After listening to Nick's explanation, Tony scoffed and pointed at Natasha, saying, "So, the reason she hasn't appeared for the past two months is because Ron discovered her true identity and kicked her out of the Guardians Alliance, right?"
"Not at all." Nick shook his head. Tony, having learned that he had been under surveillance, must be very wary of him and Natasha now. So, for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s image in Tony's mind, he began to explain, and in doing so, he also threw Ron under the bus.
"It's because Natasha was sent by Ron to monitor you, wanting you to join the Guardians Alliance, which is why Natasha stopped appearing as the Red She-Hulk."
"And the reason I had Natasha approach you was just to confirm your specific situation. You know, Coulson is also one of us at S.H.I.E.L.D. When he came to find you, you weren't Iron Man yet. Would you say I had an agenda with you, or did that Ron have an agenda with you?"
"Most importantly, your father, Howard Stark, was actually one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. It's because of him that I've been so focused on you. Knowing you became Iron Man, that's why I want you to join S.H.I.E.L.D. as well."
"Are you telling the truth?" Tony frowned. His relationship with his father had been poor since childhood, and his father had never told him any of this.
In Tony's memory, his father's happiest day was the day he sent him to boarding school. Because of this, Tony had a very strained relationship with his father since childhood and didn't want to know or understand anything about him.
But Tony still cared deeply for his father. Although his father hadn't spoken many words to him, and they hadn't spent much time together, he would never forget his father, nor those beautiful moments.
If what this one-eyed man said was true, then he really wanted to interact with this S.H.I.E.L.D.
Of course, Tony didn't want to join S.H.I.E.L.D.; he just wanted to know about his father and what kind of organization S.H.I.E.L.D., founded by his father and others, truly was.
"Nick Fury, right? You say my father was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. Do you have any evidence to make me believe you?" Tony asked Nick.
"Of course, but I think you should first talk about your own situation, shouldn't you?" Nick smiled, pointing at the Arc Reactor on Tony's chest, and said.
"You guys even know about my poisoning?" Tony stood up angrily, looking at Black Widow with an unfriendly expression: "Miss Natasha, you'd better apologize to me, otherwise, I will definitely…"
"Tony!" Seeing Tony genuinely angry, Nick quickly interrupted him, saying.
"I know you're poisoned, which is why I'm here to offer you a S.H.I.E.L.D.-developed drug that can inhibit palladium poisoning, slowing its progression. I'll also give you something your father left behind, so you can find a substitute for palladium. So please, calm down, alright?"
Nick's words had an effect. Tony completely ignored Nick's other remarks; his attention was entirely focused on Nick's statement about his father leaving something for him.
So Tony sat back down and said, "Where's the thing my father left for me? Bring it out."
"Alright, Coulson, bring the item up." Nick responded, then spoke into the communicator in his ear.
After Nick finished speaking, Natasha, standing nearby, pulled out the inhibitor she had prepared from her pocket and got up, intending to inject Tony.
However, Tony had already been wary of these two. Seeing Black Widow stand up, he quickly rose too. "I don't need your stuff. If you try to act on your own initiative and lay hands on me again... Jarvis, send me the Mark V armor."
Tony's last sentence was directed in another direction. After his voice fell, a small robot walked towards them.
In the middle of the small robot was a storage cabinet, inside which quietly rested a metal briefcase—it was the Mark V Iron Man armor, Tony's latest successful research.
The Mark V Iron Man armor's main features were its lightness and portability, which is why Tony designed it to look like a briefcase.
However, because of this, the Mark V used much less material, which also significantly reduced its defensive capabilities. Furthermore, due to its size, the Mark V had fewer offensive options compared to other models, making its attack power very weak.
Despite these many drawbacks, the Mark V was still a good armor. The last time Tony confidently went to Monaco was also thanks to the Mark V.
Seeing Tony's vigilance, Nick pulled back the standing Natasha, signaling her not to casually lay hands on Tony again. He let Tony pick up the Mark V, which had transformed into a briefcase, and then said.
"Tony, I can only say that I truly mean you no harm. I'm here only to tell you that the Arc Reactor in your chest is still an unfinished product; it's made based on unfinished technology."
"Your father said that the Arc Reactor is just a stepping stone to a greater technology. He once touched upon a brand new super-energy element, more powerful than all current energy sources. Your Arc Reactor, in front of this super-energy element, is as weak as a triple-A battery, you know?"
"If that's the case, then why didn't he succeed in researching it back then, but instead left this secret with S.H.I.E.L.D. for you to give to me?" Although Nick spoke vividly, Tony didn't believe Nick's words and asked, puzzled.
"He was limited by the technological era of his time and couldn't research that super-energy element. He said that only you, with your current resources and wisdom, can complete his unfinished plan!" Nick replied.
Just as Nick was speaking, two agents carrying a large box walked in through the doorway and placed the box in front of Tony.
Seeing the item arrive, Nick said, "Tony, this is what your father left for you before he passed away. If you want, you can open it and look at it now."
Looking at the large box in front of him, labeled "Property of Howard Stark," Tony was not as anxious as before: "Forget it. Although you must already know what's inside, I still want to open it by myself."
"Alright…" Nick understood the meaning of Tony's words, so he stood up directly and said, "Okay, that's all I'm telling you today. Agent Natasha will continue to work as an assistant at Stark Industries, and in the future, I will continue to keep an eye on you!"
With that, Nick and Natasha left, leaving Tony alone.
Tony looked at the large box in front of him, then glanced at the departing Nick and Natasha, and fell into deep thought.
If everything Nick said was true, and his father really left him clues about a super-energy element, then between the source Ron gave him and the super-energy element his father left him... which one should he choose?
This chapter is late, I apologize to everyone. Also, please consider giving some rewards, 100 Qidian coins is enough. Also, there's a QQ group, 789640072, all fellow readers are welcome to join.