Chapter 72: Stark Industries Expo (Part 2)
"I'll excuse myself for now. We have a new research initiative at Oscorp today.
I'll introduce you later to our new lab director, Dr. Curt Connors.
The limb regeneration project he's heading will be one of Oscorp's most profitable ventures going forward."
As Norman Osborn spoke confidently, Uchiha Akira simply responded with a polite smile.
The famous Dr. Connors, the Lizard, huh?
Putting aside the whole "losing control" part, he was undeniably talented.
Watching Norman walk away, Akira resisted the urge to use his Sharingan to push Norman into attacking him.
The infamous Green Goblin was being unusually cautious.
If Akira wanted to gain full control of Oscorp, simply waiting patiently clearly wasn't enough.
"Don't disappoint me, Norman..."
Akira raised his glass and gently clinked it with Tony Stark's.
"What were you whispering about with Norman just now?"
Tony asked casually, sipping his drink.
"What? Still haven't taken full control of Oscorp? Need cash or something? Want me to lend you a bit?"
Tony was clearly showing off — after all, when it came to wealth, he was never shy.
"What's this? Billionaire Tony Stark trying to flaunt his wealth?
Fine, lend me... say, seven or eight billion dollars. Or more. I won't complain."
Akira wasn't about to fall for his posturing — he fired right back.
"No problem. 9% annual interest. If you agree now, the money can be in your account today."
Tony didn't back down.
Of course, $10 billion wasn't pocket change, even for him. No company just keeps that kind of liquidity lying around.
It would practically drain most of his working capital.
"Come on, Tony. 9%? That's a bit much. That's what the banks charge."
Akira said it half-jokingly, though he knew full well Tony was actually offering a fair deal.
"Whoa, whoa, don't do me like that. Banks require collateral — I'm offering you an unsecured loan.
If you declared bankruptcy, I'd lose all that money. And look, business is business, even between friends.
What, you expect me to just give you $10 billion?"
Tony put on an exaggeratedly hurt expression, clearly knowing how to play Akira.
After spending time with him, Tony had figured out Akira's personality.
He didn't respond well to pressure, but if you extended goodwill, he would remember it.
Try to force anything? Good luck.
"Tony, nobody's around right now, so just tell me straight. What do you want?"
Akira said coolly.
"You don't strike me as the kind of guy who flatters people for no reason. So what's your angle?"
"Kid, you wound me! I'm not like that."
Tony raised a hand in mock offense.
"Besides, after the terrorist attack on St. Patrick's Day, thanks to you, I walked away without a scratch. Let's call this me repaying that favor."
"Cut the crap, Tony. That favor was already paid back when you let me borrow Pepper Potts.
We're square. So now, honestly — what's your real interest?"
"...Alright, alright. I want to know what your relationship with Uchiha Mikoto is.
I want to know who she really is."
Tony finally came clean.
Being wishy-washy just wasn't his style.
"I don't get why you keep fixating on Mikoto.
Tony, we've known each other a while — do I need to remind you?"
"You're a well-known playboy.
Every month, you go through the cover models of Playboy magazine like a checklist.
That's your freedom — and their choice. I won't judge."
"But Mikoto is like family to me.
And I won't tolerate some playboy harassing my family. Got it?
She's shy — but after what happened during the terrorist attack, you should understand:
Mikoto's strength is not something you — or your bodyguard — can handle."
Akira's tone was ice cold.
"Hey now, take it easy, man.
I wasn't trying to lump Mikoto in with the usual girls.
I'm genuinely curious about her."
Tony Stark was serious.
That day, during the St. Patrick's Day attack, Mikoto had shown incredible reflexes and overwhelming strength.
Honestly, when she lifted him up into the air with one hand, Tony had been stunned.
Even now, the memory gave him chills.
"Mikoto's husband was the head of the Uchiha clan.
But... he's passed away."
"And yes, I wasn't lying — she had two sons.
But they're... in another world now."
Tony's heart sank when he heard that Mikoto had a husband.
Despite his promiscuity, Tony had a strong distaste for pursuing someone else's partner.
But when Akira said the husband was dead, Tony perked up again.
And when he said the sons were "in another world", Tony just assumed they were dead too.
Suddenly, there was hope.
If Mikoto was single, Tony felt like he had a shot.
"Don't even think about it," Akira warned.
"Mikoto wouldn't go for someone like you — and besides, Tony Stark doesn't need to die under just one tree, right?"
"...Uchiha Akira, I gotta admit — you make a good point."
A waiter approached, offering champagne.
Tony waved it off.
"Sorry, I've got a weird habit — I don't like accepting things handed directly to me."
The waiter just smiled and moved on.
"See? That's the beauty of money — top-notch service. Love it."
Meanwhile...In the bathroom, Norman Osborn stared at his reflection in the mirror, talking to himself.
"You're too weak, Norman.
That punk is threatening your control over Oscorp — and you're still holding back?"
His reflection had become a distorted version of himself — the emergence of his dark side.
Ever since injecting himself with an unstable Oscorp serum, a voice had been whispering in Norman's mind...
Telling him how to eliminate disloyal board members.
Telling him how to destroy his rivals.
"No. I won't be controlled by you.
I've made too many mistakes already — even if they can't be undone, I'll live with them.
Harry... Harry can't grow up without a father."
The real Norman was still fully conscious of what he was doing.
He knew he had already killed his secretary Jocelyn.
He'd taken out Billy Osborn and a few others in a fit of rage.
If it continued like this... he feared he'd truly become a murderer.
"Norman, stop resisting.
I am you, and you are me.
Those people deserved to die.
They're nothing but stepping stones to your throne at Oscorp.
And Uchiha Akira — he's your greatest threat.
Think about it — why else would he be buying so many Oscorp shares?"
The demon in the mirror wore Norman's face — but twisted, malicious — endlessly tempting him.
"Mr. Osborn? Mr. Osborn?"
Peter Parker had entered the restroom.
Seeing Harry's father staring blankly into the mirror, he politely greeted him.