American comics: The off-the-charts random transformation

Sigh, why can't you understand? Mayor! If you want to see him, just turn on the Bat-Signal! He'll see it and come. That's how I always find him!

What?! Fuck, have you lost your mind?! The damn Joker is still in Gotham City, and you actually want to go looking for trouble with Batman?!

If you don't get your head straight, I'll shoot you! Let me tell you, Gotham City has had many mayors, but only one police chief!

"If you think you can find a better bureau chief, then replace me!"

boom!

Gordon slammed down the phone, cursing Gotham slang all the while.

This is the twelfth phone call I've received today that has raised my blood pressure!

The difference is that the previous ones were Gotham billionaires, while this one is the mayor of Gotham!

They all have only one goal: to get Batman to hand over that magical green hockey stick!

Gordon initially tried to explain politely that it was a time-limited magical item and that there was no point in stealing it, especially given that it would offend Batman.

But it was clear that the other party neither listened nor believed, and even threatened Gordon's family, saying they would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Fuck! Gordon can tolerate this kind of threat?! He can't tolerate it at all!

He immediately retorted with insults and threatened them, saying that if they dared to do anything outrageous or resort to underhanded tactics, Gordon wouldn't hesitate to represent justice, lead his brothers, and take them down! Money doesn't mean you can't die.

The wealthy are helpless; they simply can't beat Gotham's tough guy.

It's not just because Gordon rebuilt the Gotham Police Department all by himself, but because behind the headstrong Gordon is Batman.

Although Batman doesn't kill people, he's incredibly ruthless; breaking bones and causing permanent disability are common tactics he uses.

So they started threatening the mayor, trying to get him to fulfill their demands, or they would replace him. In their eyes, the mayor was just a puppet.

The new mayor is a coward too. After being threatened, he stupidly started making phone calls to threaten Gordon, which led to the scene just now.

Gordon is considered a rare good guy among Gotham's people; he only yelled at them. Anyone else, faced with that kind of threat, would have already pulled out a gun and headed to their house to send them to meet their maker.

"Fuck, these people are insane! They actually want to use a media war to force Batman to hand over that hockey stick!"

And they even threatened me! They wanted to kidnap my family! Fuck, do they really think I hired these guys in the police station for nothing?!

Harvey! You've been listening for so long, do you have any ideas?

Harvey, who was drinking coffee, was innocently dragged into the mess. This was something a lowly police officer like him shouldn't get involved in. He shrugged and said helplessly:

"What ideas could I possibly have? Gordon, you should ask Batman, not me."

We're just employees.

"And you, as the bureau chief elected by the people, can't touch you, but the rest of us aren't. I'm not getting involved in this."

Gordon understood that Harvey was right. He had the support of the masses and wasn't afraid of those people playing tricks on him openly, but the police officers were not so lucky. Once they offended those rich people, their lives would be very difficult.

However, Harvey did serve as a reminder to him.

“You’re right! You shouldn’t get involved in this. I have to remind him!”

Those brain-dead idiots will definitely use public opinion to threaten him into taking a break for a few days...

"...No, if he rests, what about the Joker! That bastard Joker, just those undead monsters he creates are already overwhelming! What if he launches another gas attack?"

The more Gordon thought about it, the more panicked he became. The thought that Batman's "miracle drug" was gone made him even more panicked.

Gordon put on his trench coat and, before leaving, instructed, "I'll turn on the Bat-lights! Harvey, if anyone calls again, tell them I'm looking for Batman!"

Harvey waved his hand: "OK, don't worry, when it comes to dealing with people, I'm better than you! When it comes to seniority in the police force, I'm the real veteran!"

…………

At 9:30 p.m. that night, Batman appeared silently in the Batcave.

"What do you know about the Court of Owls?"

He asked Tian Xiaoban, who was surfing the internet.

Tian Xiaoban was learning serious hacking knowledge when he was startled by the sudden sound of throat cancer.

"Hey! Batman, you scared me!"

Wait, the Court of Owls? Are you sure you want to know? Hmm, I'm afraid you won't be able to accept it if I tell you."

Batman remained silent for a moment, seemingly adjusting his mindset.

"Tell me, I want to know everything!"

Seeing that the other party seemed confident, Tian Xiaoban simply said:

"Well, the Court of Owls is a very old organization. They are composed of Gotham City's elite families and have existed since the city was founded. They have been secretly controlling Gotham all along."

Those members will use their wealth and power, as well as their bio-weapons—Claw Killers—to achieve their goal of taking control of Gotham.

They will eliminate anyone who defies the Court of Owls from the shadows.

Among those eliminated were the Wayne family, the early rulers of Gotham City—your parents, for example.

The air pressure suddenly dropped, and the bat cave became eerily quiet.

Batman was clearly not as calm as he appeared!

He turned and left, driving off in his Batmobile.

“You shouldn’t have mentioned the last sentence, sir. The master has finally come out of his grief… and the Court of Owls is far too dangerous!”

Alfred emerged from the shadows of the Batcave, his tone serious.

Tian Xiaoban squinted and smiled, "Alfred! You actually knew all along, didn't you?"

Alfred was silent for a moment, then said, "...When I was sorting through Mr. Thomas's belongings, I found an owl mask in the closet, and I have some guesses about their deaths."

The current Bruce is no match for the Court of Owls, which is why I haven't mentioned it.

Tian Xiaoban said in a relaxed tone, "Don't worry, I'm on your side for now!"

"temporary?"

"Yes! Aunt Selena is still infiltrating the homes of members of the Court of Owls. I'm worried about her. I'll help Batman until the Court of Owls is dealt with!"

“Then, thank you for your help.” Alfred bowed in gratitude.

Tian Xiaoban waved his hand:

"No need to be so polite, Afu! I really need to learn something right now, any skill, I want to learn it, and I hope you can help me!"

"No problem, as long as you want to learn, I will teach you everything I know."

------

Listening to the music inside the car, Batman expressionlessly activated the nitrous oxide boost.

The Batmobile sped forward, and soon brought Batman to his birthplace.

Crime Alley, the birthplace of Batman.

Returning to the same place evoked many emotions in Bruce. It was as if he had returned to that rainy night, to the couple, the pearl necklace, the gunshot, and the lonely, crying child.

"The Court of Owls... I'll find out!"

Ultimately, Batman remained wary of Tian Xiaoban and didn't fully trust him, even though he had thoroughly investigated Tian Xiaoban's background.

After leaving Crime Alley, Batman pulled out his grappling hook; he was heading to the Bat-Lamp.

………………

"Gordon, what's up?"

Gordon asked anxiously, "Oh, Batman, you're finally here! Did you find the Joker?"

The voice, choked with phlegm, replied, "No, he did a very clean job; no clues were found."

Gordon: "Okay, let's try to catch him as soon as possible! Gotham can't afford another one!"

"I have bad news. The tycoon and the mayor both want your magical item, and in the next few days, they'll use public opinion to force you to hand it over."

"That thing has lost its magical energy. Now it's just a useless stick."

Batman explained expressionlessly.

Gordon roared, sounding very aggrieved:

“I know, I’ve already explained! But those people just won’t believe me! They even dared to threaten the police and their families!”

Sigh, I'm at my wit's end, so I'm asking if you have any solutions.

Batman paused for a moment, then said, "I was harassed by phone calls before, just like you. But it was Bruce Wayne who was harassing me. He said he wanted to buy that stick, even if it lost its magical powers."

"Bruce Wayne? That playboy? Ha, yeah, I can understand. With so many wealthy people vying for something, he's bound to get involved!"

Batman nodded and continued, "I plan to sell it to him! When you get back, you can also tell those billionaires and the mayor that I've sold it to Bruce Wayne! I think Gotham's richest man shouldn't have any of the trouble we have! If he gets into trouble, he can contact your police department!"

There's an unspoken understanding among Gotham's wealthy: problems that can be solved with money aren't really problems until things completely fall out!

Gordon was delighted; it was indeed a good plan.

"Good idea! Let the rich solve their own problems with money, hahaha!"

Chapter 21 The Big Surprise

Wayne Manor.

Zatana, who got up early, ran into Tian Xiaoban, who was blocking her way, as soon as she stepped out of her house.

He had discussed it with Alfred; he came to Zatana to learn magic!

"Hello, Great Mage Zatana, I wish to learn magic from you!"

Tian Xiaoban bowed respectfully.

Zatana, still dressed as a magician, carefully examined the man, who was rather overly handsome.

After scanning with her mental energy, she remembered: "You are... oh, the child Bruce brought back yesterday!"

Tian Xiaoban nodded repeatedly: "Yes, it's me, my name is Tian Xiaoban. Master, I want to learn magic!"

Zatana asked doubtfully, "Why do you want to learn magic? That requires a lot of talent! And patience too. Besides, isn't Bruce very resistant to magic? Would he agree to it?"

Tian Xiaoban shook her head and said, "This has nothing to do with him. It's because I need magic! I need the kind of magic that allows me to communicate with people mentally without using my mouth or speaking! This is very important to me! Extremely important!"