Chapter 95: Emperor in a Cage
"Peter, I really must treat you properly for finding Professor Miles Warren to serve as Oscorp's Chief Scientist."
Below Oscorp Tower, Harry Osborn addressed Batman with a smile.
As the sun rose, following his routine complex training regimen for Peter's body, Batman had arrived at the rebuilding Oscorp headquarters.
New York's September temperatures had dropped to the teens. Though currently daytime, pedestrians on the streets had already donned light jackets or coats.
Batman wore a seasonal trench coat, hair swept back to ensure nobody could detect it had been flattened overnight by his Batman cowl.
Compared to days ago—when his father Norman Osborn's imprisonment, Oscorp's involvement in multiple homicides, and General Ross's military oversight had left him exhausted and desperate—Harry Osborn now appeared somewhat improved. Though still physically diminished, his mental state seemed reasonably sound.
Batman mentally deliberated for two seconds before ultimately deciding not to inform Harry that Norman Osborn had been taken by General Ross to an unknown location.
This wasn't information Peter's identity should possess. But Batman wouldn't keep it hidden forever—after Oscorp returned to normal operations, he'd guide Harry to discover the truth himself.
Combined with Batman's investigation and Harry Osborn leveraging capital pressure to manufacture public opinion, they had strong chances of freeing Norman from General Ross's control.
But not now. Oscorp had just returned to Harry's control. Even if Batman guided him to discover Norman's transfer now, Harry remained powerless to act.
Besides, Batman's investigation had stalled—even he didn't currently know Norman Osborn's location.
"Mr. Parker." Professor Miles Warren held a folder, extending one hand to shake Batman's. "Good to see you again."
Batman's current identity was Peter —Harry Osborn's friend, Empire State University student, Parker Industries CEO.
He didn't maintain a stern expression, instead offering Professor Warren a warm smile as they shook hands.
Professor Warren passed the folder to Batman. "This contains documentation for your memory fiber patent application."
"Congratulations, Mr. Parker. And thank you for the introduction that secured my position as Oscorp's Chief Scientist."
Batman had helped Professor Warren fulfill his request—delivered through Harry to warn Professor Connors about General Ross—even personally infiltrating Oscorp at significant risk.
In return, Professor Warren had personally overseen the memory fiber patent process, securing approval in just three days.
One good turn deserves another. With Professor Connors explicitly declining to return to Oscorp due to his risk of transforming into the Lizard, Batman had recommended the impressive Professor Warren to Harry Osborn.
The result: Professor Warren accepted enthusiastically. Becoming Oscorp's Chief Scientist would provide resources incomparable to his university professorship.
Harry Osborn was equally delighted. Professor Connors's departure brought a scientist with completely different research focus but equally exceptional caliber.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, this would be mutually beneficial—Oscorp and Professor Warren achieving success together.
"You two are simply the most talented students I've encountered in all my years at Empire State University," Professor Warren told Batman and Harry admiringly.
"One controlling a multinational biotech corporation, the other dominating the new materials industry..."
"You're too kind, Professor," Batman replied with a modest smile.
He didn't intend to linger in conversation with Harry and Professor Warren. This visit to Oscorp was merely incidental.
Batman's actual destination: Rikers Island in Queens, specifically Rikers Prison, to meet Kingpin.
This man who'd risen from Hell's Kitchen a year ago, gradually dominating the neighborhood's underworld before planning further territorial expansion—this criminal emperor now resided in Rikers Prison.
Evidence of Kingpin's crimes was ironclad. His hired attorneys had proven useless. The criminal emperor faced life imprisonment.
During last night's interrogation, Batman had repeatedly confirmed Schulman didn't know where Kingpin had obtained Stark Industries weapons. Schulman only handled firearm modifications, not procurement channels.
Batman needed to personally meet this caged emperor, see if he could extract useful intelligence.
'Stark Industries weapons reaching the black market, the mysterious force that took Norman Osborn, Mr. Negative who wields negative energy...'
Batman sensed some connection linking these three parties.
"Peter, seven o'clock tonight—Professor Warren and I will wait for you at the Plaza Hotel across from Central Park."
Harry said as Batman prepared to leave.
"Sorry, Harry, but tonight I'm helping Aunt May move," Batman replied apologetically. "You wouldn't want an elderly woman with a nephew to handle moving alone, would you?"
Through trusts and foundations, Batman had purchased a house in Westchester County's middle-class neighborhood. He planned to relocate Aunt May there.
The location was already under Batman's comprehensive surveillance—any threat to Aunt May's safety would trigger immediate alerts.
"Well, alright. Give Aunt May my regards." Harry didn't press, simply patting Batman's shoulder. "Need me to hire movers... oh, I forgot you have Parker Industries now. You're not that bookworm Peter anymore."
Rikers Island lay southeast of the twenty-dollar Island Batman had purchased.
Before acquiring underwater transport, Batman traveled to North Brother Island by leaping skyward and gliding on his cape.
Inside Rikers Prison, the former Kingpin—who'd always worn white suits and carried a cane like a godfather—now sat in a wheelchair wearing orange prison scrubs.
Batman had broken forty-five of his bones. He'd spend the rest of his life wheelchair-bound.
Even so, Kingpin's face showed no prisoner's desperation. His expression remained gentle. Ignoring his significantly diminished but still abnormally large frame, he resembled a kindly middle-aged man more than a criminal emperor.
Clang! Clang!
Guards struck cell bars with batons.
"Animals! Stand straight! Press your pig heads against the wall, hands behind your backs!"
"You have no names here, only numbers! When I hit your window, shout your number loud so I know your worthless ass is still breathing!"
Guards hurled crude insults at inmates. The clanging batons soon reached Kingpin's cell.
Unlike other prisoners' numbness or rage at guard abuse, Kingpin's expression never changed. He simply maneuvered his wheelchair against the wall, obediently pressing his forehead to the surface.
The next second, the prison's bright fluorescent lights suddenly buzzed. Illumination flickered erratically.
Clink, clink... After faint metallic collision sounds, a pitch-black figure stood behind Kingpin as the white lights abruptly died.
Kingpin's expression remained unchanged. He slowly maneuvered his wheelchair around as the prison lights shifted to dim warning-red.
The cell had been opened, but Kingpin showed no joy. His perpetually calm face shifted slightly.
In the dim red glow stood someone whose features remained hidden in shadow—details invisible except for two sharply pointed ears silhouetted against the crimson light, blocking the exit.