Inside the iconic modern mansion perched on a seaside cliff in Malibu.
Tony Stark had just finished a six-hour optimization session for the Mark VII armor's joint drive system, still carrying the faint scent of oil and welding flux.
He slumped into an expensive ergonomic chair in his lab, grabbed a half-eaten cheeseburger, and with his other hand, gestured in the air to bring up several floating holographic news interfaces.
This was his way of relaxing—recharging while catching up on what foolish news the World had cooked up while he was buried in his research.
Then, he choked on a phrase that dominated almost all tech and finance headlines.
"Hero... Association?" Tony chewed on the words as if tasting something strange, his brows furrowed into a knot.
"Wilson Fisk? That 'businessman' with bulging muscles and probably a brain full of them too?"
He quickly scanned clips of the press conference, listening to Kingpin's rhetoric of 'hero professionalization,' 'five insurances and one housing fund,' and 'standardized management,' his expression gradually shifting from confusion to undisguised sarcasm.
"Ha!" He scoffed, tossing the remaining burger back onto the plate, dusting his hands, and stood up, pacing around the lab filled with various precision instruments and half-finished armor, as if delivering a speech to an invisible audience.
"Jarvis, did you hear that? This is the most ridiculous joke I've heard this year... no, this century!" Tony waved his arms.
"Treating heroes like a job? Using KPIs and regulations to restrain guys who act on pure passion and talent? That's like trying to plan a rock concert with an Excel spreadsheet! Absurd! Ludicrous! They completely misunderstand what heroism is!"
"Sir, according to data statistics, Mr. Fisk's remarks have sparked widespread discussion in society, with the ratio of supporters to opponents being approximately..." Jarvis's calm voice interjected.
"Who cares about ratios!" Tony cut him off.
"The point is, it sullies the word 'hero'! What is a hero? It's responsibility, it's talent, it's the courage to step up at a critical moment! It's not a nine-to-five, it's not punching in and out, and it certainly isn't using points to redeem some... 'cheering shield'?!" He saw a reporter's mocking article about the Association's Equipment Research Department, his disdain almost overflowing.
He walked to a display stand showcasing his armor models from Mark I to Mark VI, his fingers gently tracing the smooth curves of the Mark III, his voice becoming proud and firm: "Look at these, Jarvis.
This is what a hero should be! It's wisdom, it's technology, it's the creativity to break limits! It's the responsibility to single-handedly shoulder an era! Not an... employee, cooped up by a former gang leader with regulations and health insurance!"
The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, and an urge to speak his mind surged within him.
He needed to let everyone know what a true hero was, what the right path was!
"Jarvis, get me Jimmy Kimmel, or that inquisitive Christine Everhart... No, just Jimmy, his show has higher ratings." Tony snapped his fingers, his eyes sparkling with mischievous excitement.
"Tell him Tony Stark has important views to share on his late-night talk show, regarding that... well, very 'interesting' social hot topic recently."
Hours later, the atmosphere in the studio of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was lively.
Tony Stark, dressed in a flashy custom burgundy suit, no tie, collar casually open, sat with his legs crossed, leaning back in the guest sofa in an extremely relaxed posture, a Stark contrast to the prim and proper host, Jimmy, beside him.
"...So, Tony," Jimmy, following the script, steered the conversation to the current hot topic, "What are your thoughts on Mr. Wilson Fisk's newly established 'Hero Association' and his concept of 'hero professionalization'? I know you've always been dedicated to protecting the World with technology, do you see this as a beneficial complement?"
The camera focused on Tony, and the entire audience held their breath, anticipating his answer.
Tony's face broke into a standard, somewhat cynical Stark-esque smile.
He adjusted his posture, leaned forward, and addressed the camera and the entire audience with a clear, slightly exaggerated tone:
"Thoughts? My thoughts are—this is the most entertaining business proposal I've heard in a long time!"
A ripple of laughter spread through the audience.
"Hero Association? Sounds like a superhuman HR company." Tony spread his hands.
"I can just imagine the scene: a guy who just defeated alien invaders has to go back to the office and write a 'Report on Energy Beam Damage Assessment and Optimization Suggestions for Urban Architecture'? Or gets points deducted for not wearing the Association's uniformly issued, possibly extremely tasteless, tie?"
The laughter grew louder.
"As for measuring a hero's contributions with money?" Tony's smile faded slightly, his tone taking on a genuine hint of mockery.
"This is the greatest blasphemy against the word 'hero'! What is a hero's reward? It's the gratitude in the eyes of the innocent saved, it's the peace of mind knowing they've protected the city's tranquility, it's... a spiritual satisfaction that transcends material things! Not cold, hard numbers in a bank account, or some 'Employee of the Month' trophy!"
He pointed to his chest; although it was covered by his suit, everyone knew what lay beneath.
"I, Tony Stark, am Iron Man.
I do this because I have the ability, and I am willing to bear this responsibility. Not because some association pays me a salary or promises me a pension! A true hero comes from within, not from an employment contract!"
His voice was strong and resonant, imbued with intense confidence and superiority.
"Mr. Fisk might be a successful... well, 'entrepreneur'," Tony deliberately emphasized 'entrepreneur', with an unspoken implication, "but he clearly doesn't understand the essence of the heroic spirit.
He wants to manage individuals with extraordinary souls and powers the way you manage a factory assembly line? Sorry, that won't work.
That will only stifle creativity, smooth out rough edges, and ultimately produce a group of subservient, by-the-book... civil servant-like 'heroes'."
"What this World needs are maverick geniuses, shining legends of individuality, people like me..." He paused, tilting his chin up, "who dare to break rules and define the future.
Not a bunch of employees constrained by KPIs and regulations."
He concluded with an utterly dismissive term: "Honestly, I think his association is more like a large asylum and re-employment training center for superhumans who can't find a proper job.
To tarnish the name of 'hero' with money, there's nothing worse."
The interview clips were almost simultaneously reposted by major media outlets, with headlines more sensational than the last:
"Stark Blasts Hero Association: Tainting the Name of Heroism with Money!"
"Iron Man Declares: The Association is a Superhuman Asylum!"
"Genius's Scorn: Tony Stark Says Kingpin Doesn't Understand What a Hero Is!"
Public opinion was reignited, with individuals and organizations supporting Stark's traditional heroic ideals speaking out, clashing fiercely with voices supporting the Association's innovative model.
Fisk Tower, top-floor office.
Kingpin stood by the window, a massive LCD screen playing Tony Stark's highly sarcastic remarks from the talk show.
Wesley stood behind him, his face looking rather displeased.
"Boss, Stark's comments have caused a significant negative impact on the initial image of our Association.
Do we need to activate our PR response plan?"
Kingpin looked at Tony's arrogant, self-assured face on the screen, showing no signs of being provoked, but rather a hint of... amusement.
"Respond?" He spoke slowly, his voice deep, "Why respond to someone who... will soon realize he was wrong?"
He turned, looking calmly at Wesley: "Remember, Wesley, influence is built on strength.
Let him talk.
The more he mocks us now, the more it will sting when we deliver results."
"The Association needs buzz, whether positive or negative.
Stark just gave us a globally-watched advertisement for free; we should thank him."
He walked to his desk, tapping his finger lightly on the surface, his mind filled with the blueprints of technology beyond this era from the system store.
"Continue as planned.
How are the Equipment Research Department's prototype tests coming along?"
"Progress is smooth, Boss.
It's just... the aesthetic design might be a bit... too unique." Wesley chose his words carefully.
A cold, hard curve finally appeared at the corner of Kingpin's mouth.
"Unique? Unique is exactly what we want."
"Soon, Mr. Stark will understand that some things cannot be negated by mere words and showmanship."
"Like, undeniable... technological superiority.