The underground laboratory research into cracking Ultron network mechanism had yet to yield results, but it was steadily progressing.
The situation mirrored the Skrulls secret invasion of Earth.
If humanity could crack the Skrulls shapeshifting abilities, their threat would be easily neutralized. Ultron was no different.
If his networking mechanism could be cracked, Ultron could be effectively restrained. Even if Ultron achieved self-awareness and broke free from Tony Stark control, he wouldn't escape Anton grasp.
After sharing information, Eddie kept a close watch on Stark Industries movements, tracking experimental progress through informants embedded within the company.
Three days later, with Tony Stark assistance, the first-generation Ultron Chip was successfully developed.
However, this first-generation chip was not tested on humans but rather installed in military-controlled Iron Legion soldiers.
With the Ultron Chip integrated, the Iron Legion soldiers exhibited significant improvements in intelligence and operational efficiency. They could adapt to different mission objectives and make strategic decisions, mimicking the behavior of human agents.
To showcase their capabilities, the military organized a live exercise, pitting a special forces team against ten Iron Legion soldiers.
The results were shocking.
The Iron Legion soldiers rescued hostages with minimal losses while inflicting heavy casualties on the special forces.
Aside from the frustration felt by the defeated special forces unit, the military considered the exercise an overwhelming success.
They had not only acquired a force of Iron Legion soldiers but also the operational framework to control them effectively.
When Anton received the news, his expression darkened.
This situation was now beyond recovery.
The military was sinking deeper into dependency on Stark technology, and Anton had no means to make them abandon the Iron Legion soldiers, nor could he convince the antagonistic Tony Stark to change course.
Realizing this, Anton decided to step back and let events play out.
If something couldn't be stopped, every action taken would be in vain.
The best strategy was to wait for Tony Stark to reveal a fatal flaw—one that could be exploited.
And that flaw lay in Ultron.
Time flew by.
The Flash movie, highly anticipated by fans, was finally released and became an instant blockbuster. Within days, the fan metrics displayed an astonishing 50 million followers.
DC Studios had once again achieved monumental success.
But this result was something Anton and his team had anticipated, so they remained composed despite the triumph.
With The Flash now a success, Anton shifted his focus back to Stark Industries.
Tony Stark, after his confrontation with Captain America at the Washington Special Forces Headquarters, made his first public appearance.
It was during a Stark Industries press conference.
At this conference, Tony Stark was set to unveil a groundbreaking product tied to the Ultron project.
Anton and Eddie both understood the significance.
This was effectively Generation Two of the Ultron Chip.
The first-generation Ultron Chip had primarily been deployed in Iron Legion soldiers, not humans.
The second-generation chip, building on the foundation of the first, retained its predecessor advantages while introducing additional features. Most importantly, it was designed for human application.
Initial tests had been conducted on military volunteers, with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
With Tony influence, the military hastily approved widespread adoption of the Ultron Chip among elite soldiers.
Simultaneously, Stark Industries received clearance to commercialize the Ultron Chip nationwide.
However, there was a critical distinction between the military-grade Ultron Chip and the commercial version.
The military variant allowed users to control the Extremis Virus via the brain, enhancing physical capabilities to superhuman levels.
The commercial version, however, lacked this functionality.
In other words, the public version could not grant extraordinary powers. Instead, it primarily offered protection against diseases through the Extremis Virus integrated with the Ultron Chip.
At the Press Conference
The hall was packed with journalists, investors, and tech enthusiasts. Cameras flashed incessantly as Tony Stark confidently stepped onto the stage, wearing his signature smirk.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we redefine humanity."
The spotlight was now fully on Stark Industries and the Ultron Chip.
In the shadows, Anton watched closely.
Tony appearance and the launch of the Ultron Chip by Stark Industries instantly skyrocketed to the top of the trending charts, firmly occupying the number one spot.
People understanding of the Ultron Chip deepened rapidly.
The descriptions provided by Stark Industries and Tony about the Ultron Chip attracted immense attention, yet people remained cautious about receiving the implant.
Moreover, the cost of receiving the Ultron Chip was extraordinarily high, unaffordable for many.
As such, only middle-class and upper-class families dared to proceed with the implantation.
Despite the overwhelming hype, the actual adoption rate was less than ideal.
Tony wasn't surprised by this outcome.
The Ultron Chip was like a newly released drug, with unknown side effects. Despite its impressive therapeutic benefits, it didn't seem essential for the majority of healthy individuals.
But this situation was easy to resolve.
All it would take was one person to try it. Once others witnessed the results, the second, third, and eventually countless others would clamor to join in.
"Batman..."
Tony sat on the sofa in his penthouse apartment, staring at the clear blue sky and fluffy clouds outside the window. His mood suddenly lifted.
"Let see how you compete with me this time."
"Once I've reshaped this world, there will no longer be a need for superheroes!"
"This world will spin in the palm of my hand, free from evil."
"I'll punish those who deserve punishment and guide everyone towards righteousness."
"Your Dark Knight philosophy will be rendered obsolete."
Tony muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with an indescribable excitement.
He didn't notice the security camera in the corner of the room—installed by his own hands—tilting slightly to capture his faintly smiling face.
Just as Tony had predicted.
After Stark Industries launched the Ultron Chip, the first batch of recipients quickly became fervent advocates.
The Ultron Chip opened the door to a new world for them.
Gone were the days of relying on smartphones and computers. With just their minds, they could navigate the internet.
Communication with other Ultron Chip users required no spoken words—only thoughts.
This change made them feel almost superhuman.
But the most significant difference went even further.
The Ultron Chip came with an optional Extremis Virus feature.
For a fee, users could unlock this functionality, allowing the virus to enhance and optimize their physical capabilities.
Everyone became more attractive, more youthful.
Wrinkles disappeared, and even the elderly regained their vitality.
Medical examinations revealed unprecedented levels of health, as though disease had been eradicated.
These changes led users to promote the Ultron Chip enthusiastically.
Stark Industries stock skyrocketed, surpassing its previous peak, becoming the most valuable company in the world.
Tony wealth grew exponentially, like a snowball rolling downhill.
But to someone born into wealth, the increase in his fortune felt meaningless.
To Tony, money was just a number.
What truly delighted him was watching the backend system as the number of Ultron Chip recipients steadily climbed.
Through a secret platform he had created, Tony monitored the brainwaves of these recipients. With the data collected, he refreshed their thoughts, extinguishing criminal intent before it could manifest.
In fact, he had already put this into practice.
During a robbery in Hell Kitchen, the criminal—an Ultron Chip recipient—wasn't motivated by financial need but by the thrill of crime itself.
The enhanced capabilities granted by the Ultron Chip inflated his ego, driving him to seek chaos.
However, during the act, his brain was struck by excruciating pain. Moments later, he collapsed, blood seeping from his orifices, dead before his intended victim.
After an autopsy by the NYPD medical examiner, the cause of death was declared a heart attack.
Although the criminal had no history of heart disease, no one cared about why a criminal dropped dead during a crime.
People simply felt that scum had received what they deserved.
Only Anton—someone who had been watching Stark Industries and Tony Stark closely—noticed something was amiss.
"Anton, did you see it? That guy Tony has already started seeing himself as a god, casually deciding who lives and who dies!"
Eddie also saw the low-traction news from an obscure tabloid.
A criminal had died of a heart attack at the crime scene.
Many people mocked the criminal.
Eddie looked at Anton expressionless face, but he understood what the man was thinking, as well as the truth behind the situation.
"He wants to rebuild order. This was always part of our expectations, wasn't it?"
Anton spoke calmly, making no further moves.
The underground laboratory attempts to crack the Ultron network mechanism had yet to bear fruit.
No matter what Anton did now, it would be in vain.
Eddie wasn't as perceptive as Anton, but he understood that their side had no way to stop the situation from escalating.
They had no evidence to prove to the public that Tony Stark was manipulating everything.
Although Tony Stark reputation had taken a hit during the Winter Soldier incident and his clash with Captain America, the launch of the Ultron Chip had restored his image.
He was once again hailed as the smartest man in the world, gaining countless fervent fans.
Tony public reputation was recovering.
Trying to tarnish Tony name now would be unreasonable and might even backfire in the court of public opinion.
Moreover, after the launch of the Ultron Chip, as many elite soldiers in the military experienced significant enhancements thanks to the chip, no one would believe that resisting it was beneficial to humanity.
Instead, they'd assume it was driven by jealousy of Tony success and Stark Industries achievements.
As the wave of enthusiasm surrounding the Ultron Chip continued to rise, even the White House and military leaders began to covet it.
Of course, they understood the risks associated with the Ultron Chip.
They weren't in a rush to receive it themselves.
Unless they could wrest control of the Ultron Chip from Tony hands.
They were already working towards that goal.
Tony, in turn, was decisive.
After receiving subtle hints from officials, he proactively transferred control of the Ultron Chip but left a backdoor for himself, ensuring his authority would always supersede that of the government.
The White House and military were likely aware of Tony sleight of hand.
But as long as Tony was willing to yield control, they considered it a victory.
Compromises are made step by step.
So far, their actions had not crossed Tony bottom line.
New York, Underground Laboratory.
"The Ultron Chip is a groundbreaking invention. Combined with the Extremis Virus, it truly unlocks human potential and endless possibilities," said Dr. Curt Connors, also known as the Lizard.
"But Tony ambition introduces countless variables into the Ultron Chip. Once ambition contaminates such technology, it ceases to be pure and becomes prone to chaos."
"Exactly. The Ultron Chip is a brilliant idea—classic Tony Stark," agreed Reed Richards.
"If not for Ultron, I'd be tempted to get one myself!"
Bruce Banner shrugged as he watched the news broadcast showing massive crowds gathered outside Stark Industries. People had set up tents at the gates, ready to storm in and become recipients of the Ultron Chip.
In a short time, the Ultron Chip had become a societal trend.
All of America was discussing it.
People from other countries, unable to resist the allure, flocked to the U.S. to be early adopters, eager to experience the fruits of technological evolution.
These individuals unconsciously ignored the potential dangers of the Ultron Chip.
Or rather, the benefits overshadowed the risks.
Especially for women.
Seeing how recipients of the Ultron Chip became younger, more beautiful, and slimmer thanks to the Extremis Virus, they couldn't resist the urge to join in, becoming Tony Stark most devout followers.
As for the cost?
It was insignificant.
Financial institutions and banks had already rolled out loan programs specifically for the Ultron Chip.
The hype was unstoppable.
"Enough talk. Have you made any progress on analyzing the Ultron Chip?"
Anton suddenly broke the silence.
Through contacts in the NYPD, the Ninja Turtles had retrieved the Ultron Chip from the brain of the deceased criminal whose autopsy reported death by heart attack. They had brought it to the underground lab for research.
Anton visit was clearly to check whether the trio had made any breakthroughs.
"We've made some progress," said Reed Richards, smiling.
"From this chip, we've uncovered parts of Ultron operational mechanism. Combined with our earlier research, cracking its network protocol is no longer an insurmountable task."