Fantastic Five?

Just as Russell was about to have No. 3 revert the battle armor back to its Symbiote form, he suddenly remembered a passage.

A quote from Capital Theory.

"If there's a 20% profit, capital will be restless; if there's a 50% profit, it will take risks; if there's a 100% profit, it will dare to face the danger of the gallows; if there's a 300% profit, it will dare to trample over all human laws."

Thirty million in cost, fifty million in price...

Russell suddenly felt like he had a bit too much conscience!

No, this won't do!

Since he had decided to become a capitalist in the capitalistic country of the United States, how could he still have something like a conscience?

No!

This wasn't what a qualified capitalist should do!

Russell internally criticized himself for a moment.

Then, he turned to the Zaku-form battle armor and said to No. 3 inside, "Continue to weaken the performance of the Zaku mass-produced units and keep the cost under twenty million US dollars!"

"Understood, sir!"

Without any hesitation, No. 3 immediately responded.

A cost of twenty million US dollars and a selling price of one hundred and twenty million US dollars!

A five hundred percent profit!

This is the kind of "conscience" a qualified capitalist should have!

As for whether he would be hung from a lamppost for this "conscience," Russell wasn't concerned at all. In the United States, where capital reigns, it's unrealistic to think a "conscience-filled" capitalist would be hanged.

After having the battle armor reverted back to its Symbiote form, Russell left the laboratory and returned to his office on the third floor.

The Zaku battle armor could potentially become the early flagship product of the Octopus Monster Military Industrial Laboratory. Whether he could turn the pie that once belonged to Stark Industries into the property of the Octopus Monster Laboratory largely depended on these Zaku battle armors.

Once in his office, he made a call to a Republican senator.

During his years as an assassin, he had built some small connections of his own.

This Republican senator was one of them.

After explaining his idea to the senator, who owed him a favor, the senator readily agreed to his request.

His request was simple: he wanted to meet with some high-ranking military officials. Establish some connections.

For the senator, Russell's request wasn't difficult at all.

With a product ready and potential buyers in line, the next steps were pretty straightforward.

After hanging up the phone, Russell once again delved into his leisurely activities.

Gaming!

Since completing that blacksmith game, gaming had become his go-to relaxation method.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

During these three days, Russell continued his "superhero whitewashing plan" while keeping an eye on the progress of the Zaku battle armor.

According to No. 3, they just needed two more days before the first Zaku battle armor would be ready.

By then, he could take the armor to meet the military bigwigs and transform the laboratory from a mere research institution into a full-fledged military-industrial enterprise.

This was a crucial step for the Octopus Monster Laboratory and a pivotal step for Russell to become a capitalist.

Brooklyn.

Russell, transformed into his "Serum" form, had just completed today's "act of kindness" mission. He had handed a group of bank robbers who were looting a cash-in-transport van over to the arriving police.

Just as he was about to extend his tentacles to leave the scene, an orange-red figure resembling a fiery man streaked toward him like a missile.

Before he could depart, the flying fire man had arrived in front of him, blocking his way.

Human Torch!

No need to ask, this fiery figure was Human Torch Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four.

Once he landed in front of Russell, Johnny quickly extinguished the flames on his body, returning to his human form.

With the flames gone, Johnny, who looked like a twin brother of Captain America but with a completely different demeanor, said to Russell, "Hey, buddy, don't leave just yet!"

Seeing the identical appearance but vastly different temperament of Johnny, Russell furrowed his brows slightly.

If Captain America was the embodiment of a virtuous and perfect soldier, then Human Torch Johnny was a carefree playboy.

Though their temperaments were different, they shared a common characteristic aside from their looks.

The classic American derriere!

Because of the tight suit, Johnny's American derriere looked even firmer and rounder than Captain America's.

Though Russell hadn't met Human Torch Johnny in person, he was familiar with him.

Johnny was currently dressed in the Fantastic Four's uniform, a dark blue skintight suit adorned with various brand logos on the chest and back.

These colorful brand logos made the Fantastic Four emblem on the uniform seem inconspicuous.

Perhaps noticing Russell's attention on the logos, Johnny smiled and asked, "Are you also interested in brand sponsorships?"

"No!"

Glancing at the overly familiar Johnny, Russell quickly responded.

Before he had a chance to continue their conversation, a crowd of reporters rushed over, snapping away frantically at the two of them.

Flashes were going off wildly, and Johnny smiled, greeting the surrounding reporters like a Hollywood star.

While greeting the reporters, Johnny once again displayed his casual personality by placing his hand on Russell's shoulder.

If not for the presence of the reporters, Russell really wanted to throw this overly familiar guy out.

"Mr. Serum, are you really forming a new superhero team with Mr. Jonathan?"

"What do you think of the 'Human Torch and Serum' for the new team?"

"Who is the leader of the new team?"

"Will the Fantastic Four become the Fantastic Five?"

....

The reporters jostled to ask questions to Russell and Johnny, almost wanting to thrust their microphones directly in their faces.

Russell had also watched Johnny's press conference a few days ago.

But he had no intention of teaming up with Johnny at all.

Even if he were to join forces with other superheroes, he would team up with Gwen, not Johnny.

"In our new team, there is no leader; everyone is equal."

"I've extended an invitation on behalf of the Fantastic Four to Mr. Serum. As long as he's willing, Baxter Building welcomes him at any time."

Johnny smiled as he answered the reporters' questions.

This guy...

Watching Johnny confidently converse with the reporters, Russell decided to regain control of the narrative.

"The Fantastic Four is a superhero team I admire, and each member is remarkable."

"Especially Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, they have been role models for me."

"I personally look forward to collaborating with the Fantastic Four, but as of now, I haven't received an invitation from Mr. Fantastic."

Russell's words were tactful, but the reporters on-site immediately grasped their implications.

His message was clear: whether or not he joins the Fantastic Four, Jonathan's say doesn't count, as Johnny is not the leader of the Fantastic Four.

---

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my patreon which already contains 20 chapters: 

https://www.patreon.com/XElenea