The next day.
"Master, the hearing has begun. Would you like me to stream the live broadcast to you?"
The hearing was about to begin?
Rimuru's eyes lit up. The current situation was vastly different from the original story, and much worse.
So, how would Tony respond?
"Stream it for me."
"Yes, Master!"
The screen switched to a live broadcast of the hearing taking place in Washington.
"Mr. Stark, let's continue with our previous topic!"
Senator Stern, in an attempt to get Tony's attention, pounded his hammer loudly, repeatedly reminding Tony to listen carefully to his speech.
But Tony didn't care at all, completely ignoring the senator. He turned around and whispered to Pepper, chatting away happily.
Seeing this, Rimuru was speechless. This scene was a bit different from what she had imagined!
In the movie, he was full of vigor, at the peak of his life, and constantly facing life-threatening situations, so he acted recklessly, and his arrogance was understandable.
But now, Tony had first lost in the battle with Iron Monger, then was defeated by Abomination, and was now being attacked by the entire world. How could he still be so arrogant?
Perhaps it was just a misconception, but Rimuru even felt that the Tony on TV was more flamboyant than before?
Rimuru was speechless, feeling somewhat unable to comprehend Tony's thought process.
"Mr. Stark, please, I beg you, please pay attention to me!"
Seeing Senator Stern's "humble" and almost pleading appearance, Rimuru almost burst out laughing.
Humbly begging Tony to listen to you?
You're probably a fake HYDRA!
That's right, this senator was a hidden agent of HYDRA, and he had a major mission at this hearing.
The HYDRA high command coveted Tony's humanoid mech technology.
If they had dozens or hundreds of mechs, HYDRA's great cause would be within reach!
Senator Stern: "Do you possess a weapon?"
Tony Stark: "Whether I do or not depends on how you define it."
Senator Stern: "That weapon is 'Iron Man'!"
Tony Stark: "My invention hasn't been described well. It's a high-tech prosthetic— that's the best adjective I can think of."
Hahaha!
All the attendees at the hearing burst into laughter.
And Senator Stern's face flushed, his eyebrows twitching with anger.
To prove that "Iron Man" was a weapon, Senator Stern, as usual, invited "weapon expert" Justin Hammer, and also had Colonel Rhodes give a report.
Unlike the original movie, where the Military's information was scarce—
Now, with Tony's battle against Abomination, there was an abundance of detailed video footage.
All of this strongly proved that Iron Man was a weapon.
But Tony's eloquence was too good, and he also had his good friend Colonel Rhodes, who still managed to turn the tables for Tony.
Especially when the video of Hammer Industries' attempts to imitate and manufacture humanoid mechs was exposed, the entire hearing completely went off track.
"Most countries would take five to ten years, but Justin Hammer would take twenty years."
With this powerful mockery, Justin Hammer was directly reduced to a clown, serving only to highlight Tony!
"The facts prove that I can prevent nuclear blackmail. Iron Man is very useful. We are safe, the United States is safe. You want to take my product? Don't even think about it!"
"However, I've done you a great favor. I alone can maintain world peace."
Bang, bang, bang!
Senator Stern finally caught Tony's weak point, slamming his hammer heavily on the table, and sneered, "You alone can maintain world peace? Mr. Stark, do you have some misunderstanding about world peace?"
"Also, do I need to remind you? Not long ago, you were defeated by Abomination. And the Silver Armored War God's Wind God, it seems, is also more advanced than your Mark!"
As soon as these words fell, the venue became so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping. Everyone stared intently at Tony Stark.
Undoubtedly, this was a hurdle he could not bypass, no matter what!
Let alone others, even Rimuru was exceptionally curious.
However, to everyone's surprise, Tony's face remained full of confidence.
"Wind God is more advanced than my Mark? Only a rookie like you, Senator, who knows nothing about technology, would say that. Am I supposed to tell you that Wind God and Mark are actually the same technology?"
Hearing Tony drop such a bombshell, the scene immediately erupted.
It was the first time everyone had heard that Wind God and Mark originated from the same source!
One must know that the design philosophy of Wind God and Mark were vastly different, and their performance in actual combat was even more incomparable.
Especially the 'spatial jump' and 'optical stealth' demonstrated by Wind God, as well as its ability to effortlessly blast a hundred-meter-wide pit in the ground, were all unimaginable.
One can imagine how groundbreaking and shocking it was for them to hear Tony's words.
Senator Stern was shocked and said, "Mr. Stark knows the true identity of the Silver Armored War God?"
Tony Stark shrugged, "Senator, I think your English level still needs improvement. Do I need to explain such a kindergarten question to you?"
Senator Stern: "Who is the Silver Armored War God?"
Tony Stark: "I know, but I just won't tell you!"
Pfft!
Countless people at the scene collapsed in laughter, and even Rimuru was utterly speechless.
Tony was too flamboyant and too annoying!
Senator Stern almost fell backward in anger, suffering a heart attack and dying on the spot!
Senator Stern took deep breaths repeatedly, and only then did he readjust his mindset.
Tony Stark, keep jumping—let's see how long you can jump!
Anyway, today's agenda was not to discuss who the Silver Armored War God was, but to define "Iron Man" as a weapon, and then force Tony to hand over the Iron Man technology.
"Mr. Stark, let's not talk about the Silver Armored War God's identity for now. Iron Monger was defeated by the Silver Armored War God, you don't deny that, do you?"
Tony nodded indifferently, "That's right!"
Senator Stern's smile widened, "Not long ago, you failed to defeat Abomination. You can't deny that, can you?"
Tony: "Of course!"
Senator Stern took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement of victory, and said, "So, the idea that you alone can maintain world peace is complete nonsense."
"Mr. Stark, for the safety of the United States and for world peace, you should hand over the Iron Man technology so that it can better protect the safety of Americans, instead of treating it as your personal toy."
"Tony Stark, Iron Man—compared to world peace, you cannot only see your personal petty gains. You should learn from your father, Howard Stark!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
Senator Stern's words immediately won a round of applause.
Justin Hammer clapped his hands so hard they turned red.
Tony Stark's face still radiated a confident smile. Tony stood up and announced to all the attendees:
"I am Iron Man, Iron Man is me. My high-tech prosthetic has been developed to Mark Five, a new product that is not inferior to any mech."
"I will hold a one-year Stark World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament, and welcome anyone, any mech, to come and challenge."
"The winner will receive Stark Industries' latest mech as a prize. You want my technology?"
"Then come and get it!"
Instantly, the hearing venue erupted in unprecedented cheers.
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