Forced to break out

"If we can't hold on, the topic will generate even more buzz." Roland patted Batman on the shoulder.

Batman swatted his paw away in disgust. "I have another idea. Let's catch him before Clayface does anything."

"This guy's hard to catch; physical attacks don't work," Roland suggested. "Why don't you try finding a Magicians?"

"There is no magic in the world," Gordon said.

"I don't want to deal with those guys." Batman shook his head. "I have ways to deal with Clayface, but finding him is a difficult task right now."

"It's all up to you, Detective." Harvey gave Batman a thumbs-up.

"Hmm," Batman replied, his voice tinged with weariness.

"By the way, Harvey, you and Clayface shouldn't have any personal grudges, right? He's most likely a hired hand. Do you have any leads on this?" Roland asked Harvey.

"I've offended far too many people, but not many can get Clayface to help me..." Harvey pondered, stroking his chin. "The most likely candidates are Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni Maroni, especially Sal Maroni Maroni. The person who stole my medical records last time was from the Maroni Family."

"How about we cause some trouble for the Maroni Family first?" Roland suggested.

"The Maroni Family has been quite restless lately; be careful not to fall into their trap," Gordon warned.

"Don't worry, they can't ambush me," Roland said confidently. After exchanging a few more words with the others, he walked alone towards the East End.

A cool rain began to fall in Gotham City, making Roland feel a slight chill. He lit a Cigar, the faint light illuminating his face, and wisps of white smoke rose gently.

Roland brazenly slipped into Sal Maroni Maroni's mansion through a loosely guarded spot and spotted a familiar face in the Main Hall.

Hugo Strange? Wasn't he sent to Arkham Asylum? How come he's out so quickly?

"Hey, you don't think you can get away with not paying back the money just because you've been thrown into Arkham Asylum, do you?" One of Maroni's henchmen grabbed Professor Hugo by the collar, lifted him up, and shoved a Revolver into his mouth with his other hand.

"Ugh... I'll pay it back... Please give me some more time..." Professor Hugo trembled, because the barrel of the Revolver was still in his mouth, and he had no training in this area, so his words were difficult to understand.

"Oh, do you think we're some kind of charity? You think you can just give us an extension like that?" The henchman smashed Professor Hugo's head with Revolver.

Professor Hugo let out a muffled groan, blood streaming down his face. "But... I really have no money right now."

"Heh..." The underling wanted to continue beating Professor Hugo, but Sal Maroni Maroni stopped him with a cough.

"Since you don't have the money to pay off your debts, Professor Hugo, let's talk about your genetic research." Maroni stroked the British Shorthair in his hand; its smooth fur put him in a good mood. "Your reason for borrowing money was for research, right? Now that the money's gone, how's your research going?"

"This..." Professor Hugo hesitated.

"Um?"

The younger brother punched Professor Hugo hard in the stomach, the intense pain causing him to convulse.

"My... my research has yielded results," Professor Hugo said, forcing a smile, "But the experimental subjects still have some minor flaws..."

What minor flaw?

"He's just a little intellectually challenged, and he doesn't follow instructions..."

"That's a minor flaw?" Maroni raised an eyelid. "Then what's the use of your test subject? Just because it's strong? I might as well go to the Zoo and lead an elephant."

"This... this problem can be solved!" Professor Hugo quickly said, seeing that he was about to be beaten again. "As long as I can get Batman's DNA, I can create intelligent and obedient test subjects."

"Batman's genes? You're not just saying that offhand to stall for time, are you?"

"No, it's true... As long as I can get Batman's genes, my experiment will be completed very quickly."

"Alright, you stay with the Maroni Family for a while while I go get Batman's genes," Maroni said calmly. "But if you still can't complete your research by then..."

Maroni didn't finish his sentence, but instead gave a cold laugh, the threatening tone of which sent a chill down Professor Hugo's spine.

Roland heard everything clearly from outside the window, and he decided to find something for Maroni to do.

Professor Hugo was locked in a basement near the Maroni mansion, guarded by four Maroni Family thugs.

After scouting the location, Roland went to a costume shop and bought an ape costume, then wore it and stormed into the basement.

The four thugs were stunned when they saw a hairy monster rush in.

However, Roland did not hesitate. He knocked them all unconscious, and then, like King Kong grabbing Ann Delo, he grabbed the frail Professor Hugo and ran away.

Professor Hugo was also quite frightened. "You... who are you?"

"Guess?" Roland exclaimed like a monkey.

"Are you an enemy of the Maroni Family?" Professor Hugo guessed. "But why did you kidnap me? I don't know you..."

"All I need is for you to hide and wear down the Maroni Family's energy," Roland chuckled. "I bet Maroni is itching to kill you right now."

Professor Hugo felt an overwhelming fear engulf him, cold sweat soaking his back. "You... you... I have no grudge against you, why did you do this to me?"

"Nonsense, how could I be harming you? This is a win-win situation," Roland explained. "Look, you don't have to pay off your debts anymore, and the Maroni Family is too busy looking for you to bother us. Isn't that great?"

Professor Hugo was on the verge of tears, "But I never intended to hide from my debts!"

"So you really think Batman's genes can complete your research?" Roland shook his head. "Then you're really seriously ill."

"You know anything about biology?" Professor Hugo said dismissively.

"I don't understand biology, but I do understand the twisted obsession with Batman." Roland shrugged, and just as Professor Hugo was about to scold him, he picked up a lump of mud and sealed his mouth shut.

"Waaaah..." Professor Hugo struggled, but he couldn't escape Roland's grasp at all.

Maroni Family

"Very well, Hugo Strange, he's very good, he actually managed to outsmart me." Maroni clenched his fists, suppressing his Wrath.

"Boss, what should we do now?"

"Find him! Search every Gotham City, find Hugo Strange!" Maroni slammed his fist on the table. "I'll show him the consequences of fooling me!"