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"You really do know everything," Natasha said flatly, her expression unreadable.

"Since you know my connection to Batman, you should've expected that Batman would tell me about everything. And that means I know about you."

Anton shrugged casually and added. " But it's also entirely possible that I know things Batman doesn't."

Natasha frowned slightly, sensing layers of meaning in Anton's words. Yet, no matter how she analyzed it, she couldn't determine exactly what Anton was implying.

Soon, Coulson met Anton.

"Anton, I'll get straight to the point," Coulson said, his face serious. "What's the deal with Cyborg? Is he yours, like Arrow?"

"Batman should have told you that he's forming a superhero team," Anton replied, pausing before adding, "I think you already know the name of that team, right?"

"Justice League," Coulson said promptly.

"Yup."

Anton nodded. "Cyborg is a member of the Justice League and one of its founders."

"And what about DC Company?" Coulson pressed. "The current works published by DC—Superman, Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and so on—are they all members of the Justice League too? Plus, DC is simultaneously preparing three movies: Cyborg, Batman: The Dark Knight, and a brand-new movie, Superman!"

He paused for a moment before continuing, incredulous. "Don't tell me the next superhero from DC is going to be this Superman!"

His disbelief stemmed from two things.

First, the Cyborg movie described him as a semi-mechanical, bioengineered human created using alien technology. But Superman? He was a 100% alien!

Coulson, who had extensively researched DC Company and its characters, found himself doubting the authenticity of these stories. Yet, a nagging thought lingered in his mind:

What if it's true?

Second, if all these characters were indeed members of the Justice League, as he'd learned, then the organization could already possess power levels beyond that of most nations.

If such a strong organization existed, why were they only surfacing now? And, more importantly, how had S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence network never heard of them before?

It was all an unsolved mystery.

"On that point, I can't answer your question," Anton said with a casual shrug. "Coulson, time will reveal the answers. Time has a way of answering everything."

Coulson frowned. He didn't quite understand Anton's cryptic words. Was he saying they'd find out eventually?

Beyond the Justice League, Coulson had already identified other individuals of interest: Venom, Spider-Man, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And perhaps, though he wasn't sure, Daredevil, who had been off the radar for a while.

Adding Green Arrow and Cyborg to the mix only amplified Coulson's concerns.

"Fine," Coulson said, deciding not to press Anton further. S.H.I.E.L.D. was certain that even if Anton wasn't Batman himself, he had close ties to him. 

Anton was likely a full-fledged member of the Justice League and maintained connections with its other members.

"I'll report this," Coulson said with a sigh. "Anton, someone will be in touch with you."

With that, Coulson knew he wouldn't get any more useful information from Anton, so he politely took his leave.

Watching Coulson walk away, Anton touched his chin thoughtfully.

'Coming after me instead of going to Batman?'

'Why? Is my identity compromised, or does S.H.I.E.L.D. just think I'm an easier target?'

Suddenly, Tony's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Anton, looks like you've caught their attention too," Tony said, his tone laced with amusement.

Anton turned to see Tony approaching, his familiar smirk accompanied by a glint of mischief.

"Typical Coulson," Tony added, the man's high hairline making him as memorable as always.

"If you're in the mood to laugh at me, why not focus on your own troubles, Tony?"

Anton glanced at Tony, his expression calm and unbothered. With a light chuckle, he turned and walked away.

The Dr. Octopus incident had come to an end, and lingering at the scene served no purpose. It was better to return to his office and take stock of the gains.

[Arrested Dr. Octopus Otto: System rewards 3 million Justice Points]

[Current Justice Point balance: 13 million]

The last time Anton checked his balance, it was at 9 million. How had it suddenly jumped to 13 million?

Curious, he reviewed the details and discovered that the system had rewarded him an additional 1 million points for resolving the Foot Clan incident—something he had overlooked.

Though the amount seemed small, Anton wasn't one to complain. 'Even small rewards add up', he thought, accepting the bonus without hesitation.

Meanwhile, behind him, a pair of eyes followed Anton's departing figure intently.

"My troubles?"

Tony frowned, his expression darkening as if struck by an unsettling thought.

Anton must know something!

Recalling Anton's connections to Batman, Tony found it unsurprising that Anton might have some insider knowledge.

"Hmph!"

Tony scoffed, his mood souring further. Without another word, he called Happy to drive him away, feeling oddly defeated.

The reporters, watching two of New York's most talked-about figures vanish so casually, could only sigh in frustration.

At the edge of the experimental platform, Obadiah Stane stood amid the ruins, his gaze cold and calculating.

Staring at the aftermath of Otto's failure, his anger simmered dangerously.

"Waste!"

Obadiah ground his teeth, his voice a low growl. "It's all a waste!"

His fury wasn't over the financial loss—though that was significant—but rather because he had placed so much faith in Otto. He had seen Otto as a key player in his plans, and now, that trust had backfired spectacularly.

It was like trying to carry water in a basket—nothing remained.

The consequences of this debacle were clear to him: Stark Industries' stock price would plummet further tomorrow, perhaps catastrophically so.

Stark Industries was his lifeblood.

Everything Obadiah valued—his power, wealth, ambitions, and dreams—was tied to the company. There was no separating the two.

For Obadiah, the solution was obvious: eliminate anyone standing in his way.

He had resisted making such a drastic choice before, but the time for hesitation was over.

In his mind, he believed he was better suited for leadership than Tony—not because of charm or innovation, but because of sheer pragmatism.

Yet, despite his determination, there was one undeniable truth: Tony Stark was the only person capable of reviving Stark Industries.

Obadiah hated admitting it, but he no longer denied it.

His thoughts turned grim as his gaze grew darker. He envisioned the armor stored in Stark Industries' secret New York lab—the one he had named Iron Monger.

The only way to salvage the company now was to secure massive military contracts and prove to the world that Stark Industries was still the dominant arms manufacturer it had always been.

Tony's declaration to withdraw from the arms industry had shaken their reputation. Obadiah could see it now—the mighty "lean camel" that Stark Industries had become, but it was no longer invincible.

And that, to Obadiah, was unacceptable.

"Tony..."

His fists clenched tightly as he whispered the name through gritted teeth.

Turning toward his car, flanked by bodyguards, he stepped inside, his expression set with cold determination.

Seated in the car, Obadiah stared out at the city scenery passing by, his gaze unfocused and distant.

The driver, though silent, could sense the murderous tension filling the air inside the vehicle.

"Tony..."

Obadiah muttered to himself, his voice so low it barely registered. "I thought this could have been an opportunity for us to work together."

He closed his eyes and leaned back, feigning rest, though his mind was far from calm.

Later that same day.

At DC Corporation, after a long day at work, Anton was preparing to head home when someone walked into his office.

It was Natasha.

Anton was about to greet her when he noticed another figure following closely behind her.

Even though Anton had never met this man in person, he recognized him immediately.

Raising an eyebrow, Anton leaned back in his chair, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"What a rare guest!" he remarked, his tone light but laced with intrigue.

Turning to face the man fully, he leaned back comfortably in his chair and said, "The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., no less. To what do I owe this honor?"

…

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