No matter what the mysterious person's purpose is, it's nothing more than trying to lure Batman away from Washington, away from the Hall of Justice.
This is a classic diversion tactic, and Su Ming can see through it at a glance. However, it's clear that the Riddler only knows a small part of the plan; he is just a pawn in the game.
The Justice League has seven people, and there are a bunch of various heroes in the Hall of Justice. Why choose to divert Batman specifically?
Is it because they're worried that the subsequent plan will be exposed? Or do they have some special affection for Batman?
Su Ming caught a familiar scent, a scent often accompanied by laughter.
But the Joker... his plans are never so orderly. The current opponent's plan, in terms of madness and chaos, doesn't seem to match the Joker's style.
"It seems I'm not the only one eyeing the benefits of world elevation. There are third parties, or even fourth parties, interested in gaining something from this. This won't do..."
How could I let someone else snatch away what's already on my plate?
In any case, the other side must already believe that I've diverted Bruce. This means they will surely take action in the Hall of Justice.
Bruce should be there, so I should quickly head over and catch them in action, seamlessly participating in the Justice League's plan.
Catching the commotion caused by the Riddler should have misled the enemy's judgment, making them think Batman left the Hall of Justice, prompting them to take action.
Su Ming first returned to Wayne Tower to change into his gear and turn back into Deathstroke, then used the building's air conditioning duct to enter the basement, blew open the floor, and stealthily slipped into the sewer.
Moving in the sewers, one must beware of the Owl Court's Talons. Although the Owl Court in the Main World has taken hits, it also survived.
Some people are still controlling the Talons, and quite a few of them have leaked out. The Celestial Eye Association has about ten Talon assassins in their hands.
Local Gotham figures like the Two-Faced Man also found ways to seize a few. Even the Birds of Prey acquired a Talon assassin as an external ally.
The Talons in the Main World can self-heal, and Zero Claw is especially troublesome. Currently, there's no Mage to open a Teleportation Gate to Antarctica, and Su Ming doesn't have much time to spar.
In any case, first, follow the sewer toward the seaside, then rely on the cape's ability to fly back to Detroit from the cloud layer.
...................
Meanwhile, in a secret base somewhere in Washington, Batman, under the pretense of preparing funds, was accessing global data from Su Ming's last battle for analysis on the computer.
This data included recollections from Wonder Woman and others, as well as satellite video footage.
However, the intelligence was still incomplete, and the power levels didn't match up at all.
This Otherworldly Deathstroke had been gone for just over a month, yet his abilities had leaped forward. If this Deathstroke suddenly emitted rays from his red monocle, Bruce wouldn't be surprised.
However, Bruce did receive a surprise—an unexpected video call from the old butler.
"Young Master Bruce, if you come home next time and don't enter, at least take some time to check out the Gotham news. Today, your other identity did something quite vulgar."
"...."
Batman didn't check the news but connected to the Brother Eye Host in the Bat Cave to retrieve past video footage of the entire Gotham City.
He saw another version of himself stripping down the Riddler and hanging him at the entrance of the police station, then using a shape-shifting branding iron to scorch a bat mark on his buttocks, eventually disappearing into Wayne Tower.
Butler Hero quipped from the other side of the video: "If you ask me, I'd say it's your old war garment coming back for revenge, like a poor ghost draped in white bed sheets."
"All my past uniforms are in the Bat Cave, Ah Fu. That person, who looks like Batman, is not me."
"Yes, Young Master Bruce, besides you, who else in Gotham City would want to be Batman?" Ah Fu maintained a perfect posture, and his speech rhythm was impeccable: "Now the Riddler has turned into a joke. Even though he killed seven people today, everyone laughs when they see his photo. The brand on his butt... allow me to use a recent internet term—they call it a 'Bat Hickey'..."
"..." Bruce narrowed his eyes. The word 'laugh' always sparked associations in his mind: "I'll investigate."
"Then I'll have the midnight snack ready; perhaps stewed pigeon is a good choice."
Batman ended the call, set aside his investigation on the Otherworldly Deathstroke, and decided to first check on Gotham. In his city, a case related to laughter is often not that funny....
..............
Su Ming once again 'gladly acquired' the Suicide Squad from the Detroit headquarters of the Celestial Eye Association. Amanda Waller was quite satisfied with the last operation, at least they gained previously unknown information.
Specifically, they learned that this head had biological pollution properties, capable of inducing mutations in biological brain cells to create uncontrollable monsters.
She is currently negotiating with the United Nations on how to solve the problem of this extraterrestrial head.
Someone even suggested using a nuclear bomb.
Leaning against the conference room wall when he heard this suggestion, Su Ming almost laughed out loud.
He wondered how these politicians think. When faced with a problem they can't solve, they immediately resort to nuclear weapons. Don't ask about anything else—just nuclear weapons, they say.
If the things that fell from the Origin Wall could be blown up with a nuclear bomb, perhaps the Apocalypse Star would have long been under the United Nations' control?
In a superhero world, treat a nuclear bomb as a giant firecracker. These politicians are like kids who can't wait to fling firecrackers around.
Amanda Waller certainly has her hands full, talking past each other with these politicians daily. Whenever she reports to the higher-ups, she faces the same inquiries.
Can nuclear weapons be used? Can they eliminate the enemy? Can we fire a few more? Have the military bypassed orders and launched nuclear missiles privately?
It's as if only the United States has nuclear weapons globally, and the maintenance costs are quite burdensome.
'We must use them! If the nuclear bombs aren't launched, then the country's talent for building them drives me crazy. A day without launching nukes, and I feel restless all over.'
Both of them sighed with relief as the black woman politely deflected the committee members with different topics.
"I want to take the Suicide Squad and act behind the Justice League. Is there any problem with that?" Su Ming leaned against the wall, completely ignoring the no-smoking sign, exhaling smoke gently.
Amanda's eyes gleamed: "Of course, but you need to ensure the integrity of national 'property' as much as possible."
Meaning, don't completely wipe out the Suicide Squad? Simple enough.
After exchanging a few perfunctory words with the hefty woman, Su Ming gathered the Suicide Squad, sans Killer Crocodile, once again in the prison's visiting room.
"Alright, the next activity is to tour the Hall of Justice." Su Ming tossed his helmet on the table, pressing it with both hands.
"Can I eat hamburgers there?" Harley's eyes widened, licking her lips impatiently.
"Of course, Batman owes me one. You can charge it all to him."
"Yay!!!"