The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics.

Chapter 1172 The Supreme Name
Upon hearing this, Ben looked at Damian, who had been silent all along, and spoke in his usual arrogant tone.

"Although you do look like a tough guy, let me be clear, I'm still very strong. I've already reserved the championship for myself."

Damian remained silent and simply nodded repeatedly at Xiaoban, saying, "Yes, yes, you're right."

“Alright, let’s talk about being tired later.” Splinter pointed to the table, which was already set with a lot of Japanese sweets, such as mochi and yokan.

"The pastries in this teahouse are quite good, and they're even better when eaten with tea. I suggest you fill your stomachs first, and then I'll take you to the competition venue."

Since things had come to this, everyone could only eat first. However, no one knew what the others thought, but Yang Le always felt that pastries couldn't be eaten as a meal. Since he wasn't hungry, he only ate a little and then sat there drinking tea.

The three children ate very happily. It's normal for kids to like sweet things. Even Damian ate several skewers of glutinous rice balls.

Gradually, only leftover tea and food remained on the table. Splinter kept his promise and led everyone toward the most magnificent building in the center of the city.

It was a building that resembled a Japanese castle. The name "Supreme Lord" immediately suggested it was a very Japanese-style building, but that's normal given that it's set in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe.

Splinter seemed to be very influential here, and with him leading the group, they had no trouble getting through and quickly entered the castle.

As soon as the group entered the castle, a blue door suddenly appeared in front of them, and a moment later a tall figure carrying a cane strode out from it.

It was a tall, muscular man in a red and black kimono adorned with numerous gold plates. His gold mask exuded an air of authority, and the long white hair peeking out from behind it revealed the old man's age.

"It's been a long time since I've seen my old friend."

The tall old man had just stopped when he greeted Splinter. It was clear that the two knew each other, and judging from the old man's warm attitude, their relationship was quite close.

"Yes, it's been a long time since we last met, I think it was after the last competition?"

Splinter smiled and nodded. When facing the person in front of him, he did not have the tense demeanor of an elder, but spoke to him as an ordinary friend.

"You have the nerve to say that? Ever since you took the championship from me, you haven't shown up again. I was starting to think I did something to upset you."

Splinter shook his head and stepped aside to introduce them to each other.

"Please allow me to introduce you. This is my good friend, who is also the host here and the organizer of this competition, Your Excellency."

"And these old friends are some of my juniors. Damian and Ben are participants in this competition, while Yang Le and Cassandra are father and daughter who came to watch the competition."

“I’m so glad to see you’ve met so many people,” the Supreme Lord said sincerely. “I was worried about your situation at first, but now it seems my worries were completely unnecessary.”

"Alright, look at me, I really am getting old. There's no reason for us to keep our guests standing. Let's go inside and talk in detail."

As he spoke, the Supreme Lord tapped the ground lightly with his cane. With a "thud," everyone was quickly enveloped in a cloud of smoke. When the smoke dissipated, they had left the open space outside and arrived at a Japanese-style room.

"Come, have a seat." The Supreme Lord extended his hand, inviting everyone to sit down. Only after everyone was seated did he take the head seat. "Old friend, where are your four children? I remember you once told me you had four outstanding children. Why didn't you bring them to this competition?"

"They all have some work to do and can't get away for the time being."

Splinter briefly explained the whole story to the Supreme Lord, and then took the initiative to explain the predicament that Yang Le and the other two were facing.

"My main purpose in coming here is to ask you to see if you can use your Supreme Staff to send Yang Le and the other two back to their original universe."

The Supreme Name did not immediately grant Splinter's request, but instead looked at Yang Le, the oldest of the three, and asked.

"Mr. Yang Le, may I ask which universe you come from? Of course, if you don't know, just tell me some characteristics of your universe."

"The multiverse is unpredictable and ever-changing. Even I, who wield the Supreme Staff, cannot guarantee that I can come and go freely in all universes."

The emperor spoke his name frankly and openly, without feeling ashamed of his inadequacy or trying to cover it up. This alone is enough to show that he is a generous and upright person.

"We come from the DC Universe. We don't know if you recognize our name."

The name Yang Le uttered puzzled Cassandra and the other woman, while the Supreme Name opposite them fell into deep thought. Clearly, he could understand Yang Le's words; otherwise, given his personality, he would have already spoken them aloud.

"I do know about your universe, but because there is a barrier blocking it, I have never dared to venture into it."

The Supreme Name gently stroked the Supreme Staff resting on his lap and slowly said, "I can sense that there are many beings in that universe who are no weaker than me, and there are even many who are stronger than me."

"I'm not afraid to tell you this, but if I were still young, I would still dare to go in and take a chance. But I'm not the same person I used to be now."

"Then can you take them back?" Splinter pressed.

“I haven’t tried. That barrier is very strong. I don’t know if the Supreme Staff can break through it.” The Supreme Name shook his head. “However, I can give it a try, but the result may not be what you expect.”

"Let's forget about it then." Yang Le wasn't the type to force his allies. "Let's wait until Damian and the others finish their match before we talk about it. Anyway, we're not completely without options. Let's keep the Supreme Staff as a backup plan."

"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Yang Le." The Supreme Name nodded, but just as he was about to say something, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door was flung open with a whoosh, and a person dressed in a purple ninja outfit and wearing a red hanakami mask walked in.

As this person walked in, Xiao Ban, who was sitting to the side, couldn't help but snort. The former, who had just stood still, stiffened for a moment before pretending to be nonchalant and bowing to the Supreme Lord sitting in the head seat.

"Father, the next elimination round is about to begin."

(End of this chapter)