After the Mandarin's ominous declaration, the conference hall fell into dead silence.
Already shaken by the earlier failed attack, the attendees were now paralyzed with fear.
Their expressions were blank, as if they had just consumed a dish of "Stargazy Pie," their faces mimicking the lifeless fish heads staring upward, frozen in shock at the dimming LED screen.
Kagura Hitomi felt nothing but disgust and anger at Killian's manipulative theatrics.
Given the psychological and physical blows the people in the room had just endured, it was entirely understandable that they were now consumed by fear.
But Kagura knew one thing for sure—the so-called Mandarin was nothing more than a fabrication, a character scripted by Killian himself.
The timing was too perfect—this Mandarin appeared right after the Extremis virus attack.
It was an obvious ploy, carefully orchestrated.
The broadcasted terrorist declaration was filled with naïve, anti-human rhetoric, blatant disdain for free nations and civilized societies, and the usual crude bravado of a second-rate militant group declaring war on the world.
How laughably low-class.
From what Kagura knew, if this were the real Mandarin from the Marvel comics, he would be a sorcerer wielding the Ten Rings—not someone who resorted to crude bombings.
Even if the real Mandarin did exist in the MCU, she doubted he would be this pathetic.
The broadcast, specifically targeting the World Security Council's leadership, was too deliberate.
It was undeniably Killian's handiwork, a smokescreen to advance his own sinister agenda.
Yet, even though this Mandarin was a fraud—just an actor playing a role—the attacks he spoke of were real.
The devastation was real. And at the core of it all, pulling the strings from the shadows, was none other than Dr. Aldrich Killian.
Fine. If you want to bring the fight to my doorstep, don't blame me for what happens next.
Now, in addition to obtaining samples of the Extremis virus and its research data, Kagura was determined to bring down Killian's A.I.M. Advanced Idea Mechanics and crush his entire conspiracy.
"Cortana, how long would it take to sell off all of A.I.M.'s shares?"
"Master? Please confirm the order—are you requesting to sell all A.I.M. stock?"
"That's right. I'm certain Killian was behind the attack just now. If we have an ace up our sleeve, we should play it. If we can cripple A.I.M. through financial means immediately, it might at least slow him down."
"Understood. Initiating the process to liquidate all A.I.M. shares. Any other instructions?"
"Don't forget to activate financial warfare mode. In two or three days, once A.I.M.'s stock price crashes, we'll seize the opportunity to buy it all back. I want full control of A.I.M."
"This is practically a textbook case of a hostile takeover, Master," Cortana noted.
"However, projections indicate that the anticipated stock price drop won't be significant enough to offset the risks of acquiring 100% ownership. The cost may be substantial."
"No, once we sell, A.I.M.'s stock will plummet further," Kagura replied, glancing at the now-evacuating crowd before shifting her gaze to the World Security Council's Deputy Secretary-General, who was being escorted through a private exit.
"As long as we ensure that Rhodes Island Industries wins the medical contract, the Extremis virus will have no market."
"And without funding from the Deputy Secretary-General, combined with the fact that I just thwarted Killian's attempt to eliminate key medical experts."
"There won't be any major shake-ups in the medical field. In the short term, A.I.M. will have no means to boost their market value."
"Your plan is impeccable, Master."
"It's just thorough preparation, nothing more."
Kagura had raised the stakes on this prosthetic project to an unprecedented level, deploying the most cutting-edge technologies—excluding Rhodes Island Industries' black-ops tech—to craft a prosthetic leg for Deputy Secretary-General Rhodes Riggs' daughter.
This wasn't merely about helping someone in need or currying favor; it was a crucial move to thwart Killian's scheme.
If the Extremis virus were used on Riggs' daughter, he would inevitably fall under Killian's influence, forced to do his bidding from the shadows.
This was a terrifying prospect, as the World Security Council wielded immense power over the legitimacy of the Avengers and the fate of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Controlling the Council was equivalent to holding the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. by the throat.
Under no circumstances could Kagura allow A.I.M.'s proposal to pass at this hearing.
To secure her own plan's approval, she was prepared to showcase Rhodes Island Industries' most advanced prosthetic technologies.
Honestly, where else could anyone find prosthetics of this caliber?
Even Stark Industries couldn't compete!
With her plans set in motion, Kagura left the chaotic hearing venue in her custom sports car, heading to Washington Airport to board a flight to Los Angeles.
While A.I.M. would likely crumble under Rhodes Island Industries' financial offensive, she knew Killian wouldn't go down that easily.
A man consumed by rage, envy, vengeance, and destruction wouldn't just give up.
No matter the obstacles, he would continue pushing his twisted agenda forward.
Therefore, taking away his resources wasn't enough.
She needed to extinguish the flames completely.
In fact, after her actions, Killian might even shift his primary target to Kagura herself and Rhodes Island Industries.
Not that she minded.
She had plenty of experience in drawing hostility.
If Killian came after her, it would only accelerate his downfall.
———————————————————————
As Kagura drove through the city streets, the radio played endless news reports discussing the Mandarin's terrorist broadcast.
The attacks he mentioned were now being confirmed by media outlets—
Military bases overseas, armories in bustling cities, even a military subway train—each target carefully selected for maximum devastation. It was sheer madness.
Had she not acted in time, deploying the kinetic orbital defense weapon, the medical hearing site would have become the fifth attack in the Mandarin's reign of terror.
Kagura sighed in relief. Thankfully, she had been present. Thankfully, her experimental weapon had worked. Otherwise, the aftermath would have been catastrophic.
Fear gripped society—just as Killian had planned.
An enemy that cannot be seen, found, or predicted is the most terrifying kind.
The military still had no idea who they were truly at war with.
As she watched the streets pass by, Kagura furrowed her brows.
"But it's fine," she muttered. "I'll take care of this soon. I'll restore peace to this world."
After all, she was an Avenger, the founder of Griffin Security, and—by all accounts—a superhero.
Even if fear enshrouded the world, she would be the light guiding people back to safety.
Besides, she had better things to do than deal with this nonsense.
Like kicking back, relaxing, and playing video games!