"Stark, this is your 'exclusive' question, so you go first." Nick Fury gestured politely to Iron Man.
Iron Man looked at the question, clearly puzzled: "Ivan Vanko? Who is this guy? Why am I supposed to kill him in the future?"
He didn't know this guy at all!
And even more importantly, Iron Man realized he couldn't kill this guy alone—he needed help from others!
"Nick Fury, you're the one with the intel. Do you know who this Ivan Vanko is?" Iron Man turned his questioning gaze to Nick Fury.
But Nick Fury just shook his head: "It's the first time I've seen that name too."
"That's your failure right there." Iron Man didn't hold back the criticism. "Even I need help to kill him. A guy like that—you know nothing about him?"
"I don't know that person, but I do know someone else named Vanko." Nick Fury thought for a moment, then said,
"Actually, that guy has some connection to you."
Hearing that, Iron Man felt a flicker of interest.
He had a hunch the other Vanko mentioned by Nick Fury was an important figure.
After all, this is the modern world, a society governed by law. Even Iron Man couldn't just kill people on a whim.
Sure, taking down armed criminals was different, but those guys were just small-time thugs. The question system wouldn't be targeting small fries.
Ivan Vanko had to be someone else.
Since Iron Man ended up killing him, there had to be a serious reason behind it. In other words, there was definitely some bond between them.
And Nick Fury's words confirmed that.
A Vanko with the same last name, who was connected to Iron Man—that was a bond.
"Nick Fury, stop teasing me. Who exactly is this guy?" Iron Man fixed his eyes on Nick Fury, asking seriously.
"Anton Vanko." Nick Fury said the name clearly.
"Anton Vanko?" Captain America's expression shifted slightly. "That name sounds familiar."
"Captain, you know this guy too?" Iron Man was surprised.
Both the S.H.I.E.L.D. director and Captain America knew this person? This guy must really be special.
"Howard Stark." After a moment, Captain America started explaining to Iron Man:
"A famous scientist from our generation, who worked as a military science advisor on many projects…"
"My father? Anton Vanko had something to do with my dad?" Iron Man couldn't help but exclaim.
"You're Howard's son?" Now it was Captain America's turn to be surprised. He took a moment to size up Iron Man carefully.
Before, not knowing his identity, he hadn't paid attention. Now, looking closely, he really saw traces of Howard Stark in Iron Man.
Plus, the guy's last name was Stark, and he was a scientist too…
No doubt! This guy was definitely Howard's son. He should've realized it sooner.
Though Howard had a bit of arrogance back then, he was polite and respectful. How come his son turned out like such a jerk?
Captain America couldn't help but roll his eyes internally.
"Captain, what was Anton Vanko's relationship with my father?" Iron Man didn't want to linger on the identity; he fixed his gaze and asked directly.
"I don't know much, but he was a friend of Howard's." Captain America explained.
"I've seen him visit Howard a few times."
"More than just a friend." Nick Fury interrupted:
"The Arc Reactor was invented by your father and Anton Vanko together. He was your dad's best partner at one point."
"Then why have I never heard of him?" Iron Man asked curiously.
Stark Industries had been a giant since WWII.
Anton Vanko, as a partner who co-invented the Arc Reactor, should have been famous and recorded in history just like Howard.
Yet, Iron Man had never heard the name!
Clearly, there was something unusual going on.
And that unusual story was probably the root cause of his deadly conflict with Ivan Vanko!
Iron Man instantly sensed the weird vibe.
"After the Arc Reactor was invented, Anton Vanko and your father disagreed. Vanko wanted to use it to make money, so your father exiled him to Siberia…"
Nick Fury continued to explain.
"That makes everything clear!" Iron Man suddenly understood everything.
Since he killed Ivan Vanko in the future, there must have been an unavoidable motive. And now, Nick Fury perfectly explained it.
Thanks to Howard Stark, the Vanko family and the Stark family had a deep-rooted hatred.
That grudge would be the trigger for him to kill Ivan Vanko later on!
"It's very likely Ivan Vanko is Anton Vanko's son, inheriting the hatred against your Stark family."
"Howard's either no longer alive or very old, so Ivan Vanko made you his target, but… he ultimately died at your hands."
Captain America shared his analysis with everyone after thinking it through.
Both Nick Fury and Iron Man silently nodded, agreeing with Captain America's theory.
"No matter how Ivan Vanko pulled it off, it's clear he must wield a terrifying power in the future."
"A power that even your Iron Man suit can't handle!"
"And if an enemy can beat Iron Man, an ordinary person probably can't do much either, right?"
Nick Fury eyed the options on the screen, then slowly said,
"Okay, let's rule out the ordinary people first." Iron Man glanced at the choices and noticed two names he didn't recognize at all.
(End of Chapter)