Chapter 478: Stark genius idea

"Indeed, I knew you would definitely be here."

Pushing open the door of the operating room, Nick Fury entered with a stern face.

"At least I am a doctor," Fang Mo looked at Nick Fury and simply spread his hands, saying, "So, as a doctor, is it wrong for me to be in the hospital?"

"I thought you would be on the plantation."

Nick Fury said.

"That's you."

Fang Mo responded without a second thought.

"It's different," Nick Fury didn't mind these comments. In fact, he was already used to this kind of bickering with Fang Mo. Without thinking, he said, "You are the one with the whip."

"You this..."

Upon hearing Nick Fury's statement, Fang Mo was indeed taken aback: "No, have you started self-deprecating so easily now? Where is your integrity?"

"From the second time I applied for funding from the higher-ups, that thing was gone."

Nick Fury calmly replied and then turned his head to look at Doctor Strange not far away: "So, how is our Doctor Strange now? Did you cure him?"

"Yes, I am almost better now."

As they were speaking, Doctor Strange also suddenly opened his eyes, clearly his astral body had returned to his physical form: "However, while Master Fang Mo cured my lethal physical injuries, he also left an indelible trauma on my psyche."

"That's also a good thing."

Nick Fury nodded calmly upon hearing this: "After all, only if we are physically alive do we have the privilege to contemplate psychological issues..."

"You are right."

Doctor Strange sighed, then struggled to get up from the operating table, meanwhile removing the IV tubes from his wrist and arm: "So, did you come just to visit me, or is there something else?"

"Mr. Strange, we are allies in protecting the Earth."

Nick Fury said, "My subordinates told me that the heroes of New York City were ambushed by a purple monster. After receiving the message, I rushed over immediately, but it seems I was a step late. However, fortunately, you are alright."

"Is that guy's name Thanos?"

Upon hearing this, Doctor Strange frowned, looking at the wound on his abdomen that had not fully healed: "That guy had a strange metal glove on his hand, inlaid with several gems, the power of which is no less than that of my Eye of Agamotto. What do you all know?"

"That mad alien called Thanos is trying to collect six Infinity Stones."

Nick Fury explained as succinctly as possible: "As of now, including your Time Stone, he should have already collected four Infinity Stones. If he gathers all six, he will destroy the entire universe."

"You should have told me about this earlier."

Doctor Strange frowned and said.

"Right, he indeed should have told you about this sooner." As they were speaking, the door to the operating room was suddenly pushed open again, and everyone turned their heads to see that the rest of the Avengers had also arrived, led by Stark in his armor: "But he has been busy dealing with politicians lately and couldn't find your exact whereabouts, so it has been delayed."

"Yo, Stark."

Seeing him, Fang Mo immediately greeted with a smile: "You came too."

"Let's talk, put down the scythe in your hand first." Seeing Fang Mo, Stark instinctively stepped back: "Do you know how long I've struggled psychologically to have the courage to come to the hospital?"

"Don't be nervous, this scythe is for saving people."

Fang Mo smiled and comforted, "If you don't believe me, you can ask Doctor Kiwi here."

"Doctor Kiwi?" Stark was startled at first, then looked at Strange on the operating table with surprise: "Buddy, that's a unique title. So, what should I be called... a Blueberry Scientist? Or a Big Banana Philanthropist?"

"And him?" Fang Mo immediately pointed at Nick Fury beside them.

"How about Director Blackcurrant?"

Stark didn't even think before responding, and before Fang Mo could say anything else, Stark quickly added: "As for you, Fang Mo, it's obvious that you're the Fruit Ninja, always slicing and dicing us with that sword. So, can you please put away that damn scythe?"

"Alright, Stark."

Just as Stark had spoken two sentences, Captain America, dressed in his uniform, came from behind: "Now is not the time for jokes."

"Hello, I'm Steve Rogers."

Captain America walked straight to Strange and sincerely extended a hand: "Mr. Strange, everyone knows about your heroic deeds in saving New York. I'm sorry we weren't on Earth at the time, but now I think we can fight side by side for Earth and all humanity."

"...Alright then."

Strange wasn't keen on shaking hands, but seeing the sincere look on the other's face, he symbolically shook it anyway.

However, it's worth mentioning that the hand Strange extended wasn't an ordinary arm, but a merciless iron hand modified by Fang Mo... a pure metal arm.

"Hm?"

Captain America was startled upon seeing the metal arm: "Wait... what's with this arm?"

Yes, seeing this familiar metal arm.

Captain America immediately thought of the Winter Soldier.

"Magic arm, kid." While Captain America was in a daze, suddenly a hand was placed on his shoulder, and Fang Mo's voice came from behind: "Don't worry, Captain. I made this thing, and it's not the same as the one on your Iron Arm Atom... Iron Arm Winter Soldier's shoulder."

"Winter Soldier? What's that?"

Stark seemed curious upon hearing this: "Captain, do you know other people with iron arms? Why haven't you mentioned this to us?"

"...Just someone I happened to see."

Captain America suddenly became nervous when Stark asked him out of the blue.

This so-called Winter Soldier was actually a secret project of the Soviet Union, creating a Winter Soldier. However, his identity was a bit special; he was Captain America's best friend during World War II, James Barnes.

However, he fell off a cliff in an accident and was then captured by the Soviets. Later, not only did they perform cruel modifications on him, but they also brainwashed him repeatedly with devices, eventually turning him into a cold-blooded killer who only knew to follow orders. After the Soviet Union collapsed, many things fell into the hands of Hydra, including the modified Winter Soldier.

And during one mission, Barnes was ordered to assassinate Howard Stark and his wife.

Just hearing the name Stark made it clear, these were Tony Stark's parents, so the relationships involved here are really very complex. Even Captain America only learned of these recently.

But currently, Stark doesn't know about these, still thinking his parents died in a car accident.

So, facing Stark, Captain America was really a bit nervous, perhaps partly out of guilt, or some other emotion, anyway, his expression was definitely not very natural.

"Captain, you look a bit off..."

However, even though Captain America was trying hard to hide it, Stark, being a smart man, noticed something was off just by observing his expression: "You're not hiding something from us, are you?"

"I..."

Captain America was just about to speak.

But then, Nick Fury suddenly clapped his hands: "Alright, everyone, I think now is not the time to discuss other matters. Miss Christine, we have some very serious matters to discuss next, can you provide us with a quiet environment?"

"Uh... okay, I understand."

Christine was indeed very reasonable. She nodded her head at that moment, then signaled the other doctors with her eyes, and they left the operating room together, also closing the door behind them.

"Now, let's talk about Thanos."

Once everyone else had left, Nick Fury immediately started speaking, "The enemy has already collected four Infinity Stones, and we all know how terrifying these things are. Just one cosmic cube nearly caused a global disaster."

"The most important thing now is to figure out how to find his whereabouts."

Natasha said, "The enemy has such a terrifying thing, but we're not even sure if he's still on Earth..."

"Mr. Strange." Captain America, probably trying to mask his just-revealed nervousness, asked with a feigned calm, "Can you describe what you encountered before?"

"I was reading a magic book, but suddenly my consciousness fell into a strange trance."

Strange recalled, "Something was affecting my mind, so I immediately used magic to break free from that sensation. But the next second, Thanos suddenly appeared from a blue space portal, and with just one strike, he pierced through my magical shield and even made a hole in my stomach. After grabbing the Eye of Agamotto, he threw me aside like trash, and then I passed out."

"It looks like this was a targeted sneak attack."

Hawkeye Barton said, "I think Thanos has been observing him in the dark for a long time."

"Is... Is discussing this now useful?" Stark finally spoke up after being quiet for a while, "Shouldn't the focus now be on the remaining two stones?"

"As long as Thanos's goal is to collect six stones, he will definitely make a move on the remaining two."

Stark stated confidently, "Instead of trying hard to find Thanos's whereabouts, it's better to think about the other two stones first."

"Indeed."

Nick Fury nodded, "So as long as Fang Mo..."

However, before Nick could finish, Stark immediately interjected, "As long as Fang Mo destroys the remaining two Infinity Stones, Thanos won't be able to destroy the universe, right?"

"..."

Hearing this, everyone in the room looked at Stark in shock.

Even Strange, who was sitting on the operating table, couldn't help but glance at Stark, his look seemingly saying he thought Stark was an idiot.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Stark was also taken aback, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Do I need to state it again?" Strange couldn't help but speak, "That guy named Thanos has already collected four of those what-do-you-call-it Infinity Stones. I am one of the holders of the Time Stone, and I am very aware of its power. Only an Infinity Stone can counter an Infinity Stone."

"I thought the same." Barton nodded in agreement, "Infinity Stones should be our best weapon against Thanos."

"But on the other hand, Infinity Stones are also Thanos's best weapon against us."

Stark said reflexively, "Of course, I'm speaking hypothetically, but what if we fail? Thanos will destroy the entire universe, and it will all be because of us."

"You do have a point."

Natasha nodded at first, then reminded subtly, "But... the remaining two stones belong to Fang Mo... Maybe you should ask his opinion first?"

"Hm?"

Stark realized his oversight, indeed he had been a bit hasty. The Battle of New York had left him with a deep sense of crisis, especially after learning that Thanos was behind it. So, in his rush, he had forgotten about this detail.

"Fang Mo, we're old friends..."

After coming to his senses, Stark also immediately turned his head to Fang Mo, "Actually, I think with your strength, even without the Infinity Stones, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?"

"Strange."

However, Fang Mo completely ignored Stark, "Get off the operating table, it's someone else's turn."

"I indeed also suspect his brain might not be well." Surprisingly, Strange didn't stop him but actively got off the operating table, and while straightening his clothes, said, "As a fellow doctor, I recommend performing a craniotomy on him, using that scythe in your hand."

"Hey! Hey!"

Seeing this, Stark immediately panicked, "Wait a minute, we can just hide the stones..."

"No more talk, I'm drawing my weapon."

Fang Mo directly waved his hand, pulling out a deep purple jade soul cleaver from behind, "Someone, tie him up..."

"Let's talk this over, don't bring out that sword!"

Stark immediately tensed up, backing away while saying, "I'm just joking, if you use that sword, I'll really get angry..."

Before Stark could even finish, the entire hospital building shook violently, and then the operating room door was blown open by a rocket, with flames engulfing the space as a bunch of Iron Man armors charged in without saying a word, launching an indiscriminate attack on everyone.

The people present were all Avengers, and their reaction speed was indeed fast, as almost everyone quickly dodged.

But even so, the operating room was instantly turned into ruins.

"Turn on him."

Seeing this, a dirt-covered Fang Mo also directly raised the cleaver at Stark, "You've learned to resist now, have you?"