"Black Pot"

"A helicopter has come to pick me up," Kurumi revealed with a slightly apologetic smile.

Tony glanced at General Brooks not far away and casually hung his sunglasses on his nose, "Oh, that's a pity. It's much more fun riding a 'Happy Jeep' in the desert."

The helicopter had descended nearby, and the wind was blowing freely. Kurumi squinted her eyes, "Well then, Mr Stark, until we meet again."

"Snap!"

The car door was shut by a soldier, cutting off the sand-filled wind from outside. Tony sat in his 'Happy Jeep,' tapping his fingers to a rhythm.

The accompanying soldier was young, seemingly newly enlisted, with a youthful and excited expression.

He seemed to admire Stark a lot. As the vehicle started, he tried to talk with Tony.

Listening to the soldier babbling next to him, Tony didn't have the heart to stop him because he was a fan.

"By the way, do you know who that girl is?"

The soldier was puzzled, clearly not following Tony's train of thought.

After a while, he suddenly realised, "Oh, you mean Brooks."

"Brooks?" Tony furrowed his brow, "Isn't that the ill-tempered general? Forgive me for being frank, but I didn't see any family resemblance between them."

"Well..." the young soldier scratched his head, fumbling with his helmet, "We foot soldiers aren't exactly sure. All we know is that she came with General Brooks, and they seem to have a close relationship."

Recalling Stark's various romantic escapades, the soldier grinned mischievously at him, "Do you want to pursue her, sir?"

"Hmm?" Tony looked somewhat perplexed, his eyes behind the sunglasses fixed on the soldier, "Seriously, do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"Isn't that so?" The soldier didn't mind Stark's somewhat 'unique' reaction, "You're a role model for all American men!"

He paused and then added, "Except for those who aren't into women."

"Look at those pretty ladies. Rumour has it that they all want to get into your bed. Oh, if I had..."

"Stop, soldier. A weak body won't do for defending our country."

The soldier with his firearm nodded to himself and didn't argue, "You're right. But before that, could you sign something for me?"

"If it's not too much trouble, count me in too, sir."

A voice came from the front driver's cabin, and Tony shrugged, "Alright then, where do you want the signatures?"

Tony glanced at the heavily armed soldier, "Are soldiers allowed to leave commemorative symbols on their weapons?"

"No, no, of course not, sir. Please sign here." The soldier instantly dropped his guard, revealing what was underneath.

"Oh~" Tony's mouth slightly hung open, an awkward expression on his face. He had never imagined he would be signing a man's clothing, especially his "underwear."

If it were an attractive woman, he wouldn't mind, for example... that girl in the black dress from before.

Looking at her, her perfect aura, good manners, handsome appearance... Tony raised an eyebrow, "She's just a bit young; maybe her mature demeanour made me forget her age."

"Sir? What are you saying?" The soldier still held out his clothing, ready to receive Tony's autograph.

"Oh, nothing, soldier."

"So, what are we waiting for? I can't wait any longer!"

Tony looked strange. He felt like he had heard that phrase before.

As the pen approached the "men's underwear," Tony seemed to pour all his determination into it.

Suddenly, the pen retracted, returning to its cap, leaving no mark on the "men's underwear."

Tony raised an eyebrow with a self-satisfied expression, saying seriously, "I suddenly remembered something."

"Boom!—"

"Bang bang bang—"

"Tatatata—"

Explosions and gunshots erupted outside suddenly.

The vehicle ahead was blown up instantly. Flames engulfed the cabin, and no one survived inside.

The driver slammed on the brakes, attempting to hide. However, bullets mercilessly struck the glass, producing blossoms of white. He might have been killed already if it weren't for bulletproof glass.

"Fuck!" The soldier yelled, swiftly donning his gear. Despite his youthful face, he was all serious. He was about to leave the car when he turned back, "Sir, the bulletproof vest is down there. Please put it on quickly to protect yourself."

Tony was still dazed. The young soldier opened the car door and rushed out to confront the terrorists head-on.

"Hey? Quick... damn it, damn it!"

Tony hurriedly put on the bulletproof vest. As he looked out the window, he saw soldiers pierced by bullets. This land was oozing blood every second.

When he saw the terrorists blow up the fuel tank, he knew staying inside the car was not a good idea.

He opened the car door and cautiously stepped out. A bomb happened to land beside him...

"Boom!"

A non-standard tactical roll saved Tony's life. He rolled behind a sand dune. Just as he was about to catch his breath and assess his injuries...

Another bomb landed not far from him.

"Oh, fuck!"

Unable to hold back, Tony cursed. Before losing consciousness, he noticed the text on the bomb.

"Stark Industries."

That bomb was one of his inventions he had been quite proud of.

A fragmentary grenade. Even if it didn't kill you with the explosion, the high-velocity, small fragments created by the explosive force would instantly tear through your body.

The bulletproof vest could only offer minimal protection. Afterwards, these tiny fragments would remain in your body, tearing through blood vessels, causing excruciating pain every second, until... you bled out.

Tony... was finally experiencing the consequences of his own creations.

"Killed by my own invention. Is there anything funnier than that?"

...

When the military arrived at the scene, there were no other clues besides the burning wreckage of the vehicle and the bodies of fallen soldiers.

Terrorists had abducted Tony Stark!

General Brooks' face turned incredibly dark, and the accompanying officers were tense, unwilling to breathe.

Initially, a seemingly "ordinary" kidnapping had unexpectedly led to General Brooks.

It was hard to imagine what would happen after Stark Industries learned of Tony Stark's "disappearance."

And as a military contractor that contributed significant tax revenue to the country through Stark Industries, the repercussions of this incident... would be far-reaching.

At least these officers wouldn't take the blame. As for General Brooks, his involvement in this was somewhat baffling.

The military acted, pinpointed the general area, and initiated a search day and night.

No one could have foreseen what seemed like a "routine" kidnapping event—how it would involve General Brooks.