"Tony Stark's invitation?"
Kagura Hitomi stared at the email in her inbox.
"Hmm…"
She felt a bit uneasy.
"Should we decline?" Cortana asked.
"No, no, no. Of course, we can't decline. Get ready the 'Bruce Wayne' virtual identity. I... I'll handle this."
"Instructions confirmed. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 11 AM at Stark Industries in Los Angeles."
Cortana proceeded with the arrangements.
"Is there anything else you need to prepare, Master?"
"No, I'll manage... probably..."
Kagura stammered.
"You seem pretty nervous, Master."
"No, no! Who's nervous?"
The next day
The holographic projection equipment powered on, showing the image of a man in a black trench coat and mask.
"Hello, Tony Stark. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The electronic voice of 'Bruce Wayne' echoed as the hologram came to life.
"Hello, Bruce Wayne."
Tony Stark sat in his office chair, eyeing the figure on the screen.
"Honestly, I'm quite curious about your real appearance."
"There's an unavoidable reason, Mr. Stark."
Bruce Wayne responded.
"And what reason might that be?"
Tony Stark pressed on, "A contagious disease? No, you're not even here. A strange appearance? No, because even with the mask on, you're standing right in front of me. So... are you bedridden?"
Tony's bizarre guesses kept coming.
"You wouldn't tell me that behind this virtual figure, there's actually a beautiful woman controlling it, would you?"
"Wait... what?!"
Kagura, who was in her basement, shuddered.
No way! You figured it out already?!
"Oh, sorry."
Tony Stark laughed.
"I was just making wild guesses, don't take it to heart."
Kagura sighed in relief.
"If you invited me here just to probe my real identity, that's rather disappointing, Mr. Stark." Bruce Wayne replied.
"I still have a company to run, and I don't have a great assistant like 'Pepper' to help me."
"Oh, I understand that."
Tony Stark nodded. "On the topic of assistants, I can recommend someone really good. She used to work at Stark Industries, and she's quite capable."
Tony smiled. "She's even had military training, so you could use her as a bodyguard if you wanted."
'Pffffft-'
Kagura nearly choked.
Are you serious, Mr. Stark?!
"Her name is Kagura, and if you need her contact information…"
"Thank you for the offer, but I'll pass."
Bruce Wayne said, cutting Tony off.
"Let's stick to business."
Kagura was starting to panic.
If Tony Stark kept talking like this, she'd eventually be exposed, so she quickly interrupted.
"Right, let's talk business."
Tony Stark sighed and wiped the smile off his face, his expression turning serious.
"Bruce Wayne…"
He leaned forward.
"What's your plan?"
"My plan?"
"I mean, you've spent almost all of your fortune to reorganize my abandoned military division into a stronger military enterprise. What's your goal?"
"You should know, with Iron Man patrolling the world, wars are slowing down, conflicts are stopping. The military industry is becoming harder to succeed in. Only idiots like Hammer are still pushing forward. What about you?"
"There will always be a need for arms sales, Mr. Stark."
Bruce Wayne replied, unfazed.
"Since it's inevitable, why not do it as best as possible?"
"That's what I wanted to hear, Wayne." Tony Stark said.
"I'm very interested in the advanced defensive weapons developed by Rhodes Island Industries. You don't seem to be here just for the military sales profit, so I came to talk to you. I want to know what you're really thinking."
"We're both working to maintain global stability, Mr. Stark." Bruce Wayne explained.
"You patrol the world as Iron Man, while I sell new weapon systems to those in need, so they can end long-lasting conflicts and protect themselves."
"We're doing the same thing, Mr. Stark."
"After hearing that, I'm relieved, Wayne."
Tony Stark smiled.
Perhaps for Tony Stark, 'Bruce Wayne' was like a kindred spirit.
He understood Tony Stark's ideal vision for military industry and had worked hard to turn it into reality.
Having confirmed that 'Bruce Wayne' shared his mindset, Tony Stark was resolute in his decision.
"Let's work together, Wayne."
"Work together?"
"Yes."
Tony Stark activated the holographic screen next to him.
"Actually, I've been keeping an eye on you. I have a pretty good idea of what kind of help you need right now."
The screen displayed a new generation of global satellite systems.
"GPS is too unreliable, with many flaws and low accuracy. It can easily be hijacked."
Tony Stark said, "If you want to establish a global weapon monitoring network and track every gun you sell, my satellites are more reliable."
"Oh? That's quite surprising."
Bruce Wayne couldn't help but praise. "Your intuition is spot on, Mr. Stark."
"Let's just say, I used to work in the arms industry too. I've thought about this idea."
Tony Stark chuckled.
"I just didn't have the courage or the resolve to make it a reality."
"So how do we deal with the strikes?"
Bruce Wayne asked. "If weapons are sold and held illegally, we'll need a rapid response team."
"Exactly, but that's illegal, right?"
"Do you have any ideas, Mr. Stark?"
"Iron Man."
Tony Stark suggested.
"Here's an idea you can consider: We'll share the location data, and Iron Man can carry out strikes against illegal weapons and conflicts."
"That's a really good suggestion, Mr. Stark."
"Wow, you agree?"
"I don't think I have any reason to refuse your offer to cooperate."
"I'm really starting to like you, Wayne." Tony Stark laughed.
"You must come to the Stark Industries Expo. It's happening in just a couple of days, and I'll reserve a great booth for you."
"Rhodes Island Industries will attend the Stark Industries Expo."
Bruce Wayne replied. "As for our cooperation, we'll discuss it further."
"Great, Pepper will meet with you and handle the specifics."
Tony Stark said.
"Honestly, you really need a good assistant. You can consider my choice."
"I'll think about it." Bruce Wayne said.
Stark! You're really pushing me!
What's up with that?!
I might just bite you!
Kagura couldn't help but mentally complain.
......
[TL Note]
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