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Alice felt the changes in the world just like the Red Queen. People like them, who have been reincarnated countless times, are exceptionally sensitive to shifts in the environment. However, because the memory of reincarnation has not yet been fully restored, fragmented images keep flashing in Alice's mind. Some of these images were related to the protective umbrella, while others were glimpses of the complete outbreak of a zombie crisis in the future, similar to the chaotic situation witnessed during the Marineford War in One Piece, where things spiraled out of control due to unforeseen circumstances.
"Alice?" Realizing something was off with Alice, Tony looked at her anxiously. The mission was nearly finished, and they couldn't afford delays now. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Alice replied, pressing her temple and waving her hand dismissively. "Did you finish talking to Dr. Charles? Where's the last helicopter?"
"It's near the hospital, not too far from here," Tony answered, his concern deepening. The situation seemed to be accelerating, much like the events leading up to the Straw Hat Pirates' confrontations with the Marines in One Piece—a sudden chain reaction of unpredictable events.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charles, having finished his call, was now detained by Ken, the officer in charge of Umbrella's operations in Raccoon City. Ken eyed Charles coldly, his words tinged with frustration. "Computers are as unreliable as people, aren't they? You think I don't know what's going on?"
Charles looked up at Ken, a subtle, knowing smile forming on his face. It was a smile that seemed to suggest, Do you think I'm unaware or do you think you've already figured everything out?
Soon after, Charles was forcibly pushed out of the safe area by Umbrella soldiers, but Ken couldn't shake the image of Charles' smile. The situation was rapidly slipping beyond his control.
"Adjust the direction of the Evil God of Vengeance!" Ken barked as he stormed into the control room. "I want these two experimental subjects activated before they arrive!"
Orders flew from the control room, targeting Matt, the tracker. A chip had been implanted in Matt's brain, allowing Ken to control him remotely. Following Ken's directive, Matt made his way toward Alice and the others.
In the car, Alice and her team were speaking into the camera, preparing for what might be their final moments. If they survived, these recordings would have real significance. Tony sat aside, not participating, as Jarvis had already compiled all the audio-visual data about the zombies into a file. As soon as the mission ended, this file would be sent across all terminals through a wireless network, more effective than any reporter's coverage.
"Warning! Special target identified!" Jarvis reported urgently after scanning for Matt's presence.
Tony grimaced as he observed Matt's grotesque form—his body covered in twisted muscles, a face marred by the grotesque alterations typical of Umbrella's experiments. It reminded him of the unnatural creations that had been faced by the Straw Hats during their journey, like the artificially created monsters in One Piece.
"According to analysis, this target is an Umbrella Company biochemical weapon. An encrypted electronic chip was found in the target's brain, which is linked to an external signal source," Jarvis continued.
The map highlighted Matt's expected route, which coincidentally intersected with Tony's. The distance between the two locations was narrowing rapidly.
"Jarvis, hack into the target's chip and attempt to counter-control it," Tony commanded.
"...Intrusion failed. The computing power is insufficient to break through the opponent's network defenses. Charles' account is invalid. Would you like to try again?" Jarvis relayed the disappointing news.
Tony shook his head. This was becoming too much of a hassle. Having insufficient hardware was an issue he had encountered numerous times since arriving in this world, much like Luffy's constant struggles against overwhelming odds in One Piece.
"Get out of the car!" Tony suddenly shouted. "We've got trouble."
Alice and the others quickly complied, trusting Tony's judgment. The car came to a halt on the side of the road, and Tony began trying to sever Ken's control over Matt's chip while simultaneously displaying Matt's location.
Alice's mind, which had just started to settle, now surged with chaotic thoughts again as she sensed Matt's presence.
"The target is Umbrella's biochemical weapon," Tony continued, pointing at the footage. "It's equipped with a Gatling machine gun and an RPG launcher. This weapon has a significant degree of immortality, meaning it's immune to most damage, including high-caliber bullets."
Meanwhile, in the control room, Ken sensed something was amiss. Alice and the others had stopped, and the signal from Matt was unstable, likely being interfered with. His unease grew.
"Boss, we've arrived at the scheduled combat point," the staff member reported.
Ken hesitated. "Let the Evil God of Vengeance attack on its own. Target Alice."
With Ken's order, Matt reached the drop-off point within minutes, but Alice and the others were nowhere to be found.
"Call in all nearby cameras. We need to find Alice," Ken barked, frustration mounting as he couldn't pinpoint the problem.
Suddenly, the control room's computer screens flickered, leaving only the system controlling Matt still operational.
Tony had instructed Jarvis to cut off all surveillance control from Umbrella. Now, they only had a traceable encrypted signal linked to Matt's control system. Before Ken could give the order to retreat, Matt's control system detected Alice.
At that moment, Matt locked onto Alice and prepared to attack. But before he could fire, a massive force slammed into Matt's head, driving it directly into the earth, severing his connection.
Ken panicked. The screens blinked to static, and Charles' smile resurfaced in his mind.
"Damn it, what did he do?" Ken shouted, pushing past a soldier in a panic and rushing toward Charles.
In Raccoon City, Tony hovered in the air above the battlefield, having dropped down and crushed Matt's head into the dirt. He aimed his right hand at Matt's head, ready to fire the laser.
"Wait!" Alice suddenly shouted, her voice cutting through the tension.
Tony paused, bewildered. But in the next moment, Matt's body erupted with force, flipping Tony and his armor high into the air.
Alice touched her forehead, her mind racing. She recognized Matt—he was a survivor from the Hive, someone who had escaped with her. And with this recognition, her memories started to flood back.
Matt rose from the ground, picking up the Gatling gun and aiming it at Alice, the mind control still active. But Alice extended her hand, and a surge of telekinetic power flowed from her body. With a flick of her wrist, the Gatling gun twisted into a mangled heap, crumpling under her force.
Tony, Jill, and Peyton stared in awe. Tony had always known the capabilities of his armor, but Alice's display of power was beyond anything he had ever seen—her mental prowess seemed to surpass even his most advanced tech.
"Jarvis, remind me to enhance the armor's stability," Tony muttered, swallowing nervously. "We may need an Anti-Alice Armor after all."
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