Chapter 32: The Can-Wearing Mustache vs. the Lightning Boy

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"It's nothing. Didn't I just say? I want to throw a birthday party and invite you two to attend..."

Tony guiltily turned his head away, avoiding looking at Derek and Pepper.

It was fine when he was riding the wave of alcohol earlier, but now that he had sobered up, he suddenly didn't know how to tell the two of them that he was dying.

"Not talking, huh? Then I'll look for myself!"

Derek grinned, lunged forward, and forcefully pinned the caught-off-guard Tony onto the table.

"What the hell! Derek, what are you trying to do? I'm straight, don't mess with me!"

Terrified by Derek's sudden movement, Tony screamed in panic and struggled incessantly.

But Derek's strength was not something that could be easily broken free from, even if Tony were wearing the Iron Man Armor.

Moreover, Tony was the one underneath!

Therefore, no matter how Tony struggled, Derek steadily kept him suppressed.

"Isn't that a coincidence? You're straight, and I'm straight too! Hehe!"

Derek chuckled evilly, using one hand to tightly clasp Tony's wrists and raise them above his head, while his other hand reached toward Tony's… neck.

Pushing Tony's head to the side, he indeed saw that Tony's neck was covered in dark purple toxic veins.

"Tsk! Palladium poisoning!"

Derek let go of Tony and smacked his lips.

"Fine, that's right, it's palladium poisoning..." Seeing that Derek had discovered it, Tony stopped acting and his expression darkened.

"Poisoning? Tony, why are you poisoned? We're going to the hospital right now!"

Hearing Tony's words, Pepper's face was filled with anxiety as she pulled Tony, intending to head to the hospital.

The amused auntie smile she had while watching Derek and Tony 'scuffle' just moments ago had completely vanished from her face.

But Tony didn't move; instead, he stopped Pepper.

Tony shook his head with a lifeless expression: "It's useless. Modern medicine simply cannot cure palladium poisoning. I've already tried every method available..."

"H-How could this be..." After letting go, Pepper turned pale and took two steps back, crashing into the table without even realizing it.

"It's fine!" A smile rose on Tony's face, "I should have died in that stinking cave two years ago. Being able to live until now is all thanks to Derek."

"These past two years, I've also experienced a different kind of superhero life. I'm actually very content, and I have no regrets left!"

"Tony..." Looking at the forced smile on Tony's face, Pepper covered her mouth as tears continuously fell from her cheeks.

Tony reached out to wipe away Pepper's tears, lowered his head to gently kiss her forehead, and said with rare tenderness:

"Pepper, after escaping death from the cave of the Ten Rings Gang, I, having undergone a transformation, originally wanted to reveal my true feelings and confess to you..."

"But I couldn't do it, because the metal heart in my chest that keeps me alive is also gradually taking my life. I can't delay you; you deserve better..."

"So, can you look after Stark Industries for me? With Derek's help, I believe you guys definitely can..."

"Oh no, no, Tony, I'm begging you, stop talking..." Pepper was already sobbing uncontrollably.

"Tsk tsk, this is so touching it's like watching a movie~" Derek chimed in untimely from the side.

This made Tony look at Derek helplessly: "Bro, I'm about to die here. Can't you let me be the main character for once and play along with me?"

"Is that so? But… I refuse!" Derek walked toward Tony step by step, "I refuse to accept the burden of Stark Industries that you're throwing at me, and I likewise refuse your death!"

After all, without Tony, the value of Stark Industries would plummet exponentially!

That was definitely not what Derek wanted to see!

Looking at Derek, who was still brimming with complete confidence, Tony couldn't quite understand where Derek got all his confidence from:

"Bro, I'm really not joking. I've genuinely tried every method possible. It's useless, modern medicine simply can't save me!"

"Is that so?" Derek was noncommittal about this, then retorted: "Then have you ever tried supernatural powers?"

"You mean those Superhumans like you?" Tony said indifferently, "I don't think any Superhumans can cure palladium poisoning, at least I've never heard of anyone having that ability."

In Tony's eyes, Superhumans were nothing more than a bunch of genetically mutated humans.

Tony, who worshipped mechanical ascension, actually looked down from the bottom of his heart on this whole genetic mutation thing that only poor people needed.

And he had also asked Jarvis to search. Among the currently surviving Superhumans, indeed no one was found who could solve his problem.

"Tony, you underestimate supernatural powers too much. If you don't change this trait, you'll suffer a huge loss because of it sooner or later!"

Derek shook his head slightly, expressing disapproval of Tony's attitude.

"Follow me, I'll take you to solve the most urgent trouble on your body right now."

After speaking, Derek transformed into a wisp of Purple Electricity and instantly appeared outside the window.

The speed Derek displayed, as well as that state of Elementalization, both astonished Tony:

"Did you just decompose yourself into electricity and reassemble? How is that possible?!"

"That's why I said you underestimate supernatural powers too much. Now, Tin Can Mustache, hurry up and get out here. Let me see if your pile of junk can keep up with my speed~"

Faced with Derek's provocation, how could Tony, who was already extremely arrogant, tolerate this?

"Tin Can Boy? A pile of junk? Lightning Boy, today I'll let you witness the speed of technology!"

Saying this, Tony's headgear closed, his boot thrusters activated, and his entire body rose into the air.

Clearly, Tony was going to get serious!

Watching Tony, who also flew out from the window, Derek crossed his arms and smiled confidently: "Tin Can Mustache, are you ready?"

"This is called the Body of Steel, not a tin can! Also, I'm ready, Lightning Boy!"

The face beneath Tony's mask grinned, and his heart, eroded by the palladium element, boiled with passionate blood once again.

This was very likely the last time he would wear the Iron Man Armor, so he wanted to soar to his heart's content one last time!

"I'll count to three and we start. Get ready, set... Three!"

Bzzzz——————

As soon as the word 'three' fell, purple lightning coursed across Derek's body as he instantly darted out.

After freezing for a second, Tony activated the full-body thrusters of his armor and chased after him.

Chasing while cursing: "Lightning Boy, you fucking jumped the start! Do you have any shame?!"

"What? The wind is too loud, I can't hear you~"

Leading the way, Derek had a cheeky look of being unable to hear Tony's words.

This made Tony, pursuing closely behind, grind his teeth in anger as he increased the thruster power even further!

This morning in New York was exceptionally lively~

All New York City citizens could look up and see a streak of purple lightning and a streak of red flame streaking across the sky like meteors.

This caused countless people to raise their phones to take pictures, check in, and post on Twitter.

With the caption: [Shocking! The Seven's Co-Captain clashed with Iron Man, fighting fiercely in the skies above New York!]