NOVEL NEXT Chapter 226: Tony, My Guy Wants to Challenge You — Surprised?
When Ivan Vanko first heard the Assassins League's reasoning — killing someone now to prevent future crimes — he dismissed it as nonsense.
How could anyone be sure someone would commit a crime in the future? He wasn't against stopping a threat in advance, but he didn't see why the League had the authority to decide someone's future guilt.
But when he learned that the Dragon Balls were in fact sacred relics of the League, long held under their protection and only released to give the world a sliver of hope, his skepticism began to fade.
Knowing their power — and hearing about the recent Dragon Ball Tournament — made him believe they really did have such capabilities.
He finally asked,
"When you went after the Dragon Balls before, was it for the League?"
John Wick shook his head.
"No. It was for myself."
That surprised Ivan.
"So, what wish did you make?"
John looked him straight in the eye.
"Given your status, you really don't have the right to know… but I'll tell you. I brought my wife Helen back to life."
Ivan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Think I could visit your home someday?"
"If you become one of us," John replied.
He went on to explain the League's mission and its vast, global network of assassin brotherhoods.
"The foundation of civilized society is fragile. We must be the guardians of our own civilization. We are the architects of our actions, and we bear the consequences — glory or tragedy.
When people blindly follow so-called truths, remember — there is no absolute truth.
When people's actions are bound by morals or laws, remember — any restraint can be broken.
We serve the light by working in the shadows. We are Assassins. Nothing is true, everything is permitted."
When he finished, John asked,
"So, what's your choice?"
Ivan smirked.
"Knowing all this… do I even have another option?"
"You do," John said. "You can just be a shareholder in the subsidiary. That's it."
Ivan was surprised there was actually another path — but he extended his hand anyway.
"Your organization is cool. I like it. And becoming a superhero will help me fight crime."
…
Three days later.
Monaco.
Ivan Vanko had chosen to join Smith Dole's Assassins League. Smith brought him, John Wick, and Bulma to the Monaco Grand Prix. Fox stayed behind to finalize Vanko Industries.
On the drive to the hotel, Smith shared a car with Tony Stark. Pepper had been bumped to another vehicle.
Tony asked,
"Buddy, what's the deal with this Natalie? I need to hear it from you."
Smith replied,
"Her real name is Natasha. She's one of mine."
Tony blinked.
"Natasha? An Assassins League member? Then why the hell is she working as a legal hire in my company? Don't tell me another world-ending villain is hiding there."
Knowing the League's mission, Tony's mind jumped straight to the worst-case scenario.
Smith shook his head.
"She's not on a League mission. She has another identity — S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. And that's confidential."
Tony glanced at Happy, who was driving.
"Happy, forget what you just heard. Don't tell anyone."
Happy nodded.
"You got it. I didn't hear a thing."
Smith trusted Happy enough to believe he'd keep his mouth shut.
Tony frowned.
"Man, what are you playing at? You're infiltrating the world's largest spy agency? You don't trust them anymore?"
Smith nodded.
"Yeah. I've found some leads. They seem afraid of me overseeing them, and they've been stalling on my authority."
Tony's eyes lit up.
"We're partners. If you find something and decide to move, take me with you."
Smith grinned.
"Don't worry. I will. Just cooperate with Natasha for now — she's probably here because of your palladium poisoning. We'll talk more when we meet her."
"Oh, and I've got something else for you."
Smith pulled out a compact arc reactor, crafted by Ivan, and placed it in front of Tony.
Tony froze.
"Don't tell me Bulma built this. She's the only one I know who could… and she actually did it? What a genius. Wasted on you."
Without his armor, Tony couldn't measure the efficiency, but he could see plainly — this was a functional miniature arc reactor.
It stung a little. Just days ago, at a hearing, he'd claimed it would take others 5 to 20 years to catch up… and here was one in his hands.
Smith shook his head.
"Not Bulma's work."
Tony's surprise grew.
"Then who?"
"Ever heard of Anton Vanko?" Smith asked.
Tony thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"No. MIT guy?"
Smith explained,
"Anton Vanko co-developed the original arc reactor with your father, Howard Stark. Differences in ideology got him expelled from Stark Industries and deported to the USSR — now Russia. He kept the original designs, and his son, Ivan, used them to build this miniature reactor."
"Not long ago, thanks to his connection with John Wick, he came to me for investment. I funded his company — Vanko Industries. And he's planning to challenge you. Oh, and he joined my Assassins League."
(End of Chapter)
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