The explosion on the big screen and Yongye's cold laugh rang out at the same instant, striking the same beat. Together, they became a chaotic wave of sound that left Talia utterly lost.
She could no longer tell which sounds came from the battle on the screen and which came from deep in her own throat.
All she knew was that every attempt to resist sent her blood surging harder.
Yongye's voice brushed past her ear again, softer than before but clearer:
"Talia, how does my technique compare to Minato Namikaze's?"
Talia could no longer speak.
Gritting her teeth, she turned her head toward the big screen on the wall... Ultron's Vibranium fist was crashing toward Wonder Woman's face, and dark-gold energy burst across the image in a blinding halo.
In that glare, she let go of all resistance. She went limp in Yongye's arms, trembling all over.
Yongye glanced down at her, the faintest mocking smile curving his lips.
A system notification sounded in his mind right on cue.
[Ding! Talia al Ghul, princess of the League of Assassins, has been completely overwhelmed in both body and mind by the host's switching between his own identity and Minato Namikaze's. Her defenses have utterly collapsed.] [Emotional devastation value has exceeded the limit. Super Blind Box ×1 obtained. Open it now?]
Yongye's grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Open it."
[Ding! Super Blind Box opened!] [Congratulations, host! Reward obtained: DC Universe—Power of Connection, a fundamental force (advanced version)!]
A flood of memories poured into his mind.
The deeper laws connecting all things and governing creation rapidly unfolded beneath the insight of Clear Sword Heart. An invisible web encompassing the causal ties of the entire planet slowly spread through his consciousness.
He could see Talia's past, present, and