"Ah, this?!"
Selina stared at Axel as he floated in front of her, surprise clear in her voice.
"I always knew you'd be able to fly someday, I just didn't expect it this soon. So… does this mean we can finally take things to the sky?"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Beside them, Rachel suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit while helping Selina look after the panda. Her face flushed as she pinched the panda's ear in embarrassment.
Sooner or later, Bruce would have to build a flying suit.
After silently deciding that, Rachel looked toward Axel, who was still suspended in the air. The more she observed him, the more distant he felt, as if he was slowly stepping beyond what a human should be.
She rubbed her eyes lightly.
Whether it was good or bad, at least it wasn't bad for her.
Clearing her throat, she turned to Axel.
"Axel, the Gotham Prosecutor's Office recently lost its chief prosecutor and fourteen jurors. City Hall is missing over twenty council members.
Somehow, I've been promoted to an official prosecutor, and I've also ended up as a Gotham City council member.
But almost all of my work now involves dealing with your people. Every single case."
She pressed her hand to her face, frustration evident.
"I know Bruce is trying to reshape the structure of the family, but that will take time. And the citizens of Gotham have reached their limit.
Can you…?"
"Hold on."
Axel dropped from the air and stepped in front of her, studying her expression.
"I don't think the people at the very bottom of Gotham are in any state to voice dissatisfaction.
What we're hearing now is mostly from the middle and upper classes worrying about their future.
The more someone has, the more they fear losing it. And those people are always the loudest.
But as a council member, you can't just listen to the voices that are already being heard.
The ones that aren't heard matter more."
He paused briefly, thinking.
"Do this. Contact Floyd tomorrow and have him take you to Naihe Island.
From what I remember, the family's long-term plan focuses on expanding Gotham's subway system starting there.
While you're there, take a look at the poorest and most chaotic areas. See what kind of order the family is actually bringing.
When a real predator takes control of a territory, scavengers don't get to waste resources anymore.
The decline of small gangs and the hesitation of major capital groups, that's already changing Gotham from the ground up."
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
Rachel considered his words, then nodded.
"Even flawed order is better than none. Fine, I'll go tomorrow."
"That's the right call," Axel said with a grin. "Bruce did well choosing someone as level-headed as you. Otherwise, I'd have to start worrying about family stability."
Laughing, Axel grabbed Selina's hand and pulled her toward their bedroom.
Left alone on the grass, Rachel looked at the sleeping panda and the kittens circling it. She rubbed her ear in irritation.
Bruce had a habit of pushing himself the moment she let her guard down.
Even if it wasn't about other women, overworking himself wasn't any better.
Meanwhile, the man she was thinking about was already at work.
Wearing a newly upgraded combat suit equipped with a modular utility belt integrated with nanotech tools, Bruce observed Arkham Asylum from a distant rooftop, accompanied by Victor and Floyd.
Floyd let out a quiet sigh.
"Batman, something's off. I've never seen Arkham look this… normal."
"Yeah," Victor added with a frown. "Some of my guys are in there pretending to be insane. I paid good money for that. I know exactly how unstable they are.
And do we really have to operate like this? Who in Gotham can even stop us now?"
Floyd chuckled.
"Let the man enjoy himself."
Victor shrugged.
At that moment, Batman's deep, electronically altered voice came through their comms.
"Even apex predators move carefully when they hunt. Strength doesn't determine method. Staying hidden lowers the target's guard."
He paused, eyes fixed on Arkham below.
"You're right though. It feels the same as earlier today. Too normal.
Even people who aren't mentally ill are behaving like model patients.
Either Jonathan Crane or Hugo Strange left something behind… or our perception is being manipulated."
His tone hardened.
"Proceed with Plan A. Full surveillance coverage first. Then we gather data."
With that, Batman stepped off the edge, his cape spreading as he disappeared into the night.
Victor exhaled.
"Used to be, stealth meant leaving no witnesses."
"Then you'd better adjust," Floyd replied with a grin. "Stealth is part of the job. And even if you're not the best anymore, you can still improve.
Try your hardest and you'll understand just how big the gap is between us."
With that, Floyd moved silently toward Arkham's director's office.
After placing several listening devices, he was about to leave when he heard a voice inside.
He glanced in through the window.
The young female director stood alone, speaking to empty air, her hands moving as if she was in conversation.
Floyd smirked.
"I've got something. Arkham's interim director might have lost it too."
"No," Batman cut in immediately. "Axel trusts her judgment. So do I."
Floyd raised a brow.
"Alright then…"
He looked again, just in time to see the director begin to dance.
As she spun, the smile on her face was wide and unrestrained, almost unsettling.
Floyd felt a chill run down his spine.
"Now I get it. That smile… it reminds me of Axel."
He swallowed, then resumed his work.
While Gotham moved under careful surveillance, events unfolded elsewhere.
In a remote forest cabin, a high-ranking official from the United States Department of Defense knocked on a wooden door.
Moments later, a weary-looking woman opened it, her expression filled with contempt.
"So, I'm allowed outside now?"
She let out a dry laugh.
"Not afraid I'll bring destruction to those you despise?"
The official took a breath before answering.
"Stormfront, the balance of power among superhumans has shifted.
The CEO of Vought, Stan Edgar, is dead. Even the President is under threat from a new dominant superhuman.
On behalf of the White House, you are free."
He extended a classified file.
"Here's information on Soldier Boy.
Your mission is to locate and release him from Soviet custody. America needs his strength again.
And he deserves the chance to reclaim his status as a true hero."