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Bruce was always decisive.
Early the next morning, he went to see Fox at Wayne Enterprises' Applied Sciences division.
"Mr. Wayne?" Fox smiled when he saw Bruce. "How was your cave diving trip?"
Before this, when Bruce had taken suits and equipment from Fox, he'd used the excuse of an adventure trip involving cave diving and scuba diving.
During that time, he'd also asked about the suits' bulletproof performance, which made Fox see through his intentions instantly.
Fox hadn't said much. He'd simply handed everything over.
After all, everything here belonged to Bruce.
Even if Bruce took it without saying a word, Fox wouldn't object. Still, now that Bruce was back, a bit of teasing was only natural.
"Uh... the results were pretty good," Bruce said awkwardly. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Fox replied, glancing around. "As you can see, Mr. Wayne, I'm pretty idle. If it weren't for the paycheck, I probably wouldn't even show up."
"You can't do that," Bruce said. "It's like this. If I wanted to completely change Gotham's situation... what would be the best way?"
"Completely change it?" Fox's eyes narrowed at once. "Is that why you took all those weapons and suits?"
"No, of course not..." Bruce instinctively tried to hide it.
"Mr. Wayne, if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to," Fox interrupted. "That way, if Mr. Earl asks, I won't have to lie."
"But don't treat me like an idiot. I'm not that easy to fool."
"...Alright."
Bruce hesitated. Then he remembered Alfred's words about Fox's abilities.
"I do want to change Gotham."
"You took weapons and equipment. You want to change Gotham. You want to fight crime," Fox said, quickly connecting it to Bruce's past.
"By force?"
"Yes." Bruce nodded. "I want to become a symbol. Something that makes criminals afraid just by seeing it. Afraid to act."
"That sounds very difficult," Fox frowned. "Not impossible, but very difficult. You'd have to sacrifice too much."
"Are you planning to do it alone?"
"More or less," Bruce said, choosing not to mention the other method he'd acquired. He wanted to hear Fox's opinion on his original plan first.
"Are you sure you've thought this through?" Fox asked.
"I don't know the details of your plan, but I know Gotham's criminals. If you try to solve everything by yourself, you'll sacrifice too much."
"Time. Energy. Risk."
"Especially since you're Gotham's richest man, and still young. If you're gone too often, people will notice."
"If you become a symbol, conflict is inevitable. You'll likely waste your life in an endless struggle and achieve nothing in the end."
"You think so too?" Bruce murmured.
Morin's single blow had woken him up.
When Bruce returned to Wayne Manor last night, he finally noticed Alfred's disapproval.
Before, Alfred had hidden it well. As a butler, he shouldn't interfere.
But as someone who had watched Bruce grow up, Alfred didn't want him walking this path.
He would rather see Bruce married, with children, even as a wasteful playboy.
Wayne Enterprises wasn't short on money.
After sensing Alfred's opposition, Bruce grew more hesitant. That was why he came to Fox.
When a stranger, his closest butler, and a senior executive all opposed his plan, Bruce began doubting himself.
"Too?" Fox's eyes flickered. "Someone else told you this already?"
"Alfred?"
"You know Alfred?" Bruce was surprised.
"Of course," Fox said. "We're old friends. I worked with your father."
As he spoke, Fox deliberately revealed his background.
From the start, he'd wanted this opportunity.
The best way to leave Applied Sciences and regain influence was to rely on the true owner of Wayne Enterprises.
But first, he had to evaluate Bruce.
If Bruce were just a clueless playboy easily manipulated by Earl, Fox wouldn't have said a word.
But after evaluating him, Fox found Bruce not only intelligent, but far beyond expectations.
So he revealed his credentials at the right moment.
"You worked with my father?" Bruce asked again.
"Yes," Fox smiled. "The city-wide rail system was something your father and I designed together."
"The investment was huge, but it turned Wayne Enterprises into Gotham's center. The returns far exceeded the cost."
"But that's old history," Fox said, steering the conversation back. "Tell me, Mr. Wayne. What are you really here to ask?"
"I don't think you came to talk to a useless old man for no reason."
"No." Bruce shook his head. "I do have something to ask."
"I'm listening."
"Someone else discovered my plan before," Bruce said. "He said it was a childish game."
"His words were sharp," Fox said calmly. "But his conclusion isn't that different from mine."
"We're both trying to stop you. I analyze pros and cons. He mocks you. Same goal."
"Yes. And I asked him what I should do instead," Bruce continued. "He said I have the strongest capital, but I haven't used it properly."
Bruce stopped and looked at Fox.
"Testing me?" Fox said immediately.
"I wanted your advice," Bruce said. "Then I wanted to compare it."
"I understand," Fox smiled. "You're afraid I'll steal his idea."
"That's reasonable. Right now, only you know what he said."
"But in my opinion, he's right."
"Huh?" Bruce gestured for him to continue.
"To solve illegal activity, you need stronger legal control," Fox said.
"And for that, criminals must receive the punishment they deserve."
"That's what Gotham lacks most."
"That's what I want to do," Bruce nodded.
"But one person isn't enough," Fox said. "Your idea of a symbol of fear could work."
"But for you, there's a simpler, legal way."
"Use Wayne Enterprises."
"Expand its influence. Build a system of control. Or attract other conglomerates and turn Gotham into an economic hub."
"When Gotham becomes indispensable, when capital decides appointments, no one will dare act illegally."
"They'll fear losing power more than losing dirty money."
"And to get Wayne Enterprises to that level..."
"...we need to get Earl out of the way?" Bruce said suddenly.
"I never said that," Fox smiled.
"But I think we should," Bruce said, meeting his gaze. "You're capable."
After hearing Fox, Bruce made up his mind.
Morin might lie.
Fox might lie.
But Alfred never would.
If all three said the same thing, and it made sense to Bruce himself, then why not try?
"...I've been in this warehouse for a long time," Fox said, looking around. "Working in an office again wouldn't be bad."
...
"You're here?"
Morin lay on the sofa, eyes closed, then opened them.
A moment later, the window slid open. Bruce climbed in, looking depressed.
"Is it really that obvious?"
"To me, it's like you're shouting, 'I'm here,'" Morin said. "But don't worry. For normal people, your concealment is more than enough."
"So. Have you decided?" Morin asked. "Who did you consult? Fox?"
"I asked Fox. And Alfred," Bruce said, sitting down. "Same answer."
"You can tell me the plan now."
"Not so fast," Morin said. "There are things to deal with first."
"Besides, you already made the equipment. Wouldn't it be a waste not to use it?"
"I don't think so," Bruce replied. "Ten thousand suits. That's nothing."
"I think it's a waste," Morin said, his mouth twitching.
He was starting to understand how terrifying rich people were.
"Let's start with a gang," Morin continued. "Falcone. Kill the leader. Maximum deterrence."
"I don't kill," Bruce frowned.
"They deserve it a hundred times over," Morin said. "But if you insist, fine."
"As for me, I'm a police officer. I have the legal right to kill them."
"Any objections?"
"...No."
Bruce couldn't refute him.
"Relax. I'm not a serial killer," Morin waved his hand. "If you want to arrest them, go ahead."
"But coordinate with me."
"Why?" Bruce asked.
"You don't have enforcement authority," Morin explained. "Your arrests are illegal."
"I'll handle the paperwork."
"Then why don't you just arrest them yourself?" Bruce asked.
"Because it's not challenging," Morin said casually.
Bruce immediately recalled Morin's earlier display.
The thought returned.
"Can you teach me your techniques?"
"You want to learn?" Morin's eyes lit up. "I'll teach you."
"But it'll cost you."
"That's fine," Bruce said. "Ten million dollars?"
"That's more than enough," Morin said quickly. "But I want payment another way."
"Another way?"
"I'm a police officer," Morin said. "Side jobs don't look good."
"So here's the plan. I help you catch criminals. I teach you along the way."
"Afterward, you donate the money as a reward for a brave officer."
"How about it?"
Bruce: "..."
Who just said it wasn't challenging?
So in the end...
It really was about the money.