Hey, Isopuff here
You've probably wondered why I haven't posted in a while. The truth is, I had to focus on two big things: graduating from college and taking care of my health. I went through some serious health issues that meant lots of hospital visits and a mountain of medication. Some of those meds had tough side effects; the worst one made me super drowsy, so I ended up sleeping most of the time.
Because of that, I had to step back from posting for a few months. But in July, I tried uploading a few chapters to see if I still had it, and now, as of last week, I'm feeling better than ever! I'm still on some medication, but not nearly as much as before, and my motivation is finally back.
I really love reading and sharing stories, whether it's fanfiction, manga, web novels, manhwa, or regular novels, and translating cool ones for others is something I truly enjoy. That's why I'm so happy to finally say:
ISOPUFF IS OFFICIALLY BACK!
Thank you so much to everyone who stuck around. I appreciate you all!
> Updates are daily, with at least one guaranteed chapter on Patreon and Ko-fi.
> On Webnovel, updates will be every other day (so if I post on Monday, the next one will be on Wednesday, and so on).
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Stark Industries
"Rhodey, I hate to bother you, but… do you have any updates?"
Pepper Potts paced back and forth across Tony Stark's office, her grip tightening around her phone. Her voice was steady, but the tension behind it was impossible to miss.
On the other end of the line, James Rhodes let out a quiet sigh before responding.
"Pepper, I'm really sorry, I wish I had better news, but we still haven't found anything."
Her heart sank. She had been expecting that answer, but hearing it still felt like a punch to the gut.
"I understand. Thank you, Rhodey. If anything changes, please let me know immediately."
"You know I will."
With that, the call ended.
"Well?"
Happy Hogan, who had been standing nearby, leaned in the moment she lowered the phone. His expression was tense, holding onto the smallest sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, there had been good news.
But all he got in response was a silent shake of her head.
His stomach dropped.
"You still have a whole stack of business cards, right?" Happy pressed urgently. "Keep calling. Someone's got to know something."
Pepper didn't need to be told twice. Without hesitation, she scrolled through her contacts and dialed the next number.
"Agent Hansen, I'm sorry to bother you, but it's been a week now. Have you found anything?"
There was a pause before the agent responded, her tone clipped and professional.
"Ms. Potts, you'll be contacted immediately if we uncover any information. Until then, please remain patient."
"I understand. Thank you."
She ended the call, her expression growing darker. Still, she refused to stop.
One call turned into another. Then another. Then another.
Every government contact, every security firm, every potential lead—she exhausted them all, desperate for even the smallest shred of information.
But each time, the result was the same.
Nothing.
"Pepper?" Happy's voice was cautious, almost hesitant, as he studied her expression.
Pepper let out a slow breath, shaking her head helplessly. "I'm sorry, Happy."
Frustration boiled over in him instantly. "Mr. Stark was right. These people really are just a bunch of useless bureaucrats! It's been days, and they've come up with nothing!"
Pepper didn't argue. She wished he was wrong, but the truth was staring them both in the face. No matter how many calls she made or how many strings she pulled, the results were always the same—dead ends and hollow reassurances.
Her fingers clenched around the phone. "I just hope Tony's okay…"
She thought about his personality—the arrogance, the sharp wit, the stubbornness. The way he never knew when to back down.
And if that Tony Stark had fallen into the hands of terrorists…
The mere thought of what they might do to him made her chest tighten, the air suddenly too heavy to breathe.
Happy slammed a fist against the table, his patience snapping. "Damn it! Are we really just supposed to sit here and wait?"
But before he could spiral any further, Pepper lifted her head, a new spark of determination flashing in her eyes. "No, Happy. I think… there is something we can do."
Happy's head snapped up. "What? What do you have in mind?"
She didn't hesitate. "We need to turn to the people who can actually help us."
With that, Pepper grabbed her phone, logged into her social platform, and sent a message to a private group chat.
Pepper Potts: "@Everyone, I'm sure you've all heard about what happened to Tony. I'm really sorry for reaching out so suddenly, but I have no other choice. I need your help!"
Pepper Potts: "I get that this isn't your problem, and I won't blame you if you ignore this. But I'm desperate. If any of you have any leads, please help me find Tony Stark."
Pepper Potts: "And don't worry, your efforts won't go unrewarded. No matter what happens, I'll personally make sure everyone involved is compensated."
Her message immediately stirred the group chat to life.
The first to respond, unsurprisingly, was Deadpool, the infamous chatterbox.
Wade Wilson: "Pepper, I hate to be the one to crash your little hope train, but it's been days. And trust me, in my experience, that's a very bad sign. Statistically speaking, the odds of Tony Stark still being alive? Pretty damn low."
Wade Wilson: "Like, if I had to bet on it, I'd say there's at least an 80% chance he's already pushing up daisies."
Pepper's fingers tightened around her phone as she immediately fired back.
Pepper Potts: "No! I refuse to believe that! Tony is alive—I know it! Something's keeping us from finding him, but he's out there!"
Another message popped up almost instantly.
Michael Morbius: "I agree. A man like Tony Stark wouldn't go down that easily. Don't worry, Pepper, I'll use every resource I have to help track him down."
Helen Cho: "Pepper, don't let panic cloud your judgment. Stark will be fine. Someone with his wealth and influence? No one in their right mind would actually kill him."
Helen wasn't just offering empty reassurances—she was stating a fact.
Stark Industries wasn't some run-of-the-mill corporation. It was a giant, a global powerhouse with deep ties to the military and the government.
Anyone foolish enough to lay a hand on Tony Stark would be declaring war on forces far bigger than they could handle.
Then, another message came in.
Wilson Fisk: "Ms. Potts, I won't make any promises, but rest assured—I will do everything in my power to assist you in this search."
One by one, more members of the group chimed in, offering their support. Some were motivated by genuine concern. Others, by self-interest. A few, perhaps, by simple morality. But in the end, nearly everyone agreed to help.
Pepper Potts: "Thank you, everyone! I can't tell you how much this means to me."
Yet, despite the flood of responses, despite the overwhelming support…
Pepper couldn't shake the sinking feeling of disappointment.
Because the one person she truly wanted to hear from—the mysterious Shopkeeper—had yet to say a single word.
Yes, there were capable people in this group. Some of the best in the world.
But none of them compared to him.
None of them compared to the enigmatic figure who sold Devil Fruits.
Like everyone else, Pepper knew very little about the enigmatic Shopkeeper. But one thing was undeniable—someone who could sell something as miraculous as Devil Fruits was no ordinary person.
And yet, despite all the chaos, despite the flood of messages in the group chat, he had remained utterly silent.
No words of reassurance. No cryptic hints. Not even an acknowledgment.
Pepper hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard. She hated the idea of bothering someone like him, someone so elusive and powerful.
But Tony's life was on the line.
And if there was anyone who might have answers, it was him.
Taking a steadying breath, she gathered her courage and typed out a message.
Pepper Potts: "@Shopkeeper, I know I shouldn't be bothering you, but… may I ask for your help in finding Tony?"
For a long moment, there was nothing. Just the blinking typing cursor and the quiet thrum of her anxious heartbeat.
Then, at last, a response appeared.
Shopkeeper: "Pepper, there's no need to worry. Although Tony Stark hasn't been found yet, he's alive. He is in no immediate danger."
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Next Chapter: The Formation of the Devil Fruit Task Force
Next Next Chapter: S.H.I.E.L.D. Has No Authority in the Face of Devil Fruit Users
Next Next Next Chapter: The Dawn of Iron Man
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