The Avengers? A superhero team? S.H.I.E.L.D.? Heh heh…"
After listening to Nick Fury's lengthy spiel, Tony finally understood why this one-eyed, bald black man was here to see him.
Simply put, the bald black man had formed a team called the Avengers, specifically to deal with criminals, destructive mutants, or anomalous events, all to protect humanity and Earth.
And as Iron Man, Tony's various good deeds over the past few months perfectly fit the Avengers' recruitment criteria. In other words, he had been scouted!
But what was all this nonsense? Not only had this cyclops trespassed into his home, but he also wanted him to join a subordinate organization of S.H.I.E.L.D. and follow S.H.I.E.L.D.'s arrangements. Was this a joke?
Tony's expression was far from friendly. He spoke mercilessly to Nick Fury:
"Cyclops, do you think this is fun? A superhero team? That's just a children's game. We have a powerful army, advanced technological weapons. Even superpowered mutants can only cower in the shadows, can't they?"
"Besides, I don't like working with others. I am Iron Man, a lone Iron Man. I can solve many problems by myself, just like I dealt with those mutants who attacked my factory today. Where were your Avengers then? Hiding at home watching TV shows?"
Although Tony's words were harsh, Nick Fury didn't get angry. He explained:
"Tony, the Avengers have just been formed. Right now, there are only two members. They have a lot to do. I need you to join and make this nascent team stronger."
Tony smiled. "So, if I join your team, what's in it for me? Money or power?"
"This…" Nick looked a bit awkward at that question.
Money was out of the question, and as for power, Tony, as the head of Stark Industries, possessed considerable capital and had excellent relations with the Department of Defense. Power held no real value for Tony.
Seeing Tony's resolute demeanor, Nick knew that if he didn't play some of his trump cards, Tony likely wouldn't agree.
So, Nick said, "Tony, do you know about the Guardians Alliance? The one that appeared in New York a few months ago? They're also a superhero team, with Spider-Man, Gem Girl, and Na… uh, Red-Haired Woman. You know about them, right?"
"Of course, I know. Those guys are indeed pretty good, but ever since I used my Iron Man armor and high-tech methods to fight crime in New York, those guys have rarely appeared."
A hint of smugness appeared in Tony's eyes. As he spoke, he sized up Nick Fury, who was dressed in black, and feigned surprise, continuing,
"I also remember rumors outside saying that the founder of the Guardians Alliance is called Skywalker, and he only appeared once, dressed all in black. Could this Skywalker be you, Director?"
Nick shook his head and said, "That's not me, but I can guarantee that you definitely know this Skywalker."
"Oh? I know him? Don't tell me yet, let me think who this guy is." Tony uttered an "oh" and became interested, saying, "Is it Agent Coulson? Or my bodyguard Happy? Or my good friend, Rhodey from the Department of Defense?"
"None of them." Nick took a sip of the water he had poured earlier and slowly began, "This guy owns half the shares of Oscorp Industries, and he owns a small newspaper…"
Nick hadn't finished speaking when Tony interrupted him directly, exclaiming in shock, "Is it Ron?"
Nick nodded. "That's right, the founder of the Guardians Alliance, Skywalker, Ron Brunstadt!"
"No wonder, I knew this guy wasn't that simple…" Tony didn't doubt Nick's words. He had long felt that Ron was not simple, especially after Ron showed him his superpowers.
Seeing Tony's reaction, Nick continued, "Tony, besides Ron, the members of the Guardians Alliance, Spider-Man, is Peter Parker from the Daily Bugle, and Gem Girl is Jessica Jones. Now you know what that guy Ron was trying to do by approaching you, right?"
"Is Ron trying to get me to join his Guardians Alliance?" Tony frowned, blurting out the question, then immediately grew puzzled.
"But that guy has never mentioned it to me. If he wanted me to join his Guardians Alliance, he should have told me a long time ago. Why hasn't he told me about this until now?"
Unable to figure it out, Tony asked Nick, "Are you telling me all this to say that Ron, and his Guardians Alliance, are actually all S.H.I.E.L.D. people?"
"No, that's just a civilian organization." Nick's expression was a bit helpless as he said.
"Oh? So, you must have approached Ron before, trying to get him to join your Avengers, right?"
As he spoke, Tony smiled happily, "From what I know about Ron, that guy would absolutely never let anyone control him, so you definitely didn't succeed, did you?"
Nick's expression was awkward. "No matter what, Tony, that guy Ron approaching you definitely has ulterior motives. In contrast, the Avengers would be a better choice for you, wouldn't it?"
"Heh heh…" Tony still didn't intend to listen to Nick. He thought for a moment and then suddenly said, "Oh, by the way, the Guardians Alliance also has a member called Red-Haired Woman. She was quite active before, but she's completely disappeared for the past two months. Who is this person?"
"This…" Knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, Nick didn't hesitate and spoke into his Bluetooth headset, "Natasha, come in. No need to conceal your identity anymore."
"Natasha?" Hearing the name Nick said, Tony suddenly found it familiar. This Natasha, why was her name so similar to Natalie, the new personal assistant he had hired recently?
Could this Natasha be his assistant, Natalie?
A moment later, when Tony saw the sexy redhead in a black uniform walking in through the door, Tony knew his guess was correct.
Tony rubbed his forehead, a little headache, then told Natasha, "You're fired, permanently!"
Natasha's expression remained unchanged. She said forcefully, "That's not for you to decide."
"Tony, let me introduce you. This is S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Natasha Romanoff, and also the Red-Haired Woman of the Guardians Alliance." Nick pointed to Natasha and introduced her.
At the end, he added another sentence.
"Of course, that identity as part of the Guardians Alliance is fake. Natasha has always been our S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, and that has never changed."