Alright, Pepper."
"You can leave the rest to the legal department; there shouldn't be any problems."
"Next, I'm entrusting you with another important matter."
"I plan to relaunch the Stark Expo."
"Yes, that's right, it's a very interesting thing, and I think it will be very meaningful."
Inside the office at Stark Tower.
Tony Stark held a brief meeting with Pepper Potts, bringing the discussion about the Iron Man Armor to a close.
Finally, he assigned his assistant the important task of organizing the Stark Expo.
The Playboy then greeted her, dusted his hands, and reverted to his old habit of being a hands-off boss.
He leisurely returned to his luxurious Villa.
Hmm?
Tony Stark felt something was amiss the moment he entered the door.
It was quiet, too quiet.
Normally, as soon as Tony Stark returned home, Jarvis would immediately come online and greet Tony Stark.
Then, he would observe Tony Stark's mood and adjust the room's lighting and atmosphere to an appropriate mode.
There were also a series of operations like adjusting the indoor air conditioning temperature, whether to play music, and so on.
In short, he would make corresponding adjustments based on the Playboy's preferences and habits.
This was to ensure that Tony Stark would reach the most pleasant state of mind and body upon returning home.
But now?
Jarvis was completely silent, without any movement, as if it had suddenly gone offline.
Undoubtedly, this was very abnormal, and such a thing had never happened before.
"Jarvis?"
Tony Stark called out, a bit surprised.
"I'm here, sir!"
It was only when his boss actively called out that Jarvis responded, somewhat mechanically.
Something's wrong!
This is very wrong!
Tony Stark immediately realized this.
His brows furrowed involuntarily, and a hint of vigilance appeared.
From the looks of it, did someone tamper with Jarvis?
It must be so.
After all, for an artificial intelligence of Jarvis's caliber, the probability of it developing a bug on its own was simply too low.
So low, in fact, as to be impossible.
And if someone truly managed to do this, no matter who it was, they were not simple!
Whoosh!
Indeed.
The next moment.
Under Tony Stark's vigilant and solemn gaze, the Playboy inadvertently looked up.
He saw a stranger standing in front of the spacious, enormous floor-to-ceiling window!
What's going on?
Tony Stark couldn't help but be startled; someone had actually broken into his home!
He clearly had the most advanced artificial intelligence in the World guarding his home, yet someone still managed to break in.
This was almost impossible before.
So, who exactly was that guy?
With this question, Tony Stark began to stare intently.
He saw that the person standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window was a man dressed in a black robe, with his hands clasped behind his back.
Because the person had his back to him, Tony Stark couldn't make out his appearance for the time being.
But when Tony Stark's gaze fell upon the person's head, he immediately understood.
"Nick Fury!"
"Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
Tony Stark immediately guessed the person's identity.
"'That's not a rumor,' 'I am Iron Man,' do you think you're the only superhero in the World?"
The next moment.
Accompanied by that deep, low voice.
The Eyepatch's head turned, and his features were fully revealed before Tony Stark.
It was exactly as Tony Stark had guessed; the person was indeed Nick Fury from S.H.I.E.L.D.!
As someone who had participated in an alien war and was the intelligence chief of a massive intelligence agency like S.H.I.E.L.D., it wasn't too surprising that he could bypass Jarvis.
After all, this Eyepatch in front of him might not look like much, but according to the various spoilers in the diary, he was indeed no ordinary person.
The Playboy immediately understood.
"Mr. Stark, you have become part of a larger Universe; you just don't know it yet!"
While saying such profound and imposing words, Nick Fury walked towards Tony Stark.
"First of all, I never said I was the only superhero in this World; I know I'm not."
"But undoubtedly, I will be the most powerful superhero in the World."
"Okay, maybe not now, but definitely in the future."
"Secondly, by 'larger Universe,' are you referring to aliens?"
"Then I bet your 'larger Universe' is just the tip of the iceberg."
Facing Nick Fury's all-knowing, all-controlling gaze.
Tony Stark calmly and confidently uttered these words.
This wasn't the Playboy showing off.
Admittedly, he knew that Nick Fury was indeed not simple, having participated in an alien war.
But currently, it seemed to be that war between the Kree and the Skrulls.
Even if he knew more, could it be as much as what was spoiled in the diary?
Tony Stark simply didn't believe it.
Would Nick Fury know about the Asgardian, the Universal Family Planning Committee, or Titan?
Would he know about at least 190,000 parallel Universes?
Undoubtedly.
This Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. had indeed experienced more than ordinary people.
The World he had seen was not the World ordinary people had seen.
The World in his eyes was much, much vaster than what ordinary people saw.
But no matter how vast, could it be vaster than the World described in the diary?
The vast World in his eyes was merely the tip of the iceberg of the vast World described in the diary!
Nick Fury: "…"
This development seemed a bit off!
It was slightly different from what he had imagined.
Originally, Nick Fury wanted to project a profound and impressive image in front of Tony Stark.
To gain the upper hand, preferably to intimidate Tony Stark.
To establish his authority, control the pace of negotiations, and seize the initiative.
To achieve the goal of gaining control over Tony Stark.
That's why he immediately threw out grand propositions like "You are not the only superhero" and "a larger Universe," attempting to awe the Playboy.
But Tony Stark's reaction was overly calm.
Much, much calmer than Nick Fury had anticipated.
Not only that.
Judging by his demeanor, it wasn't a feigned calmness.
It seemed as if all the crucial information he had revealed was already known to the other party.
And according to the intelligence he possessed, although Tony Stark was always arrogant and conceited, he was not someone who pretended to know what he didn't!
If he didn't know the things he was talking about, he wouldn't deliberately show off.
Therefore.
According to the Eyepatch's judgment and analysis, Tony Stark should indeed have known those things!
He knew that other superheroes existed in the World, and he also knew about aliens!
It must be said that this still surprised Nick Fury a bit.
He hadn't expected Tony Stark to be so "knowledgeable."
This feeling of things being out of control was really unpleasant, even if it was just a slight deviation from control.
Especially the faint look of disdain and ridicule in the other party's eyes, as if he were just a Joker showing off randomly!
It made Nick Fury quite frustrated, like punching cotton.
"Oh, you knew all along?"
Nick Fury raised an eyebrow, both curious and further probing, "Then, besides yourself, which other superheroes do you know?"
"Also, regarding the aliens you mentioned, are you sure you're not referring to some science fiction movies?"
"Put away your clumsy probing."
Tony Stark had no time to waste words with Nick Fury, "You're not the only one who sees through the truth of this World and knows its true face!"
Seeing Tony Stark's confident and matter-of-fact demeanor, Nick Fury secretly made a judgment.
It seemed he had indeed underestimated this Playboy before.
This person was not just a mere super scientist!
The other party must have grasped and understood many unknown secrets.
And there was a high probability that he indeed knew a corner of this real World.
"One last thing!"
As Nick Fury's thoughts flickered, Tony Stark's voice continued, "Even if you are the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., that doesn't mean you can just barge into my home!"
He actually knows my identity?
Nick Fury remained outwardly composed, still maintaining that profound and impressive demeanor.
But inwardly, he was caught off guard.
Tony Stark actually knew who he was?
One should know that while S.H.I.E.L.D. was much higher in caliber than agencies like the FBI or CIA.
Its Popularity was far inferior, one might even say incredibly low-key.
Even when S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents went on missions, they often didn't use their S.H.I.E.L.D. identity, but rather impersonated other intelligence agencies like the FBI.
No choice.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s fame was too low; people didn't recognize it at all and simply didn't acknowledge it.
It was nowhere near as effective as the brand names of agencies like the FBI.
Yet, under these circumstances, Tony Stark actually knew the Director of such an "obscure" intelligence department!
This Playboy's scope of knowledge was too damn broad, wasn't it?
It seemed that he had truly underestimated Tony Stark before.
"Since you know me, things will be much simpler; at least it saves me the trouble of introducing myself."
Thoughts quickly flashed through his mind, and Nick Fury continued to speak in an orderly fashion, "I think this is a good start."
"Start what? I'm listening."
Tony Stark spread his hands, his eyes fixed on Nick Fury.
He was indeed quite curious about this point.
What exactly did the other party want by coming uninvited?
Was it to solve his palladium poisoning problem, or something about the Avengers, or something else?
"Stark, I'm here to talk to you about the Avengers."
Meeting Tony Stark's gaze, Nick Fury gave this answer with a serious expression.
It was completely within the Playboy's expectations.
After all, based on the intelligence spoiled in the diary, Nick Fury suddenly coming to find him could only be one of those few possibilities.
However, should he join the Avengers and become an Avenger?
Tony Stark thought for a moment and made his decision.
"Sorry, no matter what this ridiculously low-sounding alliance is, I'm not interested."
Tony Stark gave a negative, dismissive answer.
Of course.
Not knowing about the Avengers or anything like that was all an act by Tony Stark; otherwise, it would be too suspicious.
Previously, knowing that he wasn't the only superhero, knowing about aliens, and knowing the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Could still be explained by his extensive knowledge and broad experience as a Playboy.
But if he showed the same attitude about the Avengers, it would truly be very strange.
After all, the only source of information about this organization was the diary!
In other words, ordinary people shouldn't possibly know about it.
Especially since the founder of the Avengers, who was right in front of him, hadn't even established this organization yet.
Tony Stark wouldn't expose such a flaw in front of an intelligence chief.
"Stark, I think you should understand that adults don't do things based solely on their interests."
"Besides, I haven't even told you what the Avengers is, so how do you know you're not interested?"
Nick Fury's expression remained unchanged, and he began to explain to Tony Stark what the Avengers specifically did.
Originally, Nick Fury thought.
Since Tony Stark knew the truth of this World and that the World faced many superhuman threats.
Plus, he used to fight criminals, so he should have a certain level of acceptance for the Avengers.
But Tony Stark had very clearly refused.
On one hand, the Playboy truly hadn't made such a decision yet.
Although he knew from the diary that another version of himself was indeed an Avenger, that person wasn't him, and couldn't represent him!
At least for the current Tony Stark, without those necessary related experiences, he genuinely had no such plans.
On the other hand?
Tony found Nick Fury annoying!
This guy, who clearly had something his father left him, kept it hidden until he was on the verge of death before showing up!
From a rational standpoint, Tony Stark understood the other party's actions, and even had to praise him for being shrewd.
But emotionally, the Playboy truly couldn't stand it.
"It's a bit less optimistic!"
Nick Fury's heart sank slightly, but he didn't take it too much to heart.
Such matters were not easily resolved in one or two attempts.
The Eyepatch had already prepared for a slow and steady approach.
In fact, as of now, Tony Stark was only one of Nick Fury's candidates, nothing more.
Nick Fury hadn't made a final decision to truly accept the Playboy.
Right now, it was just the initial contact and assessment phase.
So, even though Tony Stark wasn't very enthusiastic, it wasn't a failure for Nick Fury's current mission.
"Goodbye, Stark."
"I have a feeling we'll meet again."
Waving his hand, he left Tony Stark with that highly pretentious remark.
Nick Fury then left the Playboy's mansion.
"Officer, where are we going next?"
As soon as he got into his car, Agent Hill, who was driving, began to ask her superior for his opinion.
"Well…"
Nick Fury answered without thinking, "To meet another interesting fellow."