Tony Stark's company is the U.S. military's largest arms supplier, so upon seeing such a remarkable 'laser' weapon, Tony's instinctive reaction was to understand its capabilities.
"Is this how you did it? So, are we leaving now, or should I help you take out those kidnappers while we're at it?"
Kizaru suddenly thought of something—if Stark were easily rescued like this, would he still change his mind and become the Iron Man he eventually became?
But soon, Kizaru discarded this thought.
Whether Tony became Iron Man was none of his business—he wasn't Howard Stark.
"Help me kill those bastards!" Tony touched the device on his chest that was keeping him alive. Dr. Yinsen had used an electromagnet to extract the shrapnel from his body. Otherwise, he'd already be on his way to heaven to meet Howard!
Of course, this was Tony's personal wish. Considering his status as an arms dealer, a one-way ticket to hell would likely be waiting for him after his death.
"Alright then..."
Kizaru's palm lit up again as he aimed it at the ground.
At that moment, the terrorists in the underground base were still poking their heads out near the massive hole in the ceiling, seemingly unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Seeing this, Tony felt a sense of satisfaction.
As the largest arms supplier for the U.S. military, Tony Stark was no soft-hearted person.
Especially when facing terrorists who nearly killed him and even forced him to build weapons for them.
If it weren't for Yinsen… Yinsen?
"Wait! Stop! Yinsen! Yinsen is still down there!"
Tony almost panicked and hurriedly shouted. Yinsen was his lifesaver. If he died just because of one of his commands, Tony would regret it for the rest of his life.
"You're such a hassle! Do you want me to kill them or not?"
Kizaru grumbled, but inwardly, he was laughing. Even Iron Man could be this naive at times.
"Help me rescue Yinsen too! Without him, I'd already be dead!"
Tony still knew how to show gratitude, and the time he spent with Yinsen had made him appreciate the doctor more.
"I only promised to rescue you, not to save someone else..."
Kizaru's Observation Haki spread out quietly, quickly locking onto the doctor . in the underground base.
At this moment, Dr. Yinsen hadn't yet realized what was happening. Like the terrorists in the base, he stood there dumbfounded, staring at the massive hole in the ceiling above.
This scene was almost beyond human comprehension. Aside from the terrorists standing directly under the hole, the entire underground base had no casualties.
"I'll give you another hundred million! Plus the hundred million you already helped me with, that's two hundred million! You'll be a billionaire everyone's chasing after!"
Tony spoke without hesitation.
If it were anyone else, even Yinsen himself wouldn't think he was worth a hundred million dollars.
In countries like Afghanistan, a human life might be worth less than a hundred dollars.
And in Africa, a hundred million could fund over a hundred coups in more than half the countries on the continent.
Even for Stark Industries, a hundred million dollars wasn't just lying around ready to be spent.
Especially considering Tony had been missing for so long, and he already owed Kizaru a hundred million dollars.
"Sounds tempting, but I'm not really interested in too much money. Forget about the hundred million. If I help you save Ethan, how about you dress up as a bunny girl and do a pole dance?"
Recalling the bizarre incident where he was summoned into the bathroom by Tony, Kizaru bluntly made a shocking suggestion to Tony.
"You... you... what do you want to do!? Let me make it clear, I don't discriminate against... whatever that is, but I'd rather die than bend that way!" Tony stammered. Although he was known as a playboy, Tony had always been very specific about his tastes—he only liked beautiful women and had zero interest in anything else.
"Ha, I'd suggest you take a piss and look in the mirror. If you don't want to dance, let Pepper do it," Kizaru retorted harshly.
If it weren't for being in the same chat group, in the Pirate World, anyone daring to question Kizaru's sexual orientation would instantly find themselves thrown into the "Ladyboy Kingdom" for some "education."
"Ha! In your dreams! It's just pole dancing! I'll do it!" Tony retorted, frustrated. For a moment, he tried to resist his conscience, but shame couldn't overcome his sense of duty.
Dressing up as a bunny girl and dancing on a pole was embarrassing, but... if doing so meant saving Ethan, then it was better than watching him die.
"Good, it's settled then!" Kizaru said before releasing his grip and, amidst Tony's screams, transformed into light and dashed into the underground base.
Afterward, Kizaru picked up Yinsen and floated upwards, catching the falling Tony.
"Why panic? With me around, you definitely won't die from a fall."
Kizaru held both men suspended in mid-air. Despite being about three meters tall, carrying both Tony and Ethan seemed natural to Kizaru, like an adult carrying two elementary school kids.
"Damn! I'm not a superhero like you! Normal people would be scared!" Tony angrily complained.
They had only just met, but there was no longer any sense of awkwardness between Tony and Kizaru.
"Tony? What's going on? Who is this?" Dr. Yinsen, still shaken by the experience of being lifted into the air, asked. Tony knew from the start that Kizaru had come to rescue him.
Although he was somewhat cautious, he had some understanding of the situation. Poor Dr. Yinsen had no idea whether Kizaru was a friend or foe and was now hanging in the air. If Kizaru let go, he'd fall to his doom.
Despite the terrifying situation, Dr. Yinsen managed to calmly ask about Kizaru's identity, showing his remarkable composure.
"Hello, Dr. Yinsen. I'm Kizaru. I was invited by Mr. Tony Stark to rescue you," Kizaru said with a serious expression.
At this moment, he truly appeared as the heroic partner to fight evil, radiating an aura of righteousness. Anyone who saw him wouldn't have imagined that just moments ago, he had been the one forcing Tony to dress as a bunny girl and do a pole dance.
"Now, can we get to it? Help me take out those damn terrorists!" Tony ground his teeth and demanded, though it was unclear whether he was holding a grudge against the terrorists who had kidnapped him or the bastard who had made him promise to dance like a bunny girl.
°°°
If you want to read ahead and access 20 advanced chapters, check the patreon
Link: Patreon/Moziel