**Chapter 15: Clark Kent is Actually Superman!**
Happy Harbor, Mount Justice
Happy Harbor is a coastal city located in the northeastern part of this country, boasting an excellent port and convenient transportation.
The mountain named Mount Justice looks like just a dormant volcano from the outside.
With the collaboration of Superman and Green Lantern, the interior of the mountain was completely hollowed out, expanded, and reinforced.
Inside the mountain, resting and bathing rooms were built, along with a data center comparable to the Batcomputer, laboratories, training rooms, storage rooms, an underground garage, and a landing pad.
After confirming Mount Justice as the League's base, Cyborg, using knowledge from the Mother Box, helped Batman establish a fully controllable Boom Tube within the base.
As the Boom Tube inside Mount Justice activated, Ben, transformed into Heatblast, walked out and tapped the symbol on his chest to revert to human form.
"It's finally over. I will definitely never go to that kind of occasion a second time."
Stretching his body, Ben felt like a clown being gawked at in a circus during the commendation ceremony just now.
He was glad he listened to Batman's advice and attended the commendation as Heatblast.
If people knew his real identity and age, there would probably be a pile of trouble waiting for him.
"Don't be in a hurry to rest. We have things to discuss regarding the future planning of the League."
Walking out of the Boom Tube, Batman stopped Ben, who was heading straight for the rest area.
The Mount Justice base had just completed its expansion, but this place wasn't for resting. With the establishment of the Justice League, the responsibilities on their shoulders were far heavier than before.
"Understood!"
Hearing Batman's words, Ben just nodded and walked with everyone to the conference room.
As everyone took their seats, Cyborg connected to the Mount Justice computer system and confirmed the topics to be discussed in today's meeting.
"Should we accept UN funding? If we accept funding, we may need to reveal our identities to the UN. But with this injection of funds, we can alleviate a large part of the financial pressure."
Although Batman had invested a significant amount of funds and technical support into the League's establishment through Wayne Enterprises, including a satellite, this had only completed the initial construction of the League base. Maintaining the League's operations subsequently would still require massive capital investment.
As his voice fell, Cyborg looked at Shazam.
Among everyone present, Shazam's true identity was known to the fewest people. He had promised to keep Shazam's secret, but this proposal made him a bit conflicted.
"I can have Wayne Enterprises negotiate with the UN on behalf of the League. Unless a League member volunteers, the true identities of League members will be kept confidential."
Not all heroes wanted their true identities made public; Batman was very clear on this point.
Heroes had their own private lives. At the same time, publicizing their identities meant that enemies hiding in the shadows could more easily obtain intelligence on them and even harm their families.
Batman's response received approval from most people. As Cyborg prepared to skip this topic and wait for Batman to finish negotiating with the UN before continuing the discussion, Hal Jordan raised his hand.
"Regarding identities, I propose that during joint missions, we shouldn't address each other by name directly in front of others. It's easy to expose ourselves that way."
Hearing Hal's proposal, Ben, who was staring into space in his seat, felt Hal Jordan's gaze.
"Why are you looking at me? If you were afraid of exposure, you should have said so earlier. It's not like I only know your identity. Have you seen me calling them by their real names for no reason?"
Hearing Ben's response to Hal, Batman wanted to verify the guess in his heart and asked, "Do you know everyone's identity?"
"Uh, except for those relatively obscure second or third-tier characters, I know the true identities of most first-tier heroes."
Regarding Batman's inquiry, Ben didn't hide anything and directly stated that he understood the true identities of most heroes.
"Wait? You really know my identity?"
Hearing Ben's words, Superman, who was sitting to the side, was stunned.
His super hearing had heard Ben mention Clark Kent's name before.
At that time, he thought that sometimes when using his Superman identity to praise his other identity, it caused misunderstandings.
"Are you sure you want me to say it now?"
Seeing Superman's reaction, Ben didn't speak directly, letting Superman decide whether he should say it outright.
"Go ahead. As comrades fighting together, I trust you all."
Clark had originally intended to reveal his identity in human society to his comrades. Hearing Ben's question, he agreed immediately.
"Clark Kent, a reporter for the Daily Planet. Before Darkseid's invasion, when Hal and I first arrived in Metropolis, I thought if he heard my joke, he would fly over."
Hearing Superman's permission, Ben nodded and directly stated Superman's identity.
"Mr. Clark is Superman?"
Hearing Ben's words, Shazam, who had once been interviewed by Clark as an orphan, showed a surprised expression on his face!
The moment he heard Superman's identity, Hal also recalled what Ben had said back then.
"No wonder you wanted Batman to buy the Daily Planet back then. If Superman didn't come out, he'd fire Clark! Weren't you afraid that kid would really do it?"
At that time on the plane constructed of green lantern energy, he was confused as to why Superman would appear just because a reporter at the Daily Planet was fired. It turned out that reporter was Superman's hidden identity.
"I was dealing with a Parademon at the time; I didn't have time to take a joke seriously. Besides, why would Batman buy the Daily Planet for no reason? Right, Batman?"
Superman spread his hands somewhat helplessly. He heard unknowable amounts of such joking remarks every day.
If he took them all seriously, he would have no time to help those who truly needed help.
Regarding Superman's question, Batman's mouth raised in a mysterious smile.
When Superman saw Batman's expression, Cyborg, who had conveniently investigated the asset structure of the Daily Planet via the internet, responded.
"Wayne Enterprises originally owned half of the Daily Planet's shares. There was indeed no need to buy it all."
"Hahaha~" Cyborg's words instantly made Shazam burst out laughing. "So, Batman is Superman's boss?"
Hearing Shazam's laughter, the remaining few finally couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.
Seeing the surprised expression on Superman's face, Batman could only stand up and explain.
"Wayne Enterprises was just carrying out normal business expansion. The acquisition of Daily Planet shares was happening before Superman started working there. It has nothing to do with the matter of Superman being Clark Kent."