After devouring three cheeseburgers at Burger King, satisfied and with the dizziness from hunger finally subsiding, Kagura Hitomi felt much better.
"You can really eat," Tony Stark comnted, looking at the three cheeseburger wrappers on the table. "Aren't you worried about getting fat?"
"Umm...!" She blushed and pouted. "No... I won't get fat! It's just because they taste so good! Really!"
Co on, an android can't get fat, right?
"Haha, well, I'm glad you like it," Tony laughed. "I've always said, cheeseburgers are one of the best foods in the world."
"Even if you've tasted all the rare delicacies in the world, do you still think so, Mr. Stark?" She asked.
"Cheeseburgers aren't exactly a gourt al."
"It's not about the price of food," Tony replied. "You know, personal taste is one of those... really mysterious things."
"I love cheeseburgers, but if you ask why, I just have to say it's because they suit my taste, not because the ingredients are exotic or well-prepared. They're simple, but I like them, that's all."
"Mhm." Kagura nodded, mumbling quietly, "As expected, Tony Stark is quite the smooth talker..."
"Did you say sothing? I thought I heard you complinting ?"
"It's nothing, Mr. Stark," She smiled. "I'm done. Let's go."
Kagura respected Iron Man, but that didn't an she would beco a die-hard fan, clinging to him as an appendage.
Aside from Tony Stark, there were many other people she wanted to et and interact with, and many things she still wanted to learn.
For Kagura, the people who might "suit her tastes" in the future were far from just Tony Stark.
She wasn't going to live for others—she would have to stand on her own in this world. After all, this was the Marvel Universe, not just Iron Man's world.
The world was vast, and there were many things Kagura could do and wanted to do.
She knew that sticking around Tony Stark forever wasn't a long-term plan.
Over ti, she had been gathering various "resources" for her future, and had a general idea of her path forward.
She needed her own organization to make her mark, and eventually, a superhero identity of her own to independently participate in the world's workings.
For that, there were many people and organizations she could make use of.
For example, a certain, currently long-nad, mysterious departnt…
Kagura and Tony Stark, along with others, arrived at the California Air Force Base for a press conference. The place was packed with reporters and various personnel.
Tony's business partner, Obadiah Stane—one of Stark Industries' largest shareholders—was already there, eagerly welcoming Tony's return.
As soon as Tony's car door opened, the bald man with a big beard embraced Tony, and they chatted warmly, like old friends reunited, a rather "touching" scene.
Wow, this guy really knows how to act.
Just a while ago, he was the one secretly contacting the Ten Rings to eliminate Tony Stark in that attack and take over Stark Industries.
If it weren't for the Ten Rings coveting Tony's abilities, Tony would have been in serious danger.
Now, despite the plan failing, Obadiah seed completely unbothered, with no sign of confusion or anxiety on his face. Truly impressive, an old pro at this.
Kagura got out of the car and, avoiding the crowd's attention, followed Pepper Potts as they entered the venue with Tony and Obadiah.
The press conference mostly centered on how Tony, after the attack, had a mont of clarity and decided to shut down Stark Industries' military division for good and pursue new ventures.
This didn't really concern Kagura at the mont, nor did she plan on interfering.
However, the military division of Stark Industries that was about to be shut down did catch her interest.
Didn't she want to start her own organization?
The soon-to-be-abandoned Stark military division could be a great opportunity.
And so, from this press conference onward, a small plan in Kagura mind began to take shape.
"Hello, Miss Potts."
As the press conference was about to begin, a well-dressed man with a sowhat receding hairline approached.
'Hmm, right on ti,' she thought to herself as she stood next to Pepper.
"How can I help you?" Pepper responded politely.
"Could I have a word with you?"
"Well, the press conference doesn't require my participation, but it's about to start, so..."
"I'm not a reporter," the man continued.
"I'm Agent Phil Coulson, from the Strategic Holand Intervention, Enforcent, and Logistics Division."
"Oh, that na's a bit of a mouthful."
Pfft…
Kagura couldn't help but laugh. morizing such a tongue-twisting na was quite a skill.
"I know, we're working on simplifying it," Coulson smiled.
"You know, the Departnt of Defense, FBI, and CIA have contacted us, so..."
"We're an independent departnt, so our functions are more focused," Coulson cut in, his tone professional. "We'd like to understand the details of how Mr. Stark escaped."
"I'll make arrangents," Pepper responded politely.
"Thank you."
Coulson then turned to Kagura. "Miss Kagura, could I have a few minutes of your ti?"
"Sure."
Kagura nodded and looked at Pepper, seemingly for approval.
"Go ahead," Pepper smiled. "I'll be fine here."
"Alright."
Coulson, from the mysterious long-nad departnt—who was, in fact, part of S.H.I.E.L.D.—had clearly already gathered so information on Tony Stark's escape through their intelligence network.
This organization, focused on handling special cases and with a strong interest in "superheroes," was clearly eyeing Tony as a potential mber of the "Avengers Initiative."
For her, however, S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't an organization she trusted or could rely on.
Not to ntion that S.H.I.E.L.D. had already been infiltrated by the evil organization HYDRA.
But S.H.I.E.L.D., with its extensive reach and influence, still held so utility for her.
She was planning to strike a small deal with them.
"According to our intel, Mr. Stark seems to have escaped using so sort of combat power armor?" Coulson got straight to the point as they reached a secluded corner.
"Miss Kagura, can you provide more details?"
"Of course."
She smiled. "I can provide a lot of information, but it's not for free."
[TL Note]
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p-atreon/InsomniaTL
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