Chapter 92: Yamata no Orochi, Press Conference, Invitation
Chapter 92: Yamata no Orochi, Press Conference, Invitation
"Emergency! Emergency! The fifth head of Yamata no Orochi has awakened! Should emergency measures be taken!"
A giant snake head emerged from a mountain crack, looking down from high above. On Mount Fuji, a massive mountain rock with black and white patterns had appeared out of thin air.
However, this mountain rock was constantly swaying back and forth. Beneath the crack where the snake head was located, it seemed as though some enormous object was struggling to turn over.
*Crackle!* On Mount Fuji, mountain rocks rolled down. From a few pounds to several tons, even over ten tons, rocks tumbled down, smashing into the Forest Sea and cliffs below.
This man-made landslide caused the dense vegetation at the foot of Mount Fuji to be instantly crushed into pulp. *Rumble!* Boulders the size of houses slid down from the mountain peak, directly blocking the winding Highway halfway up the mountain in several places.
Due to the mountain fire that suddenly erupted in Aokigahara (Sea of Trees), people visiting Mount Fuji had already been urgently evacuated.
The landslide caused by the mountain rocks resulted in few casualties.
However, the fire Police Officer heading to Aokigahara (Sea of Trees) to fight the fire were directly blocked by the sudden mudslide.
At the foot of the mountain path, a black Toyota sedan drove onto the Highway leading to Tokyo.
"What's happening? Did Mount Fuji erupt?"
Shortly after the black Toyota sedan turned onto the Highway, the Big man driving the car watched with wide eyes as a giant boulder smashed onto the roadbed not far behind his car, scaring him into flooring the accelerator.
Frank sat in the passenger seat, looking at Mount Fuji behind them, which seemed to be shaking entirely. He was also completely bewildered.
Twelve mortars, a basic load of artillery shells, shouldn't be enough to collapse Mount Fuji! Could it be that the Japanese Mount Fuji was made of paper?! With thick smoke billowing behind them and the ground shaking, Frank patted the slightly nervous nerves of the driver's shoulder:
"Relax, as long as we can reach Tokyo Bay within four and a half hours, there's an ocean whaling ship waiting there. Once we're out of Japanese Waters, someone will naturally meet us!"
...
On one side of Mount Fuji, at an Outpost converted from a natural cave, over a dozen Monarch observers were monitoring the movements of Yamata no Orochi through surveillance equipment spread across Mount Fuji.
"Are we sure only the fifth head has awakened? Are there any signs of the other snake heads awakening!?"
At Monarch's headquarters, a Middle-aged Man in a white coat looked at the satellite monitoring map, comparing it with the video footage transmitted from the Outpost.
His expression was extremely serious. Observation Target 91, codename "Yamata no Orochi", obtained its energy by devouring the volcanic geothermal energy of Mount Fuji.
It could be said that this Titan had largely delayed the eruption of Mount Fuji's volcano.
Once this Titan awakened, the blow to Japan would be devastating.
The Middle-aged Man was named Ishiro Serizawa. Well, his name was a bit old-fashioned, but his father, Eiji Serizawa, was one of the founders of Monarch.
Therefore, Doctor Serizawa himself was a true core member of Monarch.
Looking at Yamata no Orochi in the Volcano Crater, which seemed about to awaken at any moment, he thought of a contingency plan left by his father.
"Activate Emergency Plan B!"
The order was transmitted to Outpost 91 on Mount Fuji. Upon receiving the order, all the soldiers in the Outpost began working intensively.
In the deepest part of the Outpost, within a converted pressure pump room, four Monarch soldiers simultaneously exerted force to turn the circular metal valve.
Deep within the mountain wall, several iron plates embedded in the wall slowly rose, and instantly, countless water flows shot out.
...
Deep inside the mountain, within several massive hollow mountain cavities, a giant snake body, as large as a small mountain, was coiled in the Volcano Crater.
The surface of the black and white patterned snake body was covered in solidified volcanic rock ash, making it look like a giant stone statue extending from Mount Fuji.
The giant snake with eight heads and eight tails had already shed the volcanic rock layer from one snake head, which was desperately dragging the other seven snake heads, trying to break free from the thick rock layer.
Under the drag of this snake head, the massive body of the eight-headed, eight-tailed giant snake continuously crashed against the hard mountain body.
Many of the volcanic rock layers covering the snake heads began to slowly peel off, and the giant snake's tail also began to swing unconsciously.
Just then, several waterfall-like water flows poured out from above the mountain cavity.
They instantly drenched the body of the eight-headed, eight-tailed giant snake.
*Boom!* When these liquids came into contact with the lava beneath the giant snake, a sea of fire immediately erupted.
As a Titan that feeds by devouring lava and geothermal energy, ordinary flames naturally couldn't harm it in the slightest.
But as the flames rose, the rich aroma of alcohol instantly attracted the black and white snake head that was wildly twisting outside.
When its forked tongue sniffed the familiar scent filling the air, the giant snake head suddenly retracted back into the mountain crack.
...
"It seems Doctor Serizawa's analysis was correct. Myths and legends from various places are indeed helpful for us to understand these Titans!"
From the rock cracks of the volcano where Yamata no Orochi slept, clear "alcohol" continuously flowed out. These "alcohol" gathered together, like a rain shower. The high-concentration alcohol came into contact with the lava inside the volcano, causing the entire Volcano Crater to erupt in flames. Within the flames, a giant snake head, flicking its forked tongue, greedily licked the alcohol flowing from the rocks.
At Monarch's headquarters, several High-level Staff watched through the camera installed inside the Volcano Crater as the snake head, after devouring hundreds of tons of alcohol, drowsily sank into the lava.
Yamata no Orochi, a monster from Japanese mythology and legend, also known as Yamata no Orochi or Yamata no Orochi. According to legend, it was slain by Susanoo after being intoxicated with alcohol.
Because of this mythological legend, when this Outpost was first established, Eiji Serizawa insisted, against all opposition, on storing hundreds of tons of alcohol in the rock layer above Yamata no Orochi.
Unexpectedly, it actually had an effect on this Titan.
"Perhaps our Organization should recruit more experts in ancient theology!"
A Monarch High-level Staff stroked his chin, lost in thought.
"Ancient people, in their divine worship of these Titans, also recorded some of their habits in mythological stories!"
Doctor Serizawa stood with his hands in the outer pockets of his white coat, looking at the giant snake faintly visible in the volcanic lava. He thought of another giant beast, his eyes thoughtful.
...
Just as the Aokigahara (Sea of Trees) mountain fire erupting in Japan was about to spread to the entire Mount Fuji, in New York, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Stark Industries!"
Stark Tower. In the parking lot in front of the building, news vans from various media outlets lined both sides of the road.
Media people carrying long lenses and short lenses surrounded Stark Tower, making it impassable.
Many blonde, blue-eyed hosts gesticulated excitedly at the camera, occasionally pointing towards the building behind them.
Outside the building, teams of Police Officer and Bodyguards were working hard to maintain order at the scene.
Many media Reporters swarmed, trying to squeeze into the building, but they were all stopped by Stark Industries' Bodyguards.
Inside the building, a press conference was being held. This was Tony Stark's first public appearance after his billionaire adventure.
This was a golden opportunity for a big news story. Unfortunately, the media outlets with enough clout had already been invited in with invitations.
As for the media people blocked outside the entrance, it was clear that no space had been reserved for them inside.
...
At the center of the stage, the burly, bald Obadiah, who looked like he hadn't slept well and was a bit low on spirit, briefly greeted the guests before yielding the main stage.
Then, a Middle-aged Man with a bruised and swollen face and a small mustache walked onto the stage.
Tony Stark, with a band-aid still on his face, had just reached the center of the stage when the atmosphere, which had been subdued while Obadiah was on stage, immediately became enthusiastic.
It was clear the Reporters had many questions.
"Mr. Stark, what are your thoughts on this terrorist attack you experienced?"
"Mr. Stark, who rescued you?"
"Tony, I love you!" Well, clearly, this female Reporter was a fan of this playboy.
"Mr. Stark, it is said that Stark Industries offered a bounty of 100 million US dollars. Will this bounty be paid out?"
...
"Alright, everyone, quiet down!"
Tony Stark stood at the center of the stage, countless flashbulbs aimed at him. He spread his hands and pressed them downwards.
"Welcome everyone. I know you have many questions, but the purpose of this press conference is not to explain my experiences and hardships, but to make a decision!"
Tony Stark scanned the surroundings, seemingly looking at everyone through the Reporters' cameras.
"My Family/Clan, including myself, has provided a lot of support to the Federation in weapons research over the years." "I always thought this was right. My original intention in manufacturing these weapons was to protect this world. Later, I discovered that the weapons manufactured by Stark Industries were pushing this world towards borderlessness. So, I plan to shut down Stark Industries' weapons manufacturing department. From now on, Stark Industries will withdraw from the arms market!"
After saying what he wanted to say, Tony Stark turned and left, surrounded by several black-suited Bodyguards.
The scene was left in an uproar.
"Mr. Stark, why did you choose to close the weapons manufacturing department? Is it related to this attack?"
"Mr. Stark, without the weapons manufacturing department, how will you ensure Stark Industries' profitability? How will you be responsible to the shareholders..."
"Mr. Stark..."
"Tony, what are you doing? You'll ruin Stark Industries!"
Obadiah tried to stop Tony, but Agent Phil Coulson, disguised as a Bodyguard, blocked him in front of Tony Stark.
"No, Uncle Stane, I'm going to save Stark Industries!"
Tony Stark gave Obadiah a faint gaze and left directly, surrounded by the Bodyguards, leaving Obadiah waving his hands and desperately trying to explain his crazy behavior to the frantic Reporters.
...
"To Stark!"
At Tang Manor, Boss Tang, who had been waiting for this press conference, put down his knife and fork, picked up the wine glass in front of him, and raised it towards Tony on the television, who had just announced the dissolution of Stark's weapons manufacturing department.
Boss Tang admired righteous people who had justice, ideals, and dared to make decisions.
"Lane, tell our traders to act quickly!"
...
Tony Stark owned many villas.
Besides the most famous one, the City of Freedom, the seaside villa in West Los Angeles.
In New York alone, Tony Stark owned four villas.
The villa Tang Song visited was the closest one to Stark Industries.
Boss Tang's Rolls-Royce had just stopped at the villa's entrance when a blonde beauty had already been waiting there for a long time.
The blonde beauty wore a professional blouse, with a white shirt that seemed about to burst and a black skirt below, revealing a pair of long, beautiful legs in black stockings.
Lane opened the car door for Tang Song and took a wooden box containing alcohol from the trunk, handing it to Tang Song.
The blonde female secretary came forward.
"Hello, Mr. Tang, welcome. Mr. Stark has been waiting for a long time. I apologize, he is unwell and cannot come out to greet you!"
Tang Song looked at the familiar exquisite face before him and subconsciously rubbed his cane.
"You are?"
"Hello, Mr. Tang, I am Mr. Stark's personal secretary, Natalie Rushman. It's a pleasure to serve you!"
The blonde beauty smiled, like a qualified personal secretary, and walked ahead to lead the way for Tang Song.
She walked ahead, swaying, clearly feeling the burning gaze behind her.
Natasha Romanoff was used to this kind of gaze. As a top Agent, seduction was just one of the required courses.
She had eliminated no less than ten targets just in bed.
Having met all kinds of men, she was long immune to gazes that seemed to want to devour her alive.
However, this time she misunderstood.
The reason Tang Song was observing the secretary before him was because he was genuinely curious about the famous Black Widow.
Curious about her appearance, figure, and age.
As one of the Avengers Superheroes, Black Widow and Hawkeye's position had always been awkward. They lacked Captain America's leadership ability, their combat power wasn't enough, and in major battles, they could only clear out minor enemies.
They were more like two nails S.H.I.E.L.D. had driven into the Avengers.
They were truly S.H.I.E.L.D.'s own people.
However, in Avengers 4, Black Widow truly amazed everyone.
In the comics, Black Widow's age was set to be from the same era as Captain America, only maintaining her youth by injecting a certain enhanced serum.
Looking at the swaying peach-shaped buttocks in front of him, Tang Song began to guess her age.
...
"Welcome, Tang, make yourself at home!"
In the villa with a strong high-tech feel, Tang Song met the owner of the villa, the famous Tony Stark.
This was also the first time Tang Song had seen Tony Stark in person.
The state of the Iron Man before him wasn't very good. His face was haggard, he had an IV drip in his arm, and he was listlessly controlling a mechanical arm to solder a circuit board.
Seeing the secretary bring Tang Song in, Tony Stark just raised his head:
"Natalie, mix Mr. Tang a drink. Sorry, I still have some work to finish!"
Boss Tang naturally didn't stand on ceremony. He casually handed the gift box of alcohol in his hand to Black Widow nearby and didn't sit down, instead leisurely touring Tony Stark's Living Room and workspace.
As a technology enthusiast, Tony's villa decoration style had a strong high-tech feel.
Smart appliances were everywhere, along with hidden and semi-hidden mechanical arms.
Even the television screen was a virtual projection.
"Sir, your drink!"
It wasn't Black Widow who brought the drink, but a mechanical arm, accompanied by an old Butler-like voice.
A mechanical arm held a glass of wine and offered it to Tang Song.
"Thank you!" Tang Song took the glass and replied politely.
"You don't seem curious at all!" By this time, Tony Stark had finished his work, washed his hands, and walked over to Tang Song.
Tang Song took a sip of the wine: "Good wine!"
After praising it, Tang Song glanced at Stark: "Curious? Are you referring to Artificial Intelligence (AI)?"
Tony Stark seemed a bit unconvinced: "Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a great breakthrough in technology, converting computer programs into true life. Isn't that a real miracle!"
Tang Song smiled: "With the future development of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be a major trend.
Especially as humanity turns its gaze towards space, they will often be needed to replace humans in many matters. You are a genius, perhaps decades ahead of the world, but outside of Earth, you might just be starting out, who knows!"
Tony Stark looked at Tang Song, his eyes shining with surprise: "I can't believe someone from the Underworld would have such insight and vision..."
Tang Song picked up the glass and drank it in one gulp: "So, in your impression, what is someone from an underground Organization like? Full of foul language, drug use, prostitution..."
"Mr. Stark, that's just origin. No one can choose their origin, but one can choose their life..."
"I'm sorry!" Tony Stark realized the rudeness in his words and, uncharacteristically, apologized.
This was something that would have been impossible before he went to Afghanistan.
The trip to Afghanistan had changed this rich second generation significantly.
Of course, his problem of being foul-mouthed seemed to be as always, and it caused him a lot of trouble later.
"It's nothing. My past has never been afraid of being investigated!" Tang Song shrugged: "I'm curious about the purpose of Mr. Stark's invitation?"
"Mr. Tang recently purchased quite a few shares of Stark Industries on the secondary market?"
(End of chapter)