Even though he was back in his familiar Stark Industries building, and even though he had seen his trusted Pepper Potts, Tony Stark still couldn't bring himself to be happy.
As America's most famous super-genius and the boss of the top-tier Stark Industries, he had been imprisoned by a terrorist organization for nearly three months. How could someone as extraordinary as him accept such a humiliating event so easily?
Thinking about the three months he had been imprisoned and coerced, and recalling the scene yesterday when Ethan fought desperately against the terrorist organization to ensure his Iron Man suit could fully activate as he escaped, Tony's resolve grew even stronger.
He had witnessed the sins he had personally committed, and he had tasted the bitter fruit of his own actions. Therefore, he would change everything, just as he had previously sought revenge on those terrorist organizations!
Supported by Obadiah, Tony walked through the reporters and arrived at the press conference podium, but instead of standing, he sat down on the steps in front of it.
"Hey, can everyone just sit down? This way, you can see me, and I can see you. It won't be so formal."
Tony pulled out the hamburger he had just bought from his pocket, took a bite, and then gestured for the reporters in front of him to sit down as well.
The reporters were naturally very confused. Tony Stark had always been a playboy who cared about his image, so why would he casually sit on the ground?
However, Tony Stark had been missing for so long, and he returned with bandages wrapped around him. They understood his situation and followed suit, sitting on the ground.
"You know, my father died in an accident, and I never had the chance to say goodbye to him…"
Tony glanced at the reporters, who were now at eye level with him, put his hamburger aside, and slowly began to speak.
"There were some questions I really should have asked him, asked him how he felt about what the company did, if he ever conflicted, if he ever questioned, or if he was simply the cruel, cold-blooded person the news reported, who disregarded life…"
"And on this trip, I saw young American compatriots killed. They were killed by the very weapons I manufactured, weapons meant to defend and protect them. And I have become one of those cold-blooded individuals, comfortable with the consequences that arose from this…"
"My eyes have been opened. I feel I need to contribute more to this world, and not just by manufacturing powerful explosive weapons…"
As he spoke, Tony completely shed his previous seemingly relaxed demeanor, his expression becoming increasingly determined. He stood up, walked to the podium, and broadcasted his message at the loudest volume into the microphone.
"Therefore, effective immediately, I will be shutting down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing division until one day I can decide what kind of future this company will have, to become a company that truly contributes to our country, to our world!"
… As soon as Tony Stark uttered these words, the reporters sitting on the ground became agitated. They quickly stood up, eager to interview Tony Stark about why he had made such a decision.
At this moment, Ron, who was sitting nearby, patted Peter's shoulder, calling out to the somewhat stunned Peter.
"Alright, the show's over, we can go now."
"Uh…" Peter responded, "Speaking of which, I really don't understand Mr. Stark's decision. Stark Industries' main business direction is weapon manufacturing. If the weapon manufacturing department is really shut down, Stark Industries' stock will definitely plummet drastically!"
"Oh, Peter, when did you become so interested in corporate development? You even know that doing this will cause Stark Industries' stock to plummet. Not bad, you."
Ron was genuinely surprised. Peter usually seemed like a bookworm; he didn't expect him to know something about these things.
"It's nothing, really, I just read the news sometimes and I understand." Peter chuckled, then asked, "By the way, Ron, you dragged me all the way here, wasn't it just to see Tony Stark, was it? That's not like you."
"Of course it was, what else would I have to do? Hurry up, aren't you supposed to pick up Gwen for a drive? Get a move on."
Ron's expression remained unchanged; he ignored Peter's question and walked away.
Watching Ron walk ahead, Peter snorted inwardly and followed him.
He wouldn't believe that Ron came here just to watch some excitement.
Peter had seen how miserable Miss Natasha had been lately, and he wondered who Ron would trick next… "Why would these two guys be here?"
In another corner of the hall, Agent Coulson looked at the departing figures of Ron and Peter in the distance, his eyes filled with confusion.
Coulson's mission this time was simply to investigate Tony Stark's disappearance. He didn't expect to find no results for that matter, but instead to run into the legendary Skywalker and Spider-Man.
Although Black Widow's mission was extremely secretive, as Nick Fury's confidant and the first agent to discover Skywalker and Spider-Man, Coulson naturally knew Ron and Peter's identities.
Without hesitation, Coulson immediately dialed Nick Fury's number and informed Nick about Ron and Peter's appearance at Stark Industries.
On the other end of the phone, Nick Fury also sounded confused, "Are you sure about what you're saying?"
"Yes, Director, I guarantee with my life, what I saw is absolutely true."
Hearing Coulson's affirmative reply, Nick Fury frowned heavily.
Nick was quite annoyed about Ron.
The Avengers Initiative was now fully underway, and Nick desperately needed people he could use to form a superhero team. So, after learning Skywalker's true identity, Nick sent Black Widow to investigate Ron, to see if Ron could join the Avengers.
However, on the very first day he sent Black Widow, she immediately told him that Ron was also forming a superhero team, and its name even seemed to be in opposition to the Avengers, called the Guardians Alliance. This made Nick very frustrated.
Although the Guardians created by Ron, like his Avengers, were both protecting humanity, and their goals were very consistent with the Avengers Alliance.
However, what Nick wanted was a powerful team that he could control, not another 'Guardians' formed by so-called civilian superheroes that he couldn't control at all!
Although Nick was angry, he hesitated to act rashly due to his apprehension about Ron's abilities. He simply had Black Widow continue to monitor Ron and gather the latest information.
But now, why had Ron suddenly come to Stark Industries? What the hell was going on?
He had just sent Coulson to investigate Tony Stark, and now Ron had also shown up. This was clearly meant to oppose him!
Nick struggled internally. He desperately wanted to send people to capture Ron, but he still couldn't give the order.
Because he was afraid, afraid that this move would directly trigger irreversible consequences.
Just like when Professor X found him, that terrifying ability to directly invade minds was something Nick could never forget.
After a moment of internal struggle, Nick finally abandoned his idea and spoke into the phone.
"Coulson, don't worry about Skywalker for now. Continue investigating Tony Stark. That's your current mission."
"Yes, Director."
Coulson responded, shifting his gaze from Ron to Tony Stark on the other side, and followed him.