Drake firmly denied any obsession with symbiotes, claiming his encounter with Riot was merely an accident.
Zenkichi gave a small, knowing smile. "Really? Funny, because I recall you were eager to study alien organisms—something about preparing for deep space colonization?"
He shrugged. "Not that it matters whether you admit it or not. I'm no judge. Even if you keep denying it, I can still kill you."
Drake's expression shifted, his voice taking on a serious tone. "I'm a well-known philanthropist in the United States. If you harm me, there will be consequences."
"You're a superhero, aren't you? You can't just attack civilians. The U.S. government will not let you off easily."
Zenkichi smiled coldly, and in one smooth motion, fired a laser beam that pierced straight through Drake's skull.
"Idiot."
"I'm not a judge. I don't need a trial or evidence to deal with someone like you. All I need is the certainty that you deserve to die."
After executing Drake without hesitation, Zenkichi began inspecting the Life Foundation laboratory. He swiftly located the remaining alien symbiotes, capturing each one with surgical precision. These specimens held significant research value—and he intended to hand them over to Tony Stark.
He sealed the symbiotes with spiritual pressure, packing them into containment devices. Then, accessing the lab's central computer, he retrieved incriminating data—evidence of the Life Foundation's human experimentation and unlawful containment of extraterrestrial organisms.
With a few key commands, Zenkichi uploaded the evidence to the internet and forwarded copies to both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Tony Stark.
There was no escaping justice now.
At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Director Nick Fury's already stern face darkened further as he reviewed the files sent by Zenkichi.
"They were doing this under our radar?" he muttered, clearly disturbed. "I thought the Life Foundation was just involved in minor violations. But experimenting with alien organisms—these things could wipe out mankind if they multiplied."
He looked grim. "If even one of these symbiotes spreads, the consequences could be catastrophic."
"Director," his secretary said, voice tense, "how should we proceed?"
Fury's gaze hardened. "Take it seriously. Track down every single person involved. Leave no one untouched."
"But sir," the secretary pressed, "the Life Foundation has far-reaching connections. If we start rounding people up, there will be political backlash."
Fury snorted. "If they want to protect mass murderers and alien viruses, they can join them in hell."
Stark Tower
In his lab, Tony Stark was in the middle of modifying his armor when Zenkichi arrived.
"Look who decided to visit. What brings you here?" Tony asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You got the files I sent?" Zenkichi asked directly.
Tony nodded. "Yeah, I saw everything. The Life Foundation's out of their minds—experimenting with alien parasites on homeless people? That's not science, that's horror."
"They brought lifeforms from another planet here and just let them loose like pets. If you hadn't shown up, this would've gone way worse."
"Those things can merge with humans without warning, and once bonded, the host can't get rid of them. We can't detect them, control them, or isolate them."
"This isn't symbiosis—it's parasitism. That fool Drake thought he was harnessing evolution, but he was the one being controlled."
He paused, frowning. "That said… they do have potential. Eddie—he was just a normal guy, right?"
Zenkichi nodded.
Tony continued, "Once the symbiote bonded with him, he became a powerhouse. Like, Hulk-tier strength. It's insane."
"With that kind of biological armor, even my suits might be outclassed. I gotta admit—it's impressive."
Zenkichi chuckled. "Want to study one?"
He casually brought out several sealed containment vessels. Inside writhed the captured symbiotes, suppressed by his spiritual energy and suspended like tar within transparent capsules.
Tony's eyes widened. "You got these from the Life Foundation?"
"Yeah," Zenkichi replied. "They were imported from an alien planet—everything I gave you came from their data systems."
"But there's more," he added. "There are things I witnessed firsthand, things not recorded. From what I've observed, these organisms have vast potential—as long as they cooperate."
"I've included footage of Eddie's transformation. You'll see what I mean. If the symbiote accepts a host, the results are instantaneous. Raw power."
Tony scratched his chin. "But that's the problem, isn't it? Right now, the symbiotes are in control. The human just... tags along."
"That's why we need to reverse that," he continued. "What if I designed a neural feedback system—something to override the symbiote's instincts?"
"If we can control them, they become a biological weapon of unimaginable value. And maybe... just maybe... I can integrate them into my suits."
Zenkichi smirked. "That's your mission now. I've brought you the tools—let's see what genius can do with them."