There is another possibility," Phil Coulson said again.
"What might?" Clint Barton asked.
"Because Ivan Vanko himself assassinated Stark, we believe that when Ivan Vanko tried to steal Stark's armor in the future, it was Ivan Vanko who took the initiative to do so. But what if it wasn't the case?" Phil Coulson said.
"Coulson, when did you start talking so roundabout?"
"What I mean is, after Ivan Vanko escaped from prison, he didn't really want to provoke Stark anymore, and just wanted to escape in disgrace and spend the rest of his life, but someone else forced him to provoke Stark? For example, the person who helped him escape asked him to do so?"
"That's possible. After all, Stark has too many enemies." Clint Barton pointed to the options. "There's a ready-made example right here. Justin Hammer has this motive. If he rescued Ivan Vanko from prison and had Ivan Vanko kill Stark, I wouldn't be surprised at all."
"That's the problem," Phil Coulson said. "If Justin Hammer asks Ivan Vanko to steal the armor, who is responsible? Is it Justin Hammer who stole Stark's armor, or is it Ivan Vanko who stole Stark's armor?"
"Normally, both of them count, but if I can only choose one," Clint Barton mused, "then I choose Justin Hammer. The one who came up with the idea is the culprit."
"Coulson, it looks like you've come up with a terrible idea." Thor interrupted, "In this situation, how can we tell whether Ivan Vanko took the armor on his own initiative or accepted someone else's orders to do so?"
"It's certainly an idea, but I don't agree with wasting time on it." Tony Stark was not at all entangled. "Firstly, this situation is impossible to deduce, so we can only rely on guessing. Secondly, if Justin Hammer wants to send people to steal my armor, then doesn't he have his own subordinates? Even if he really doesn't have any useful people, can't he just hire someone? Why go to all that trouble to save Ivan Vanko? Wouldn't it be easier to just hire someone?"
"So," Tony Stark concluded, "regardless of who it was, Justin Hammer or someone else, they rescued Ivan Vanko for the technology he possessed, not to have him deal with me."
"Okay, Stark, I'm overthinking it." Phil Coulson shrugged. "I don't have anything else to say."
"I don't have any objection either." Clint Barton also said.
"I..."
"I choose B, Ivan Vanko!" Tony Stark made his choice before Thor could finish his words, making Thor so angry that he wanted to swing his hammer.
[Wrong answer! One year of life will be deducted!]
"Wrong?" Tony Stark was quite stunned. "It's not Ivan Vanko, it's Justin Hammer? How can this clown snatch the armor from me?"
"Did he hire someone powerful?" Clint Barton said.
"No, maybe he made some amazing equipment." Phil Coulson had another idea. "Of course he couldn't make it himself, but if he rescued Ivan Vanko from prison, Ivan Vanko might be able to develop something new. It was thanks to Ivan Vanko's invention that Justin Hammer successfully snatched the armor from Stark."
"Why did Justin Hammer have to take it from Stark in such a 'fair and open' way?" Thor asked again. "Barton just listed some despicable methods, such as kidnapping people Stark cares about and forcing Stark to hand over the armor. Why can you make such inferences about Ivan Vanko, but not mention Justin Hammer at all?"
"Thor,
We see Justin Hammer as a clown, but beneath his surface, he's actually a successful arms dealer—not Stark, of course. But he's also a billionaire, envied by many, with connections to many business and political leaders. Phil Coulson slowly explained to Thor, "It's true that people like him often dabble in some gray areas, and some powerful figures turn a blind eye. But kidnapping someone, especially one who kidnapped Stark, is a step beyond the pale. It's a violation of the rules of the game. America won't tolerate his actions. He wouldn't do such a thing unless he wants to leave America."
"Ivan Vanko is different," Clint Barton said. "He has no property or family in America. His only purpose in coming to America is to kill Stark. He can do whatever it takes to kill Stark and then leave America and never come back. But Justin Hammer can't do that."
"I still can't believe Justin Hammer had the guts to snatch the armor from me." Tony Stark shook his head, still feeling skeptical about this answer. "Isn't he afraid that I'll retaliate and dismantle his entire Hammer Industries?"
"Stark, if Justin Hammer can really snatch the armor from you, I think it will be something that many people will like to see," said Phil Coulson. "There are too many people who want your armor, but you are a difficult person to deal with. They can't get the armor from you. Your identity as Iron Man also makes it impossible to use many methods on you. But Justin Hammer is different. It will be much easier to get the armor from him."
"So if Justin Hammer or someone really snatched the armor from me, would anyone stop me from taking revenge on him? He might even be more appreciated by some people because of it?" Tony Stark frowned. He could make a list of such people after just a little thought.
"And you have a foul mouth. I don't know how many people you've offended." Clint Barton said, "I think many people will applaud this."