Team Leader

"No! Why is this happening!"

The Plant Master could hardly believe it. He grabbed the pool of green slime and, in a fit of rage, threw it against the wall, like a giant green booger.

"Project result: Failure." Professor Goldbloom scribbled on his draft paper. "Target: Deceased."

"Why is this happening?" The Plant Master turned his gaze to him. Even with his wooden face, one could tell how enraged he was. "He's a liar! He didn't try his best at all!"

Professor Goldbloom blinked his green eyes, facing the Plant Master's accusations blankly.

The Plant Master quickly shifted his anger to Poison Ivy. "Your kiss of hypnosis didn't work at all!"

Ivy sighed. "Calm down, Jason! He's still under our control."

She turned to the professor. "Harold, tell us what caused this."

Professor Goldbloom's green eyes flickered, then he replied, "It's a very complex azeotropic mixture. The virus conversion formula works well, but that's just theory. Almost millions of variables can cause this process to fail."

"Then let's try guessing, Meatbun!"

"Well, guessing is unscientific," Professor Goldbloom adjusted his glasses. "But I suspect it has something to do with something we've been using. The old swamp water used for our experiments comes from Slaughter Swamp. This won't do. We need proper biological nutrients and chemicals. We should get water from the right place—a place that can create Swamp Thing—"

"Louisiana's Wainwright Swamp."

"Oh, my god, my butt hurts," Poison Ivy said.

"No, Pamela, don't you see? It's perfect."

The Plant Master said, his eyes flashing with fanaticism.

"This river flows directly into the Gulf of Mexico. The water from the Gulf can carry the virus to the Atlantic, and then, the whole world."

He turned around. "Those rotten, death-filled monsters will never destroy The Green. The incompetent and filthy Red will completely surrender at our feet."

"Even without the help of Swamp Thing, we can drive those filthy things back to their corner. This planet will be protected by the Great Green!"

He circled a spot on the map. "Mother Earth's salvation plan begins here."

Deathshot didn't care who the leader was.

Ever since his daughter was promised that enrollment letter, he'd been feeling a bit apathetic. Whatever the employer said, he'd just say "Yes!"

After all, you have the money, so you say whatever you want.

So he said, "Fine, then..."

"Employer, I don't think we need a leader for a team..."

Count Dizzy's words were interrupted by the employer's voice from the recorder.

"You can make your decision after you've met this leader, and he will be arriving in this room shortly."

The voice from the recorder sounded hoarser, mixed with some harsh metallic sounds, as if interfered with by some electromagnetic field, emitting a low, moaning sound.

"And I think once you've truly met this leader, you will never object to him taking this position, because I believe he is someone you are very familiar with, a true old friend."

Deathshot felt an awkward sensation. He didn't know where it came from, but he felt a chill, as if he were being watched by something inhuman.

Ms. Vick looked at Cheshire Cat inexplicably, opened her mouth to ask something, but facing the impassive smiling mask, she finally closed her mouth.

Cheshire Cat seemed completely unconcerned about their discussion. Her eyes were fixed on the dog in Welding Dog's hands.

Welding Dog made a "Want to pet it?" gesture, so she happily went to pet the dead dog.

Knock, knock, knock!

The door was knocked on. Deathshot stood up, the uneasy feeling growing stronger.

Something was outside the door.

"Come in!"

Count Dizzy shouted.

A stimulating sense of danger washed over him, making his hair stand on end.

Ms. Vick also stood up.

"I'm coming in."

Clack.

First, a shoe.

A specialized bodysuit shoe of the tight-fitting kind.

Then came gray tight-fitting pants, a pure black cape, a pair of pointed ears, and a mask.

"Batman!"

Deathshot jumped up from the table, but a movement from Batman stopped the bullets from leaving his gun.

He saw Batman holding a walkie-talkie and saying, "I told you, I've arranged a leader with enough influence and strength for you. You'll like this leader."

Deathshot saw Batman's pointed ears aimed directly at him. On the tape recorder on the table, Batman's voice played in sync, layered and echoing like a nightmare reverberating in a dark, deep well.

He heard Batman say, "Because this leader, is me."

Chen Tao had wondered if he should reveal his identity as the mastermind at this point.

He could easily remain hidden behind the scenes as before, becoming a beautiful puppet master—but then what?

The soldiers had no will to fight, only the desire to flee. No coordination, scattered like loose sand. Disobeying orders, attacking randomly?

He had to admit, the current Suicide Squad lacked a strong, unifying soul, a linchpin to bring everyone together.

In the original timeline, the Suicide Squad's captain was Rick Flag, who conquered this group of unruly mercenaries with his noble character and led them through mission after mission.

But Chen Tao's subordinates didn't have anyone with leadership talent like Captain Rick.

Deathshot undoubtedly had a knack for it; in the Suicide Squad's history, he held the captain's record the most, aside from Rick. However, he was now just a loner who had always worked alone, not the leader who had honed his skills in the Suicide Squad for years.

Nightwing was also a possibility. As the original Robin, he wasn't like Batman, accustomed to fighting solo. When he was Robin, he had experience leading the Titans.

But according to Alfred's intelligence, Dick and the Titans he led were currently in a fierce battle with Deathstroke, which was also why Chen Tao couldn't recall Nightwing or hire Deathstroke.

Chen Tao didn't want them to be in the middle of a fight and suddenly hear: "Batman is looking for you" / "An employer is looking for you."

Then they would drop what they were doing to take the mission, only to be shocked to discover their enemies had become teammates.

Therefore...

Moreover, Chen Tao could now transform into a giant dinosaur, possessing basic combat power. He could also transform into the Bat-Monster Truck; even if he couldn't win, when it came to escaping, turning into a car would definitely be faster than anyone else. That was enough.

No matter what, his personal safety could at least be guaranteed. If he still didn't dare to show up in person, it wouldn't be caution; it would be cowardice.

Chen Tao walked into the room, his gaze sweeping over the four people inside.

Deathshot, Dizzy Earl, Cheshire Cat. Well, everyone was here.

Wait.

?

Chen Tao's gaze fixed on Welding Dog. "Who are you? The person I hired wasn't Mad Dog?"