Ultimate Iron Man

Words: 2.7k words

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[Shanghai – Midnight]

Zhang Wei's command center was buzzing with activities. His top officers and skilled team members worked smoothly, getting ready for the counterattack. Zhang's face was serious, his eyes focused. He stood at the front of the operations table, giving out his commands.

"Enough," His voice cut through the noise. The room went quiet, everyone looking at him. "Hydra thinks they've outsmarted us. They think our problems mean we're weak. They think we can't fight back without falling apart. Let's show them how wrong they are."

He motioned to Mei-Ling, who stepped forward holding a tablet. "The Hydra outposts," Zhang went on. "Their main agents, bases, and supply routes. Are these locations confirmed?"

Mei-Ling nodded. "Forty confirmed outposts worldwide, each critical to Hydra's logistics and chain of command. We've pinpointed vulnerabilities at each location."

Zhang's lips curled into a cold smile. "Then here is my decree: every outpost, every agent, every piece of Hydra infrastructure... destroy it. Leave no trace, no survivors. But..." his gaze swept the room, "we strike with precision. No collateral damage. Let the world see only the aftermath of our wrath, not the hand that delivered it."

He turned to Lin. "Assemble the Shadow Operatives. This mission is theirs. Ensure they understand the importance of silence and speed. Hydra will not have the luxury of understanding what hit them until it's too late."

Lin bowed deeply. "It will be done, sir."

...

[London – Hydra Communications Hub]

The first attack happened at 2:00 a.m. local time. Three Shadow Operatives sneaked into a Hydra communication center hidden under an old, abandoned warehouse in East London. They moved silently, like ghosts, and no one saw them until the guards began falling, either with their throats slit or necks snapped.

The leader of the operatives planted a timed bomb on the main server. Before the guards could react, the team vanished into the night. The explosion disrupted Hydra's communications across Western Europe, creating confusion in their network.

[Rio de Janeiro – Logistics Depot]

At 3:15 a.m. local time, a Hydra logistics depot in Rio de Janeiro was hit. The operative, code-named Ghost, slipped through their perimeter defenses with ease. She sabotaged their fuel reserves and planted charges along the ammunition stores.

As the first light of dawn broke over the city, the depot erupted into flames. Hydra's operations in South America ground to a halt as their resources burned to ash.

[Cairo – Covert Training Facility]

By 4:00 a.m. local time, a Hydra training camp in the desert near Cairo was completely destroyed. The Shadow Operatives used their deep understanding of the area to sneak in without being noticed. They quickly and efficiently took out both the instructors and the trainees in well-planned strikes.

[New York – Hydra Safehouse]

The strike in New York was personal. The safehouse that had sheltered Alexander Pierce's operatives was breached at midnight. The Shadow Operative code-named Raven led the assault, leaving Hydra agents dead in their beds before they could draw a weapon.

By the time the sun rose over the city, Hydra's presence had vanished, their influence cut off at the root.

[Tokyo – Research Facility]

The final strike came at 6:00 a.m. Tokyo time. A Hydra research facility developing advanced surveillance tech was targeted. The Mandarin's agents planted viruses in their systems, corrupting years of data, and left the building engulfed in flames.

[Shanghai]

By the next evening, reports flooded into Zhang Wei's command center. Hydra's global infrastructure was in ruins. Forty outposts were annihilated, hundreds of agents died, and the remnants of their organization were thrown into chaos.

Lin approached Zhang, bowing deeply. "Sir, the mission is complete. Every target was neutralized with no trace of our involvement. Hydra's retaliation capability has been crippled."

Zhang nodded, satisfaction flickering across his otherwise stoic face. "Good. They will be too busy licking their wounds to pose a threat for some time. But this is not the end."

He turned to Mei-Ling. "The bounty... any leads?"

Mei-Ling hesitated. "Not yet, sir. Whoever placed it remains in the shadows, though Hydra is convinced we were behind their exposure. Their remaining forces are now focused on retaliation against us."

Zhang smirked. "Let them come. They will find nothing but death waiting for them."

He strode to the window, gazing out at the illuminated city. "We will rebuild. Stronger, sharper, more vigilant. And as for the one who dared humiliate me..."

His fists clenched. "They will learn the price of betrayal. The Ten Rings do not forgive, and I do not forget."

...

[Shanghai – Two Days Later] [Zhang Wei's private office]

The Mandarin sat behind an ebony desk, his piercing gaze fixed on the digital reports scrolling across the holographic display. Hydra had been dealt a devastating blow, but the larger threat remained: the frozen assets, the international investigations, and the relentless scrutiny of global law enforcement.

The Mandarin's empire was bleeding... not from an external force but from the systemic pressure of governments and agencies he once evaded with ease. Now, it was time to use another weapon: influence.

"Mei-Ling," Zhang said, his voice sharp as a blade.

Mei-Ling, ever efficient, stepped forward with a tablet in hand. "Sir?"

"Contact our liaisons in the governments of China, Russia, and the United States. Use the discretionary accounts."

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. "All of them, sir?"

"Yes. All of them. Make it clear that Mandarin International's cooperation is invaluable to their political and economic stability. If they refuse to drop the investigations, we will ensure they regret it."

Mei-Ling hesitated, her tone cautious. "And if they cannot be bribed?"

Zhang's lips curled into a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "Then we remind them what happens when they make an enemy of the Ten Rings. Leaks about their own corruption, destabilization of their regional assets, and sabotage of key industries. Politicians and generals have skeletons, Mei-Ling. I will bury them under their own scandals if they do not comply."

She nodded and moved to execute his orders.

[Washington D.C. – Midnight]

A high-ranking official sat alone in his study, staring at his encrypted laptop. An innocuous email had arrived hours earlier, marked with a simple subject line: "A Proposal."

Inside, the message was anything but simple. It contained financial projections for a generous donation to his reelection campaign, backed by Mandarin International's offshore holdings. The attachment also included a dossier—a detailed list of his personal indiscretions and financial misconduct, with timestamps, photos, and evidence to match.

The Mandarin's message was clear: take the bribe, or be destroyed.

The official ran a trembling hand through his hair and reached for the secure phone on his desk. "Tell the task force to stand down," he muttered. "We've hit a dead end on the Mandarin case."

[Moscow – Morning]

The Mandarin's emissary, a smooth-talking operative named Viktor, met with a senior Russian intelligence officer over a private breakfast. Over steaming tea and black bread, Viktor presented a thin folder.

"Mr. Zhang Wei understands your position," Viktor said in flawless Russian. "He respects the sovereignty of your nation and wishes to be a friend to Russia. However, the charges against Mandarin International are damaging both our reputations."

The officer opened the folder. Inside was a detailed map of an American missile site in Eastern Europe—information the Russians had been chasing for years. Viktor leaned forward.

"All Mr. Zhang asks is for your government to de-escalate the investigation. In return, he will ensure the Ten Rings' operations avoid your territories entirely. Consider this a gesture of goodwill."

The officer studied the map for a long moment before nodding. "I will see what can be done."

[Beijing – Evening]

Back in his homeland, Zhang Wei leveraged his deep connections. He summoned a retired Politburo member to his office, offering tea and a polite conversation.

"You and I have always had a productive relationship," Zhang began, his tone smooth yet firm. "Mandarin International has brought wealth and influence to our nation. These foreign investigations jeopardize everything we have built together."

The elder official sipped his tea, his face unreadable. "What do you propose, Mr. Zhang?"

Zhang leaned forward. "Ensure that the government delays cooperation with Interpol and the IRS. Slow their progress. Distract them with other matters. In return, Mandarin International will double its investments in your infrastructure projects. I'll also personally guarantee that your family's business interests flourish."

The official's eyes narrowed. "And if I refuse?"

Zhang's smile turned razor-sharp. "Then I'll ensure every deal you've made in the last ten years becomes public knowledge. Your legacy, your family, your standing... it will all burn."

The official's shoulders stiffened, but after a moment, he nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

[Shanghai – Command Center]

Reports streamed in over the next 48 hours. Charges were quietly dropped or delayed in several jurisdictions. Investigations lost momentum as officials who once pursued the Mandarin suddenly found their priorities shifted. In some cases, Zhang's bribes worked; in others, his threats hit their mark.

Lin approached Zhang, his expression a mix of relief and admiration. "Sir, the majority of the international pressure is easing. Interpol has deprioritized our case, and the IRS is mired in bureaucratic red tape. Hydra's influence over certain agencies has also been diminished."

Zhang nodded, his face calm. "Good. But this is only the beginning. We will rebuild stronger, more elusive. Let this be a reminder to our enemies: the Mandarin does not fall."

He turned to Mei-Ling. "Ensure that the contacts we pulled owe us their loyalty. Their silence has a price, and I expect them to pay it when the time comes."

"Yes, sir," Mei-Ling replied, bowing.

As the room emptied, Zhang stood alone by the window once more, the city lights glinting in his dark eyes. The empire he had built was battered but unbroken. He had survived yet another storm, proving that even in the face of global opposition, the Mandarin's reach remained unmatched.

"Let them believe they've won," Zhang murmured to himself. "Let them rest easy for now. When I strike again, they won't even see it coming."

...

[One Week Later]

Zhang Wei sat at his desk, staring at the screen in disbelief. His secure account, an impenetrable fortress of wealth, was now empty. A total of $10.7 billion, siphoned away in the dead of night, leaving nothing but a mocking message on the account's dashboard:

"The higher you rise, the harder you fall."

His jaw tightened, the veins in his temple pulsing. It was a humiliation. He slammed his fist on the desk, the impact reverberating through the room.

"Mei-Ling!" he yelled.

Mei-Ling rushed into the office, her face pale. "Yes, sir?"

Zhang's voice trembled a bit. "The account. The one no one was supposed to know about. It's been emptied. How is that possible?"

Mei-Ling hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "We... we're still investigating, sir. The hack was flawless. There's no trail, no fingerprints. Whoever did this had resources and expertise beyond anything we've seen before."

He shot her a glare that could cut glass. "And yet, you still can't tell me who did it?"

She bowed her head. "No, sir. Not yet."

Before Zhang could respond, Lin burst into the room, holding a tablet. "Sir, there's more. The deals, our bribes, threats, everything... it's all public now."

He handed the tablet to Zhang, whose eyes scanned the headlines:

"MANDARIN INTERNATIONAL EXPOSED: SECRET DEALS, BRIBES, AND THREATS ROCK GLOBAL POLITICS."

"CORRUPTION UNVEILED: SHANGHAI'S MASTERMIND UNDER FIRE."

"IS THIS THE END OF ZHANG WEI?"

Each article was more damning than the last, detailing every bribe, every coerced official, every shadowy deal. Photographs, recordings, and documents were plastered across every major news outlet. Governments were scrambling to distance themselves, and Mandarin International's name had become synonymous with scandal.

Zhang's knuckles turned white as he gripped the tablet. "ARGGG!!" He threw the tablet across the room, where it shattered against the wall.

His face was flushed, his eyes wild with fury. Mei-Ling and Lin exchanged terrified looks. In all the years they had worked for the Mandarin, they had never seen him this angry.

The Mandarin's paranoia was at an all-time high. He doubled his security detail and tripled it in some areas, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. And he was right.

It began as he left his Shanghai headquarters late at night, accompanied by four armed guards. The elevator descended smoothly, the hum of its mechanics filling the silence. But as the doors opened to the underground parking garage, chaos erupted.

A hail of bullets tore through the air, taking out two of his guards instantly. Zhang dove behind a concrete pillar, his instincts as sharp as ever. His remaining guards returned fire, but the assailants were skilled, coordinated, and relentless.

"Sir, stay down!" Lin shouted through his earpiece.

Zhang peeked around the pillar, catching a glimpse of the attackers. They were clad in black tactical gear, their faces obscured by masks. These weren't amateurs—they were professionals, and their target was clear.

He gritted his teeth, adrenaline surging through his veins. "Mei-Ling, what's happening?"

Her voice crackled through the comms. "Sir, we're under attack at multiple locations! This isn't just here—it's coordinated. We've identified some of the attackers as the assassins we hired."

Zhang's eyes narrowed. His own mercenaries turned against him.

The parking garage echoed with the sounds of gunfire and shouting. One by one, his guards fell, leaving him alone.

"C'mon out, Mandy," One of the assassins called out mockingly. "We don't have all day."

Zhang, the leader of the Ten Rings, didn't become the leader and built an empire that big just like that. It's been years since he was forced to fight on the frontlines, but when it came to life-or-death situations, he was a one-man army. Be it twenty or a hundred armed men, no one could touch him. The old feeling of rush and the smell of blood awakened the beast within him. He was the Mandarin, the leader of the ten rings, and this was his domain.

The Ten Rings on his fingers glinted in the darkness as he stepped out from his hiding spot, his face as calm as still water. "So, you've come to kill me?"

"Oh, so you're finally out." The assassin in front, who seemed to be the leader, grinned. "To answer your question, yes, we've come to kill you."

"How much are they paying you? And who wants my head?" He asked with a mocking smile.

"What makes you think someone hired us?" The leader retorted. "You're a criminal and a tyrant, Zhang Wei, and the world will be better off without you."

The Mandarin chuckled, "Oh please, stop the hypocrisy. All of us here are killers. So, since I've no way of defending myself you are going to kill me... I think I at least deserve to know the name of the person who put the bounty on my head?"

A voice came from the comms the assassin leader was wearing, "Victor Von Doom."

"You're right," The leader replied. "We're all killers. Well, since this is your final moment, I'll indulge you with the name of your executioner. Victor von Doom. 1 billion dollars for your head. So, nothing personal. It's just money."

The voice spoke again through the comms, "2 billion dollars transferred to your account. White money, tax pain. Enjoy."

The Mandarin smirked. He knew exactly who that was. "Hahahahaha..." He laughed, his voice echoing throughout the parking lot, "Is that so? Good. You've done me a favor, my friend."

The assassin looked at Zhang in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

Everything before Zhang stood still as if stopped in time as he expanded the Ten Rings on his hand. They glowed brightly as the air around him started crackling with electricity. A blast of lightning tore the twenty-man assault team into shreds, leaving nothing but ashes behind.

Zhang Wei grinned as he looked at the pile of ashes that used to be his enemies. He then turned towards the security cameras, looking at them dead in the eye, "I'm coming for you next, Victor."

....

[Stark Mansion]

Tony sat in his lab with a satisfied smile. He had almost forgotten about Victor Von Doom. Luckily, Victor's name came when he was going through the old records that he copied from Reed's lab before his death. There was a mention of a collab between the two.

"Fight and kill each other," He smirked. 'Maybe I should pin Reed's death on his head too... Oh, this will be fun.'

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[Read over 15 advance chapters] [No double billing]

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