Phantom Kid in the World of American Comics

Chapter 198: Kill the Black Mask Together!

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The instant the Penguin’s voice sounded, the room fell into silence. The atmosphere became extremely subtle. 

Bane’s face turned cold, and his attitude changed drastically. 

“Bane, my friend, don’t get angry yet.” 

The Penguin’s right hand imperceptibly held the handle of his black umbrella, with a slight smile on his face. 

Bane noticed the Penguin’s movements. He knew that the umbrella was actually a powerful and dangerous weapon. It made him a little more apprehensive internally. 

“I don’t know what’s wrong with the nuclear bomb in your hand, and Sionis made up his mind to tear up the cooperation with you, but it doesn’t mean that I will follow suit.” 

“Mr. Bane.” 

Penguin flicked his fingers on the umbrella handle. 

“Everyone knows I’m a businessman and I like to make deals.” 

As soon as he finished speaking, Bane heard countless slamming sounds from outside the room. 

Bane focused his attention on the Penguin, his muscles tensed up, ready to attack the Penguin at any time. 

“Please don’t mind this. Ensuring transaction security is a compulsory course for businessmen. I have long heard how strong you are. It is too dangerous to meet you alone.” 

“Life is the biggest bargaining chip, how dare I take it lightly?” 

At this time, the penguin suddenly removed his hand from the umbrella, as if giving up his weapon. 

Bane looked at him suspiciously, wondering what the old penguin was thinking. 

“Cobblepot, what deal do you want with me?” 

“What I want is actually pretty simple.” 

Penguin laughed. 

“Gotham…” 

Bane instantly understood the Penguin’s purpose. 

Previously, Bane was the strongest among the three leading forces in Gotham, followed by Penguin, then Black Mask. 

But in fact, this is just an illusion based on the deterrence of the nuclear bomb. Bane was only an outsider. Even if Miranda took the lead in developing a small gang in Gotham alongside the Cobblepot family or the Sionis family, compared with them, who have been in business for more than a hundred years, her actual influence is simply not enough. 

The League of Shadows is still a re-established seedling organization. Its only seasoned veterans were Bane and Talia. 

Until today, this fragile balance has finally been broken. 

Although Bane was not sure whether Black Mask and the Penguin had heard about them from Phantom Kid, or they had their spies in his own camp, now, it is also unclear how much information they know about the nuclear bomb. 

But there is one thing that can at least give Bane a bit of relief. It seemed that, so far, no one had discovered that the explosion of the bomb was an irreversible countdown.

Judging from the attitude of the Penguin, they may think that the nuclear bomb in Bane’s hands is just a cover to deceive the government, so they have lost their greatest fear of Bane. 

Once the U.S. government learns this information, they would certainly stop at nothing to destroy Bane. 

The result of this is the reshuffling of the Gotham forces. Obviously, both Black Mask and the Penguin want to be the new kings of Gotham, and the two have adopted different strategies. 

At this time, the black mask completely sank the ship of cooperation. He might have called for war against the GCPD, but in fact, he likely wanted to join forces with Gordon to deal with Bane. 

His real purpose is nothing more than to clean up his own power after the collapse of Bane’s power, increase the influence of the Sionis family in the police and political circles, and gradually erode everything in Gotham. 

The GCPD is just a springboard, and the target that he really wants to unite with is the mayor of Gotham City. 

This typical old-fashioned approach worked just fine ten years ago. 

It’s a pity that Black Mask was locked in Arkham too early, and he didn’t know that the current situation had changed a long time ago. As a large-scale underworld force, Sionis dared to influence the political world so blatantly. 

No need for opposition from the Pentagon, the White House, or the Triskelion, the first one who doesn’t agree would only be the Tracksuit Mafia in New York! 

Kingpin established the world’s largest criminal empire in the United States, 

He allows competing gangs in the country, even if they don’t listen to him. But the bridge between the underworld and the government, the only channel that truly allows the underworld leader to wield enormous power, was only in Fisk’s hands. 

Even the Penguin dare not put people into government agencies fairly and openly. The practice of Black Mask is simply a provocation to Kingpin. 

Of course, the Penguin, who has undergone so many changes, won’t ask for such trouble like Black Mask. 

Power is a good thing and can make the most determined person sink into it, but too much power is often poison. 

Do you think the biggest mafia in America is Kingpin’s? 

No, it’s the federal government… 

The Penguin has already seen this through. 

He seeks power, but only within the city of Gotham. 

Going out, money is a more desirable thing. 

So what the Penguin wants to trade with Bane is pretty straightforward. 

The two team up to destroy Black Mask, and then take care of the GCPD along the way. 

Moreover, the Penguin has a great appetite, and all the territory and resources of Black Mask will belong to him, and Bane won’t be left with even a mouthful of soup. 

There’s no other way, the Penguin has “evidence” in his hand. 

Bane sneered inwardly. 

The Penguin’s deal was exactly what he wanted. He came to the Iceberg Club for this purpose, but he didn’t expect the Penguin to propose it first. 

Anyway, the countdown to the nuclear bomb is only a few days away, and the more chaotic Gotham is during this time, the better. 

As a result, Bane happily agreed to the Penguin’s proposal. 

The two agreed not to make any sudden moves to numb Black Mask’s nerves and make him think that his side was trying to sit back and watch the fight.

Then, when the Black Mask’s gang will almost be gathered and about to “converge” with Jim Gordon, Bane and the Penguin will suddenly appear again, destroying Black Mask and the GCPD in one fell swoop. 

It will make it easier to incorporate the remnants of Black Mask. 

No doubt, they definitely have such strength. 

The plan was initially drawn up, and Bane left the Iceberg Club. 

Until then, the Penguin was relieved. The face-to-face conversation with Bane, and on such a sensitive topic… In fact, he was not as relaxed as he seemed. 

He dared to conclude that Bane’s reaction wouldn’t be too great. After all, this is the Penguin’s base camp. No matter how strong Bane is, he can’t escape the Iceberg Club. 

Basically, it is conceivable that if the two of them fail to negotiate, they will die together. 

On the other hand, after Mathison got crucial information from Lucius, many clues that could not be sorted out were all strung together. 

Before the official performance, there is only one thing left to confirm. 

That’s right: the mysterious disappearance of the suspected fourth truck. 

That is to say, Lucius was already locked up and obviously did not know any relevant information about the statue mechanism near the Wayne Building when the truck departed. 

Likewise, Mathison did not know about these mechanisms at this time

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