A Kryptonian in the Marvel Universe

Obadiah had been attacked, and as a result, he was forced to amputate one of his hands and a foot. When Tony Stark found out, he was furious. To him, Obadiah was still like family. Whoever hurt Obadiah would face Stark's wrath.

Tony had been working on his own weaponry, separate from Blade Technology Industries. Their war machines didn't concern him as much. Both Tony and Zod saw their self-defense systems as mere formalities—neither believed the other would truly back down.

Meanwhile, Osborne Industries was nearing collapse. The rise of Blade Technology's war machines had severely impacted Osborne's market share, pushing the company to the brink. As shareholders prepared to carve up the remnants of the Osborne empire, Blade Technology stepped in, acquiring one-third of the company's equity. Most shareholders had already sold off their stakes, but Ould had warned Zod multiple times that Osborne Industries had no future. Despite this, Zod wasn't willing to let Norman Osborn or his company fade into obscurity. He needed Osborne's laboratories, particularly their research into the Super Soldier Serum, along with their equipment and data.

Norman, knowing Zod's plans, didn't panic. The sell-off of shares was part of a larger strategy. Even the military had dumped half of their shares when Osborne Industries' stock plummeted. But Norman used the opportunity to buy back significant portions, consolidating power within the company. Now, the only remaining major shareholders were Norman, his son Harry, and Zod, with small shareholders posing no real threat. This gave Zod the freedom to transfer his research on animalized soldiers to Osborne Industries.

Norman had voluntarily undergone the lycanthrope transformation. Zod granted him a place within the lycanthrope ranks, though the more advanced super lycanthropes were only developed within Blade Technology's industrial base.

Osborne Industries held a press conference, hoping to restore investor confidence.

"Mr. Norman Osborn, what's your take on Blade Technology Industries acquiring such a significant stake in Osborne Industries?" a blonde reporter asked, her bright red lips contrasting with her eager expression.

"This is a collaboration," Norman replied confidently. "Osborne Industries will be partnering with Blade Technology in the biological sector. As you all know, this field..."

Norman was in high spirits. Since becoming a beast soldier, his family's long-standing genetic disease had been completely cured. He no longer needed regular injections, and he felt lighter and more powerful. The only caution Zod had given him was to avoid reproduction, to prevent genetic hybridization issues. Norman's next priority was to bring Harry into the fold.

"Mr. Osborn, are you saying that Blade Technology approached Osborne Industries for biological research? Can you tell us more about the project? Will Mr. Zod Heath be personally involved?" another reporter pressed.

The news was big. Blade Technology had already overtaken Stark Industries as the most influential corporation. Whenever they made a move, it shook the world. People's only complaint was that Blade's products couldn't be produced fast enough.

"We can't reveal details just yet," Norman said. "But with Zod's name attached, you won't be disappointed. Osborne and Blade are at the cutting edge of the next era. Just wait and see."

In reality, the project Zod had assigned to Norman wasn't about biological research at all—it was focused on energy.

Norman didn't quite understand. Didn't Blade Technology already have the advanced "Tinder" reactor? Why would they need to explore other energy sources? Still, he followed Zod's orders and contacted a physicist named Otto Gunther Octavius.

Otto was an expert in atomic energy physics, with a specialization in nuclear energy. He had published numerous papers in the field and was currently seeking investors to develop a tritium reactor.

When Norman reached out, Otto was surprised, but upon hearing that Zod was behind it, he felt relieved. In Otto's eyes, Zod Heath was a genius on par with figures like Einstein, Tesla, and Joule. Each century had its singular visionary, and Zod was clearly that person for this generation.

Zod's development of a cold nuclear fusion reactor—a feat even more difficult than Otto's proposed tritium reactor—had earned him that status. While Stark Industries had long boasted a massive cold nuclear fusion reactor, Zod had designed a smaller, more efficient version from scratch. Otto admired that kind of ingenuity.

However, Otto was puzzled. With such a superior and environmentally friendly energy source already in place, why was Zod interested in his tritium reactor? Zod's reactor had essentially made Otto's research obsolete.

Otto had struggled for years, and just when he was on the verge of giving up, Zod appeared.

"Science isn't a one-way street, Dr. Otto," Zod explained when they met.

What followed was an intense academic discussion. Though Zod hadn't brought Krypton's advanced physical sciences with him, his knowledge of atomic energy physics was immense, having studied under the renowned Anton and Ivan Vanko. Otto quickly realized that he was in the presence of a mind far greater than his own.

"Use as much capital as you need," Zod said, leaving a blank check on the table.

Otto, humbled and impressed, knew he had found the backing he needed. Together, they were about to push the boundaries of energy research even further.