Here we go again.

A pitch-black bat fell into deep contemplation.

He wondered whether his father’s counterpart had already joined the cult of “believe in Superman, gain eternal life.”

Or perhaps that malevolent alien, beyond the known super speed and heat vision, also possessed mind-controlling psychic abilities?

Of course, despite these thoughts, he was really just unwilling to admit that he was beginning to waver.

The logic was simple: if Superman truly had such powers, he would have immediately mesmerized all humanity into worshiping him. How could there still be so much dissent now?

And if his father’s counterpart wasn’t under any kind of influence, and if the Thomas Wayne from another world was also a wise and kind man, wouldn’t that mean...

Superman—although a counterpart from another universe—might actually be a good person?

Batman pressed his lips together, his thoughts tangled and restless.

“Master,” Alfred finally recovered from his earlier shock.

From the start, he had opposed Batman’s plan to kill Superman and now seized the chance to make one last plea.

“Strictly speaking, we still don’t know enough about Superman. Perhaps your actions should—”

“No.” Batman was always decisive and stubborn. Though he hesitated for a rare moment, he slowly shook his head.

“I trust what I’ve seen, Alfred.”

“That alien stood before me today like a god, lofty and commanding judgment over me. I don’t believe in that Superman.”

“Thomas’s judgment is worth hearing, but only if the counterpart in the parallel universe has the same character. Considering our Thomas Wayne is quite different from his, we can’t simply apply the other universe’s Superman image to this alien.”

At least for now, their Earth’s Superman was no savior; instead, he was an alien god posing a grave threat to all humanity’s safety.

He could not gamble on how long a god’s patience and goodwill might last.

And today, Superman’s attitude and overwhelming power had cemented his position as the greatest threat Batman had ever faced.

While pondering how to obtain kryptonite from Lex Luthor’s lab, Batman slowly headed back to the Batcave, deliberately avoiding the disappointed look on Alfred’s face.

The duel with Superman was set.

He could almost imagine how terrifying the scene would be.

The divine might would completely envelop his mortal body, and even with kryptonite in hand, the fight would be brutal.

Meanwhile, in a neighboring universe, a certain bat had already begun that arduous battle—

Smack!

A large, powerful hand swung fiercely... only to gently tap Batman’s armored shoulder, producing a crisp sound.

The sound was truly sharp, as if the hollow palm had lightly clapped, exerting no force at all, leaving no dents on the armor.

Yet beneath the bat cowl, his pale lips tightened in displeasure.

[Ease up a bit! If you keep this up, the shoulder armor will fall off soon. I want to be able to put it back in one piece!]

[Come on, Bruce, I’m really holding back.] Clark deftly dodged a Batarang attack, complaining loudly in their mental channel.

[And you’re the one who never holds back! Your strength is insane!]

[Well, you’re the one with the steel body; you don’t feel pain.]

Bruce dismissed his complaints. He hadn’t even used kryptonite yet—what more did Clark want?

Not far from them, atop a tall building, Lex Luthor quietly lowered his binoculars, lost in thought.

Actually, the two seemed to be fighting quite intensely—blows and kicks exchanged, occasional acrobatic moves, like a martial arts performance that was pleasing to watch.

But the problem was—

Had this fight gone on too long? Weren’t battles between masters supposed to be eternities in an instant?

And where were Superman’s super speed and strength? Had Batman eaten them? After all this time, the scene showed not a single deep dent, and nearby public facilities remained almost untouched.

Bruce: Clark, if you dare break anything, you’re dead!

Just kidding! This was Gotham; any damage would be paid for by Wayne Enterprises, right?

In any case, Luthor was baffled and felt a vague unease.

As the bald man began doubting his life choices, the dazzling moves of Superman and Batman briefly faltered, then resumed smoothly.

Only the two knew that at that very moment, the World Consciousness had come online again.

[One of you isn’t using kryptonite, the other no super powers at all. You two fight too fake. Luthor might start suspecting you’re playing some weird roleplay.]

Clark was speechless.

What could he do? Bruce had ordered him not to damage any public property or the Bat-armor. He was just as desperate.

Bruce silently wondered. The World Consciousness had been quite aloof before, dropping information and disappearing. Why did it seem increasingly human lately?

Yet he showed no reaction and ignored the complaint, simply asking in return:

[Why are you here?]

He understood that this ridiculous boss never came without reason. Whenever it showed up, it meant trouble.

[Um...] The World Consciousness hesitated—Bruce had to emphasize again how humanlike it had become—

[Remember Thomas Wayne who crossed the space-time barrier last time? After I sent him back, I thought I fixed the barrier, but recently I found it cracked again during a self-check...]

You broke again? Why do you always break? Is there something wrong with you?

Bruce wanted to retort but restrained himself.

It seemed to sense the criticism and suddenly sped up its speech.

[Anyway, the space-time barrier won’t be fixed soon. There might be more visitors from parallel universes. You’d better be careful and act seriously so you don’t blow your cover!]

Then the mysterious voice vanished, no matter how much Bruce tried to summon it.

So Bruce was slightly puzzled but put it aside and continued the fight earnestly.

Fortunately, progress on Barbara’s end was promising. Before the Bat-armor nearly failed, Barbara’s communication finally came through.

With a breathless, “Stop fighting! It’s all Luthor’s doing,” Clark’s eyes lit up.

He immediately ceased fighting and excitedly grabbed Bruce’s shoulder, initiating an on-the-spot “truce handshake.”

He skillfully lifted Bruce as if he had rehearsed this moment a thousand times in his mind.

Before Bruce could react, only the rushing wind filled his ears as he soared with Clark, then dove toward Luthor’s building!

“Clark!”

Bruce was stunned, his mind blank. Forgetting all his personas, he instinctively called out that familiar name.

Clark couldn’t help but laugh, his voice full of joy.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, Bruce. Since the first time I flew, I’ve wanted to take you flying many, many times.”

Unfortunately, their roles previously prevented them from meeting. Now, they could finally be together again as before.

Clark’s laughter seemed magical.

Though Bruce still had many worries, at least in this moment, feeling the softened night breeze against his face, he couldn’t help but smile faintly.

To others, this scene might have seemed warm and tender, but to Luthor, it was anything but.

He widened his eyes, almost dumbfounded, watching Superman land with Batman in his arms beside him, both glaring fiercely.

Luthor: “...”

His ninth-level intellect activated, and he suddenly shouted,

“I get it! This whole thing is a setup you arranged for me, isn’t it?”

“You two secretly teamed up! Pretending not to know each other in front of me was just to trap me!”

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. Damn bat, such a great actor; no wonder he never suspected!

And Superman! That alien monster’s acting is so good. Sure enough, he’s plotting against Earth!

But it was too late now. Bruce coldly handcuffed him and handed him over to the arriving police.

Then, as the officers thanked them, the two exchanged a knowing glance, a hug, and leapt into the air once more.

The black and crimson capes intertwined in the night wind, while the chatter from the rooftop officers was carried away, captured by super hearing.

Clark’s smile grew brighter and his laughter echoed far across the night sky.

“Bruce, do you know what they call us?”

Within moments, he carried Batman to Metropolis, landing atop the prominent Earth model at the Daily Planet.

Superman’s cheerful voice was destined to bring another sleepless night and a headline for the reporters there.

“The officers just now called us the world’s greatest partners!”

Clark spoke with excitement, glancing down at Bruce’s face, only to meet a pair of startled eyes.

“Hm?” He suddenly realized the person in his arms had gone a little cold just then.

At the same time, the bat in his arms began struggling fiercely.

Finally landing on the rooftop, Batman broke free from Superman’s strong hold, stepping back warily several paces.

His voice was a distinctly mechanical blend, entirely unlike Bruce’s.

“Superman! Where exactly have you taken me?”

Clark was stunned.

This wasn’t his Bruce.

At that moment, his super brain raced at unprecedented speed, leading to the only conclusion—

No way? Another visitor from a parallel universe?!

World Consciousness, what on earth are you up to?! “Will come” and “coming soon” are two completely different things!