Chapter 264: International Allies

Words : 1571 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

[TN: Hey guys I'm back sorry for ghosting yall I was busy getting back to school just started my spring semester last week here 7 chapters for all 6 days i miss including today love ya all] "Just moments ago, a shocking scene unfolded at this highly anticipated hearing:" "The street gunfight in New York City has been confirmed as an operation orchestrated by CIA Deputy Director William Rollins, targeting a decorated former Marine captain." "Both sides presented conflicting accounts, and the incident has revealed a case that could potentially trigger a humanitarian crisis, implicating the CIA and senior officials in the military." "Meanwhile, Mr. Leo Lee testified at the hearing that the high-tech cybernetic soldier seen that day was stolen by CyberTech CEO Harlan Reich from one of his employees, Michael Collins." "Mr. Lee also stated that he opposes prioritizing high-tech equipment and national resources for warfare, urging Congress to focus more on improving the living conditions of the people." "His statements have sparked intense debate, with a flood of supporters and critics emerging online." It had been a long time since such a blatant breach of protocol had caught both parties off guard. Everyone had assumed that the new player was simply more formidable than usual but still played by the rules. Yet, with his very first move, he cracked the entire chessboard. The governor shook hands with Leo, forcing a smile. The two turned to the media for a friendly photo. "You know, you really tripped me up," the governor said, still smiling. "In this line of work, you have to learn to play along." As the photo session wrapped up, they shook hands again, exchanging polite smiles. The governor remarked, "That was a bold move, but I won't fall for it twice. I kind of regret teaching you that trick." Leo responded even more amicably, giving him a light hug and patting him on the back. "Most people need to be taught, but some people aren't like most." Facing the cameras once more, the governor smiled and said, "Madman." "I'm just honest." Hearing Leo repeat the same words carried an entirely different meaning this time. A young photographer enthusiastically waved, "Hey, Governor, say a few words?" "I—" The governor started but paused, thinking to himself: You guys really love stirring the pot, huh? Can't read the room? Well, to be fair, the atmosphere was rather harmonious—on the surface, at least. Technically, their party hadn't lost. After all, they were the doves—when they were in opposition. But now, they were stuck in this position, unable to openly criticize Leo. Leo patted the governor on the shoulder with a smile. "I'll leave the rest to you. No need to steal your spotlight—looking forward to working together." The governor's smile stiffened for a moment: This guy... what a piece of work. Thinking about the deals and concessions made with Leo's companies—each one costing a fortune—he suddenly tugged lightly at Leo's sleeve. It looked like two old friends setting up their next meeting. "Don't forget, this is America. You can't keep doing this forever." Leo turned to face him with the same friendly demeanor. "Don't forget, this is Earth." He shifted slightly, allowing the governor to see several cars parked down the street. Inside them sat representatives from other nations. Leo was a very busy man today. The governor pointed at Leo with a smirk, then shrugged, giving him a pat on the shoulder before heading back to his podium. It was like making lunch plans with an old friend, only to find out they were too busy. Returning to the media, the governor knew there was no time to dwell on this—public statements in such a setting were crucial. He had to stay focused. Still, he kept glancing in Leo's direction. So did Tony, who had just delivered an impassioned speech. Standing among the press, he used the elevation of the steps to see past the cameras, watching Leo enter his car. His momentary distraction didn't escape the notice of Clémenceau, who subtly cleared a path through the crowd. As Tony walked, he tapped on his mobile terminal. "Jarvis, any improvements?" "I still feel... off. Full restoration will take more time." "'Off'? You're starting to sound more and more human." "Am I? I don't feel that way. Probably because I'm not human." Tony continued tapping the panel. The network fluctuations from earlier had severely damaged Jarvis, but some of the data gathered from the incident was intriguing— There was a program logic in this world that even he couldn't decipher. Was it really just corrupted data? Jarvis spoke: "Sir, your associates are requesting a club meeting." "Schedule it." As Tony entered his car, Jarvis suddenly asked, "Sir, do you believe war is the key to solving problems?" "Of course. Once we take care of those unworthy of hoarding resources, the world will be a much better place." "But that kid had a point—some people will always try to profit from the chaos. In a way, he actually did us a favor." "Maybe I should start paying closer attention to their little maneuvers, too." "I see. I was thinking—I might involve myself in similar matters." "Go on." "Deploying a highly intelligent automated military force could significantly curb corruption and enhance war efficiency." "You're suggesting we send out a whole army of 'Jarvis Kamikaze Units'? Nice idea, but we don't have the energy resources for that." "Do you recall your father's wartime energy research for Hydra's Stompers?" "Vibranium?" Jarvis's proposal sent Tony into deep thought, while a barely perceptible glimmer of excitement flashed through Killmonger's eyes as he drove. The recent network disruptions had disabled the devices used to monitor Tony and his AI, forcing him to rely on manual surveillance. This was crucial information: Tony was planning to develop new technology for warfare. But he chose to keep this revelation to himself. The car started up slowly, each person harboring their own hidden motives— Except for Tony, who was completely engrossed in Jarvis's advanced warfare concept. Meanwhile, on Leo's side, many people approached him after his performance at the hearing, just as he had expected: Although his actions had earned him the hostility of political factions within the U.S., they had, in turn, attracted foreign powers eager to engage with him. The reason was simple— In these turbulent times, everyone was searching for a way forward, and advanced technology was always the first choice. Europe, for instance, was a vast market, and during his initial interactions, Leo was met with significant goodwill. He held a series of meetings with diplomats from various nations. For now, these were just preliminary contacts. Leo exchanged contact details and gauged their attitudes. After wrapping up talks with European representatives, Leo chose to engage in in-depth discussions with a country no one would have expected— Wakanda. The meeting took place at Wakanda's foreign embassy, a sleek and modern venue. King T'Chaka sat in a chair, pouring Leo a cup of African tea. The seasoned king looked to be in excellent health, his eyes deep and knowing, but beneath them lay a mix of genuine concern and respect— Which puzzled Leo. T'Chaka was known for his composure, but... respect? For him? He glanced at T'Chaka's son, T'Challa, who remained equally composed. And that's where things felt off—Where was the usual arrogance, the condescension towards American outsiders? Before this meeting, Leo had gathered extensive information on Wakanda. After filtering through a massive amount of data, one thing was clear: Wakanda was Africa's leading agricultural nation, with a strong presence on the global stage, having played a key role in the formation of the African Union. Under King T'Chaka's leadership, the surrounding nations had largely stabilized. Though they were all agricultural economies, their profits were remarkably high. Reports indicated that the land here was naturally fertile, capable of sustaining repeated harvests without the need for fertilizers— A direct contradiction to conventional agricultural science. Highly profitable farming? That was counterintuitive. Even more so was the fact that, despite possessing such rich soil, Wakanda remained an agricultural nation, facing widespread developmental challenges. The biggest threat to the African Union wasn't economic competition— It was warlords. This Wakanda seemed... different. It appeared to be genuinely an agricultural nation. T'Chaka was the first to speak: "Mr. Lee, if you are willing to relocate your industries to Wakanda, we are prepared to offer you a unique tax policy, and the African Union will prioritize purchasing your company's products." Leo froze. "A unique tax policy?" He almost thought he had misheard. T'Chaka continued: "Yes. We would impose only a flat 10% income tax. In addition, we are willing to provide you with land for industrial development at an extremely low cost. Our only condition is that you sell your products at a fair market price." His stance was surprisingly humble—so much so that Leo began to suspect the truth: This version of Wakanda had no Vibranium. Only impossibly fertile land. "...Well now. That's quite the offer. May I ask—what's the real reason? Apologies, but I may not know as much about your nation as I should." (End of Chapter) "

Chapter 264: International Allies

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