**Chapter 72: Black Widow: The White Tiger Emerges**
"That was close!"
Shiryu of the Rain's eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn't anticipated such swift action from the Water Dragon Bullet's dragon head. The moment he swung his blade towards the Water Dragon Bullet, the dragon head lunged forward with astonishing speed. Its giant maw opened, and it actually swallowed Shiryu of the Rain whole!
The instant he was swallowed by the Water Dragon Bullet, Shiryu of the Rain didn't feel much pain, but he was immediately enveloped by a powerful current. This current was extremely strong, pushing his body outwards!
Shiryu of the Rain's body tumbled within the Water Dragon Bullet. He had to use all his strength to maintain his consciousness and prevent it from being scattered by the current. In this situation, Shiryu of the Rain felt a trace of fortune. He wasn't a Devil Fruit ability user, so he wasn't affected by seawater. If he had eaten a Devil Fruit, then under such a massive amount of swirling water, he would definitely have suffocated and died from inability to breathe.
Shiryu of the Rain's combat experience was extremely rich. He quickly adjusted his state, gripping his renowned blade, Raimei, tightly in his hand, and fiercely stabbed it into the wall!
*Ding--*
The renowned blade, Raimei, emitted an ear-piercing shriek. Shiryu of the Rain used the force of the stab to stabilize his body, hanging onto the wall. He had successfully escaped the subsequent impact of the Water Dragon Bullet!
"Interesting ability." Shiryu pulled out his blade and jumped down, looking at the stunned Ren Arakawa opposite him, approaching with light yet pressure-filled steps.
"You got my cigar all wet..."
Ren Arakawa stood rooted to the spot, as if dumbfounded, neither speaking nor moving, seemingly having given up on his life.
"Die!"
Shiryu of the Rain's lips curled into a slight smile as he swung his blade down. Finally, he could kill again!
But he couldn't have his wish. The moment his blade struck "Ren Arakawa"!
"Bang!"
White smoke swept past; he had cut through empty air.
---
"Bang bang bang!"
On the boxing ring, Tony Stark, whose chest glowed, landed heavy punches on Happy, his driver and bodyguard.
Happy got hit twice in the stomach consecutively, then darted to the side, panting heavily. "What kind of punch is that? That's against the rules!"
"This is Mr. Stephen Fang's technique. He can even dismantle Obadiah's armor with his bare hands using this; it's much stronger than the boxing you taught me!"
Happy was clearly unconvinced. He looked at Stephen Fang, who was sitting offstage, hands constantly crossed, seemingly studying something, and whispered to Tony Stark:
"Tony, what kind of mesmerizing potion did this guy give you? I think he's just a scammer. What fortune-telling, karate? Does he even have muscles?"
Tony Stark was about to defend his life-saving benefactor, but a mischievous look flashed in his eyes again.
"How about this, you and my new bodyguard have a spar, what do you say?"
"Alright! I've wanted to try that for a long time!"
Happy said he wanted to take off his protection, but Stephen Fang quickly waved his hand, "You'd better keep them on."
"That's too unfair. At least he should wear them too."
Happy said he was about to call Stephen Fang onto the stage. At this moment, the door to the room's main hall was pushed open.
A beautiful woman with wavy hair entered, carrying a stack of documents. All the men present were drawn to her gaze. Of course, playboy Tony Stark and Happy were attracted by the woman's beauty. Stephen Fang, on the other hand, was drawn to the newcomer's identity.
She was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent — Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff.
Stephen Fang watched the beautiful woman walk towards Pepper, and said in a teasing tone, "Hey, Potts, aren't you going to introduce this lady?"
"Legal department." Pepper Potts naturally knew what Stephen Fang was thinking, but she was helpless. She took the documents, signed her name, "It's your turn."
Black Widow's background identity for entering Stark Industries was a legal specialist. And her very first mission was to handle the relevant matters of transferring the company boss identity from the troublemaker Tony Stark to Pepper.
Stephen Fang pursed his lips and requested to Pepper, "You know, I need a personal assistant now."
Pepper didn't even think, "Impossible."
"Negotiate a bit?"
"Don't even think about it."
Happy saw Stephen Fang was out of luck, so he immediately waved at Black Widow, "Hey, lady, why don't you come up? I'll teach you a boxing lesson for free."
Natasha shrugged and stepped into the boxing ring, "I'm not very good at boxing."
"Of course, if you were, how could I possibly dare...?" Happy said, slowly throwing a punch, "When a bad guy punches you like this..."
Before Happy's words fell, Natasha Romanoff swiftly grabbed his wrist with lightning speed. Her movements were quick, a simple yet effective cross-arm lock, easily flipping Happy to the ground!
"Bang!"
Happy fell heavily onto the ring.
"Ah!"
Pepper gasped at this scene!
Stephen Fang clapped his hands in praise, his eyes flashing with excitement: "Look, she can even fight! She's so suitable to be a personal assistant!"
Pepper immediately looked at Stephen Fang, her voice carrying a hint of determination: "You already have a Mr. Stephen Fang. I don't think this is necessary."
Black Widow released Happy, stood up, and tossed her long hair. "If the personal assistant's salary is higher, I don't mind replanning my career path."
"See, I told you! I think it's possible!" Stephen Fang pleaded with Pepper again.
"Well..." Pepper's eyes rolled. "Let Mr. Stephen Fang and this beautiful legal consultant have a friendly spar." She paused, then continued,
"I mean, whoever wins stays."
"Aren't you bullying me?" Stephen Fang frowned. He and Pepper were currently the people who understood his strength the most in this world.
"I don't mind trying." Black Widow looked at Stephen Fang, "Sir over there, come up and have a match."
"Oh, are you sure?"
Black Widow said confidently, "Of course!"
Happy also started clapping and cheering, seemingly wanting to regain some face: "Go! Don't be afraid of her! I just accidentally fell earlier!"
Stephen Fang shook his head helplessly and walked towards the boxing ring.
"Lady, I suggest you wear protective gear."
"Oh? You're the most gentlemanly Asian I've ever seen, but there's no need." Black Widow flexed her wrists, "Come on!"
This "Come on" was meant as the start of the spar. She threw a punch at Stephen Fang's stomach.
"Bang!"
A dull thud echoed in the room.
Black Widow was a bit stunned. She felt like she hadn't punched flesh at all, but rather iron! Not to mention no attack feedback, Black Widow's hand still hurt!
Seeing that punches were useless, Black Widow quickly wrapped her legs around Stephen Fang's neck, trying to use a joint lock to throw him down!
"Hmm?"
Black Widow's body was wrapped around Stephen Fang, but no matter how much force she used, she couldn't throw him down!
Smelling the scent from Black Widow's deep thigh, Stephen Fang complained in the "group chat": "Foreigners really have a strong smell!"
Black Widow, whose joint lock failed again, didn't know what to do. She could only jump back, creating distance from her target.
"Is your turn over?" Stephen Fang looked up at Black Widow, "Then it's my turn?"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Seeing Stephen Fang's action, Pepper and Tony Stark were collectively dumbfounded!
"Wait! Wait, wait!"
Pepper quickly ran to the side of the boxing ring, sweat hanging on her forehead, and said with lingering fear, "That's enough, that's enough, Mr. Stephen Fang, let's stop here! You win!"
Black Widow looked at Stephen Fang, who maintained a posture of inhaling and exhaling, somewhat bewildered. She didn't even know she was almost roasted into a Konan.
(Angel Konan, code name White Tiger)
(end of chapter)