Chapter 259: I Plan to Form an Alliance
"Mental assessment shows Robin constantly exists in states desiring proving himself while simultaneously fearing abandonment."
"He doesn't possess split personality situations birthing other personas. But last night's circumstances—Batman, you should understand better than me—Venom clearly represented two, uh, two personalities separate from Robin."
Venom's mental assessment analysis was performed by Dr. Banner. Currently wearing glasses, he sat face-to-face with Batman across one table:
"Of course, my psychology involvement remains shallow. Perhaps you need more professional psychologists re-assessing Robin."
Batman observed Banner, slightly shaking his head:
"Unnecessary. I trust you, Dr. Banner."
Batman represented precisely the more professional psychologist Banner mentioned. He possessed zero questions regarding Banner's analysis.
"I'm more curious—as physicist, you're also this proficient in psychology?" Batman asked.
"Betty." Dr. Banner adjusted his glasses, his face displaying slight wistfulness. "My ex-girlfriend Betty is psychology professor. I learned many things from her."
"General Ross's daughter, correct?" Batman asked.
Dr. Banner didn't question how Batman knew this. After all, even General Ross himself was currently in Batman's hands. He simply smiled bitterly:
"Correct. Three years ago, precisely Betty secretly disclosed General Ross's operations. I could escape before they decided employing nuclear weapons."
"Nuclear weapons extremely likely cannot threaten Hulk." Batman spoke while observing Banner's expression.
"But Hulk will definitely get angry. Once angry..." Dr. Banner smiled. "I can't say what'll happen."
"Do you want seeing Betty?" Batman asked.
This statement emerged. Dr. Banner immediately grew vigilant. He lowered his head slightly, gaze observing Batman over eyeglass frames:
"What are you planning?"
Batman didn't excessively conceal from Banner. The doctor was too intelligent. Hulk was truly too powerful. Batman hoped they'd become allies rather than enemies:
"I've imprisoned General Ross. Future likely requires prolonged confinement... Yesterday before arriving here, I noticed Betty searching online for General Ross information."
"Additionally, these past three years, Betty's internet searches for keywords 'Banner' and 'Hulk' numbered nearly five thousand times."
"This means she attempts finding you in news three-to-five times daily minimum."
Dr. Banner couldn't remain seated. He suddenly stood, circling the table to Batman's side, firmly grasping Batman's arm:
"You can help me, correct?"
Batman stood upright, patting Banner's shoulder reassuringly:
"Correct. I can help you."
Banner's chest heaved. Breathing rapid. He somewhat embarrassedly smiled toward Batman, returning to his seat:
"Bringing Betty to this island, living together isolated from human society—I definitely won't agree. You've obviously considered this."
"And if letting me return to human society represents enormous threat to you and others. Naturally, even I worry about Hulk in crowded places."
"So I'm guessing... relates to what you mentioned last night? And what Professor Morbius left unsaid?"
Dr. Banner indeed hadn't disappointed Batman. After brief emotional agitation, he immediately recovered calmness, rapidly analyzing Batman's reasons mentioning Betty.
He'd even understood why last night—when conducting Robin's mental assessment—Batman assigned him.
Batman had already planned everything about to occur.
"Correct." Batman confirmed Banner's speculation. "I plan forming an alliance."
"Monster alliance?" Dr. Banner grinned. "But alliance formation can't directly allow us returning to human society... Plus you appear quite needing us as research teams."
Batman didn't smile. Currently extremely serious:
"I'll handle everything. After Professor Connors returns , I'll formally announce this matter."
"Did Khonshu tell you something?" Dr. Banner asked again.
Previously Batman had never mentioned forming alliance concepts.
"That's merely one reason." Batman said.
Dr. Banner adjusted glasses:
"I temporarily can't comprehend how you'll form alliances, plus our alliance's future states. Can't comprehend how you'll help us returning to human society—most importantly helping Betty and me reuniting..."
"But at minimum until now, your actions haven't touched my bottom lines. Moreover, Hulk quite likes you..."
"Therefore I support your decisions."
Batman genuinely needed Banner's support. Otherwise he wouldn't invest this effort:
"Thank you, Dr. Banner. Please thank Hulk for me."
While speaking, both hands grasped across the table.
---
"Timing-wise, the most recent Batman-related incident was the Metropolitan Museum theft. Five thieves explicitly mentioned opponents being black figures with sharp pointed ears."
Hawkeye crossed his arms before his chest. Longbow had transformed into long staff, embraced in his arms.
Currently he'd already departed dilapidated apartments, switching to one luxurious hotel.
Though arriving in New York penniless, for Hawkeye this wasn't excessive problems.
"Black Widow's movements still can't be traced... Oscorp's internal systems contain zero information about her."
Hawkeye Clint Barton couldn't restrain rubbing his temples.
Among New York-collected intelligence, recent one-two months' events summarized into three total matters:
Batman, Oscorp Group, Kingpin.
Among them—Kingpin remained missing after Rikers escape. Batman's whereabouts were unpredictable. Last night Hawkeye had visited the Metropolitan Museum without finding any Batman-left traces.
Only Oscorp Group perhaps represented breakthroughs. Batman had appeared here multiple times. Moreover, Oscorp had previously been militarily supervised by General Ross—involving Hulk connections.
"Perhaps I need changing approaches." Hawkeye murmured.
He recalled one month ago—his Cube Prison conversation with Dr. Banner. Precisely after that conversation, Hawkeye had witnessed Black Widow trading with Hydra, then continuously imprisoned.
"If I can't find Batman, perhaps I can attempt finding Black Widow... Or acting as criminal in New York. This might represent one simple, effective method contacting Batman."