Chapter 55: Twisted Fate"You're a dangerous man—does the CIA or FBI just let you roam free? You know what I mean…"
Tony drew a finger across his neck in a throat-slitting gesture.
"Hm, it's not as dramatic as you think. I've even worked with the FBI before. Sure, I might be on some of their blacklists, but it doesn't really matter,"
Charles replied casually.
"So you really are that powerful. So strong that the entire U.S. fears you—respects you—but also dreads you. That's why you can live so peacefully, right, Charles?"
Tony's words chilled the air. His greatest asset was, without question, his mind. And if Charles was telling the truth, then Tony's deduction had to be spot-on.
If he were just a regular psychic mutant, the U.S. government and military would've had a thousand ways to "accidentally" remove him. No one likes the idea of having their memories violated. A power like that is born to be feared and resented.
But Charles… he was so powerful that even the U.S. government had to tread carefully.
"Yes, Tony. I won't deny it—you're a genius. You're right.
They fear me. They dread me."
Charles didn't bother hiding it. A man like Tony would've uncovered the truth eventually, probably even about the Cuban Missile Crisis if he tried hard enough.
"Because I possess the potential to erase all of humanity… in an instant."
His words froze the atmosphere.
"…I'm joking. You didn't take that seriously, did you?"
Charles smiled and turned his wheelchair around.
"Just make sure you keep your promise, Tony."
"Don't worry. I'm Tony Stark. I never break a promise."
Watching Charles wheel away, Tony wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Joke or not, he and Happy weren't fools. Everything Charles said just now was very, very real.
"Let's go. Today we got a whole new understanding of mutants. Looks like I've got a lot of planning to do."
Tony turned.
"Happy, let's move."
"Boss… we've got company."
Happy nodded behind Tony.
Tony turned—and immediately recognized the root of his recent suffering: Uchiha Akira.
"Uchiha Akira… you really screwed me over, man~"
"You know Stark?"
asked Jean, who had been making coffee under the shade of an oak tree on the Xavier estate. She handed out three cups—just instant coffee, given the limited resources.
"Well, well. Fancy seeing you again, Tony Stark. Didn't expect to see you and your bodyguard here. How's your leg?"
"You little brat, I really can't stand your face. How's Uchiha Mikoto these days?"
"She's doing great, as long as you're not bothering her."
"What? Don't tell me you're planning to rally people at Xavier's to deal with me? Nobody here's going to help you."
Akira was confident. He and Charles were still in their "honeymoon phase." No way Charles would turn on him over a playboy.
"You sound awfully sure of yourself. Then again, you two are alike. Charles wouldn't go against one of his own."
"Hahaha!"
Akira burst out laughing.
"You really don't get it, do you?"
"What, you his long-lost son or something? Nah, impossible. You two don't even look remotely related."
"Mr. Stark,"
Charles' voice came in calmly.
"Akira isn't a mutant. He's here as a guest—at my invitation. So please, let's not jump to conclusions."
"…You're not a mutant?"
"Nope."
"So… what you used that day wasn't psychic ability either?"
"Correct."
Tony glanced at the mind-defense devices he had just tested. He looked like he was about to cry.
"Then Mikoto isn't a mutant either?"
"Have you ever heard of mutants with the same last name? Mutations in the X-gene are random, often don't even pass through genetics. Most mutants don't share surnames."
"Fair point. Guess that's a gap in my knowledge—I've never really studied genetics."
"Anyway, I forgave you for making me and Happy walk over a hundred miles that day. And for the record, I wasn't harassing Mikoto. I just wanted to get to know her."
Tony pivoted, smoothly changing the subject.
"Enough, Tony. Mikoto and you live in completely different worlds. Besides, she already has two kids."
"…Wait, what?"
Tony's face dropped instantly.
"I'm serious. So just give it up. Next time, I won't be so nice. Last time was already a very gentle warning."
Tony slumped into the passenger seat—Happy was driving this time.
He was unusually silent, head filled with just one thought:
"Mikoto already has two kids…"
"Boss,"
Happy broke the silence.
"Playboy magazine's May cover girl invited you to dinner tonight. Email's in your inbox. Should I take us there?"
"No. Not interested. I'm not a playboy."
Happy didn't even flinch—he'd long since grown used to his boss's shameless contradictions.
"Boss, seriously. She's just some random woman. You're Tony Stark. You can have any woman you want. And besides, she's got kids."
"Happy… you don't get it.
Before, whenever I saw a beautiful woman, hormones would kick in.
But Mikoto… she's different. It's like…"
Yes, that night, the ever-romantic Tony Stark drank himself into oblivion with Happy—so drunk he passed out cold.
Meanwhile, chaos was creeping back into New York. The city's underworld had gotten bold again—perhaps because "The Butcher" hadn't been seen in a while.
Yes, you guessed it—Uchiha Akira and his crew had become an urban legend in NYC.
The kind of legend where there's always evidence, but no witnesses.
With Akira busy handling personal matters lately, he hadn't been keeping Hell's Kitchen clean, and crime had crept back in.
Now that his business was done, Akira had resumed his nighttime hunts.
Within just a few days, the Soul Furnace was once again burning at full force.
Uchiha Izumi, Kahon, Tekkou, Kahon again…
Akira could feel the weight on his shoulders growing heavier.
"You all need to grow—fast.
None of you have awakened your Sharingan yet, especially you, Kahon.
But I don't believe hatred is the only way to unlock the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Believe in your own potential."
"With my help, you've all been pushing past your limits.
I believe one day, you'll awaken your own Mangekyō."
Mangekyō Sharingan Power: 1498/1500
Soul Furnace: 4699/100000 (Level 3)
Bloodline: Uchiha + Hashirama cells — forming a basic Sage Body. Physique enhancement in progress… bloodline evolution underway…
Akira knew his body and bloodline had once again evolved.
His chakra reserves had grown massively. His Mangekyō had surged in power.
He was walking further and further down this path.
Unfortunately, some of the system's long-term missions remained elusive—like encountering the "Bald Boss."
So far, he'd only completed two of the targets—and one was by exploiting Jean Grey.
Right now, he had two top priorities:
Set plans in motion for Oscorp
Strengthen his clan's real combat power