Marvel Cybernetic Girl

The original Mark I Iron Man suit was equipped with a flight function, but the makeshift propulsion system, using missile fuel as a booster, could only get Tony Stark off the ground for a short distance before it ran out of power.

When Kagura Hitomi helped Tony design the Mark I suit in this world, she foresaw this limitation. That's why one of her key improvements was adding dual air-compression cannons to the suit's arms.

Now, as the girl stood beside the off-road vehicle, she gazed up at the bright blue sky.

The Mark I Iron Man suit, exhausted and trailing black smoke, was plummeting from the sky.

"Do you think he'll survive that fall?" Ensen asked, his eyes fixed on the descending metal canister.

"No, he'll be fine," Kagura Hitomi said confidently, her hands on her hips. "It's all part of the plan!"

As the suit neared the ground, Tony timed his descent perfectly, extending his hands forward.

Boom!

Air compressed through the suit's cannons, blasting toward the ground.

Whoosh!

The compressed air hit the sand dunes, sending a whirlwind of dust into the air, enveloping Kagura and Ensen.

Thud!

Thanks to the cushioning from the compressed air, Tony Stark reoriented the suit and landed with a superhero-like pose, unharmed.

"Hey, this thing's not bad," Tony said with a grin.

Coughing, Kagura Hitomi shook her head, brushing the sand from her hair, and gave Tony a look of mild disdain. "I'm glad you're alright, Stark. Seriously."

"Yeah, thanks to you," Tony replied, removing his helmet and starting to dismantle the now-damaged Iron Man suit. "I destroyed all the weapons there. They were Stark Industries' products. It's my responsibility."

"Mmm…" Kagura nodded without saying much.

She thought for a moment, then stepped forward, helping Tony remove the scattered pieces of armor from his suit.

"By the way, Stark, I found something for you. It was hidden in the base's network," Kagura said, handing Tony a USB drive that contained secret records of the Ten Rings gang's dealings with Obadiah Stane. "I don't think this is entirely your fault. This situation is far from over."

Tony took the USB drive. "What's this?"

"It's the source of the weapons the terrorists were using," Kagura said, holding Tony's hand for a moment. "You'll be shocked."

After a brief rest, the trio climbed into their off-road vehicle and headed toward a nearby U.S. military base.

Since Tony hadn't been injured in the attack, the initial months of his disappearance were reduced to just seven days thanks to Kagura's quick thinking. The military search efforts in the area were still strong.

Their vehicle kicked up a huge cloud of dust on the vast desert plains, quickly catching the attention of nearby U.S. military helicopters.

Rescue was inevitable.

Yes, that was part of my plan too! (She thought smugly.)

The rest of the journey went smoothly.

They boarded a helicopter, flew to a U.S. base in Afghanistan, and then transferred to a C17 transport plane bound for the U.S.

After flying halfway around the world, the trio landed at a U.S. Air Force base in California. Kagura Hitomi let out a sigh of relief.

Over the past week, she had accompanied Tony Stark through the ambush and capture, helped develop the Ark Reactor in a cave, and even crafted an improved version of the original Mark I suit.

Reflecting on it, things had gone pretty much as Kagura planned. The chaos she had feared—such as disturbances in the space-time continuum—hadn't happened. The world was still following the MCU's script, just with some tweaks from her careful guidance.

Even so, Kagura wasn't about to relax.

Just because things hadn't gone wrong yet didn't mean they wouldn't in the future.

Her information advantage was her foothold in this world. Until she had enough power to deal with unexpected events, every plan and action needed to be carefully thought out.

If she wanted to live well in this world, she had to play by its rules and become a winner within them.

Gurgle—

Ah, I'm hungry…

Kagura glanced at her HUD, which showed her core energy at 27%.

She hadn't eaten much lately…

As the plane gradually slowed down, the rear hatch opened. After being missing for a week, Tony Stark was finally back in the U.S., and that was no small thing.

Waiting outside the plane were Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts, and other necessary personnel, including medical staff.

Kagura, holding Tony's arm, walked off the plane with Ensen and Colonel Rhodes escorting her.

Seeing the two finally safe, Pepper's face lit up with relief. Her eyes were red, as if she had been crying for days.

Sorry, Pepper, for worrying you.

Kagura thought, but I kept my promise and brought Tony back safe.

Tony, disgusted by the medical staff pushing stretchers and oxygen tanks toward him, moved past them. Standing tall and looking perfectly healthy, he turned to Pepper.

"Hey, Potts, your eyes are red. Crying for your missing boss?"

"I cried because I'm happy. I hate looking for work," Pepper replied, biting her lip and smiling. "I'm so glad you're back safely."

"Sorry for making you worry, Pepper," Tony said.

"No, I'm just glad you're both okay," Pepper said as she stepped forward and gave Kagura a gentle hug. "I was really worried."

"Mmm… I'm fine, really," Kagura replied.

"Okay, more concerned about your assistant than your boss, huh?" Tony teased.

"Don't say that," Pepper responded. "I was more worried about you, Tony, but also about a young girl like Hitomi. You never know what might happen."

Pepper ran her fingers through Kagura's silver hair.

"Don't worry. I've got her covered," Tony said, cutting off any further argument. "Technically, I saved her, at least theoretically."

Kagura rolled her eyes, knowing Tony was just being his usual self.

"Alright, the vacation's over, Potts," Tony said.

"Right, Stark."

With that, Kagura followed Tony and the others into a waiting black car.

Tony and Pepper sat in the back, while Kagura took the front passenger seat.

"Where to, sir?" Happy Hogan asked, the driver.

"To the hospital."

"No."

"No hospital? Tony, you have to go."

"I said no," Tony insisted. "I've been stuck in a cave for days. Now, I want to do two things."

"First, get a cheeseburger. Oh, and buy one for Hitomi too. I owe her a cheeseburger."

Tony stared at Pepper.

"Second…"

"You're really something, huh…" Pepper seemed to misinterpret his words.

"No, I meant I need you to prepare a press conference for me."

"A press conference? What are you announcing?"

"Just get it ready."

"Alright, Hogan, let's go get those cheeseburgers."

[TL Note]

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