[Template Integrated: 36%]
Recently, David's progress in integrating the template hardly fell behind.
Bruce Wayne's mind was often filled with thoughts about him, with emotions ranging from confusion to suspicion, and worry...
"He rarely stops from morning till night."
One of Batman's major characteristics is being suspicious. Even with his friends, if he perceives a threat or a possibility of losing control, he secretly prepares a contingency plan.
However, one admirable aspect of his character is that he doesn't have double standards. He treats others the same way he treats himself, even more harshly.
The plan he prepared to prevent himself from losing control was surprisingly to have someone dig up his parents' graves and attack him while he's angry and losing his sanity.
"Let's finish with Eric quickly and return back to the town."
Compared to Batman, David prefers to gather emotional points from Clark, even though Clark is more saintly than Batman.
The information given by Mary was concise, without any pictures, only handwritten text.
It's not difficult to understand that bosses of criminal organizations like Falcone and the Black Mask are not easily captured in photos. If there's a photo, it means there's an opportunity for shooting.
"Roman Carmine Falcone seems to have suffered a mysterious injury in recent days.
His hand is wrapped in bandages, and he's rarely seen wearing a suit with a scarf to cover bruises on his neck."
After reading this message, David narrowed his eyes.
No need to read the rest; Eric must have confronted Falcone.
While Bruce Wayne and others were chatting and dining, others discussed the appearance of vigilantes in Gotham. Bruce casually pointed at his head, making a disdainful comment.
"That guy who dresses up as a bat probably has some mental problems."
"He probably doesn't have much to enjoy in life; otherwise, he wouldn't be wasting his time competing with the police."
The restaurant manager walked over, with a mustache and a somewhat arrogant attitude: "Sir, please look at your companions. The water pool in the restaurant is for decoration only; swimming is not allowed."
A wealthy playboy with money but no manners, he knew how to drive expensive cars, and flirt with models, but had no sense of etiquette.
Bruce Wayne glanced back at the two models he brought, who were only in their underwear, jumping into the decorative water pool, playfully splashing each other as if they were mermaids. Their impolite behavior caught the attention of some people around.
"I want you all to leave."
"Sorry, they are just a bit wild."
Bruce Wayne smiled apologetically and took out his checkbook from his pocket to sign.
"Sir, no matter how much you tip, it won't change anything."
One zero, two zeros... He casually drew a series of zeros like doodling, then Bruce Wayne stood up and nonchalantly handed the astronomical check to the manager as if it were a piece of scrap paper.
"I'm buying this restaurant."
"New rule, from now on, swimming in the pool is allowed."
Ignoring the astonished manager and the stunned people at the table, Bruce Wayne winked at them, jumped into the pool, and began to play around with the two models.
In the pool, Bruce Wayne, who was trying to maintain the image of a playboy, suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure and froze.
However, the two models didn't hesitate and playfully splashed water on his face.
Splash! Water drenched him, and his hair stuck to his face. Batman wiped his face and forced a lighthearted smile.
Being in such an embarrassing situation was rare for Batman. David, sitting at the table on the corner, lost interest and left with Catwoman after finishing their meal.
"Bruce, you looked so handsome today. Let's go buy a few more restaurants!"
In the pool, the two models were still laughing and playing.
He nodded stiffly in response.
...
"At the restaurant, did you find your target?"
Leaving the restaurant, Selina, dressed in a black dress, asked.
David nodded.
As expected, Eric came to Gotham and found one of the biggest mafia bosses, Roman Carmine Falcone.
"Falcone, also known as 'The Roman,' is known for his ruthless and cold demeanor. His mafia, known as the Roman Empire, is one of the biggest criminal organizations in Gotham, with connections to the city's councilors and the higher-ups in the police."
People with such status are not easily attacked; if they are attacked, they are always prepared to retaliate ruthlessly.
"So, is our deal concluded?"
David knew she was actually asking about her heart-shaped herb.
"When I come back to Gotham next time, I will bring it to you."
"Next time?"
Unable to believe what she heard, Catwoman widened her eyes.
"Beautiful lady, don't you know that flowers and plants have their seasons?"
David smiled and suddenly glanced behind Catwoman with some surprise.
"What is it?"
"What?" Caught off guard, Catwoman turned to look, but when she turned back, David had disappeared, leaving an empty street.
She instantly realized what had happened; she had been deceived.
Selina's lungs felt like they were about to explode, looking like a beautiful and angry cute black cat, gritting her teeth.
"Don't let me see you again, you..."
Frustrated, Selina suddenly realized that she didn't even know the man's name from yesterday until now.
Ah, she was going crazy.
Seeing her in a beautiful dress and manners that didn't match her upper-class upbringing, and standing in front of one of Gotham's most expensive restaurants, some passing pedestrians shook their heads, thinking she was another unfortunate girl who had been discarded by a playboy.
"Miss?" Someone tried to approach and strike up a conversation.
"Get lost!"
...
In the dark night, at an ancient mansion on the outskirts of Gotham, a cold-blooded mafia hitman with a muscular and fierce watchdog constantly patrolled the mansion, which was the headquarters of Gotham's biggest mob boss, the Roman.
With tight security and defense even exceeding that of a prison, David, dressed in a sharp suit, appeared outside the mansion.
"Sometimes, even childish tricks can still fool people."
As for the heart-shaped herb...
That's in the universe next door, he simply didn't have it.
But Selina also didn't lose; at least she got to dine at the restaurant she always wanted to go to, enjoying an expensive meal.
...
Inside the mansion.
The luxurious master bedroom, which used to belong to Falcone, was now occupied by someone else, and soft moans could be heard from inside.
Exiting his former bedroom, Falcone's face was as dark as water. This influential figure in Gotham's underworld, the Godfather-like character, had short, neat, grayish-white hair and a cold, stern countenance.
When someone approached excitedly to say something, he calmly shook his head, stopping the person from speaking.
"Too close."
He made his way to another wing of the mansion.
"Have you found him?"
"Boss, his name is Eric Summers, a high school student from Smallville, Metropolis." His underling reported.
"A high school student?"
Hearing this, Falcone touched his neck with an unpleasant expression.
Not long ago, someone suddenly broke into his mansion, unaffected by a barrage of gunfire, and appeared in front of him within a blink of an eye. With just one hand, the intruder lifted him by the neck and threatened him to submit, or else he would break his neck.
"An ordinary high school student nearly suffocated me."
Facing the threat of death, everyone was equal. He had to humbly yield to survive. These few days, though short, brought him great humiliation. His mafia had become a tool for the boy's amusement, and he had become the boy's servant.
"Our people have been placed beside his parents. As long as you give the order, we can capture them as hostages."
"Wait a moment, it's not the right time."
Falcone's expression filled with dread.
That boy's skin could easily resist submachine gun bullets, and his speed surpassed sound. He seemed like a monster, not an ordinary person. Falcone had to admit that this scared him.
Young men in the criminal world were often the hardest to control. They were audacious, fearless, seemed to have no concept of fear, acted without restraint, and even acted recklessly, driven by momentary hot-bloodedness. They could do anything with a little bit of excitement.
"Using his parents as leverage may not work, let's keep it a hole-card temporarily."
Falcone shook his head with determination.
That boy seemed to have significant concerns. Several times, Falcone tested him from different angles, such as suggesting he unify Gotham's underworld with his monster abilities, but he still seemed wary, not willing to agree immediately, only saying that Falcone should gather assets and manpower and await his command.
"But, what is he afraid of?" He furrowed his brows.
If he could figure this out, things would truly be secure.
As Falcone and his men pondered inside the mansion...
Bang! The window glass exploded with a thunderous crash and shattered fragments flew everywhere. A cold figure suddenly soared like a cannonball and leaped through the broken window!