Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 148: Ch.147 Beginning to Plan for the Future

Chapter 148: Ch.147 Beginning to Plan for the Future

Kahoolawe Island has a great location, not far from the popular tourist islands like Kauai and Maui, and even closer to Oahu, where the former Hawaiian royal residence is located. From the shore, you can clearly see the silhouette of the palace. It may not be dazzlingly opulent, but it is still grand and magnificent.

Of course, the main problem with this island is the lack of a freshwater source. Baird and his few residents must go to other islands every week to fetch water and buy supplies. If more people were to live here, it would be completely unsustainable.

But Su Ming likes this place, and he wants this island. The freshwater problem is easily solvable for him.

Back in the DC Universe, Su Ming didn't even have a place to call home. Now that he's in the Marvel Universe, he plans to take advantage of the early timeline and slowly build up his resources.

There are still fourteen years before World War II breaks out, and Su Ming intends to make full use of this time.

He's not a scientist; he can't build satellites or nuclear bombs, nor is he an expert in virology or robotics.

But who is he? He's a super-soldier, which means he's extremely familiar with various light and heavy infantry weapons. The weapons he's used can easily be recalled and reproduced in this era.

The AK-47 has a simple structure, the RPG-40 is quite effective, and the Beretta's automatic pistol would seem like black technology in this age.

What weapons are people using now? Single-shot bolt-action rifles, and even some muzzle-loaded muskets are still in use.

If he can stockpile a batch of weapons before World War II breaks out, he could make a fortune from the military budgets of the U.S. and the U.K.

Though Deathstroke and Deadpool are both mercenaries, Deathstroke charges higher rates and knows how to manage his finances, so he lives much better than Deadpool.

He has his own plane, yacht, and a luxury villa with a swimming pool.

He may not be as wealthy as Bruce Wayne or Lex Luthor, but he's got a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars.

Now that he's in the Marvel Universe, if Su Ming wants to continue his mercenary business, he'll need to set up thousands of safe houses around the world, prepare various vehicles and supplies, buy intelligence, and bribe connections. All of that requires an enormous amount of money.

Whether you're a superhero or a villain, money is essential.

How much does one of Tony Stark's suits cost to make? Even Hawkeye, who just shoots arrows, wouldn't be able to afford his special arrowheads without S.H.I.E.L.D. footing the bill.

So, starting a weapons company would not only provide the funds to support his activities, but it would also give him access to the best weapons—a win-win situation. Having the identity of a wealthy businessman is also a good cover in a capitalist country.

Su Ming has always been curious about how Superman hides his true identity. Whether it's him or Kara, as long as they put on a pair of black-rimmed glasses, no one around them can recognize them.

When needed, they just take off the glasses, pull down their collar to reveal the S on their chest, and off they go to fight crime.

But their face shape, appearance, and voice don't change at all! How does even his wife not recognize him?

Of course, for Su Ming, Cindy, or the original Slade, money is secondary in the mercenary business—the main reason is to satisfy their bloodthirsty desires. This is a side effect of the surgical enhancements they underwent; being a human weapon for the military isn't easy.

Deathstroke is considered a successful experiment. Many people think Captain America's serum is the best, but in the comics, he's often depowered or aged due to various means, making him weak.

And let's not even talk about Bucky, Abomination, or the Hulk.

Su Ming has just come out of a killing spree, so his bloodlust is fairly satiated for now. But as time goes on, there will inevitably be moments when he can't suppress it.

So, making money and running a mercenary business are still necessary.

This Kahoolawe Island has a great location and a decent size. It's surrounded by scenic tourist spots, making it an ideal private base.

Once he has a plane, transportation will be quite convenient. Tony Stark's home is in Malibu on the west coast, while Stark Industries headquarters is in downtown New York on the east coast.

When he's not being Iron Man, Tony has to fly to work every time.

Su Ming isn't going to be outdone by him. His company can be in New York, while he lives in Hawaii, twice as far!

So now, it's time to start planning.

First, he'll sell the gold jewelry he has on him for startup capital.

Then, he'll obtain a legal identity and head to the mainland U.S.

After that, it's all about development and waiting for that monumental era to arrive.

As for this island, it's not going anywhere, and Baird still seems eager for battle.

His actions and expressions reveal his longing for the sea and his nostalgia for military life.

So, as soon as he's recalled to the military, he won't have time to worry about this little island in the Pacific. When that happens, Su Ming can just buy it.

As long as he maintains a good relationship during this time, it should be a breeze.

In the future, he'll build his own villa on the island, set up some sort of industry as a cover, and reinforce the underground volcanic rock (which is obsidian) with steel and concrete to create a "Deathstroke Cave"—a secret base.

If there's no freshwater, he can purify seawater or lay underwater pipelines from other islands. With enough money, these are all easily achievable in the future.

If transportation is inconvenient, he'll build an airport. If the island isn't big enough, he'll reclaim land from the sea. Solar and tidal power generation? Install them all.

So, there's a big need for money.

But right now, Deathstroke isn't well-known, and taking jobs won't earn him much.

Though Hawaii is beautiful at this time, it's far from being the bustling place it will be in the future.