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Oliver spun around in alarm and fired an arrow.

Clang, the sound of the arrow being struck by something. Oliver didn't have time to think and nocked another arrow. "Who are you people!"

Clang, clang.

This time, the powerful shot forced the enemy in the darkness to make another move before interrupting the Green Arrow's attack.

"Wait." A figure walked out. "We're not your enemies."

"It's you!" Oliver's jaw dropped so wide an egg could fit. "Batman."

The newcomer, clad in a Bat-suit, moved silently in the darkness. Tall and powerfully built, who else could it be but Batman.

From the moment he heard Oliver's warning, the overpowered young man had already spotted the killer and a downed police officer in the opposite building. Before the killer could fire, he'd rushed to block the window with a table. While it was astonishing, it was still within the realm of human capability. In the chaos, the police couldn't figure out who had thrown the table, allowing Aeo and Bruce, after clearing the crowd, to escape in the confusion.

Following that, the observant duo witnessed Oliver Queen, the legitimate heir to Queen Consolidated, Star City's playboy, billionaire, changing into costume and leaping between two buildings.

"Alright," Aeo quipped, "another billionaire who doesn't know his place! Hey, Bruce, are you rich kids all so empty inside that you've evolved from chasing girls and hitting clubs to dressing up as superheroes to fight crime for kicks?"

Batman merely shot an arrow and then attached a high-altitude rope, following them directly.

"..."

Shrugging, Aeo lifted off the ground.

..., ...

End of previous events.

Faced with Batman's arrival, Oliver, though shocked and awestruck, was still the formidable hero who had returned from the hellish Purgatory Island. He immediately turned his head vigilantly.

"Where's the other one? Why isn't he coming out?"

Aeo thought for a moment and walked out. "We didn't mean to hide it from you, it's just..." The young man's gray eyes sparkled in the darkness. "You know, we all need a mask."

"It's you!" Oliver was so shocked he couldn't speak. "Aeo Zod!"

Aeo walked into the light, his still-on, masterfully tailored expensive suit a stark contrast to the messy scene.

"It's me." Aeo stopped, about three to four meters away.

"..."

Oliver turned back with a complex expression. "So, you're Bruce Wayne?"

Bruce paused slightly and took off his cowl. "Yes, it's me!"

..., ...

In a derelict factory workshop.

Oliver, Bruce, and Aeo faced each other, on guard. Of course, it was Green Arrow 1 vs. Batman and the Son of Krypton.

After a long pause, Green Arrow spoke first. "Alright, since you already know I'm Oliver Queen and have chosen to reveal yourselves, you must have something you need from me, right?"

He sneered. "How is it that Gotham City's notorious crime-fighter, the Dark Knight, Batman, and another person with terrifying abilities—I'll assume you're still human for now."

Aeo shrugged.

"And another unknown superhero..." Perhaps it was his amiable demeanor that softened Oliver's tone. "Tell me, what do you need me for?"

Aeo and Bruce exchanged a look, and finally, Bruce spoke. "Oliver, from your efforts fighting criminals in Star City, you're clearly a man of justice who dares to fight against evil. But have you ever considered that these are just a small fraction of the criminal world? What truly affects all of humanity are the rot and terrorists within our own ranks?"

"You mean?" Green Arrow wasn't easily fooled, and he raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"...Do you know S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Bruce asked, dropping a bombshell. "They're a multinational, federally-led super-intelligence agency. Their original purpose was to collect and handle all extraterrestrial and supernatural incidents, protecting the safety and freedom of ordinary citizens..."

"But recently, we've discovered," Aeo interjected, half-truthfully, "that they seem to have been infiltrated by another force. Director Nick Fury's actual control is extremely limited..."

"This force is very dangerous. Just to deal with me, they deployed F-22s, which only a nation can deploy..."

"Furthermore, Bruce and I have also discovered that this organization is very likely to be the Hydra from World War II. They weren't completely wiped out but went into hiding within S.H.I.E.L.D. After decades of development, it's impossible to tell who is S.H.I.E.L.D. and who is Hydra..."

"Their goal is to establish a world that fully aligns with their interests! This is unacceptable to me, to Bruce, and to the entire world. After all, World War II gave us the greatest proof..."

"So?" Oliver, somewhat dizzy from the shocking news, asked, "What exactly do you want?"

Aeo and Bruce exchanged another look, and the elder spoke again, extending an invitation.

"Therefore, to deal with this organization, we've decided to form another team, a group composed of many powerful individuals, to deter and combat this terrorist organization. And you, Oliver Queen, are the first superhero we're inviting... How about it?"

Bruce's face shone with wisdom.

"Will you join us?"

..., ...

"I'm just a mortal." Oliver Queen shook his head, his expression a mix of respect and a hint of disdain.

"The reason I fight criminals in Star City is because they, along with my father, failed this great city. And I, to atone for my father's sins, stepped forward to fight these people. I... am not a hero."

He sighed.

"I killed an innocent young girl..." Green Arrow said sadly. "I used to be so self-righteous, proud of my debauchery and hedonism, blindly pursuing pleasure without humility or self-control. But that incident taught me that humans are merely insignificant ants in the face of nature and fear. All status, money, and possessions are fleeting..."

"After that, I just wanted to return to Star City, to my family, to protect and guard them, so they wouldn't suffer any more harm... Fighting criminals was just to make up for the harm my father caused this city. I..."

"No."

Aeo interrupted him. "I can tell you clearly, if you don't stop this organization, everything you care about will cease to exist!"

As Oliver and Bruce looked on in horror, Aeo revealed a tiny bit of the future. "Because this world is far more dangerous than you imagine, Oliver Queen."