Upon hearing that, Henry looked at Tony with an expression like he had heard the funniest joke of the century.
"You won? Tony, did the explosion just now damage one of the components in your brain? I took down at least a hundred enemies, not counting the pickup truck I tossed around like a toy. And you? You just set off some big fireworks and blew up a few junk tanks. In terms of efficiency and volume, I was completely dominant. So, you'll be cleaning the lab when we get back, and none of my coffee mugs better be missing."
"Hey! You're changing the subject!" Tony immediately countered, his voice raised in annoyance, nearly spitting on Henry's Armor.
"We were competing on quality, not quantity! I took out heavily armoured units, each one worth a fortune and posing a huge threat on the battlefield! The ones you took out were just a bunch of thugs with AKs. Honestly, Happy could take them out in the Armor! So, based on battlefield contribution, I'm the MVP! That's science, got it? Science!"
"Oh, science?" Henry crossed his arms, his expression teasing.
"Then tell me, Mr. Stark, can you, the great scientist, scientifically explain why your multi-billion-dollar tin can is less efficient than me, a primitive man who only uses brute force? Your 'art' seems to be all for show."
"You..." Tony was speechless for a long moment, pointing at Henry, his fingers shaking.
"Henry! Why didn't I notice how annoying you are before!"
"The feeling is mutual," Henry shrugged.
Just as the two brothers were bickering, oblivious to the world, a slightly aged figure walked out of the cave. Dr. Ethan looked at the apocalyptic scene outside and then at the two world-class geniuses arguing like children. A look of amusement and helplessness crossed his face.
"I imagine, if the two Mr. Starks don't mind, should we perhaps consider leaving this place? I personally do not enjoy the sand and the smell of roasted meat here." Ethan pointed to a smoking corpse nearby, his tone carrying a touch of well-timed humour.
Tony and Henry stopped simultaneously and looked over at Ethan.
"Hey! Ethan!" Tony rushed over in a flash, circled Ethan twice, confirmed he was unharmed, and then relaxed. He immediately reverted to his arrogant self.
"Of course. With me here, how could anything happen to you?"
"Yes, Tony. Your aura is so dazzling that I was almost knocked unconscious by the sound of your argument," Ethan teased, smiling.
Henry also walked over and nodded at Ethan, acknowledging him. He had a fundamental appreciation for the man who had saved his brother's life in a time of crisis. In the movie, he died due to a plot contrivance, but Henry definitely couldn't let him die this time.
"Alright, since everyone's here, it's time to call a cab," Tony said, activating the Mark II's communication system.
"Hey, Rhodey, guess who?"
A voice on the other end of the communicator, tired but filled with surprise, responded: "Tony? You bastard! Thank God you're alive! Do you have any idea how much we've scoured this desert looking for you!"
Tony: ...
What kind of thing to say?! Was he hoping that the great Tony Stark would starve to death in Afghanistan?
He rolled his eyes and continued.
"Relax, my friend." Tony's tone was full of bragging.
"I was just taking a little vacation and experiencing some local manufacturing. Now, I need you to send a helicopter. I'll send you the coordinates. Remember, just one to pick up my friend, Dr. Ethan. As for me, I have a much cooler way of getting home."
"A cooler way? What nonsense are you talking about? Tony, stop messing around. I'll bring people to pick you up right away!" Rhodey clearly didn't believe him.
"Listen, Rhodey, just do as I say. Pick up Ethan and take him to the best hospital for a full physical check-up. The bill goes to the company. As for me, you'll see me on the news soon." Tony hung up before Rhodey could respond.
He turned to Henry, his face showing an expression that begged for praise. Henry rolled his eyes.
"You're truly a thoughtful boss, personally arranging for employee check-ups."
"Of course," Tony said smugly, flopping down onto a relatively intact boulder, stretching, and beginning to complain.
"I swear, I never want to see anything related to the desert again in my life. The air here is dry and hot, the food tastes like pig slop, and there isn't even a decent restroom. They ruined my three-thousand-dollar suit! And look at my hair—it's practically tangled!"
"Give me a break," Henry sat down beside him, crossing his legs.
"At least you had a cave to live in. Where I was, there were no windows, and the lights were on 24/7. I almost developed claustrophobia. The food was just as bad—a chunk of God-knows-what synthetic nutrient paste every day. It tasted like chewing on wax."
The two brothers complained back and forth about their miserable experiences, as if holding a unique "misery contest." The previous tension and exhaustion seemed to dissipate in the relaxed atmosphere.
After chatting for a while, the smile on Henry's face gradually faded. He looked at Tony, his tone becoming serious.
"Tony, there's something I need to tell you."
Tony, seeing his unprecedented serious expression, also put away his playful mood. "What is it?"
"My capture and your attack were not accidents." Henry's voice was calm, but every word was like a bomb dropped.
"It was Obadiah."
The air instantly froze.
Tony's face went rigid. He stared blankly at Henry, taking a few seconds to react. Then, as if he had heard the biggest joke ever, he burst into exaggerated laughter.
"Obie? What are you talking about? Henry, that's not funny. Obie watched us grow up; he's like an uncle to us. How could he possibly..."
"How could he not?" Henry interrupted him, his eyes sharp.
"Do you think a regular businessman could connect with an organization like Hydra? Do you think those terrorists could have precisely gotten your itinerary and the most advanced Stark Industries weapons without a high-ranking internal leak? Who is the biggest beneficiary when both of us go missing simultaneously?"
Henry's series of rhetorical questions was like sharp knives, slicing through the last shred of fantasy in Tony's heart.
Tony's smile vanished, and his face became extremely grim. He was a genius. Once Henry laid out all the clues, he instantly understood all the hidden intricacies. Obadiah's various anomalies over the years—the details he had once dismissed—now played back in his mind like a movie reel.
His fists began to clench. He had always treated Obadiah as an uncle, but now...