- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 52
The Daimyo chose Leo to attend the Chunin Exams for several reasons. First, as a prince, Leo held a position of high prestige, second only to the Daimyo himself, making him a suitable representative, allowing the Daimyo to handle other state affairs.
Second, Leo was a ninja, more knowledgeable about the capabilities of other ninjas compared to the laymen, facilitating better communication with Konoha’s ninjas and providing clearer reports upon his return.
Third, since Leo was no longer confined to his home, the Daimyo hoped he could engage more with domestic nobles and learn about the lords of other nations, thereby helping to alleviate some of the pressure in the future.
“Uncle, I will do my best to complete this task!”
After considering the Daimyo’s words, Leo accepted the assignment.
He had been pondering how to gain benefits during the chaos of the Chunin Exams in Konoha. With the Daimyo’s official dispatch, many things would become easier to handle.
“Remember, when dealing with the lords and nobles of other countries, including the Land of Wind, you can be assertive. Let them know that the Land of Fire is the most powerful among the Five Great Nations. However, when facing the Hokage, be mindful of your words. Understood?”
Finally, as Leo was about to leave, the Daimyo specifically advised him.
Leo readily agreed.
He understood well that the strength of the Land of Fire primarily stemmed from Konoha’s power. Frankly speaking, if Konoha were to fall, the powerful Land of Fire might soon be carved up by other nations.
Thus, although nominally the Daimyo and even he, as a prince, held a higher status than the Hokage, in reality, the Daimyo did not dare to impose orders on the Hokage.
Similarly, Konoha could not maintain its strength without the resources and numerous missions provided by the Land of Fire.
The relationship between the Land of Fire and Konoha was not truly hierarchical but more of a symbiotic partnership where both prospered or suffered together.
This was why the Daimyo advised Leo to be assertive with other nations’ lords and nobles but to show respect to the Hokage.
The next day, while resting at home and waiting to return to the main world, Leo received a report from Matsukawa via his daily communication with his summoning beast, Obito.
“Zabuza and Haku have successfully withdrawn from the Mist Village but are seriously injured and currently recuperating in the Land of Waves…”
After reading the intelligence on the slip of paper, Leo burned it and smiled.
“This should make them fully trust my intelligence. They can help once they recover. Handling the Chunin Exams with so many strong opponents will be easier with their assistance.”
After lunch, the countdown on the panel ended.
…
New York, Li Group Building, Chairman’s Office.
Xiao Liu walked to Leo’s desk with two documents:
“Boss, these are the details collected by the intelligence team on Samuel Stern.”
“Alright, leave them on the desk.”
After Xiao Liu left the office, Leo opened the files and began reading carefully.
The Li Group was a biotechnology company primarily dealing in pharmaceuticals. To surpass Stark Industries, they needed to focus on biological science research.
If they could develop truly beneficial drugs for humans, such as those that extend life, cure terminal diseases, or enhance physical capabilities, they would be as profitable as Stark Industries’ tech products.
For the world’s true wealthy elite, the opportunity to live a few more years would be worth a significant portion of their fortune.
The poorer someone is, the less they fear death; the wealthier someone is, the more they cherish their life.
And in the Marvel world, there were many exceptional biologists. Not to mention the deceased ones, but the living ones he remembered included Dr. Bruce Banner and his online acquaintance, Dr. Samuel Stern.
Additionally, there was Dr. Maya Hansen, who invented the Extremis virus.
However, Dr. Maya Hansen was evidently not in New York and was likely already mixed up with Aldrich Killian. With his current intelligence resources, he probably couldn’t find her.
But Samuel Stern was easy to locate, as he should be teaching at Grayburn College in New York.
Finding Samuel Stern was akin to finding Dr. Banner.
“Born ordinary, gifted, and solely focused on research with aspirations for the Nobel Prize—excellent. I like scientists with such ambition.”
After reading Stern’s profile, Leo nodded in satisfaction.
Desires create needs, needs create opportunities for manipulation. A person without desires is the hardest to deal with, but does anyone in this world truly have no desires?
“Xiao Liu, prepare the car. I’m going to Grayburn College.”
Pressing the communication button on his desk, Leo instructed his secretary, Xiao Liu.
Ten minutes later, three expensive black cars left the Li Group Building and headed towards Grayburn College, with Leo in the middle car.
“It seems he finally completed the Iron Man suit.”
Looking at the news on his tablet about the Iron Man fighting terrorists in Gulira, Leo raised his eyebrows.
It had been nearly half a month since he returned to the main world. Since Tony and Pepper fulfilled their promise, the Li Group had firmly established itself in New York, leveraging Stark Industries’ network and new product launches.
At this rate, the initial main quest goal of making the Li Group a top-tier company in New York might be achieved in less than a year.
He had communicated with Tony several times during this period, and Tony had always been tinkering in his lab. He guessed Tony was working on the Iron Man suit.
Although his appearance had caused a butterfly effect, it didn’t prevent the birth of Iron Man.
However, without Iron Monger, Obadiah Stane was sent to prison by Tony using the evidence Leo had provided shortly after Tony’s return.
“Boss, we’ve arrived!”
The car stopped at the entrance of Grayburn College, and Xiao Liu turned to inform Leo.
“Alright, you all wait in the car.”
Leo put down his tablet, opened the door, and stepped out.
Xiao Liu and the bodyguards, all burly men, could prevent trouble from those with ill intentions, but taking them into a university would be too conspicuous.
Besides, even if Xiao Liu and all the bodyguards came at him together, they wouldn’t be able to match him. With his current strength, he didn’t need protection.
Following the information in the documents, Leo quickly found the classroom where Samuel Stern was teaching.
At this moment, Professor Stern was passionately explaining key points about cellular biology to his students. Leo used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in an empty seat at the back of the classroom.