Chapter 65. Discussion

"Hulk?" Tony looked at the image Noah was showing. The green giant in the footage looked intimidating.

"I heard about that incident. I thought it was some kind of biological creation developed by your S.H.I.E.L.D.," Tony said, turning to Nick Fury. In his mind, secret organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. often toyed with dangerous experiments, creating monsters they couldn't control—like in the movies.

"Tony, S.H.I.E.L.D. has nothing to do with this. Don't jump to conclusions," Fury frowned and continued, "Our agency is also looking for the Hulk, but General Ross from the military is in charge of the case, and S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't officially allowed to interfere. But Noah, I'm surprised that you know the name Hulk."

Fury was taken aback to hear the name from Noah. S.H.I.E.L.D., using advanced technology and witness statements, had learned that the green giant frequently uttered the name Hulk, so that's what they called him. Now that Noah knew the name too, Fury suspected the organization behind him might also be investigating Hulk. What could they be interested in about this being? Fury couldn't stop pondering.

"Of course, it's common knowledge," Noah replied calmly.

"Well, it's not common to me. Will someone tell me about the Hulk?" Tony couldn't sit in the dark any longer. He felt like everyone around him knew about this creature except him.

Nick Fury and Noah exchanged glances. Noah gave a slight nod, suggesting Fury go first.

Fury would have preferred to hear Noah's take on Hulk, but he started himself. Tony would find out sooner or later, so there was no point in hiding the information.

Having learned about the Hulk, Fury had taken an interest in him and began a thorough investigation. He discovered that Hulk wasn't just a monster but a man named Bruce Banner, a talented physicist. Fury planned to make him part of his Avengers team, so he kept monitoring him.

"This guy, we call him Hulk," Fury began, leaning forward slightly as he sat on the couch and spoke in a low voice, "Every time the Hulk appears, he becomes extremely aggressive and causes massive destruction. He has already caused many incidents with numerous casualties."

"So, he's a bad guy? Why hasn't S.H.I.E.L.D. taken him out?" Tony asked.

"Hold on, let me finish."

"After our in-depth investigation, we found that the Hulk is actually a man. You may have heard his name."

"Oh? And what's that name?" Tony became curious, wondering if it could be someone he knew. Several names flashed through his mind.

"Bruce Banner."

"Bruce Banner? Let me think... I remember a physicist with seven PhDs, also named Bruce Banner. Is that him?" Tony recalled the brilliant scientist whose accomplishments surpassed even his own.

In his mind, Banner was a scientist with extensive knowledge, and it was hard for him to connect this person with the raging green giant on the screen.

"Yes, that's the man you're thinking of. Bruce Banner accidentally exposed himself to gamma radiation during one of his experiments, and his body mutated. Now, when his emotions get out of control, he transforms into a green giant called Hulk," Fury explained.

"According to our investigation, he's been hiding from the military because they've been trying to capture him. He left the U.S. and traveled to distant countries to conceal his real name. Banner is constantly battling with himself to avoid transforming into the Hulk. All the incidents involving the Hulk happened because he was provoked," Fury continued, sharing what S.H.I.E.L.D. had gathered. Tony listened with interest, even wanting to personally ask Banner how he became like this.

Finishing his story, Nick looked at Tony's reaction and realized he was intrigued by Banner's story. This was favorable, as if members of the Avengers team bonded early on, working together would be easier.

Fury noticed Noah's face remained calm as if he already knew everything. Nick assumed that either Noah or the organization behind him had been keeping tabs on Hulk for a long time.

"Noah, why did you bring up Hulk?" Fury asked, sitting up straight and looking at Noah closely.

Tony was also intrigued. He understood that he knew very little about Noah and wanted to learn more.

"It's not that important. I just think Dr. Banner is a talented person. He can transform into a mighty green giant and still possesses vast knowledge. I think we could help him and recruit him to our side," Noah replied.

Fury wasn't entirely sure which "side" Noah was referring to: his Valoran organization or something else.

"Alright, I support the idea. Besides, I think Dr. Banner would fit in perfectly at my company, Stark Industries. The top ten floors of the Stark Tower are dedicated to research and development. By the way, Lee, you're always welcome to visit," Tony offered, inspired by Noah's words. He could only imagine how much a genius like Banner would contribute to his company.

"Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Stark, but aren't you worried that the Hulk might bring the whole tower down?" Noah teased.

"Oh, I'll make sure not to put him under too much stress," Tony replied. Noah remembered how in the movie he'd poked Banner with a shocker right after saying something similar.

"So, it's decided. First, we need to find Banner and then handle the military pressure. Nick, that's on you."

"Understood," Fury replied, rubbing his temples. He had already received a lot of useful information from Noah and couldn't refuse him in return. Besides, he, too, believed that people like Banner should be on their side.

When they finished the discussion, they began devising a plan to locate Banner.

"These pastries are delicious! Where did you get them?" Tony, noticing the treats on the table, couldn't resist grabbing a fruit éclair decorated with cream and fruit.

Tony was pleasantly surprised by the taste. Despite his wealth, he had rather simple tastes in food and loved burgers, which other rich people might consider junk food.

"It's all Lissandra's doing. By the way, Mr. Stark, why are you here?" Noah finally asked.

"Actually, I wanted to learn more about your…" Tony gestured to mimic armor. "…your suit. Did you design it yourself?"

He wanted to confirm that Noah was indeed a genius capable of creating advanced inventions at just sixteen.

Although Tony was a genius, he hadn't reached such a level at sixteen; he'd still been studying at MIT at that age.

"Are you talking about the armor?" Noah turned to Lissandra, then looked back at Tony. "Lissandra and I designed it together."

Lissandra smiled upon hearing Noah's words, and Tony raised an eyebrow, surprised. "This lady is a scientist too?"

"Of course, don't underestimate Lissandra," Noah said and proceeded to demonstrate his armor.

He pressed a button on his belt, and a flow of nanomaterials spread over his hand, forming the armor. Tony's eyes widened in surprise.

"Is that nanotechnology?" Tony watched as the nanomaterials formed armor on Noah's hand and immediately recognized the technology.

"Yes, Lissandra is quite proficient in nanotechnology. I can confidently say that in this world, no one could surpass her."

Noah believed this, as Lissandra had access to all the technologies from her world. Since gaining a soul, her knowledge and abilities had been growing at an incredible rate.

"Nanotechnology is the future, Mr. Stark. Your armor could use an upgrade, too. Want me to help?" He clenched his fist, and the armor on his hand transformed back into nanomaterials, which he offered to Tony.

"Thanks, but I'll manage," Tony replied. He saw that Noah's nanotechnology was already well-developed, but his pride and confidence in his abilities wouldn't allow him to accept help.

Tony was indeed a genius. In the movies, he mastered thermonuclear astrophysics overnight, and in "Avengers: Endgame," he perfected time travel in a single night. Thanos even once said Tony was cursed with knowledge.

Noah wasn't surprised by his refusal. He was just joking, knowing that geniuses like Tony had a high sense of self-worth and preferred to solve their own problems.

However, if it came to a technology exchange, Tony wouldn't decline. Soon, a temporary technical exchange began, during which Tony became convinced of Noah and Lissandra's abilities.

Though Noah had only recently acquired Heimerdinger's template, he constantly learned from Lissandra. Thanks to Heimerdinger's talent, he absorbed knowledge like a sponge, allowing him to discuss technical matters with Tony freely.

Nick Fury, unable to get a word in, simply mulled over his own affairs.

Soon after, Tony and Nick Fury prepared to leave Noah's estate. Tony, inspired by the conversation with Noah and Lissandra, couldn't wait to put his ideas into action. Nick Fury was also about to focus on the Hulk case.

"Lee, Miss Lissandra, it was a pleasure talking with you. Stop by Stark Tower anytime; I'll personally greet you," Tony said as he prepared to leave.

"I'll expedite the matter with Banner," added Nick Fury on his way out.

After they left, Noah turned to Lissandra.

"Lissandra, have you found any trace of Banner?" Noah had previously asked her to help locate Banner and Betty Ross after the campus incident.

"No traces yet. They're likely in an area with no surveillance cameras," Lissandra replied.

"Understood," Noah remembered that in the movie, they were hiding in a remote area and might not have returned to the city yet. "We'll wait. Banner will have to return eventually to find a solution for the Hulk."

He decided to continue working on his tech, adding magnetic levitation to the armor to make it even more impressive.

A short while later, Lissandra reported:

"Noah, I found them."

"Excellent. Let's move," Noah said with a smile.

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