Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 767 He is Bucky Barnes, Captain Rogers' friend

Uehara Naraku's earnest and sincere manner made him seem like a very good person.

Uehara Naraku's words did indeed imply that he was a good person, that he didn't have the airs of a S.H.I.E.L.D. director, and that he was always thinking of Tony Stark.

This feeling warmed Tony Stark's heart.

However, this warmth made Tony feel a little ashamed, because he seemed to have been playing the role of the bad guy all along, and what he couldn't stand the most was Nick Fury's deception!

He helped Nick Fury fake his death and escape the impending interrogation, but he never expected that the guy was actually a Hydra executive, the same Hydra that killed his parents!

The most troublesome thing right now is...

The World Security Council and the White House also want to keep him under control. Even if Uehara Naraku is willing to stand by him and protect him, it's unknown how much pressure he will have to endure...

And Rhodes.

If even a superhero like him is to be controlled, what kind of interrogation will his friend James Rhodes have to endure?

"Where's Rhodes?"

"Colonel Rhodes has been temporarily detained by me."

Uehara Naraku made no attempt to hide anything from Tony, and simply continued softly, "The White House and the World Security Council are watching us... We need to prove your innocence so that Colonel Rhodes, as your friend, can be cleared of suspicion."

"Thanks…"

Tony Stark nodded, slowly sat down on the floor next to his lab bench, a look of dejection on his face. He felt lost and powerless again.

It was all like the Battle of New York, where Tony witnessed the Chitauri and the Akatsuki's massive army clashing in New York, while he could only drift along in that war.

only…

Returning him and Uehara Naraku to S.H.I.E.L.D. left him somewhat resentful, because he knew very well that once he entered S.H.I.E.L.D., it would be difficult for him to leave in the short term.

At that point, no matter what the government or the World Security Council wants to do, it seems there's not much he, Iron Man, can do to change it; in fact, he prefers a different approach...

That means getting Nick Fury first!

Whether it's Tony Stark's inner turmoil of hatred or the key to breaking the current impasse, capturing Nick Fury is the only way to achieve anything!

We have to catch that bald guy!

"Uehara, do you believe me?"

Tony Stark suddenly looked up at Uehara Naraku standing in front of him: "We'll catch Nick Fury first, and then..."

"Tony."

Uehara Naraku interrupted Tony Stark, slowly squatted down in front of him, and calmly said, "That's a mission for the CIA and FBI. What you need to do now is come back to S.H.I.E.L.D. with me."

Uehara Naraku gazed at his red-rimmed eyes and calmly continued, "To ensure you remain under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s control, the Air Force has deployed a squadron to patrol the skies over New York. This time, I really can't help you leave here..."

At this point, Uehara Naraku's voice suddenly turned somber: "Tony, please... could you possibly consider us this time...?"

If I let you go this time, do you think the World Security Council and the White House will see me as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.... or just another Hydra spy colluding with you, a suspected Hydra agent?

"..."

Tony Stark fell silent once again.

If Uehara Naraku continues to act as he pleases today, his friends will be in danger, and at the very least, the White House and the World Security Council will certainly not trust them.

Tony Stark hung his head in frustration for a moment, then muttered stubbornly, "But as long as I catch that Nick Fury guy..."

"How long are you going to remain so stubborn?!"

Uehara Naraku was so angry he laughed, and slowly shook his head, saying, "Now our most important task is to clear your name. You need to help me prepare the information at S.H.I.E.L.D."

Besides you, all the other members of the Avengers team also had to be vetted by the Security Council, and only Dr. Bruce Banner passed the vetted ...

We still have many troubles...

"A lot..."

Uehara Naraku rubbed his temples and continued in a low voice, "The real troubles are more numerous than you can imagine, more than you can even believe..."

"Tony, I can't spend all my time on you."

Towards the end, Uehara Naraku's voice suddenly softened: "If you still have this attitude that you can handle everything yourself, then I'm really disappointed. If you insist on not coming back with me today, then we're no longer friends..."

"..."

This emotional appeal is really hard to believe!

Even Tony Stark was finding this kind of provocation a bit too much! Why did it seem like his friend was always causing trouble, even though he had been trying so hard to help?

After a moment of silence, Tony Stark extended his hand, and his Iron Man suit rapidly fell off, disarming him.

After finishing that, Tony Stark turned to Uehara Naraku: "I'm going to say goodbye to Pepper. And... where's our plane to Washington?"

"It's right on the rooftop."

Uehara Naraku's face showed a relaxed expression. He nodded and continued, "It's best not to reveal too much to Pepper, so she doesn't worry too much... You don't need to worry either, the authority to investigate Stark Industries belongs to S.H.I.E.L.D.

Obviously.

Uehara Naraku's meaning was clear: given his relationship with Tony Stark as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't cause Stark Industries too much trouble.

Just as Uehara Naraku had predicted, when Tony Stark said goodbye to Pepper, he simply said a few words and then left with Uehara Naraku.

In the sky.

Tony Stark and Naraku Uehara boarded an armed helicopter, escorted by a dozen fighter jets that circled around them—more than the number of escorts for Air Force One.

"The conditions seem pretty good."

Tony Stark glanced at the nearby fighter jets and said softly, "Now, let's talk about it... what trouble we've run into... and I need a lot of information."

"Um."

Uehara Naraku nodded indifferently, ran his hands through his hair, and sighed, "A lot of trouble... Your problem is like the rest of the Avengers attacking a bank while you just bought a hamburger and didn't pay."

"Is the difference really that big?"

Tony Stark's eye twitched involuntarily: "It sounds like our superhero team is in a bad situation, like it could disband at any moment..."

and so…

Just how bad was the situation inside the Avengers?

Is this something that even Uehara Naraku is starting to find troublesome?

"The existence of the Avengers still has meaning."

Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead and continued softly, "Because of a past alien invasion, the World Security Council and the White House want to maintain the Avengers team, but they must ensure that all superheroes are not terrorists..."

"What do you mean?"

Tony Stark thought for a second, then guessed, "You don't want to tell me that besides the two of us and Hulk, the rest of the people..."

"Clint Barton and Agent Natasha Romanoff were both Fury's spies planted within the Avengers team, and their whereabouts have been unknown since Fury's death..."

When Uehara Naraku finished speaking, he looked at Tony Stark and sincerely confessed his identity: "Before I became a superhero because of the Tesseract's energy, I was originally a spy planted by S.H.I.E.L.D. in the Avengers team, to guide you to be willing to obey S.H.I.E.L.D.'s orders..."

There's no need to hide this.

Given Tony Stark's intelligence, he could understand this, and besides, he hadn't really cared much about Uehara Naraku's identity.

"I know, but what about the others?"

"I've already told you about Dr. Bruce Banner's situation."

Uehara Naraku looked at Tony Stark, spread his palms, and explained, "Dr. Banner's personality is rather simple; he basically reported everything about him..."

Although the Hulk inside Dr. Banner is the most dangerous one, it is now the one that has been examined the fastest.

As for our captain, Steve Rogers…

When Uehara Naraku mentioned Steve Rogers, he fell into an eerie silence. He remained silent for a long time under Tony Stark's gaze before hesitantly speaking.

"Captain Rogers' whereabouts are currently unknown. As for his specific situation, you can find out for yourself when we return to headquarters..."

"What's the point of looking at that rigid, obedient old man...?"

Tony Stark wasn't particularly fond of Steve Rogers, but that didn't stop him from trusting him; that rigid, unyielding soldier should be fine.

however…

Steve Rogers is the most troublesome one.

After Tony Stark and Naraku Uehara arrived at the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, Iron Man didn't have a chance to visit Colonel Rhodes because Naraku Uehara had given him a lot of information.

Among them, Tony Stark was most concerned about…

It was, of course, about the videotapes of his parents before they died.

The underground data room at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

Uehara Naraku pulled out a videotape and handed it to Tony Stark, patting him on the shoulder reassuringly: "I'm sorry, Tony, as your friend, I don't know whether I should let you see it, because I don't want to hide it from you, but I also don't want to see you lose your temper..."

If it has a slight tea flavor, most people can't stand it.

Anyone who heard these words would likely understand the inner turmoil of Uehara Naraku's friend. This person seemed to always be considering his friend's feelings, wanting his friend to know the truth, yet not wanting his friend to be sad or upset...

Tony Stark shook his head sullenly and took the videotape from Uehara's hand: "I know... Don't worry... Uehara... I already knew beforehand."

It's okay.

What else could be on the videotape?

Since he already knew from Uehara Naraku that his parents had been assassinated by Hydra, what could possibly make him angrier?

Yes.

Yes, there are.

Even though Tony Stark knew the truth about his parents' deaths beforehand, after witnessing everything that happened to them before they died...

Uehara Naraku knew very well that Tony Stark would be unable to suppress his anger after seeing the contents of the videotape.

In front of an old television set.

Tony Stark took out the videotape, put it into the DVD player, and stared at the black-and-white screen on the television, calmly watching the images on the screen.

First of all.

A car mysteriously crashed into a tree.

A cold-looking young man on a motorcycle appeared beside the car.

An elderly man with white hair slowly crawled out of the driver's seat of the car. His face was covered in blood, and he looked more disheveled than ever before.

It was Tony Stark's father, Howard Stark.

This father, who had once left countless traces of arrogance in Tony Stark's life, was now in such a sorry state that Tony found it hard to accept...

however…

This is just the beginning.

On a black and white television screen.

The elderly Howard Stark, who had just climbed out of the car, seemed to hear the sound of a motorcycle. He struggled to crawl towards the motorcycle, muttering, "Save my wife...please..."

"..."

The indifferent young man put down his motorcycle, walked to the old man's side, and suddenly grabbed the old man's hair and made him stand up next to the motorcycle!

This guy doesn't look like he's here to rescue people!

The old man's eyes changed slightly; he seemed to recognize the young man's identity, and he seemed to call out the young man's name in a trembling voice.

They must know each other.

Just as Tony Stark was still thinking, his heart suddenly tightened!

Because he suddenly saw a scene that terrified him: on the black and white television, a young man named Barnes punched the old man hard in the eye socket!

One punch...

Two fists…

Three punches…

In the black and white image on the television, this indifferent young man, holding the elderly Howard Stark by the hair, brutally beat the old man to death with his own fists!

This was truly a brutal beating to death. You could feel Howard Stark's suffering before he died, the pain of being punched repeatedly in the eye sockets, even through the screen!

No one can accept their father being beaten to death with a fist, even if Tony Stark felt more respect and fear for his father!

However, Tony Stark was powerless to change any of this.

On the black-and-white screen, the indifferent young man continued, after killing Howard Stark, he tossed the great scientist's body into the driver's seat...

then…

The young man walked to the passenger side of the car and extended his palm. In the video footage, a woman can be seen sitting in the passenger seat.

The young man extended his hand, calmly and firmly grabbing the woman's neck and strangling her to death in the passenger seat...

"..."

Tony Stark clenched his fist tightly!

The woman who was strangled to death was his mother!

Even though he already knew about his parents' deaths, it couldn't compare to seeing their tragic deaths with his own eyes. Anger almost instantly overwhelmed his chest!

The images on the black-and-white television continued to play.

After killing Howard and his wife, the indifferent young man walked to the camera with a cold face as if he had done nothing. He stood in front of the camera, showing his face, and calmly pulled out a gun and fired at the camera.

The videotape ended there.

"Tony, it's all in the past, don't be sad."

Uehara Naraku walked over to Tony Stark and placed his hand on his shoulder to soothe him.

"That person..."

Tony Stark's eyes were bloodshot, his face contorted with pain and rage. He clenched his teeth tightly: "Tell me! Uehara! Tell me...where is he!"

"That's Bucky Barnes."

Uehara Naraku lowered his head, and said to Tony with a hint of helplessness, "Besides... he's also Captain Steve Rogers' friend..."

Sigh, being friends is so hard!

(End of this chapter)