They must've been blinded by greed.
Why else would they do something so recklessly stupid?
Especially the members of Hydra…
Zenkichi figured they, of all people, should've known better. After all, he'd already demonstrated his capabilities to the U.S. military. For an organization as vast and well-connected as Hydra, they should've recognized the sheer extent of his power—and warned their operatives to stay far away from him.
"Rinnegan!"
They moved fast—too fast. In the blink of an eye, they appeared at Zenkichi's side.
But they didn't engage him directly. Instead, they bypassed him and focused their assault on Tony Stark.
Of course, they knew Zenkichi possessed what they were after.
But they also knew something else—something far more pressing.
They were no match for him.
Their charge came to a jarring halt. Each of them froze on the spot, as if their souls had been ripped from their bodies.
Not even the Hulk had withstood it—he had crumpled almost immediately.
What stunned them even more was Zenkichi's direct use of the Rinnegan.
A power that even the Sorcerer Supreme might struggle to resist.
They had already forced themselves to show up here. But to attack Zenkichi directly?
Impossible.
"Damn it…"
Tony Stark gritted his teeth, unable to tear his eyes away from the scene unfolding before him.
He'd known Zenkichi was powerful—but seeing it firsthand still rattled him to the core.
Men capable of hunting beings of incredible strength… yet with just a glance, Zenkichi had ended them.
It made Tony feel powerless. Like a child pretending to be a soldier.
Doubt clawed at his mind. Had everything he built been meaningless?
The research? The inventions?
Were they all worthless?
"Should I… learn from him?"
The thought came uninvited.
But it vanished just as quickly.
Zenkichi wasn't the type to take on disciples. And besides, Tony had his own goals. He didn't need to follow someone else's path.
He believed in his vision. In time, he'd create something that could rival that kind of power.
He would become Iron Man—on his own terms.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
While Tony sank into thought, bodies collapsed one after another in front of Zenkichi.
Those who had chosen not to engage earlier let out deep sighs of relief. Lucky. They'd been lucky not to act impulsively.
Now, all they wanted was to get as far away from this place as possible.
They had seen firsthand what Zenkichi could do. The way he dropped their allies in seconds. There was no surviving a confrontation with him.
And now that Zenkichi had involved himself, they couldn't ignore the likelihood that he was connected to Stark in some way.
Would he come after them next?
The risk was too great.
Their panic turned into frantic retreat.
But speed meant nothing.
The difference in power between them and Zenkichi was vast. Tangible. It was like watching ants try to escape from beneath a collapsing skyscraper.
They were too slow.
Too weak.
Zenkichi's sneering contempt as they ran only deepened their despair.
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