A sudden kick sent Whiplash tumbling across the floor for two full rotations, his whip flailing uselessly.
The whip, meant to kill Iron Man, landed aimlessly on the ground.
As Whiplash struggled to get up, Captain America swiftly grabbed Tony's suitcase.
"If you've got any tricks left, now's the time to use them!"
he said, tossing the suitcase to Tony.
Tony's eyes lit up as he caught his portable armor. He opened the case and pressed his hands inside.
The armor instantly surged through his hands, rapidly enveloping his body.
By the time Whiplash got back on his feet, his opponent was no longer the disheveled Tony Stark.
Instead, it was the confident Iron Man, alongside an equally confident Captain America!
And then there was…
an ordinary Kryptonian who didn't want Iron Man stealing the spotlight!
Just as Iron Man was about to confront Whiplash, Heisenberg finally stood up.
He clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the patrons, who had been captivated by the fight.
"Who's that? Isn't he the nightclub owner?"
"It's him!"
"I heard he took out Kingpin!"
"And he even defeated Kingpin's enforcers—those thugs were trying to take over his territory!"
"But why would he show himself?"
"Even if he killed Kingpin, it doesn't mean he can handle this kind of enemy. That's Iron Man's level—look at those lightning bolts!"
"Though he does look pretty cocky, just wearing pajamas!"
"Yeah, too bad about the pajamas!"
The girls dabbed at their lips; after all, Heisenberg's half-exposed muscles were irresistible.
Having captured most of the attention, Heisenberg addressed everyone:
"If you're injured in my club, call the hospital—I'll cover the medical bills.
If you're causing trouble, I'll deal with those bastards myself.
Tony, you've caused me trouble, so compensate me for the floor and sofa ASAP.
And you…!"
Heisenberg glared at Whiplash.
"You tracked Tony down, impressive. But did you bother to check whose territory this is?"
"You—"
Smack!
Before Whiplash could finish, Heisenberg's casual slap sent him reeling.
With so many guests, Heisenberg didn't go all out. He merely spun Whiplash's head twice.
The next moment, Whiplash, now facing backward, collapsed with a thud.
The crowd erupted in cheers!
"Oh my God, that was so cool!"
"How did he do that so easily?"
"How strong is he?"
"Is this Heisenberg, the guy who took out Kingpin?"
"Don't mess with him—I doubt even Iron Man could take that slap!"
"Barehanded, holy crap!"
The guests were probably too drunk to be afraid. Instead, they eagerly discussed what had just happened.
Despite someone already calling the police, the customers, fueled by alcohol, sat back down, drinking and excitedly sharing their experiences.
Except for the unlucky injured ones sent to the hospital, everyone else drank carefree, even with Whiplash's body lying nearby.
Truly New Yorkers!
As for Heisenberg, after taking down Whiplash, his eyes subtly glowed red.
Whiplash's crude reactor chest piece shattered instantly.
The reactor was too primitive, radiating everywhere. Heisenberg didn't want his customers getting cancer.
Later, he took Tony, Cap, and the freeloaders Coulson and Happy to the penthouse villa.
The five men lounged on beach chairs, soaking in the midnight starlight like sunbathers.
A prepared chef team grilled by the poolside.
This was why Tony kept smacking his lips.
As he ate, Tony complained,
"Can't we have burgers? I prefer those!"
"Hmm, I like grilled meat!"
Heisenberg replied casually, shoving an entire wing into his mouth.
His uncouth eating should've annoyed the gentlemanly Coulson.
But…
Coulson found it strangely appetizing.
As Heisenberg put it: "When the bone tastes as good as the meat, trust me, that's the ultimate carnivorous moment."
After swallowing the wing, Heisenberg teased Tony with a faint smile:
"How does it feel?"
"What do you mean, almost getting killed?"
"No, no, how does it feel being saved by your uncle?"
Heisenberg laughed, nearly making Tony spit out his food.
Moments later, Tony swallowed, took a drink, and cursed:
"You son of a bitch, taking advantage of me!"
"Hahaha, I meant your Uncle Rogers!"
Heisenberg laughed, pointing at Captain America.
Tony looked confusedly at Rogers.
After a pause, he asked:
"SHIELD agent? I've had issues with them, but this guy looks familiar…"
"Yeah, just familiar. After all, in his photos, he's always wearing a mask!"
Heisenberg tossed a beer to Rogers.
"Time to introduce yourself to your nephew."
"Uh, have you aliens heard of me?"
"After coming to Earth, I read the comics. The legendary Captain America, Germany's greatest fear, and Tony's dad's best friend!"
Heisenberg watched Tony's expression with interest. Tony was stunned, his food forgotten.
"Captain America!" Tony asked blankly. "You're still alive?"
"I…"
For some reason, Rogers suddenly wanted to punch Tony.
Realizing his slip, Tony rubbed his beard and asked again:
"You're still alive? Do you know Aunt Peggy married someone else?"
"I…!!!"
Rogers' forehead veins popped.
Iron Man continued rambling:
"Or are you like my dad, a playboy? You've stayed so young, yet never thought of being with Aunt Peggy?
I feel bad for her. She held me as a baby!"
"Hahaha, I'm starting to like your mouth, haha!"
Heisenberg laughed heartily, lightening the mood.
Downstairs, SHIELD's Barbara negotiated with the NYPD. Heisenberg's club had a death, and many had filmed him killing.
But Barbara, with SHIELD's elite, easily framed it as self-defense against home invasion.
Thus, Heisenberg avoided questioning.
This was why he allied with SHIELD.
And why he needed his own territory and men.
Strength doesn't keep trouble away.
The stronger you are, the more trouble finds you.
You can kill one, two, countless people.
But you can't keep killing forever.
Once Heisenberg's men establish a legal department rivaling Kingpin's, his life will be easier.
Naturally, SHIELD took Whiplash and his crude armor…
Meanwhile, the Triskelion welcomed a new guest—one putting agents on high alert!
As the plane landed, agents gripped their guns.
They were veterans, but they knew their opponent.
If anything happened to him, they'd pay with their lives—no other choice!
Fortunately… Agent Natasha was reliable.
The disheveled Banner stepped off the plane, eyeing the agents as if they were welcoming him.
"Heh, I'm honored. Such a grand reception!"
"It's just a coincidence!"
Natasha quickly explained.
She was puzzled. Knowing she'd bring Hulk, why were there so many agents who might provoke him?
An agent stepped forward:
"Agent Natasha, and our new advisor Bruce Banner. Apologies for the misunderstanding.
Iron Man Tony Stark was attacked at Kryptonian elder Heisenberg's nightclub. Captain America was involved, and Heisenberg killed again. That's why we're on alert!"
Natasha and Banner shared a rare glance.
Bruce's uneasy expression suggested he thought SHIELD faced this daily!
"You guys… really have it rough!"
Bruce sighed.
Natasha simply shook her head.
"With you, things will improve. But let's not get involved in their mess. Come meet the Director."
"Sure."
They passed the alert agents, heading to Nick Fury's office.
Seeing Fury, Natasha started to speak, but Fury abruptly covered her mouth.
Natasha fell silent. Fury whispered:
"His hearing is exceptional. Don't mention his name!
Intelligence believes he doesn't monitor New York 24/7, but his name might trigger a reaction."
"Very cautious. Now, tell me about tonight?" Natasha said.
Fury nodded but turned to Banner, extending his hand.
"Glad to meet you, Dr. Banner.
Trust me, we're different from those generals!"
"Hopefully."
Banner nodded ambiguously, sitting on the sofa, listening to Black Widow and the One-Eyed Spy.
"Our plan to recruit Tony hit a snag. We used the attacker Whiplash to contact Tony Stark.
The plan's progressing. Coulson and Captain Rogers have made sufficient progress with Tony."
"Wait!"
Banner interrupted.
"This 'him'—is he the one I'm supposed to prevent?"
"Exactly!" Natasha confirmed.
Banner was annoyed.
"So, your real goal isn't to act against him, but to lure him like me!
With me and him, you'll use him to balance me, and me to balance him!
Your plan is brilliant!"
"So, Dr. Banner, should I kill him before he acts maliciously?
Or do you prefer this treatment?"
Fury countered.
Banner calmly sat back.
"OK, I get it. Just joking.
After all, the trouble I cause is far greater than his. I accept your methods. But him?"
"Don't use 'methods'!"
Fury corrected.
"Earth welcomes the alien guest. SHIELD, as the UN's arm, invites him as humanity's representative—perfectly reasonable."
"Fine, at least you're honest. You plan to use me and him, but at least you balance, unlike those generals craving Hulk's power!"
Banner conceded.
He'd guessed his situation when accepting Natasha's invitation.
Either way, his current situation was better than expected.
For a moment, he even thanked Heisenberg.
Without Heisenberg, a powerhouse feared by all, he wouldn't have this treatment.