The Monaco Grand Prix was the epitome of human extravagance and engineering—a spectacle of speed and danger. For Tony Stark, it was the perfect stage for his oversized ego and craving for attention. But for the Realm of Origin, it was the convergence point of Ivan Vanko's vengeance and the beginning of a new trial for Iron Man.
In the observation chamber of the Realm of Origin, holographic screens projected images of the media chaos surrounding Tony. His illness, caused by palladium poisoning from his arc reactor, was becoming more and more visible. His erratic behavior, excessive partying, and apparent indifference to his impending death worried those close to him—and, by extension, Naruto's council.
"He's burning out," said Tsunade, her piercing gaze analyzing Tony's medical data, transmitted by the avatars. Despite her own immortality and power, she felt deep empathy for Stark's suffering. "The palladium is destroying his body from within. He's drowning in hedonism to escape the reality of his end."
"He needs a catalyst," Naruto observed, his tone laced with compassion. "A confrontation that will force him to face his mortality. Pain can be a powerful motivator. But we must ensure he doesn't self-destruct before he finds the answer."
Natasha, with her intimate knowledge of self-destructive tendencies, nodded. "He's pushing everyone away—Pepper, Rhodey. He's testing them, pushing them to their limits, to see who stays. It's how he copes with fear."
The moment had arrived. The Realm of Origin's sensors detected Ivan Vanko's arrival in Monaco. His energy signature, though weak compared to cosmic beings, pulsed with murderous intent. He had managed to build a crude version of his suit and whips, powered by his own arc reactor.
"Vanko is in position," Sasuke announced, his crimson eyes fixed on the racetrack. "His plan is to strike during the Grand Prix, destroy Stark in public, ruin his image and his life."
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, his decision made. "We won't intervene directly to stop Vanko. Tony must face this threat. It's his trial. But we will minimize civilian casualties and ensure Tony has a fair chance."
The energetic avatars of the Realm of Origin were deployed. They were invisible, intangible, yet capable of subtly interacting with physical reality and the human mind.
As Vanko unleashed his electrified whips on the racetrack, panic erupted among the crowd. Avatars, led by Hinata and Kushina, briefly materialized as pulses of energy. They didn't physically move people, but used subtle telepathic "suggestions" to guide the masses toward the safest exits, creating unexpected escape corridors. Mysterious "winds" pushed debris away from the densest areas. The result was a faster, less chaotic evacuation, significantly reducing casualties.
Tony, without his armor, was vulnerable. Rhodey tried to throw him the Mark V suit, but the distance and confusion made it difficult. One of Naruto's avatars, blending into the frenzy, gave Rhodey an energetic boost—just enough to enhance his coordination and strength, allowing him to launch the suit with perfect precision. It wasn't overt magic, just a nudge that changed the course of a critical second.
During the fight, avatars of Tobirama and Sasuke analyzed Vanko's electrified whips. They quickly grasped the principle behind their function and their weaknesses. These insights were subtly "planted" into the mind of JARVIS, Tony's AI system. JARVIS, in turn, provided Tony with real-time data on Vanko's attack patterns and weapon flaws, enabling Iron Man to adapt more quickly.
Natasha, through her avatars, ensured that SHIELD agents on-site—including Phil Coulson—became more efficient in securing the area and managing the aftermath. She "suggested" faster containment protocols and improved team coordination, minimizing the duration of the chaos.
Despite his illness and erratic behavior, once inside his suit, Tony Stark fought with the fury of a man who had nothing left to lose. The information subtly enhanced by JARVIS allowed him to counter Vanko's attacks and ultimately defeat him. Vanko was captured, his plan for vengeance thwarted—but his message of destruction had been delivered.
The Realm of Origin watched the scene unfold. The victory belonged to Tony, but it had been guided by unseen hands.
"He survived," Tsunade said with a sigh of relief. "But the illness is progressing. He doesn't have much time unless he finds a solution."
"This is only the beginning," Naruto replied. "Vanko is just a pawn. And Tony still needs to face the true legacy of his father and discover a new energy source. Our work isn't finished."
The Monaco Grand Prix was a media disaster for Tony Stark, but a personal triumph. He had proven that he was still Iron Man, even without his main suit. However, the incident had also drawn the attention of the U.S. government, which now demanded that Tony hand over Iron Man technology.
In the Realm of Origin, the council gathered to assess the situation.
"Pressure on Stark will intensify," Natasha explained. "The government will push him to the edge. And Justin Hammer will try to exploit the situation by using Vanko."
"Hammer is dangerous because of his incompetence and unrestrained ambition," added Tobirama. "He's the perfect catalyst for Vanko's plan. He'll give him the resources he needs without understanding the consequences."
Naruto watched the projections of Tony, alone in his mansion, battling his illness and the demons of his past. "It's time to push him toward the truth. The secret his father left behind is the key to his survival. And we must ensure SHIELD is involved enough to contain the threat of Hammer and Vanko—without seizing full control of the situation."
The next chapter of Tony Stark's story was about to unfold. And the Realm of Origin would be there, watching from the shadows, guiding events toward a future where heroes could rise and protect their world.