Marvel Cybernetic Girl

After the constant barrage of comics, animations, and TV shows, Kagura Hitomi's day off was soon over.

The cultural industry in this world was slightly different compared to the one in Kagura Hitomi's "previous life."

First off, Marvel didn't exist here. But most of the other excellent movies were nearly the same as she remembered.

Japanese anime, though it had some small differences, generally stayed true to its original form.

Hmm, what a strange world this is, she thought, as she stared at the comic on her computer screen.

But why... why did her day off go by so quickly?

Ten Days Later

Ugh, I'm going to die! I'm going to die! The humanoid beauty is going to work herself to death!

Kagura Hitomi was in a full-blown panic.

During this time, she'd been busier than when she was undercover with Obadiah.

In addition to her usual duties at Stark Industries, she also had to carve out time each day to adjust financial assets and network resources under her new identity, "Bruce Wayne."

Starting anything is hard.

To merge the former Stark Industries military sector wasn't just about having an identity.

It required an enormous amount of financial and mental resources.

An identity can be fabricated, even to look completely real. But the financial backing behind it—no matter how much one tries to fake it—still needs substantial real-world assets.

Luckily, S.H.I.E.L.D. was exceptional in this area.

Kagura Hitomi had analyzed the background of "Bruce Wayne" and figured out how S.H.I.E.L.D. had turned this non-existent person into a "big-shot mogul" who could afford to buy out Stark Industries.

Across the U.S., there were many unknown unclaimed estates, fallen noble families, and "problem families" with no heirs or money.

Over time, these "last assets" would either be merged, sold, or simply forgotten.

S.H.I.E.L.D., with its highly developed intelligence network, had gathered these scattered social resources and placed them all under the name of "Bruce Wayne."

Using these assets, they created a powerful financial figure from thin air.

Kagura Hitomi had to admit, even with her skills in electronic hacking and resource allocation, it would've been nearly impossible for her to put together such a massive financial network in such a short time.

Impressive, indeed.

On the other hand, since the assets behind "Bruce Wayne" were so complex, his social connections had become vast as well.

Through covert operations, S.H.I.E.L.D. ensured Bruce Wayne had contacts everywhere, from the U.S. Air Force to Mexican cartels.

Hmm... Looks like I really need to thank Egghead for this one.

There's no way Kagura Hitomi could've achieved something of this scale on her own.

Whether Nick Fury had a personal motive or not, this "gift" from S.H.I.E.L.D. was valuable.

Now, "Bruce Wayne" had enough funds and collateral assets.

Meanwhile, with the public losing faith in Stark Industries and the stock price crashing due to the "Iron Tyrant" incident, Kagura Hitomi saw the perfect opportunity to buy out the original Stark military industry.

And so, under the perfect combination of timing, location, and support, Bruce Wayne, with almost all of his assets at stake, gradually acquired nearly all the companies and factories that used to belong to Stark Industries.

A new multinational defense conglomerate began to take shape in California.

Of course, Bruce Wayne's assets didn't really belong to him.

That fact couldn't be changed.

In time, there would be many issues to deal with, so the asset pledges were only temporary.

Thankfully, the defense industry was highly profitable.

Kagura Hitomi planned to earn enough funds over time to return the "invisible assets" she'd borrowed from across the country—and the world—to their rightful owners.

As for the connections and social standing she had gained, those would stay with her.

Time passed, and more than half a month had gone by since Iron Man's rise. Various departments, agencies, and media outlets had almost finished their investigations.

As an employee of Stark Industries, Kagura Hitomi's time staying at Tony Stark's house was also coming to an end.

In two days, she would return to New York to continue her work at Stark Industries' New York branch.

That evening, Tony Stark hosted a small farewell party at his house to thank Kagura Hitomi, his lovely assistant, for all her help.

"Hitomi, you've been such a big help these days. I've already had Pepper finalize your promotion paperwork. When you get to New York, you'll have a new position and a new salary," Tony Stark said at the dinner table. "How's that? Do you like it?"

"Mm, thank you, Mr. Stark," Kagura Hitomi said, lowering her head in gratitude.

"I've only done what I could."

"No, I should be the one thanking you," Tony said, patting her shoulder.

"You saved my life, that's an undeniable fact."

"And you saved mine, Mr. Stark," Kagura Hitomi smiled.

"So we're even, right?"

Upon hearing this, Tony Stark chuckled. "You really are a clever one."

He raised his glass. "Here's to you—cheers! To the birth of Iron Man!"

"Hahaha," Kagura Hitomi giggled behind her hand.

"I thought this was for me? How did it turn into a toast for Iron Man?"

"Hitomi, you need to know that Iron Man's birth owes a lot to you, so it's not contradictory," Tony replied.

"Strictly speaking, tonight could be seen as a celebration of Iron Man's debut."

"Oh, give it a rest, Tony," Pepper Potts chimed in, unable to watch the scene anymore.

"Can't you just send her off properly?"

"It's fine, we're not saying goodbye forever," Tony waved it off.

Then he turned to Kagura Hitomi. "Don't worry, I'll visit you in New York in a couple of days."

"Sounds good," Kagura Hitomi smiled.

"Thank you for everything during this time, Mr. Stark."

And with that, the future was here.

A new chapter was beginning.

[TL Note]

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