Being short on money wasn't a joke for Liu A'dou. The savings from his movies and the little profit from his toy factory only made him comfortably well-off, not rich. Now that construction on the Antarctic spaceship had started, his account balance was draining by the day.
Unlike Tony, Liu A'dou had no solid industrial empire. His money didn't grow; once it was spent, he'd be broke. That was why he came to Harry Osborn. Oscorp wasn't on the same level as Wayne Enterprises or Stark Industries, but it was still one of the top 50 corporations in the U.S. The foundation was solid, though it lacked flagship products. In the cutthroat arms market, Oscorp could be crushed at any moment.
But Liu A'dou had plenty of tech in his head. Offering up one or two projects would be enough to make Oscorp rich and quickly replenish funds. For example—gene serums. He had at least 20 different versions, both good and bad. Just handing over two low-tier ones to the U.S. government would make the government happy and line Oscorp's pockets. A win-win.
"So, what do you think?"
Kaitou Kid was asking him to be a disciple for money, but Harry couldn't see what he'd ever need to learn from the thief. He thought about it. Nothing. There was nothing Kid could teach him that he wanted.
"I don't think I need to learn anything from you."
"What you learn isn't what matters," Kid replied. "What matters is that you can help me make money. If you don't want to study, I won't tell you a thing."
Harry felt his insides collapse. To him, it sounded like Kid just wanted an ATM, not a disciple.
"…" Harry stared at Kid like he was insane. The thief didn't belong in his living room—he belonged in Arkham.
"Alright, let's get serious," Kid continued calmly. "I only said the harsh part first so you wouldn't panic when I come for money later. A teacher and disciple should be honest with each other. Now I think I can finally tell you something useful." He leaned in. "I'm here to change your fate, Harry Osborn. You don't even realize it, but you're already standing at a crossroads. And you don't know a thing about it."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing. It's a secret I only share with my disciples."
Harry's fists clenched. If he could win in a fight, he'd punch Kid right in the face.
Liu A'dou had known from the start that Harry wouldn't believe him easily. Even if he told him that Norman was the Green Goblin, Harry wouldn't agree to be his disciple. Harry wasn't like his other two students. He had a bright future, a respectable identity, and no reason to bow his head to anyone. Especially when Liu A'dou's own motives for taking him on were far from pure. Harry Osborn wasn't stupid—getting him to willingly call someone "Master" required finesse.
So Liu A'dou played the game. First, he confused Harry with a joking, unpredictable act. A real master never let himself be easily understood. He had succeeded in making Harry completely bewildered, unable to figure out Kid's real aim. Then came the second step: hinting at secrets, stopping short, and planting curiosity.
"What do you actually want?" Harry snapped, his patience wearing thin.
"Become my disciple, and you'll have the power to save the person who matters most to you."
"…?" Kid's words were clear—someone close to Harry was in danger. But who?
"Think it over," Kid said. "I'll give you one last minute. If you agree, we'll be teacher and student. If not, you might as well start preparing for grief—because bad news is coming your way soon."
Ah, Harry really wanted to smash his fist right into Kid's face. This trick of his was rotten to the core—using family and friends to force him into submission.
"You call yourself a superhero pulling stunts like this?" Harry had never once thought of bowing to anyone as a disciple, yet Kid was pushing him into a corner where he couldn't just say no.
Harry didn't have many loved ones. He couldn't bear to lose even one. But if Kid didn't step in, he might lose both his father and his best friend, ending up on a road of no return.
"I'm Kaitou Kid. I do things however I want. And you've got 30 seconds left to think it over. Miss this chance, there won't be another," Kid grinned. "You should know being my disciple has plenty of benefits. Even if you lose some money, I'll help you earn it back. Plus, I can teach you the power to protect your friends. That's worth plenty."
Inside Harry's head, two little voices were at war—one urging him to give in, the other shouting at him to kick Kid out of his penthouse right now.
Meanwhile, Kid's thoughts were racing. 'Hurry up and say yes. Come on.' He had no other good "cash machines" lined up. Oscorp had capital, government connections, and the influence he needed. On top of that, Liu A'dou already knew most of Harry's future path. No need for extra digging.
"10 seconds left," Kid said casually, hiding the tension underneath. "Five… four… three… two… one…" Silence. "Alright, fine, I'll give you another 10 seconds."
"No need," Harry said at last. "I think I know my decision. Kaitou Kid, I'll accept your guidance."
"Excellent. I don't want to come off as pushy. Truth is, I'm a pretty kind teacher. Just ask your senior brothers and sisters."
So Harry wasn't even Kid's first student? Did he have some strange habit of collecting disciples? "Then can you finally tell me what danger threatens my family and friends?"
"That? No rush. We've got time. But I know words alone won't convince you. Without proof, you won't believe me. So come with me."
To learn the truth, Harry followed Kid to the edge of the building. Kid raised his hand, and from the ring on his right hand's fourth finger shot a beam of light, forming two brilliant white horses. With the Green Lantern ring's power, Liu A'dou didn't worry about props anymore. "Know how to ride?"
"Of course." Rich kids always had skills they never really used.
"Then let's go!"
The ring's energy let the white horses gallop across the sky. Liu A'dou loved this power, loved it to bits.
Riding through the night air, Harry's heart pounded harder than the day his father praised him. This wasn't the kind of thrill ordinary people could handle. He couldn't fly—one slip, and he'd be a splatter on the pavement. So he clamped his legs tight around the horse's sides, following close behind Kid.
Oscorp Tower. Harry recognized their destination instantly. As a child, he'd run through those labs after school, always curious to play with the gadgets there.
But now it was the Green Goblin's arsenal hidden inside. Kid needed to show Harry this truth, so he'd believe Norman was the Green Goblin. Otherwise, Kid's words would just sound like slander, and Harry might regret ever agreeing to become his disciple.
The incomplete gene serum had twisted Norman into the violent Green Goblin, riding his special glider to wreak havoc across New York City, forever locked in battle with Spider-Man. Now, Kid was about to reveal to Harry the tragic fate of the Osborn family.