"No, Mr. Parker."
Nick Fury's refusal came without hesitation.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has its own research teams. We also maintain partnerships with the world's leading defense contractors. More importantly, strategic decisions are not mine alone to make."
He stood, his tone firm and final.
"Your suggestion has value. I will pass it along to the President and the Secretary of Defense."
"Good day."
Just like that—
He left.
But Peter didn't look the slightest bit annoyed.
On the contrary…
He seemed as if he had expected this outcome all along.
"Director Fury," Peter said calmly, watching his retreating figure, "I think you misunderstood."
"I wasn't asking for cooperation."
"I was offering an opportunity."
He leaned back, voice steady.
"Umbrella won't wait forever."
"If you'd rather rely on those so-called defense contractors, that's your choice."
"But the only person capable of rivaling Umbrella in this field…"
"…has already stopped selling weapons."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Abandoning pearls for pebbles—that's your freedom."
This—
Was Peter's final offer.
And he wasn't worried about rejection.
Because S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't truly controlled by Fury alone.
"Like I said," Fury replied without turning back, "this decision isn't mine to make."
The door closed behind him.
Silence returned.
Peter turned his head—
And looked at Tony, who was still sitting comfortably on the sofa.
"…Why are you still here?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Aunt May's not cooking for you. Last time you said her walnut-date cookies tasted terrible."
"The fact that I even let you into this house again is already generous."
Tony rolled his eyes.
Then immediately put on a shameless grin.
"About that…"
"How's my serum coming along?"
Peter blinked—
Then suddenly remembered.
"Oh. Right."
"The lab says it'll be ready tomorrow."
He paused.
Then added—
"But Tony… I think we should collaborate on something else."
Tony's expression shifted slightly.
"…I'm listening."
"Arc Reactor 2.0."
That got his attention.
Because unlike in the original timeline—
Tony hadn't yet developed the upgraded reactor.
There was no immediate life-or-death pressure pushing him forward.
Of course—
Even if he had built it, he would still need the serum.
The new reactor could prevent palladium poisoning…
But it couldn't fix the hole in his chest.
"What kind of idea are you talking about?" Tony asked, now fully serious.
"A new element."
Peter's tone was calm.
"I've already run multiple simulations in my head."
If anyone else had said that—
Tony would've laughed it off immediately.
Simulating a new element purely in one's mind?
That was absurd.
Modern scientific breakthroughs required thousands of calculations, countless failed experiments, and years of effort.
But Peter…
Wasn't "anyone else."
Tony still remembered that day—
When Peter had learned everything about the Arc Reactor in a single session.
Not just memorized—
Understood.
Applied.
Discussed it with him as an equal.
That wasn't normal.
If Tony once thought Peter was just a cunning businessman…
Now—
He understood.
Peter's success wasn't luck.
It was inevitable.
"You're serious?" Tony asked.
"Completely."
Peter nodded.
"All I need now… is a particle accelerator to test it."
He wasn't lying.
After absorbing Tony's explanation and combining it with the knowledge stored in his mind, Peter had already mastered Arc Reactor 1.0.
As for 2.0—
The key lay in the new element.
And after reconstructing the design hidden within Howard Stark's Expo layout—
Peter had already completed the theoretical framework.
So why share it with Tony?
Because Peter wanted more.
This technology wouldn't just improve Stark Industries—
It would redefine its future.
Far beyond the original Arc Reactor.
And in exchange—
Peter could leverage it.
To obtain more shares.
More influence.
More control.
Umbrella's valuation might have already surpassed Stark Industries—
But valuation wasn't liquid capital.
So far, Peter had only secured one major investment:
7% equity—
For $50 billion in cash.
That deal pushed Umbrella's valuation beyond $700 billion.
But actual usable funds?
Still limited.
Most of it was already being poured into expanding genetic research facilities.
…
Which meant—
Trading a technology that was, ironically, Tony's own legacy…
For tangible gains—
Was a strategic move.
"Alright," Tony said after a moment.
"Let's do it."
The decision was made.
Immediately.
The two of them set off for the West Coast.
Tony had already contacted Stanford University—
Home to one of the most advanced particle accelerators in the world.
And when Stanford heard the purpose—
Creating a new element—
They didn't hesitate.
Because if such a discovery were born there—
It wouldn't just change the future.
It would etch Stanford's name into history forever.
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T/N:
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