Chapter 264: The Deal
The instant Hawkeye said "don't know where Black Widow is," Batman immediately obtained consecutive intelligence pieces.
'Hawkeye isn't lying. His knowing absolutely nothing has two possible explanations.'
'One: Hawkeye is executing some solo mission, information-isolated from the outside world. Two: After Dr. Banner was transferred from Cube Prison to New York, Hawkeye remained confined at Cube Prison.'
'Hawkeye and Black Widow are partners. The first scenario's possibility is lower but not nonexistent.'
'Second scenario: Why would Hawkeye be kept at Cube Prison? Because Black Widow needed executing another mission—like my previously-deduced Adirondack Mountains facility Tesseract data theft.'
'Based on speculation, Adirondack Mountains facility has fallen to Hydra. Black Widow must similarly adopt Hydra identity infiltrating inside.'
Batman's hands firmly clamped Hawkeye's wrists, preventing this SHIELD agent from moving whatsoever.
Thinking occurred instantly. Even with both hands restrained, Hawkeye hadn't lost resistance capabilities.
As an agent, he possessed too many deployable methods. But Batman didn't give Hawkeye continued resistance opportunities. He directly asked about the second scenario's necessary prerequisite:
"Have you been confined at Cube Prison this entire month and a half?"
"...Correct." Hawkeye inversely questioned. "What else don't you know?"
Before Batman, Hawkeye felt bewilderedly transparent—as though Batman could directly observe his brain's memories.
"Many things I don't know. But since you've been at Cube Prison continuously, this reveals another matter: Black Widow is currently Hydra."
While speaking, Batman released his grip on Hawkeye's hands.
Initially, Batman had determined through Arkham suit-scanned physiological information that Hawkeye was ordinary human. After brief exchanges, Batman had completely confirmed this judgment.
Since he matched Green Arrow Oliver as ordinary human, Batman needn't controlling Hawkeye like controlling gamma monsters.
Just as he needn't specifically preparing consecutive preventive plans for Green Arrow Oliver, Hawkeye similarly required none. Batman possessed sufficient confidence and capability handling Hawkeye.
"Black Widow is Hydra?" Hawkeye shook his somewhat-aching wrists, cautiously retreating several steps. "Other intelligence sources I won't question. But this point you must explain clearly."
TAP TAP TAP...
Hawkeye's "beep beep boom" explosion triggered museum red warning lights continuously flashing. Piercing sirens also sustained.
During their brief conversation moments, consecutive footsteps had approached from distance. Obviously guards were already charging here.
Batman and Hawkeye simultaneously looked toward sound sources, then simultaneously turned observing each other.
Without wasting another word—Batman didn't want guards discovering him. He raised his hand. One pitch-black web strand shot outward, pulling him toward distance.
Hawkeye similarly didn't want falling into guard hands. Without thinking, he extracted one arrow, nocking it on bowstring, shooting toward Batman's direction.
This time, Batman didn't dodge or catch that arrow—because this arrow wasn't aimed at him.
The arrow brushed past Batman, firmly striking museum walls.
The arrow tail connected to one thin cable. The end was wrapped by Hawkeye around one retraction device, pulling him alongside Batman—rapidly departing the scene together.
---
Empire State Building rooftop. When Hawkeye arrived, Batman already stood at the roof's edge—facing high-altitude fierce winds, waiting long.
"Based on my understanding of Black Widow, she cannot possibly be Hydra. More likely she's undercover spy."
"You say she's Hydra. What's your evidence?"
Hawkeye stood beside Batman, observing brightly-lit New York streets together below while asking.
Batman briefly explained his speculation to Hawkeye—from Adirondack Mountains facility's Tesseract data theft, continuing until intelligence he'd determined based on Samuel Sterns becoming The Leader, previously working as porter at Adirondack Mountains facility.
Hawkeye silently listened to Batman's speculation. He knew many details Batman hadn't told him—like why he'd know about Tesseract data theft, why he'd investigate Samuel Sterns's information.
"If you could know whether Cube Prison confines the Hydra agent Black Widow used as human transport channel, perhaps all these questions' answers could be easily resolved."
Hawkeye sighed:
"Unfortunately, though I've been confined in prison continuously, I had no opportunities seeing other imprisoned criminals. Cannot provide evidence supporting your speculation."
Batman's voice showed zero fluctuation:
"Calculating probability—Black Widow has eighty-percent likelihood not being genuine Hydra, rather Nick Fury's double agent planted in Hydra."
"What about the remaining twenty percent?" Hawkeye smiled bitterly. "I don't even know where she currently is."
Batman didn't respond. Until Hawkeye couldn't restrain speaking:
"Though I'm SHIELD agent, I attempted contacting Director Nick Fury. But discovered my communication channels are completely blank."
"I may need your help, Batman."
Only then did Batman withdraw his gaze from streets below, looking toward Hawkeye.
Green Arrow Oliver had once similarly faced Batman, speaking similar words. Their tones were remarkably alike.
"I help you find her. You help me complete one task." Batman said.
"What task?" Hawkeye also looked toward Batman.
"Go to Yokohama, Japan. Help me investigating a company called Yami Kaze Group." Batman said.
Batman had originally planned assigning this to Black Cat. But now he possessed better candidates.
"Investigate what?" Hawkeye asked. "I need knowing what the mission is first."
"Trade records." Batman said. "The museum theft case relates to Yami Kaze Group. But Yami Kaze Group is merely a front. The hidden employer is someone else. I need knowing who Yami Kaze Group trades with."
Hawkeye still didn't quite understand, signaling Batman to explain more detailed.
From beginning to end, Batman spoke only content not exposing his true identity. This time was identical:
"I once sent Hell's Kitchen's territorial gang boss Kingpin to prison. During previous Rikers Prison escape incidents, I learned Kingpin was seeking one Japanese person named Kenji Oyama."
"And this Kenji Oyama belongs to Yami Kaze Group."
"I promise finding Black Widow within half a month. Similarly, I need you obtaining useful information within half a month."