Each With Their Own Plans

"Also," the agent leader slowly sat back down, "I am Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Bruce Wayne fell silent. Looking at the top-secret files on the iPad handed over by Hill, Batman thought for a moment before finally saying seriously, "What do you need me to do?"

"No, it's not what we need you to do," Hill, dressed in a sharp uniform, finally spoke. "It's that we want to help you, help you escape the Joker's trap..."

Bruce's expression finally improved, and he gave a gentlemanly smile. "Please sit, my lady."

Black Widow and Nick Fury's faces twitched slightly.

Hill gave a charming glance at her colleagues and boss before gracefully sitting down. "Mr. Wayne, you must know that the reason the Joker is using such terrifying methods to force you out is simply to undermine the public's faith in Courage and justice. Both Iron Man and you, yes, we knew from the start that you were Batman, but we had no intention of monitoring or controlling you. Instead, we wanted to protect you or Tony Stark, to prevent your achievements and hard work from being exploited and destroyed by certain individuals. That's why we had Agent Natasha go undercover by your side..." Hill explained.

Bruce Wayne didn't deny it, merely gesturing for her to continue. Hill sighed. "You and Stark can be considered symbols of faith for this new century, much like Captain America before you..."

Hill's words immediately softened Bruce's expression again, and his gaze towards Black Widow was no longer as sharp and disgusted...

"I know, you might feel you're just a guide," Hill continued, seeing his reaction. "Guiding the public towards good deeds and away from evil, but Bruce..."

The beautiful agent's expression turned serious. "Since you, or Stark, or even Captain America appeared in public, you are no longer just a volunteer or a symbol of identity. You represent all positive, upward-looking spirits of justice fighting against evil. This is why the public likes and believes in you!"

Bruce remained silent.

Nick Fury added, "That's right. Although the government and we don't want you to exist, we can't deny that you do have a positive side. You are powerful, brilliant, and resolute. You are a great help to the government or us on certain issues, so..."

"You monitor and control me?" Clearly, Bruce was still quite resistant regarding Black Widow.

"That depends on how you define 'monitoring'," the agent leader said slyly. "We call it protection! Protecting the personal and property safety of geniuses and major capitalists like you or Stark..."

Bruce snorted coldly.

Natasha couldn't help but say, "Bruce, I admit I deceived you, but it was out of good intentions... The Joker is using these methods to attack and force you to reveal yourself and surrender precisely because he knows that if superheroes like you or Stark fall, the blow to the public will be even greater, and society will descend into turmoil and chaos. And that is the goal they want to achieve!"

"And we at S.H.I.E.L.D. hope to protect superheroes like you or Stark from non-combat related harassment and threats..." Nick Fury seized the moment. "Precisely because the Joker is a master of criminal psychology, we rushed here! On one hand, to crack down on and resolve this incident. On the other hand, Bruce Wayne, we just want to say, we are not enemies!"

"..." Even Bruce was swayed by their continuous sweet talk, presentation of facts, and reasoning. After a moment of thought, he wearily said for the third time, "What do you want me to do?"

Fury, Hill, and Black Widow all smiled.

... In the distance, a figure in the shadows curled his lips slightly.

"Interesting."

"Master, are we not going to Wayne Manor?" an electronic voice asked.

Walking on the empty streets, Aeo's lips curved slightly. "No need. Since S.H.I.E.L.D. is involved, the Joker will be caught eventually..."

That's right, it was Aeo who had been eavesdropping on Fury and Bruce's conversation earlier. After ten years of absorbing radiation, Aeo was no longer the child he once was. Through his enhanced super-hearing, he could ignore distances of thousands of meters and hear what he wanted without alerting anyone.

"I didn't expect S.H.I.E.L.D. to connect with Bruce Wayne so quickly," Aeo scratched his chin. "As expected, the development of the world is a chain reaction; there's no such thing as fighting alone. Either you get recruited, or... you behave yourself!"

He thought of how the once rebellious Iron Man was eventually tamed by these agents; how the ferocious and barbaric Hulk fell for Black Widow; how Captain America came out of retirement, and Thor became a fighter. Aeo couldn't help but laugh.

Everyone had unknowingly fallen into the palm of S.H.I.E.L.D., led by Nick Fury, and S.H.I.E.L.D. was constrained by the World Security Council. This meant that the superheroes ultimately became the best and strongest mercenary group on Earth! What a brilliant scheme, these agents and politicians.

(Avengers 2 completely treated the country of Georgia as a battlefield, disregarding the fact that it was a sovereign nation...)

Recalling certain events from his previous life and the secrets he had just heard with his own ears, Aeo solidified his resolve: cooperation with S.H.I.E.L.D. was possible, but joining? Forget it. He didn't want to be sold out and still help count the money!

Moreover, S.H.I.E.L.D. was too deeply intertwined with Hydra now. It could be said that before Captain America disbanded S.H.I.E.L.D., the organization, riddled with Hydra from the inside out, was outwardly glorious but rotten to the core within! With even the director being a Hydra member, one could imagine how much of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s power was just for show!

"Since S.H.I.E.L.D. wants to save the Dark Knight, then we'll help them. Eiffel, monitor Director Fury and Bruce Wayne's every move at all times, without alerting them!"

"Yes, Master!"

"Also, any news on the Joker's whereabouts?" Aeo frowned.

"I apologize, Master," Eiffel said apologetically. "This guy seems extremely vigilant. Not only does he rarely appear within the range of street cameras, but he also rarely uses smart devices like mobile phones. Even if he does, he discards them immediately, making it difficult to pinpoint his exact location..."

"Hmm, the Joker is indeed a cunning and deep-scheming fellow..." Aeo couldn't help but nod. He didn't pursue the matter further but changed his approach. "Then let's change the target, Eiffel. Monitor Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes' movements!"

"?"

"One is the star of light, the nemesis of crime in Gotham City, and the other is the lady admired by both Batman and the prosecutor. The Joker won't miss the opportunity to strike at Batman through them, so by following them, we can find the Joker!"

"...Understood, Master!"