The Leader

"No! Why did this happen!"

Plant Master could hardly believe it. He grabbed the puddle of green slime and, in a fit of rage, flung it against the wall, where it landed like an enormous smear of green snot.

"Project results: failure." Professor Goldbloom scribbled on his draft paper. "Target deceased."

"Why did this happen?" Plant Master turned his gaze toward him. Even with a wooden face, it was obvious how furious he was. "He was a liar. He didn't even try his hardest!"

Professor Goldbloom's green eyes flickered as he stared blankly at Plant Master's accusations.

Plant Master quickly redirected his anger toward Poison Ivy. "Your hypnotic kiss was completely useless!"

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

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

The green light in Professor Goldbloom's eyes flickered before he replied, "This is an extremely complex azeotropic mixture. The virus conversion formula worked very well, but that was only theoretical. There are almost millions of variables that could cause the process to fail."

"Then try guessing, Meatbun!"

"Well, guessing isn't scientific." Professor Goldbloom pushed up his glasses. "But I suspect it has something to do with some of the materials we've been using. The old swamp water used in our experiments came from Slaughter Swamp. That won't do. What we need are proper biological nutrients and chemicals. We should draw water from a legitimate source, somewhere capable of creating Swamp Thing—"

"Louisiana's Wainwright Swamp."

"Oh, my God. My butt hurts," Poison Ivy said.

"No, Pamela. Don't you see? This is perfect."

Plant Master spoke with fanatic light flickering in his eyes.

"This river flows directly into the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf's water can carry the virus into the Atlantic, and then throughout the entire world."

He turned around. "Those corrupt, death-ridden monsters will never be able to destroy The Green. The incompetent and filthy Red will completely submit beneath our feet."

"Even without Swamp Thing's help, we can drive those filthy things back to the corners where they belong. This planet will be protected by the great Green!"

He drew a circle on the map. "The plan to save Mother Earth begins here."

Deathshot didn't care who became the leader.

Ever since his daughter had been promised that acceptance letter, he had more or less given up. No matter what the employer said, he would just answer, "Sure!"

As long as you had the money, whatever you said went.

So he said, "Sure, then..."

"Employer, I don't think we need some so-called team le—"

Dizzy Earl's words were cut off by the employer's voice coming from the recorder.

"You can decide after you've met this leader. Besides, this leader will be arriving in this room very soon."

The recorder's voice sounded even raspier, mixed with harsh metallic noises. It seemed to be distorted by some electromagnetic field, producing a low, hoarse groan.

"And once you've truly met this leader, I'm sure you won't object to him taking the position. Because I believe he's someone you all know very well—a true old friend."

Deathshot felt an awkward unease. He didn't know where it came from. He only felt a little horrified, as if something inhuman had set its sights on him.

Ms. Vick inexplicably looked toward Cheshire Cat. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to ask something, but when faced with that placid smiling mask, she ultimately kept silent.

Cheshire Cat, meanwhile, seemed completely unconcerned with what they were discussing. Her eyes remained fixed on the dog in Welding Dog's hands.

Welding Dog gestured at her: "Want to pet it?"

So she happily began stroking the dead dog.

Knock, knock, knock!

The door was knocked on. Deathshot stood up, the unease in his heart growing stronger.

Something was outside the door.

"Come in!" Dizzy Earl called loudly.

An intense sense of danger surged through him, making the hairs all over his body stand on end.

Ms. Vick stood up as well.

"I'm coming in."

Click.

First came one shoe.

A specialized, form-fitting boot from a bodysuit.

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

"Batman!"

Deathshot sprang up from beside the table, but one movement from Batman stopped him from firing the bullet in his gun.

He saw Batman holding a walkie-talkie. "I told you I'd arrange a leader with enough influence and strength. You'll like this leader."

Deathshot saw Batman's pointed ears turned toward him. In the recorder on the table, Batman's voice played in sync, layered upon itself like a nightmare echoing through a dark, bottomless well.

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

Chen Tao had once wondered whether he should reveal that he was the true employer behind the scenes.

He could have hidden quietly behind the curtain as before, becoming a beautiful mastermind behind the scenes—but what then?

An army without the will to fight, thinking only of escape. No cooperation, just a scattered mess. Ignoring orders and attacking at will?

It had to be admitted that the Suicide Squad currently lacked a powerful central figure, someone capable of bringing everyone together and serving as their backbone.

In the original history, the Suicide Squad's leader was Rick Flag. His noble character conquered this unruly group of mercenaries, and he led them through one mission after another.

But Chen Tao's subordinates had no one with leadership ability like Captain Rick.

Deathshot undoubtedly had the talent for it. In the history of the Suicide Squad, he had served as leader more often than anyone except Rick. But now he was merely a lone wolf who had spent years working alone, not the leader who had tempered himself through years in the Suicide Squad.

Nightwing was another possibility. As the first Robin, he wasn't accustomed to fighting alone like Batman. When he had been Robin, he had already gained experience leading the Titans.

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

Chen Tao didn't want the two sides to be halfway through a fight when someone suddenly told them, "Batman is looking for you," or, "An employer is looking for you."

They would then abandon what they were doing to accept the mission, only to be shocked to discover that their enemy had become their teammate.

Therefore...

Besides, no matter how you looked at it, Chen Tao could now transform into a giant dinosaur. He had a decent basic combat ability, and he could also transform into the Bat-Monster Truck. Even if he couldn't win, he would definitely escape faster than the others in car form. That was enough.

In any case, his life would at least be guaranteed. If he still didn't dare appear in person after that, it wouldn't be caution—it would be cowardice.

Chen Tao entered the room and swept his gaze over the four people inside.

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

Wait.

?

Chen Tao fixed his gaze on Welding Dog. "Who are you? Wasn't the person I hired Mad Dog?"