"To be honest, even though it was the second time he knocked down the Hulk… I'm still a little shocked."
The voice echoed in the dim control room, filled with monitors and equipment. A group of high-ranking officials sat watching the footage unfold in real time. They were, of course, part of the U.S. military.
And this was their domain.
Over the years, they'd invested vast resources into creating powerful weapons—like the Destruction Armor—and conducting secret experiments with groups such as Hydra, though that connection remained buried deep beneath classified files. Exposure of such ties would trigger a public outrage even the American military couldn't contain.
They had to remain untouchable. Always operating from the shadows.
"Indeed," another officer nodded, still watching the screen with narrowed eyes.
They had studied the Hulk extensively. They knew how devastatingly strong he was—virtually unstoppable once enraged. The fact that Zenkichi had taken him down not once, but twice, was something they couldn't easily ignore.
It wasn't luck. It wasn't circumstance.
It was power.
Zenkichi's strength wasn't ordinary. That much was now undeniable.
"Now's our chance," another official said with a sly grin. "He's not going to drag the Hulk away. The brute's unconscious, lying there like a test subject on a silver platter."
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
"As soon as Zenkichi leaves, we move in. We retrieve the Hulk and put him into containment. Once we have him, we can start whatever experiments we want."
Others in the room nodded in agreement. It was a perfect opportunity. They simply had to wait.
The room fell into quiet anticipation as they continued watching the live satellite feed.
---
Back on the street, rubble littered the area as smoke drifted into the sky.
Zenkichi turned slightly, sensing something off. From the far end of the road, a familiar red-and-gold armored suit hovered down gently before landing.
Iron Man.
The mask lifted, revealing Tony Stark inside.
"What are you planning to do with him?" Tony asked, nodding toward the unconscious Hulk lying nearby.
Zenkichi glanced at Stark and raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" he replied. "I wasn't planning anything."
Tony crossed his arms. "You're just going to leave him here?"
Zenkichi shrugged. "Where exactly do you expect me to drag him?"
"Oh come on," Tony said, eyes narrowing. "You've got enough raw power to trade punches with him and not die. Don't act like hauling him a few blocks is beyond you."
"I'm not saying it's hard," Zenkichi replied calmly. "I'm saying it's pointless."
Tony took a step closer, voice dropping.
"There are a lot of people watching this right now. People who would kill for the chance to get their hands on the Hulk while he's vulnerable. He's unconscious. This is a once-in-a-lifetime shot for some of them."
"I know," Zenkichi answered, "and someone will try to take him."
Tony frowned. "And you're okay with that?"
Zenkichi tilted his head, his tone nonchalant.
"Not my problem. If someone wants to play scientist with the Hulk, they can deal with the consequences."
Tony's eyes narrowed. "You're not worried he'll die? If they get him into a lab, they'll run every test imaginable on him. Cut him open. Fill him with sedatives. He might not make it."
Zenkichi sighed and rolled his eyes. "Do you seriously think he's that easy to kill?"
Tony blinked.
"I mean… yeah, maybe not—"
"Trust me," Zenkichi interrupted. "That guy's durability is insane. You could launch him into the sun and he'd probably walk it off."
Tony looked unconvinced.
Zenkichi continued, "He's not just strong. He's stubborn. Rage is his lifeline. And even without it, his body adapts fast. Whatever they try, I doubt it'll be enough to take him out."
There was a brief pause as Tony studied him, then glanced at the Hulk's unmoving form.
"Still," he muttered, "we shouldn't leave him for scavengers."
"You want to babysit him, be my guest," Zenkichi said, already turning to walk away.
Tony opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it. Instead, he watched as Zenkichi disappeared down the ruined street, leaving dust and silence in his wake.
The Hulk lay motionless in the debris, breathing shallowly.
And from afar, eyes continued to watch—some hopeful, others hungry.