REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 165: The Prince of Wakanda
Venom curled contentedly in its habitat, watching Batman work with quiet fascination.
But the moment an unfamiliar male voice crackled through the bat-communicator, Venom shivered involuntarily.
For the first time, it saw something dangerous flash across Batman's eyes—a razor-sharp intensity that hadn't even surfaced during their battle with Anti-Venom.
Venom shrank against the corner of its containment unit, extending a single tentacle to scratch its head in confusion. One question dominated its simple thoughts:
Who's Anti-Venom again?
"Robin." Batman's gaze shifted to the habitat. "Guard this place. Stay alert."
"Okay, Dad!"
Venom chirped its agreement reflexively, continuing to puzzle over its earlier question. It didn't even notice when Batman vanished from the Batcave.
Batman hadn't rushed to Sable's rescue company for a face-to-face meeting. His first response wasn't compliance—it was calculated retaliation.
Oracle AI immediately seized control of Silver Sable International's internal security network, including surveillance for the entire building. Batman had installed this backdoor during their first meeting—a casual demonstration of his technical capabilities that had gone unused until now.
Through the Arkham armor's HUD, Batman analyzed the surveillance feeds while his mind processed the variables at lightning speed:
"African male. Well-dressed. Knows about vibranium. Tracked my black market purchase. Didn't use the communicator I gave Sable—synchronized to the frequency using his own device."
Within seconds, Batman cross-referenced his intelligence on Wakanda as a technologically advanced civilization hiding behind a facade of poverty.
"Barbara, run facial recognition against Wakandan nationals. I need everything on this individual."
"On it, Bruce."
The Oracle AI's response was instantaneous. With Batman's precise parameters, the search completed in under twenty seconds:
"T'Challa. Crown Prince of Wakanda. Son of King T'Chaka. Oxford doctorate in physics. Used the alias Luke Charles while dating Nicole Adams. Multiple scholarship awards—all donated. Documented conflict with student Kamal Rakhim..."
"T'Challa is the only recorded Wakandan citizen to receive education outside the country's borders."
Batman absorbed every detail, including comprehensive profiles on T'Challa's two female escorts. Only then did he respond to the prince's message:
"You hacked into my private communication frequency. You have three seconds to explain yourself, T'Challa."
Inside Sable's office, T'Challa waited patiently for Batman's reply. Even prolonged silence didn't disturb his composed expression.
His two escorts showed hints of impatience, but since the prince itself remained calm, they held their positions.
When Batman's voice finally emerged from T'Challa's bracelet, the prince smiled warmly, his tone unchanged despite the icy reception:
"Batman, I understand your reaction. Please accept my apology."
"As you said, I am T'Challa of Wakanda. I contacted you this way because I cannot locate you directly... You are quite elusive, sir."
"Please believe I harbor no hostile intent."
Batman frowned slightly. The surveillance feeds showed no deception in T'Challa's expression or voice patterns. His heartbeat remained steady, his breathing controlled.
But Batman had encountered too many skilled actors among Gotham's criminal elite. Some could fool even his detective's eye.
After confirming the surveillance hadn't been tampered with and showed real-time footage, and verifying Sable remained unharmed, Batman replied:
"If you could find me through Sable, you can find Roosevelt Island."
"One hour. South Point Park on the island's southern tip. Come alone."
Batman severed the connection without waiting for confirmation, simultaneously triggering a remote protocol that bricked the communicator in Sable's possession.
Roosevelt Island sat in the East River's center, directly beneath the Queensboro Bridge. Batman had previously used South Point Park—at the island's southern end—to help Black Cat disrupt a cigarette smuggling operation, adding another piece to the evidence that brought down Kingpin.
The island's elongated shape resembled a ship. Batman positioned himself on the Queensboro Bridge, waiting for T'Challa's arrival while mentally reviewing contingency plans for potential combat scenarios.
Traffic flowed steadily across the bridge. Forty minutes later, T'Challa arrived exactly as requested—alone, aboard a small boat.
The prince showed no concern about meeting a rumored vampire in isolation. He still wore the well-tailored African formal attire from Sable's office—neither ostentatious nor flashy, projecting quiet confidence.
When Batman dropped from the bridge with a whisper of cape fabric, landing smoothly before T'Challa, the prince showed only mild surprise before making a placating gesture—palms open, demonstrating peaceful intent.
"Batman, I must again apologize for my presumptuous contact method."
T'Challa placed one hand over his heart, bowing deeply with unmistakable sincerity:
"Were it not a matter concerning my nation's very foundation, I would never commit such an intrusive act."
He clearly understood that directly contacting Batman through Sable had crossed boundaries—his choice of "intrusive" acknowledged the violation.
Batman remained motionless, noting that T'Challa had removed even the bracelet he'd worn at Sable's office. No weapons. No equipment.
After dealing with Gotham's endlessly creative criminals, Batman found T'Challa's complete lack of hostility almost disorienting.
He couldn't actually be here just to retrieve vibranium, could he?
Facing Batman's statue-like silence from five meters away, T'Challa smiled gently:
"The metal you purchased—we call it vibranium. It is the cornerstone of our civilization and a secret we must protect."
"Its presence on the black market represents Wakandan negligence—"
Batman interrupted. "Before I acquired it, that vibranium sat on the international black market for a full week."
"Yes. Exactly correct." T'Challa's expression showed rueful acknowledgment. "I discovered it the day after it appeared. But rather than immediately retrieving it, I intended to use it for reverse-tracking the seller."
"The asking price was substantial. I assumed it would remain secure on the black market. I didn't anticipate your purchase."
"I carry no weapons or electronic devices. Right now, I'm simply a man requesting the return of his family's heirloom. I'm asking for your understanding."