait until Tony returns safely before dealing with this. I’m only telling you in advance so that you can prepare yourselves and be careful."

After saying that, Xu Yue opened the car door on his own, found a bicycle in the corner, and rode away.

The two people in the car both fell into thought, seemingly considering its credibility and feasibility.

"Uh, well…"

After a long silence, Happy was the one who simply broke it.

"What is it? Did you think of something?"

Potts asked, her eyes lighting up.

"No, I mean, that bicycle he rode away on seems to be the one I use to lose weight…"

"…"

In the Marvel Universe, the highest-tier items currently available without question were the six Infinity Stones.

However, without the Infinity Gauntlet, the Infinity Stones could not be used at the same time.

The Infinity Gauntlet was currently with Thanos. Xu Yue had no plans concerning it in the short term, at least not during this mission.

Still, he had to get at least one Infinity Stone first.

Yet because of the Living Tribunal’s "rules," or perhaps because of the interference between the Infinity Stones, he could only choose one before obtaining the Gauntlet. Naturally, he had to select the one most compatible with himself. While taking one for himself, he also had to ensure that the other Stones did not fall into Thanos’ hands. Otherwise, that already difficult opponent would become impossible to deal with.

The easiest Stone to obtain was undoubtedly the Space Stone, which had been recovered along with Captain America and placed in S.H.I.E.L.D. for research.

Before finding a more suitable one, finding a way to acquire this Stone and study it was clearly the choice most in line with his current mission.

Becoming a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and then approaching the Space Stone had always been two mutually reinforcing goals.

And Tony was an important stepping stone for him to enter S.H.I.E.L.D.

By his calculations, he should be back soon, their Iron Man…