"Which way should I go?" After setting off, Robert checks the map. Last time, he headed to the Arctic, experiencing the natural beauty of ice and snow. This time, he wants to explore the desert's charm, having seen tornadoes but not sandstorms.
Robert theorizes that different natural environments might inspire him, enhancing his understanding of Qi, as Qi exists in all things. Even if it doesn't immediately boost his combat abilities, it lays a solid foundation for him.
As Robert heads towards the desert, a remote base of an extremist organization in the desert confines the infamous playboy Tony Stark, chairman of Stark Industries, a top global arms dealer, and one of the world's wealthiest individuals.
Unfortunately, Tony Stark is in a dire state, captured by the organization while selling weapons in the Middle East. Ironically, the weapon that injured him was manufactured by his own company.
In that attack, a shrapnel piece hit Tony's chest, threatening his life. With the help of physicist Yinsen, also captive, Tony builds an arc reactor in a crude environment to prevent the shrapnel from reaching his heart, saving his life.
Next, Tony faces the challenge of escaping the extremist group's gunfire...
Eventually, Tony plans to create a suit of armor as his weapon, capable of resisting gunfire and striking back at the extremists. Given the extremists' limited education, Tony easily deceives them by claiming to build weapons for them...
Meanwhile, Robert's progress through the desert isn't fast but matches vehicle speed, as the desert environment doesn't significantly affect his speed.
"Looks like the sun's beating down with no sign of wind. I wonder if I'll encounter a sandstorm..." Robert surveys the vast desert, murmuring.
As his strength improves, Robert develops new abilities, including enhanced vision and hearing, though not awakening any peculiar x-ray vision, but his sensory range has expanded.
"The transformation technique awakened on its own, a result of my strength reaching a certain level. Telekinesis came with my increased mental strength. Does this mean I'll gain abilities not typical of Saiyans as my combat power or certain abilities improve? Is this the ultimate potential granted by the dragon? Then I should strive to improve in all areas..."
"Now that my vision and hearing are improving, am I about to gain abilities similar to Piccolo's far-seeing and super hearing? Could I create objects out of thin air like Piccolo? Ah, the clothes from transformation technically count as creating objects..."
"Can I regenerate limbs? My previous healing abilities didn't include regenerating limbs. That time I lost my arm, I recovered with a Senzu Bean... Hm?"
While pondering, Robert suddenly hears faint, chaotic noises. He looks towards the source, sensing multiple presences.
Nearby, several armed men are fighting over a bag of food. A woman clings desperately to it, crying and refusing to let go despite the threat of guns. It's the last bag of food for her family, and losing it would mean death in such harsh times and environments.
"Get lost! You clueless fool!" One of the gunmen, infuriated by the woman, kicks her to the ground and aims his gun at her, pulling the trigger.
"Bang!"
"Save her, Robert!" Clark's anxious voice echoes in Robert's mind, just as he witnesses the scene.
"Whoosh!" In an instant, Robert appears in front of the woman, catching the bullet with a stoic expression.
"What the hell?!"
The sudden appearance of Robert startles the gunmen, who aim their weapons at him, demanding, "Who are you?"
"Click!"
Robert releases the bullet, leaving the gunmen stunned. They quickly recover, firing relentlessly at Robert.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
Robert's hands blur, catching each bullet, then flicks them back, accurately hitting and penetrating the gunmen's heads. They fall, lifeless, blood pooling around them.
"Screams of "Murderer!" "Monster!" "Devil!" fill the air as bystanders flee in terror. Robert turns to the woman, but before he can speak, she screams in fear, grabs the food bag, and runs into a house, slamming the door shut.
"Are you okay, Robert?" Clark asks worriedly, seeing Robert's silence.
"I'm fine. I can catch bullets, what could happen to me?" Robert drops the remaining bullets, looking at the dead gunmen, "But I thought about eradicating them, Clark. You wouldn't object, right?"
"Hmm..." Clark hesitates, unsure.
"Clark, remember I said I'd save those I like, help those you want me to help, and eliminate those against me..." Robert shrugs, smiling, "Killing these guys might not improve people's lives here, but at least it won't make them worse. Maybe they'll enjoy a few days of peace. Consider it helping them on your behalf..."
"You have your principles. Some things you can decide on your own, I won't interfere..." Clark sighs after a pause, "But remember, don't kill the innocent!"
"Don't worry, it's hard to find an innocent person among these guys!" Robert smiles, slightly lifting the corners of his mouth.
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