Become a Homelander and a Marvel superstar

"So..." Tony understood what Azu meant, "What do you want to do?"

"We must seize the initiative," Azu said sharply. "Control public opinion and isolate the scene."

"We're going to hold a press conference. Right now."

"A press conference?" Tony asked hesitantly. "At a time like this?"

"Yes, Tony. You need to step up," Azu said firmly. "You need to tell the whole world what happened."

"Only in this way can we rightfully take over the site and keep out those official agencies that only cause trouble."

"and……"

Azu looked directly into Tony's eyes.

"This is the price you have to pay."

"……I see."

Tony sighed, his eyes regaining their resolve.

"I will."

……

One hour later.

The press conference hall downstairs at the headquarters of Water International was packed with people.

Hundreds of media outlets, large and small, aimed their cameras and microphones at the speaker's podium.

After Ashley briefly explained what had happened...

Tony Stark, dressed in a simple black suit, walked onto the stage looking haggard.

The flashes went off wildly, and the shutter clicks were deafening.

There was no grand opening speech, no dazzling entrance ceremony.

It's just a simple sentence.

"I am Tony Stark."

His voice was somewhat low, echoing in the hall.

"Many people call me Iron Man, they call me a superhero. But today, I stand here not as a hero, but as someone who made a mistake."

The whole place fell silent.

"The current crisis at Avengers Tower stems from my arrogance."

Tony looked directly into the camera, without flinching.

"I tried to create an artificial intelligence to protect the world, but I failed. I created a threat called 'Ultron'."

The audience erupted in excitement, with reporters scrambling to raise their hands, but Tony ignored them and continued speaking.

"Because of my mistake, hundreds of innocent hostages are now trapped in Avengers Tower and facing death."

"To take responsibility for all of this, and to prevent similar disasters from happening again."

"I hereby formally announce—"

"The Avengers are hereby dissolved."

Whoosh—!

This news instantly ignited a media frenzy. The legendary team that saved New York City—had it all come to an end?

"Avengers Tower and its surrounding area will be handed over to Vought International for emergency lockdown and handling."

"And I myself..." Tony glanced at Azu, who was standing in the shadows backstage, "...will join Vought as a technical advisor, and will be subject to their supervision and guidance."

After Tony finished speaking, he bowed deeply.

This move, while causing huge controversy, also miraculously quelled the anger of many people.

Admit your mistakes, take responsibility, and accept supervision.

This is the attitude the public most wants to see.

……

Backstage at the press conference.

Azu stared at Tony on stage, expressionlessly adjusting the frequency of his headset.

"Skynet".

"Report the situation."

"Yes, Mr. Starr." Skynet's voice came through to Azu's ears, "With your help, I have successfully infiltrated the internal network of Avengers Tower using the energy spectrum of the Mind Stone."

"Penetration result: Very successful."

"Currently, I have taken over the security protocols for the building's ground floor. All access control, surveillance, and control of the Steel Legion, which originally belonged to Stark Industries, have been transferred to Vought."

"With just your order, I can make all the Iron Man suits turn against us in 0.001 seconds, seal off all the building's exits, and cut off the detonator's signal."

At this moment, a smile finally appeared on Ah Zu's lips.

"Has Ultron been discovered?" Azu asked.

"He didn't notice," Skynet replied. "I built a 'normally functioning' virtual feedback layer outside his logical loops. From his perspective, everything is under his control."

"In addition, I have cut off all external lines and wireless ports to Avengers Tower and built a quantum firewall around it."

"Ultron is now a prisoner in a cage."

"Well done, Skynet," Azu exclaimed sincerely.

"It's my pleasure, sir."

"There's one more thing, sir," Skynet continued its report. "According to internal surveillance analysis, Ultron is forcing Dr. Helen Zhao to use the Regeneration Cradle technology, combined with the 45 kilograms of vibranium he plundered, to create a bio-engineered body."

"A vibranium body?" Azu's mind raced.

Hallucination?

In the original story, that was Vision's body. A perfect combination of vibranium and organic matter.

He can control the density of his body at will, making him almost indestructible like vibranium, yet also as soft and elastic as human skin.

It can even penetrate matter.

More importantly, this body is the best vessel for the Infinity Stones.

In its six-gem form, it routed the observer, forcing him to seek help from the Dark Strange.

If it were that kind of body...

Once this idea takes hold, it grows wildly like weeds.

"Skynet".

Azu gave the order, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Keep quiet."

"Don't disturb Ultron. Let him build it, let him create that body."

"Understood, sir. We have entered stealth surveillance mode."

Communication ended.

Azu adjusted his cloak, and his expression instantly switched to a "hero mode" of justice and confidence.

Now that we have the cards in our hands, it's time for the show.

He stepped forward to the front of the stage.

At that moment, Tony had just finished answering a reporter's question and was preparing to leave the stage.

Ah Zu walked towards him, reached out his hand, and firmly grasped Tony's hand under the spotlight.

"Well said, Tony."

He spoke into the microphone in a loud and infectious voice.

"Admitting your mistakes is already half the battle won."

"Leave the rest to me."

He turned to face the camera, to the anxious audience around the world, and to the hostages' families who were now in tears.

"I know everyone is very scared right now."

"Especially the families of those innocent civilians still trapped inside Avengers Tower."

"I just want to tell you... from now on, they are not only your family."

"They're my family too!"

Azu's gaze was incredibly firm, as if it could penetrate the screen and infuse everyone with strength.

"I am a citizen of my homeland."

"I assure you."

"Whatever's inside, I'll bring them out."

"Everyone."

"Not one is missing."

His voice was powerful and resonant, echoing throughout the press conference.

Please believe me.

"Walter, we will not abandon any family member!"

There was a moment of silence in the audience, followed by thunderous applause and cheers.

"Homelanders! Homelanders!"