Uehara Naraku felt like a genius editor.
He only needed to start with a photo, and the rest was up to his imagination. The fabricated facts were so plausible that even Tony Stark had no choice but to believe them.
After all...
The information he spread was immense!
Uehara Naraku took a moment to glance at the somewhat stunned Tony Stark during the storytelling break, mentally applauding his own concocted narrative.
Such a fascinating story...
Who else besides him and Black Zetsu could spin it?
Future opportunities for storytelling as captivating as this would be rare, and the next chance to hear such tales would likely come when he, the mastermind behind the scenes, reveals the truth and tells his own story...
Moreover...
The story was a win-win.
Uehara Naraku relished the thrill of being the puppet master, orchestrating and fabricating history. Tony Stark's mind would no longer harbor resentment; he could stop worrying about Steve Rogers, Hitler's lackey, and pursue Bucky Barnes without hesitation...
In essence, Tony Stark desperately needed such a story. As long as Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes were definitively cast as villains, Tony could hunt them without any psychological burden...
Uehara Naraku gave himself another pat on the back.
This was the proper way to ignite the Avenger's Civil War!
"Alright, what do we do next?"
Tony Stark took a deep breath, needing something to mitigate the avalanche of paradigm-shifting information he had just received.
"First, prove your and Colonel Rhodes' innocence to the White House and the World Security Council."
Uehara Naraku proposed his suggestion, explaining further: "Once we convince the World Security Council and the White House and secure their authorization, you and Colonel Rhodes can act to reorganize the Avengers Squad..."
"Is that necessary?"
Tony Stark furrowed his brows, unimpressed with bureaucrats. However, his friends, Uehara Naraku and James Rhodes, would earnestly comply with orders.
Tony Stark sighed and spoke softly: "Fine, Uehara, let's find a time to meet with those old folks from the World Security Council..."
"Okay."
Uehara Naraku nodded, handing Tony Stark a stack of plans related to The Avengers: "For now, stay at my office for a few days, review this data, and while we wait for news from the Security Council, we'll start preparing the next step."
"Alright."
Tony Stark nonchalantly flipped through the material in his hands, noticing the Avengers Squad expansion plan, and couldn't help but remark: "Adding more Superheroes to the Avengers, building a training base for members..."
"Correct."
Uehara Naraku shook his head resignedly and continued: "This is the foundation for our dialogue with the World Security Council. Besides, the current Avengers Squad is barely functional...
Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton are all practically considered defectors, leaving just Dr. Bruce Banner, you, and Colonel Rhodes... Thor is still in Asgard, and we must rebuild a new Avengers."
"Alright..."
This was an established reality.
Indeed, Tony Stark found the concept of the Avengers quite agreeable. Compared to joining those official organizations, the existence of this Superhero Squad was more acceptable to him.
"I'll arrange for you to stay at your home in Washington. I'll need to assign some agents... you know what I mean, Tony. It's inevitable; besides, external contacts can be managed under supervision."
Uehara Naraku's terms were fairly lenient. Although everything Tony Stark did would be monitored, at least he wouldn't be confined to an interrogation room.
Tony felt somewhat displeased, but he knew this was the most comfortable condition Uehara Naraku could offer him.
After settling Tony Stark, Uehara Naraku began preparing for his next plan, or rather, tying up the loose ends of the story he had woven.
Firstly...
Uehara Naraku's fabricated story had a problematic issue.
Captain America Steve Rogers was yet to vanish.
Steve Rogers was even obediently waiting at his home in New York Brooklyn District for Uehara Naraku to summon him to clean up Hydra.
This Captain still deeply trusted Uehara Naraku.
It was rather absurd.
After leaving his office, Uehara Naraku summoned an agent from Hydra and issued orders within Hydra.
"Send someone to our Hydra base in Sokovia, bring Wanda Maximoff here, and conduct some necessary espionage training."
"Inform Wanda that she needs to reevaluate her identity; she's no longer the superpower user cultivated by Hydra, but a Superhero unearthed by S.H.I.E.L.D., code-named Scarlet Witch."
"Also, relay my orders for her brother Pietro Maximoff to serve as the head of the Sokovia Hydra base."
Wanda Maximoff.
Pietro Maximoff.
They were twins who voluntarily received Hydra's power-enhancing training in their youth.
After receiving the Mind Gem Staff at the Sokovia Hydra base from Uehara and Pierce, Pietro Maximoff became the super-speedy Quicksilver, and Wanda Maximoff achieved immense spiritual power as Scarlet Witch.
After cleaning up Alexander Pierce and several Hydra base leaders, Uehara Naraku effortlessly took control of this Hydra base.
This pair of twin siblings also became part of the inheritance the high-ranking cadres of Hydra retained for Uehara Naraku.
As a competent boss, Uehara Naraku naturally sought to maximize benefits. Their powers were extraordinarily intriguing, and their familial bond was exceptionally close. It was even rumored that they had some form of twin telepathy.
Since they relied on each other...
They had no choice but to be each other's hostages.
As long as the two siblings remained under Uehara Naraku's control, they could never betray him.
In comparison, Scarlet Witch Wanda's power was greater, so Uehara Naraku planned to move Wanda to the Avengers, personally supervising her abilities.
As for Quicksilver...
Wanda's good brother went from an experiment subject to the head of a Hydra base, rapidly climbing to the top of his life!
This was like a slap followed by a sweet reward...
Definitely.
When Uehara Naraku cleaned up Alexander Pierce and those cadres, he acquired a considerable legacy, which included Bucky Barnes.
This revived soldier, unearthed and controlled by Hydra, was still under their subjugation, and now it was time to utilize Bucky's legacy.
Washington.
Beneath a mansion.
The basement of this mansion had been transformed into a lab and interrogation room, serving as Hydra's long-term detainment facility for Bucky Barnes.
Currently, Bucky Barnes lay on an experimental platform, bound by numerous chains that immobilized him.
Hydra could brainwash and control Bucky Barnes' mind.
However, the method was far from secure; every time Bucky Barnes returned, he needed to be repeatedly brainwashed to prevent any escape inclinations in his mind.
Upon entering the basement, Uehara Naraku witnessed Bucky Barnes struggling vigorously, twisting and turning in an attempt to leave the platform.
The plight of this Super Soldier tugged at Uehara Naraku's sympathies, prompting him to summon the lab chief.
"Sir, are there new orders?"
The lab chief knew exactly who the master was.
Uehara Naraku pointed at Bucky Barnes on the platform through the glass, speaking with some regret: "What you're doing is too inhumane. Release Mr. Barnes' chains and give him orders to assassinate Steve Rogers for us."
"..."
The lab chief was bewildered.
What kind of order was this?
Obviously, you're the inhumane mastermind, boss!
Being a base responsible for brainwashing and controlling Bucky Barnes, most people here understood the close relationship between Captain America Steve Rogers and Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes—they were best friends...
Now this boss was expressing concern for Bucky Barnes' lab suffering while issuing an order for Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers to kill each other...
However, the lab chief couldn't shirk the responsibility and could only remind about the risks: "Sir, I need to let you know ahead of time that Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes have a tight relationship, and if Bucky Barnes encounters stimuli from his old friend, he might regain his senses during the assassination mission..."
"No problem."
Uehara Naraku waved his hand, gazing at Bucky Barnes in the lab, and softly continued: "In a few days, everything will be over... to deal with Steve Rogers, my Hydra's nemesis, bait must be deployed."