If it had been in his previous life, Rimuru would probably have knelt on the spot and clung to Tony's leg, refusing to let go, if a super-rich man like Tony Stark was willing to adopt him as a godson.
He would have called him "Daddy Tony" nonstop, but in this life, things were different.
Starting as a Slime, holding all the trump cards—why would he need to be someone else's son?
A forced melon is never sweet, and Tony wasn't forcing anything. He wasn't even ready to be a father.
In truth, he wasn't even ready to get married.
The reason he said it was mostly because Rimuru's displayed talent had amazed him, and his strong desire for talent made him lose control for a moment.
Actually… this wasn't bad either.
After learning that Rimuru still had many Recovery Potions—enough to fill several warehouses—Tony immediately agreed to exchange shares with Rimuru.
One day later.
Tony resolved Rimuru's identity issue: Rimuru became the distant niece of one of Stark Industries' founders!
(Slimes have no gender, but because Rimuru inherited Shizue's appearance, she leans more toward a young girl, so "she/her" will be used from now on.)
That founder's son and his family tragically died in a maritime accident, leaving the elder heartbroken. Now seriously ill and with only a short time left, she wrote a will leaving all her remaining property to her distant niece.
And just like that, Rimuru magnificently became a major shareholder of Stark Industries, holding nearly a billion dollars in assets.
Holding the property contract, Rimuru felt completely unreal.
She just… became a billionaire like that?
Comparing yourself to others is nothing but self-inflicted pain!
"Rimuru, this is your SNN card, the stock transfer certificate, and the inheritance certificate. The inheritance tax has already been filed for you. As long as you sign here, everything will be yours."
Pepper Potts placed the documents in front of Rimuru, feeling extremely conflicted.
As a smart person, she knew what she should ask and what she absolutely should not ask.
But the events of the past few days still felt absurd to her.
Tony only told her he had made a deal with Rimuru—but what kind of deal was worth a billion dollars?
If Rimuru and Tony didn't look so different, she might have suspected Rimuru was Tony's secret illegitimate daughter.
But Tony's attitude strongly influenced Pepper's own attitude. No matter what, Rimuru's importance in Tony's heart was not small.
Being close to Rimuru would only benefit her in securing Tony's heart—not harm it.
She hadn't paid much attention before, but now that she did, Pepper immediately felt something off.
Pepper exclaimed dramatically, "My god! Rimuru, how long have you been wearing this outfit? It's so hot—don't you feel warm?"
"Huh?"
Rimuru was confused. A moment ago, she was still reeling from inheriting a billion dollars, and suddenly the topic shifted to how long she'd worn her clothes?
That jump was too fast!
The outfit she wore matched Rimuru's original style—leaning toward fantasy, full of main-character vibes—and Rimuru quite liked it.
As for feeling warm? Not possible.
With the skill [Heat Change Resistance], even being tossed into a steel-smelting furnace wouldn't faze her.
As for normal temperature? That was nothing.
Pepper frowned. "I remember you were wearing this the day Tony came back. And you're still wearing it now."
Rimuru immediately felt awkward. A beautiful woman questioning how long she'd worn her clothes—the implication being: How can you be so unhygienic?
Rimuru panicked.
Did she… smell?
"I've only worn this outfit for less than three days!"
In her previous life, wearing something for two or three days was perfectly normal!
So why did she feel so guilty now?
Pepper gasped, "Three days? You haven't changed in three days? Then have you showered?"
Thump.
Rimuru felt her heart take a direct hit. Under Pepper's intense gaze, she felt completely overwhelmed. What should she do?
[Great Sage, what do I do?!]
"Answer: Turn around, point at the other person, and say—"
"He didn't prepare clothes for me!"
Tony froze instantly. He had been enjoying watching Pepper scold Rimuru; he'd wanted to put this ill-tempered Slime in her place for a long time.
He hadn't expected Rimuru—who always had a sharp tongue for him—to be completely defenseless before Pepper.
Indeed, there is always someone who counters someone else!
Honestly, he had just wanted to enjoy a cheeseburger while watching this drama.
But he never expected the fire to spread to him so quickly.
And shifting the blame to him—seriously, Slime, where is your dignity?!
Pepper: "Tony, you're too careless. As her guardian, you didn't even think about these things. I really can't stand you."
I did not! I am not! Don't talk nonsense!
Tony denied it three times in his heart, but it was pointless—no one believed him.
When it came to shifting blame, even Tony Stark was forced to admit Rimuru was the strongest.
Seeing Tony's defeated expression, Rimuru's heart bloomed with joy.
Life, you are beautiful—and Tony, you are truly spectacularly irritating—la-la-la, la-la-la!
If only she had sunflower seeds right now. Sunflower seeds were magical.
Even if the news said a nuclear bomb hit Hawaii, with sunflower seeds in hand, everything felt like a casual sitcom.
Pepper took Rimuru's hand. "Come, sister will take you to the mall to pick out some pretty clothes."
Rimuru broke out in cold sweat. Shopping??
Just thinking about the crowded mall and the blinding sunlight, Rimuru panicked.
She shook her head like a rattle. "Pepper, you're busy. You don't have to trouble yourself. I can buy clothes on my own."
Tony immediately said righteously, "Pepper, I was negligent before. Make sure to pick out cute little dresses for Rimuru. And stockings—those are essential. Rimuru is quite tsundere, yes, tsundere. When she says no with her mouth, her body is often very honest, you know?"
Rimuru: "I— > XXX @ ## ￥ * * * * !!!"
Mutual destruction, is it?
Rimuru glared fiercely at Tony. Tony glared back without yielding. Sparks flew between them.
Pepper covered her mouth and smiled. "You two really have a great relationship."
Rimuru and Tony replied in perfect sync:
"Who has a good relationship with him?!"
Blah blah blah—
Rimuru and Tony stabbed each other verbally, always aiming for the fatal points. It was intensely satisfying.
Half a day later.
After trying on over a dozen cute dresses, Rimuru's eyes rolled back, and her soul left her body.
She was done for. Absolutely done for.
And why did the label "tsundere" stick to her?!
Tony, you just wait!
Seeing Rimuru's dead-fish eyes and life-questioning expression, Pepper burst into laughter.
Originally, she had befriended Rimuru out of pure practicality, but after this afternoon together, Pepper found herself genuinely charmed by Rimuru.
Rimuru was unlike any young girl she'd ever met—far too cute and far too interesting.
With Pepper's intelligence, she easily noticed how resistant Rimuru was to stockings and dresses.
But since this was the boss's assigned mission, she had to execute it flawlessly.
Getting Rimuru to wear cute clothes was, for Pepper, like playing a difficult strategy game.
The more Rimuru wore, the higher her score, and the more Tony would appreciate her.
But the moment Rimuru shyly walked out in the first dress, Pepper felt as if Cupid shot her directly.
Rimuru's shy expression was far too adorable and far too entertaining. Soon, Pepper even began enjoying forcing Rimuru to change outfits.
Especially Rimuru's soft cheeks—they were unbelievably pleasant to pinch!
Seriously, how could anyone's skin be this elastic?