After exchanging contact information with Tony Stark, the "Iron Man" flew back toward Metropolis.
Looks like he hasn't given up yet, Teacher Tony.
Ethan Hunter shook his head, hoping this guy would abandon his pursuit of Lois Lane before angering some Kansas bumpkin. Otherwise, that armor wouldn't be enough to withstand him.
"Tony Stark disappeared from the public eye for quite a long time. Turns out he was building that thing."
"What? Feeling surpassed, even as a billionaire who sells charm and charisma?"
"The armor is superficial. I have no interest—unless…" Batman didn't respond to Ethan but sighed and continued, "When I face an opponent I cannot possibly defeat, I might consider it."
"You were so calm just now, even though I basically revealed that I know your true identity."
"You already hinted at it during our first call, didn't you?"
"True."
Ethan and Batman stood side by side, silently watching the wrecked exterior of Arkham Asylum, blasted apart by Stark.
Adra and Harley, overhearing the conversation, were jaw-dropped.
"Batman… is Bruce Wayne!?"
"I've known Bruce Wayne for at least ten years! Yet never noticed a single clue… Tsk, I have to admit my experience in the world of madness is far less than his."
Seeing the aftermath mostly handled, Ethan pointed to the Joker's body near Adra's feet.
"Batman, you should take this piece of rotten meat with you."
"Take him? Are you sure?"
"Otherwise? I doubt the Bureau would care much about a corpse. Even though I know he can come back, they wouldn't believe it. Handing him to you means he'll be imprisoned forever under maximum vigilance. Consider it a friendly gesture, dear Bruce Wayne."
…
When Ethan and the others disembarked from the chopper again, their feet were firmly on Washington soil.
Yet the agents in the hangar couldn't help casting glances at Ethan.
"Uh… why are they all staring at you? Are you the type colleagues hate? You're not getting American-style workplace bullying, are you?"
"Miss, you might want to get a little self-aware. They're obviously staring at you!"
Ethan looked at Harley Quinn, who had a puzzled expression.
With her chemically bleached pale skin and the red-and-blue tips of her hair, even someone who didn't know she used to be the Joker's partner would take a second look!
Don't think Bureau agents are always blasé about unusual things—most of the Bureau's staff have never been in the field.
At that moment, a tall woman jogged up to them.
"Sir! I'm Level 4 Agent Ingrid Hanigan. From today on, I'll be exclusively handling logistical support for the 'Star Squad'!"
"Looking forward to working with you, Agent Hanigan." Ethan shook her hand and raised a question. "The Star Squad you mentioned… you're not referring to us, are you?"
"Yes. Director Fury just finalized the team's codename ten minutes ago."
"Tsk, such a casual name."
"Please follow me. The director is waiting for you all in the Strategic Analysis Room."
Under Hanigan's guidance, they arrived at the familiar thirty-first floor.
Nick Fury still had his back to them, but as soon as the door opened, he turned around.
Though his expression remained neutral, Ethan could immediately sense the urgency and tension in the "black egg's" mind.
"Harley Quinn, you've stirred up quite a mess recently. But you can still clear your record."