Tony Stark is backing a charity racing event in order to burnish the image of Stark Industries. Meanwhile, Kawashima, a race car driver who's suffered career-threatening injuries, is won over by A.I.M./Zodiac who promise him they will heal his injuries if he takes out Tony Stark.

Dr. Tanaka informs Tony that a mysterious epidemic has broken out near the Arc Station. The rampant and deadly disease appears unstoppable, and Tony initiates his own investigation into the cause. Meanwhile, the Self Defense Forces reconnaissance satellites are acting up, and Nagato Sakurai visits Iron Man to ask for his help. Stark and Sakurai join forces, when they discover the Zodiac Mech Aquarius may be behind both.

Tony Stark meets Aki, a mysterious young girl with strange powers. Tony is shocked when the girl tells him that she belongs to Zodiac and mentions that she needs Tony, as Iron Man to protect her from Zodiac. Is Aki who she says she is? And even if she is, how can Tony trust her?