Chapter 79 – The Funeral
Setting aside the embarrassing incident with Rumlow, Madame Viper seemed to be in excellent spirits.
"This is Norman's autopsy report. Clearly, your hunch was correct. Osborn really did develop a highly potent Super Soldier Serum. We've also recovered the data from Oscorp. But the serum was personally tailored by that old fox Norman, and the information we have is incomplete. Reproducing it will be extremely difficult."
This wasn't the first time Viper had spoken with Alexander Pierce. In HYDRA, most of the time, operatives carried out missions independently—collaboration was rare and reserved for special cases.
"Then I'll leave the replication of Norman's serum to you. Once it's done, I trust you won't hesitate to share the results with me?"
Alexander Pierce raised a glass in his holographic projection, as if celebrating a successful collaboration.
"Who knows?" Viper replied, flicking her forked tongue. "If I really do manage to recreate it... I'll be expecting quite a bit in return."
Pierce smiled faintly. "Don't worry. You'll be well rewarded. Long live HYDRA."
When Coulson returned Norman Osborn's body to the Osborn family, Harry couldn't accept the truth. Just two days ago, his father had been alive and well. Now he was nothing more than a corpse.
After their intimate encounter, Madame Viper had even taken the time to patch up Norman's body somewhat—after all, a significant amount of tissue had been harvested, and she didn't want anything suspicious to be discovered due to its condition.
Devastated, Harry didn't inspect the body closely. Just one look at his father's face, and he nearly collapsed from grief.
As expected, news of Norman Osborn's death spread rapidly through New York, and Oscorp's stock price plummeted again—the third time that day, the second drop occurring when news broke of a board member's death.
This was fantastic news for Uchiha Akira, who was preparing to take full control of Oscorp.
On the wide asphalt road leading to Green-Wood Cemetery, luxury cars flooded the entrance, practically blocking it off. Beneath the Gothic spires of the cemetery gates, crowds had gathered.
The steady drizzle matched the somber tone of Green-Wood perfectly. Everyone who came to this place left with a strong impression of death and stillness.
For Harry Osborn, Norman's death was a devastating blow. Dressed in a black suit and holding a white bouquet, he stood motionless in the rain, letting it beat against his young face.
Suddenly, a large black umbrella appeared above his head. Harry turned to see a man offering him a white handkerchief embroidered with a blue-and-white clan crest.
"Go ahead and cry—it might help," said Uchiha Akira. "But I think your father, Norman Osborn, wouldn't want to see you consumed by sorrow."
As he handed Harry the handkerchief, the boy finally broke down. Tears streamed down his face as he stood beside the grave, surrounded by dozens of political and business elites who had come to pay their respects in silence.
Harry couldn't even tell whether it was rain or tears flowing down his face anymore.
Three days later, Harry had recovered slightly and come to terms with his father's death—at least on the surface. Aside from the formal condolences from politicians and corporate figures, Peter Parker's support had been a key factor in his emotional recovery.
And of course, there was Uchiha Akira, now the largest shareholder of Oscorp.
"I'll get straight to the point, Harry," Akira said. "I'm interested in buying your shares of Oscorp. Of course, given your father just passed away, I won't try to undercut you. I'll offer a fair price."
Akira didn't bother with small talk. His plan to fully acquire and control Oscorp was nearly complete. Harry's remaining shares were the final piece.
"I'm Harry Osborn," the boy replied, pale but resolute. "Just like my last name, Oscorp is a part of me. I'm sorry—I have no intention of selling."
Peter Parker sat quietly beside Harry, choosing to stay neutral. On one hand was Mr. Uchiha, someone he was fairly familiar with. On the other was Harry, his close friend. Peter didn't want to take sides.
Besides, Peter had no experience with this kind of corporate negotiation. Stocks and shares were things far removed from his ordinary teenage life.
Akira frowned slightly. He wasn't surprised by Harry's response—he had already anticipated every possible reaction from Norman's son.
"I understand how you feel. But Harry, you're still in high school. Aside from the wealth your father left you, you lack the ability—and the time—to manage Oscorp."
"Let me be blunt. I'm now the majority shareholder of Oscorp. If I wanted to squeeze you out, it wouldn't be difficult. I could continue investing, dilute your shares, and steadily erode your influence. Eventually, you'd be left with nothing."
"You—!" Harry was stunned. The man who had handed him a handkerchief at the funeral had now revealed his fangs.
"Mr. Uchiha, how can you say that?" Peter stood up abruptly, clearly shocked by Akira's words.
"What are you so surprised about? Sit down, both of you," Akira said calmly. "That's exactly my point, Harry. You inherited your father's wealth—but not his strength or capabilities. Everything I've said is standard, legal business practice."
"Have you truly considered why so many powerful people showed you kindness at the funeral? The respect they show on the surface and the knives they hide behind their backs aren't mutually exclusive."
"You holding onto that much wealth is like a child walking through a crowded market with a bag of gold. From now on, you'll face all kinds of challenges. And whether I'm exaggerating or not... I think you know better than I do."
"Of course, I'll leave you with a portion of the shares. I won't change the Oscorp name either. I want to build a new Oscorp—and I'm willing to leave you a seat on the deck of that ship."
"You don't have to decide now. I'm not a devil. Just think about it."
With that, Uchiha Akira ended the conversation and walked out of Norman's mansion.
"Peter... what should I do?" Harry asked quietly.
"I... I don't know either," Peter replied, voice just as soft. "I'm just a high schooler too…"