C118(1)

When Anton called out his name, Fury wasn't surprised. Instead, he took it for granted. Since he had taken the initiative to meet Anton, it was clear he was prepared to face anything.

Whether Anton was Batman or not, Fury treated him as a very important figure. On one hand, it was because Anton had close ties to many of the superheroes currently appearing in New York. 

On the other hand, it was due to the influence of DC, the company Anton had founded.

From Batman to Arrow and Cyborg, even if Fury tried to ignore it, the value behind DC was undeniable. As Coulson had put it, "Who knows if Superman, Flash, Shazam, and others will start appearing next?" 

And the emergence of these heroes raised an even bigger question: Does this mean the alien threat is growing?

The reasons were complex. In short, after receiving this information, Fury quickly assessed the situation and placed Anton in a position of critical importance. Consequently, he made the trip to New York to meet him.

Additionally, based on what S.H.I.E.L.D. knew, Anton had a high probability of being a member of the Justice League—the superhero team rumored to have been formed by Batman. If true, it meant there was even more to discuss.

"It seems I don't need to introduce myself. You're already quite familiar with me," Nick Fury said calmly, his expression unreadable as he added, "Anton, S.H.I.E.L.D. has investigated everything about you. Ever since you took over the Daily Bugle, your changes have left countless people surprised."

"The prodigal son returns!" Anton said with a smirk.

Fury didn't react to the humor. "It's not just a return. You've also aligned yourself with a mysterious organization. And you should know..." Fury paused, his tone sharpening, "...this organization is not legal."

Anton raised an eyebrow and retorted, "So, you're legal?"

"Do you think the World Security Council would support me if the SHIELD wasn't legal?" Fury shot back, his voice calm but firm.

Anton smirked, unbothered by Fury's reply. "As far as I know, the team you want to form is currently nonexistent. It's still just your idea."

He glanced at Natasha, standing quietly nearby, and added, "Even if you count Black Widow and Hawkeye, it's more of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent team than a superhero team, don't you think?"

Fury's face darkened.

In truth, Anton's words struck a nerve. Fury's plan to create a superhero team was indeed in its infancy. For now, it existed only as a concept, with no confirmed members. 

Not even Coulson, one of his most trusted agents, knew whom Fury intended to invite—or whether any invitations had been sent.

This was Fury's secret, a fact that was supposed to remain hidden until the team became a reality. Yet Anton spoke with such confidence, as if he knew everything.

'Does this mean my every move is being monitored?' Fury wondered, his expression tightening. 'Is there a spy within S.H.I.E.L.D.—or multiple spies—feeding Anton this information?'

For a moment, Fury's usual composure faltered. Even though his face betrayed little, the shift was noticeable.

Anton, observing Fury's subtle reaction, smiled inwardly. Though he didn't know exactly what Fury was thinking, it was clear his bluff had worked.

The smile on Anton's face deepened.

There was a moment of silence.

Nick Fury broke it. "In any case, I hope the Justice League will consider working with S.H.I.E.L.D. You'll need us."

"I think you need us more," Anton replied with great interest. His tone shifted as he added, "Nick, Batman has already reminded you. Haven't you felt the unrest within S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Fury frowned slightly. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"He's trying to tell you what I've already said—clean your house and start over."

The voice was low and sudden, coming from behind Fury and Natasha.

The two turned sharply to see a figure in black armor and a flowing cape standing in the doorway of the office, facing them.

"Batman!"

Natasha's pupils contracted in shock.

Batman stood less than five steps away, and she hadn't sensed him at all. Her mind raced as she processed the situation, then turned her gaze back to Anton.

It became clear: Anton and Batman were not the same person.

All the theories suggesting Anton was Batman were nothing but deliberate misdirection crafted by Anton and Batman themselves.

Fury, equally stunned, took a deep breath. His mind churned with possibilities.

They had prepared for this meeting carefully. The employees of the DC company had been politely escorted out, leaving only Fury, Natasha, and Anton in the building. 

Coulson and Hawkeye had been stationed at the entrance to ensure no one else could enter the floor.

Yet, despite these precautions, Batman was standing in front of them without anyone noticing.

Even more unsettling, there had been no reaction from Coulson or Hawkeye.

This left Fury with two possibilities:

Batman had already incapacitated Coulson and Hawkeye. Batman had entered the building without either of them noticing.

The first possibility was troubling enough. But if it were the second, it meant Batman's skills were far beyond Fury's imagination.

Neither Natasha, with her highly trained instincts, nor Fury himself had sensed a thing.

Anton, who had been watching them intently, allowed his eyes to narrow slightly, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips.

The sudden appearance of Batman? It was, of course, Anton's doing.

More specifically, Batman was his clone.

Anton's ability allowed him to deploy a clone within a 100-meter radius. This "master template" ensured the clone had all the abilities of the original.

There was, however, an interesting quirk in the process. When Anton activated templates for other heroes—like Green Arrow or Cyborg—his physical appearance changed completely, transforming him into Oliver Queen or Victor Stone.

But when entering the Batman state, his face remained his own.

….

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