23: Punch away
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"Well, you can't really say that."
Lyon pointed to his ear. "Based on the information I've gathered over the past few days, it seems that the main people in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. are still fine for now; the Hydra members are mostly just key personnel and elites."
"Just key personnel and elites?" Tony was speechless. "How is that much different from having them all? The organization my.. our father created has been handed over to the enemy by those idiots!"
He paced back and forth at the edge of the console. "No, Lyon, it's our responsibility to fix the mess the old guys left behind. We need to destroy this organization!"
"I agree!" Lyon had no objections. "Anyway, I can't stand how this organization has no real power but always fantasizes about being the savior of the world."
"Plus, it aligns with my revenge plan."
Lyon waved his hand at the holographic projector, displaying a picture of Nick Fury.
"Nick Fury, the current director of S.H.I.E.L.D., has a strong desire for control and wants to handle all the world's security issues personally."
"He does sound a lot like Hydra. Wait, why isn't he part of Hydra?" Tony asked.
"Not sure, maybe his predecessor was worried that after he joined the organization, he'd threaten their position."
Lyon waved his hand again, and a file package popped up on the screen.
"This is a list I've compiled of Hydra members within S.H.I.E.L.D., including evidence and identities. I've packed it all in here."
"After this, Tony, you'll need to find a way to get this file to Nick Fury so that their internal conflicts will start to unravel."
"Remember, don't just let Jarvis send it—they'll trace it back to us."
"Then, once they've descended into chaos, we'll release these files to the public, fully exposing Hydra."
"At that point, the entire world will naturally stand against Hydra."
"We can take advantage of the situation to uncover the truth behind father's death. Whether it's evidence or the culprit, we need to find it all!"
Lyon flashed a not-so-friendly smile. "And during this process, I will demonstrate my power to the entire world."
"How will you demonstrate it?" Tony was taken aback.
"By forcing them to use weapons of mass destruction—intercontinental missiles, hydrogen bombs... anything will do!"
"Then I'll step in, withstand a missile with my bare body, and punch one of their military bases into rubble."
Lyon poured himself a glass of water. "This way, I'll showcase both my defensive and offensive capabilities, and also make it clear that I don't hold back when I act!"
"Surely, after that, even if I'm walking around the house in a fucking Superman costume, no one will dare to mess with me."
Tony imagined the scene of Lyon being bombarded by a missile and hesitated: "Isn't that... a bit too risky?"
"Relax, I'm not in a hurry to get myself killed. I'll only act when I'm confident, and if I can't take a missile head-on, I can always dodge it, right?"
As Lyon spoke, he took out a box from behind him.
"I still want to get stronger, not die... Tony, take a look at this. I made this suit. What do you think?"
He opened the box and took out a Superman suit woven in gold, red, and white.
This suit didn't have the traditional outside underwear. It was entirely a silver-white color, with a golden inverted pentagon on the chest embedded with the "S" symbol. The shoulder pads were red and were fixed with a white cape.
"A Superman suit woven with Kevlar fibers—bulletproof, soft, and most importantly, it looks cool."
Even though Tony felt heavy-hearted, he couldn't help but comment, "It looks good. I'm glad you didn't wear the underwear outside, and this 'S'—I remember it stands for hope, right?"
"No, now it stands for Stark, the first letter of 'Stark.'"
"Hehe" Lyon flicked the "S": "Starting tomorrow, I'll wear this suit and head to Afghanistan to eliminate the Ten Rings. From now on, I am the fucking Superman of this world."
"It seems like you've forgotten about me. I'm coming with you!" Tony grabbed Lyon's arm seriously. "This is my problem; I have to solve it myself."
"But you still need to carry out our plan." Lyon pointed to the projection. "I thought you'd be very eager to find out the truth."
Tony shook his head. "But that doesn't stop me from investigating the truth while also traveling thousands of miles to deal with some despicable thugs."
Tony had been keeping an eye on the Ten Rings for the past few days. Those guys had significant influence in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
In their territories, ordinary people faced daily suffering from oppression and looting.
Even if Lyon hadn't mentioned it today, Tony would soon choose to take action and dismantle this gang.
"Alright then, but you must be cautious about S.H.I.E.L.D. In the early stages, try not to let them trace anything back to us; that would bring a lot of trouble."
"I'll follow your lead," Tony said as he looked at Nick Fury's face on the projection. He then asked, "But I'm curious. You should be able to find Hydra's bases. Why not just take direct action?"
Lyon shook his head. "The higher-ups in Hydra have significant identities in various countries around the world. Those bases belong to them. If I act directly, it might lead to manipulated public opinion, labeling me as a dictator or someone inciting war."
"Although I'm not afraid of that, since even in such a situation, I'd just have to take more actions if necessary."
"But why wait for trouble to come knocking when I can think ahead and avoid it?"
Tony nodded in agreement. "I knew you were a man who doesn't like being passive, just like me."
Lyon ignored his teasing. "The reason I want to display my power to the world is for this reason too."
"After all, I can't hide my superpowers forever. There will come a day when my identity is discovered."
"And when my identity is exposed, the first thing all the different forces will do is test me!"
"And when they start probing and showing intentions of aggression, can I just sit and tolerate it?"
"But if I were to strike first, the other side, whether to maintain their own power's prestige or to avenge themselves, would not let it go easily."
"In the end, the situation might evolve to where I have to eliminate most of the world's armed forces just to return to a peaceful life."
"In that case, I might as well plan something, create a common enemy for the world, and directly in front of global powers, display all the strength that will make them fear!"
Tony couldn't help but clap his hands. "Good idea, Lyon. You've made the right choice."
"Thanks for the compliment, but I just don't like my normal life being disturbed."
Lyon put the suit away. "That's all I need to do, and I've laid it all out for you, Tony. Now you can finally rest assured."
Tony smiled. "I was never worried... By the way, just one question. Why are you dressing up as Superman, looking like a... pajama baby? Forgive my bluntness, but are you planning to be a superhero?"
"No, I just like Superman. But I certainly won't become a righteous hero like him."
Lyon walked out with the box in his arms. "Maybe I'll be a good guy who helps out when he sees injustice, but dedicating myself to doing good deeds and saving the world? No, thanks."
Tony shook his head behind him. "That's really a shame. I even came up with a name for our hero duo: Super Iron Brothers. What do you think?"
"I think it's childish!" Lyon's voice echoed from the hallway. "It sounds like two kindergarten kids came up with that!"
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