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I have to say, to make this cooperation happen, General Ross really put in a lot of effort.
The last promise was something he specifically added, overcoming all objections.
Otherwise, he was afraid Karl would directly refuse.
There was no way around it; with the Hyperspace Group's immense financial resources, they likely wouldn't even care about a $100 million appearance fee.
So, he could only show sincerity in terms of "privileges" to potentially move Karl.
The best entry point was naturally Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.
Because, from a certain perspective, that powerful black man was undoubtedly a common enemy for both him and Karl.
And the enemy of an enemy… has a high chance of becoming an ally!
At least, that's what General Ross thought.
"You need to add more money!"
A half-smile played on Karl's lips, and without any wasted words, he gave his straightforward answer,
"I'm a businessman, and I don't care who the collaborating party is, or which organization… well, alright, Nick Fury, that idiot, and S.H.I.E.L.D. must be excluded!"
"So, it's no problem for me to help, but the premise is that I must be paid 10% of the total GDP of the rescued area for that year as compensation."
Just as he had just said.
Karl didn't care if his collaborators were "human or ghost."
Because he only ever cared about "profit"!!
As long as it brought him the desired profit, then there was a basis for cooperation.
And the saying "business is war" holds true even when reversed.
In Karl's eyes, there are no eternal friends, nor eternal enemies.
It's all about looking at "money" and "thickness."
"You… are you crazy?"
Even General Ross, who was always known for his composure and experience, couldn't remain calm at this moment.
He looked at Karl, who was making an outrageous demand, with a mixture of shock and anger, and said:
"Even for a city like Detroit, which is on the verge of bankruptcy, its annual total GDP is over 100 billion, so ten percent would be over 10 billion…
Neither Congress nor the Federal Court would ever approve such an outrageous request!"
Good, he's anxious.
At the negotiating table, whoever gets anxious first loses.
"Then there's nothing to discuss."
With a simple sentence, Karl took control of the negotiation, the smile on his face growing wider as he said meaningfully,
"If I'm not mistaken, the Security Council just approved the establishment of an organization called the Pan-Pacific Joint Defense Force not long ago."
"I heard they are preparing to build giant mechas to deal with Kaiju. Surely, America hasn't failed to join, have they?"
"As far as I know, compared to the sky-high cost of manufacturing giant mechas, the price I'm offering can be considered quite reasonable."
"Uh…"
General Ross's old face immediately flushed upon hearing this, and a look of surprise and apprehension flashed in his eyes.
Damn it, he even knew about that?
I didn't expect to be caught off guard by this kid!
General Ross clearly hadn't anticipated that his and the Department of Defense's little scheme would be seen through by Karl so quickly.
Just as the other party had just said.
Not long ago, the Department of Defense received the initial budget proposal for building giant mechas, submitted by the Pan-Pacific Joint Defense Force.
High-ranking officials, including General Ross, were immediately startled by the exaggerated cost, starting at hundreds of billions, as well as the high maintenance costs and post-battle repair costs mentioned in the document.
Because no one could be sure how many Kaiju the Alien Invaders would create to attack Earth next.
In addition, there were also the Titans that would occasionally pop out from some unknown corner to show off their presence.
Facing such internal and external threats, it was almost an impossible task for humanity to rely solely on building giant mechas to maintain World security.
It could even accelerate the depletion of the resources of various countries, leading to a greater crisis.
In comparison, the Monarch Organization's plan of "using 'monsters' to fight monsters" was clearly more cost-effective.
However, General Ross and the Department of Defense neither trusted the Monarch Organization.
Nor did they believe that Godzilla, who they claimed took "maintaining Earth's ecological balance as his responsibility," would always help humanity hunt all monsters.
Instead, they placed all their hopes for a breakthrough on Kong!
No choice.
Who made this Titan leave an unparalleled shock and impact on General Ross and others when he dealt with MUTO and Kamazotz.
It was precisely because of this that General Ross, as the project leader, took the initiative to approach Karl.
However, neither General Ross nor the other high-ranking officials of the Department of Defense had anticipated that Karl, a young man under twenty, could display such composure and shrewdness in negotiations.
After a slight pause, General Ross said helplessly,
"Mr. Merks, please wait a moment. I must call and report this matter before I can make a decision."
Then, after obtaining Karl's consent, he got up and went out to make a phone call.
Not long after.
General Ross returned to his seat with hurried steps, his expression slightly grave as he said,
"Mr. Merks, the higher-ups have only agreed to offer 3% of the total GDP of the rescued area for that year as your compensation.
Considering that we are likely to have a long-term cooperative relationship, we hope you can also make appropriate concessions…"
"Pleasure working with you."
Before the other party could finish speaking, Karl directly nodded in agreement.
Under normal circumstances, even if the Department of Defense didn't pay this money, Karl would still send Kong to participate in the battle to gain more Prestige value.
And now, after a round of back-and-forth, he had not only received a sky-high appearance fee of "3% of the total GDP of the rescued area for that year," but also gained strong endorsement from the Department of Defense.
This would greatly assist Karl's upcoming external expansion plans!
Honestly speaking.
Nowadays, money is just a few extra zeros after a number for Karl.
What he truly wanted was General Ross's last promise.
Because in this way, Karl and all members of his faction could appear anywhere in America and its allied countries at will in the future.
And they would not be restricted by any organization… well, mainly S.H.I.E.L.D.
I just wonder if Nick Fury will be so angry that he drops dead on the spot when he hears this news?
So, no matter how you look at it, this cooperation is a sure-win for Karl, one could even say he's raking it in.
In addition to that.
Karl also shrewdly captured another new business opportunity from this cooperation.
That is… the Kong Proxy Service!!!
Karl planned to completely monopolize the business of combating Kaiju and Titans by leveraging Kong's excellent performance during the period before the Pan-Pacific Joint Defense Force's Hunter Mecha were fully developed.
That's right.
I'm going to walk other people's paths and leave them no path to walk.
Oh, excuse me, is my thinking a bit too extreme?
"Huh? You… you agreed just like that?"
General Ross saw Karl agree so readily and immediately realized that he had been manipulated by this kid again.
It was so infuriating.
I mean, even if you got a huge bargain, shouldn't you at least pretend to be reluctant in front of others?
Your directness not only gives me no sense of accomplishment but also makes me feel like I'm an idiot who lost a lot.
However,
Karl, across from him, seemed to sense his thoughts, immediately putting on a small expression of "tasteless to eat, a pity to discard," and said earnestly, "This time, I'll give you face, General Ross, but let me say upfront, we are not responsible for any damage caused during Kong's battles. And the payment must be settled cleanly; otherwise, our cooperation will terminate immediately."
"Actually… money or no money doesn't matter to me. The main thing is I just want to see that Pirate, Nick Fury, eat humble pie."
Upon hearing General Ross's words, his lips began to tremble uncontrollably.
(╯°Д°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Where's your shame?
Are you really taking me for an old man with dementia?
Who was the grandson who just voluntarily asked for more money?
So, you get all the benefits, and then I, personally, still owe you a huge favor?
I have never seen such a shameless person.
Your heart, kid, is even blacker than that Motherfu*ker man, Nick Fury!
However, although filled with resentment, General Ross could only put on a "pleased to cooperate" facade at this moment, smiling and nodding:
"As for that idi… cough cough, I mean Nick Fury, we are in agreement on that guy."
"That guy's desire for control is just too strong; he has to meddle in everything. Who does he think he is?!"
But then he noticed Karl across from him, looking at him with a strange gaze.
General Ross subconsciously touched his face and asked, "What, is there something dirty on my face?"
Karl nodded, then shook his head, thinking, "Aren't you in the Department of Defense just like that black man?"
"Wherever there's a little benefit to be gained in the World, you're eager to get a piece of it, so let's not call the kettle black…"
The two then discussed the specific details of the cooperation for a while.
After everything was settled, the previously tense atmosphere finally relaxed.
"May I be so bold as to ask, Mr. Merks, are you currently single?"
General Ross, while observing the subtle expressions on Karl's face, said casually,
"I have a daughter who is also single. Although Betty is a few years older than you, she has both beauty and talent. If you're willing, I can give you her phone number."
Upon hearing this, the premium tomahawk steak Karl was chewing instantly lost its flavor.
Old man, you're being a bit too presumptuous with that question.
I'm only 19 this year!
Your daughter is at least 10 years older than me, okay?
Do you think I'd agree?
Besides, I really can't handle the car that Hulk has driven.
How does that saying go: a drop of Water in a great river, a toothpick stirring a large vat!
Although my hard power is exceptionally strong, I am still within the scope of humanity after all.
So, I really can't drive this luxury car, because my strength doesn't allow it.
Just as Karl was about to refuse, he inadvertently saw a space shuttle on the distant horizon, accelerating into the sky with the aid of a launch Rocket, leaving a long White smoke trail between heaven and Earth.
"That direction… is the Life Foundation's space shuttle?"
Karl frowned slightly, deep in thought, "Has Riot arrived in New York so early?"
Under the current circumstances, it most likely meant that Riot had already fused with Drake, the head of the Life Foundation.
Then, they would travel together on the spacecraft to the comet where the Alien Symbiote resided, and then bring countless Symbiote armies back to Earth to devour humanity…
Karl naturally couldn't let that happen.
Although he was currently capable of erasing the Symbiote's consciousness and turning it into an "obedient" Symbiote Suit, if he had to face a Symbiote army of that scale simultaneously, even he would be powerless.
Furthermore, Karl suspected that the resistance he encountered when erasing the memories of Venom and another Symbiote likely came from Knull, the Symbiote God.
Because he had found legends about Knull in the memory fragments of both these Symbiotes.
However, perhaps due to their lower rank, they did not understand deeper information.
Now was a good opportunity to confirm this information from Riot.
If the Symbiote God truly existed, then he would directly disrupt Riot's plan and prevent the Symbiote army from invading Earth.
Conversely…
Karl would still disrupt Riot's plan and prevent the Symbiote army from invading Earth.
However, once he completed a new round of planning, he would personally travel to that comet and then "import" Symbiote Suits from there in batches.
This would eliminate the uncertainty of self-splitting and reproducing Symbiote Suits.
Thinking of this, Karl stood up, waved goodbye to General Ross, and then, under everyone's gaze, leaped out of the restaurant window and flew towards the direction of the Rocket.
"Hey, don't go…"
General Ross clearly misunderstood, thinking Karl was deliberately avoiding dating his daughter.
He immediately felt a little displeased.
Young man, I advise you not to be ungrateful.
My daughter is only 12 years older than you, right?
But what about it?
Haven't you heard the saying, "a woman three years older brings golden bricks"?
You don't even calculate how many golden bricks she'd bring if she's 12 years older.
General Ross couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
Alas, what a pity. If I could take this outstanding young man as my son-in-law, wouldn't I be able to walk sideways in the Department of Defense from now on?
However,
Just a few minutes later.
A deafening roar suddenly came from the distant sky.
Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw that the Rocket, which had just ascended, had now turned into a violently burning fireball, smashing towards the ground along with countless falling debris.
General Ross merely glanced at it and then ignored it, continuing to enjoy his steak.
After all, in recent years, there have been countless cases of private Rocket launches failing.
Even ordinary people have become accustomed to it.
"Eh? Wait a minute… Mr. Merks just flew in that direction, didn't he?"
General Ross's expression gradually became strange as if he had thought of something, but then he shook his head and said,
"Impossible, this should just be a coincidence… No matter how much he likes to act recklessly, he would never blow up someone else's Rocket in broad daylight, would he?"