DC: I am Bruce Wayne

Chapter 141: Calling Shotgun

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"If it's to protect our family, be it the kingdom or the entire world... we would make anyone our enemy. That's what it means to be Fairy Tail"

- Natsu Dragneel, (Fairy Tail)

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<(Bruce Wayne POV)> 

"Sir, are you sure that you don't want to enjoy your vacation for a little longer? My crime analysis says that once you return to being Batman again, you won't be able to take a long vacation for quite a long time." Cortana asked for the third time since morning as I boarded the private jet that I had anonymously rented to go back to Gotham.

"Nope, I am done with my vacation. We can't afford to waste more time here. The more I laze around, the easier it will be for David Cain to stage another attack on me. Plus, my to-do list is mounting with unfinished tasks every second." I sighed while taking my seat on one of the comfy sofas in the jet. "Now, where the hell are the others?" I asked no one in particular as I glimpsed outside the plane through one of the windows.

Apparently, Alfred and Leslie were having a meeting with some European emissaries to properly discuss how the European Union and the country of Italy can "make it up" to us so that Wayne Enterprises does not pull away or halt the operations of some of the important projects and businesses that we have started here including the distribution of the xenobots programmed to treat various incurable diseases. Of course, it should also be mentioned that they were not so accommodating just because of the social service I was doing or the potential business I would be giving them but because of how the US government under the influence of the press and the public was treating the attack on me as an attack on America while actively pressurizing them from behind the scenes to compensate me for their lapse in security that led to the attack.

As for the girls, they actually wanted to go on one last shopping trip before heading back to Gotham with even Talia included in that list as well. Although previously, she had no interest in fashion or shopping like the other girls, after our passionate night of sex, however, she has been quite active in researching sexy costumes and kinky sex toys that she could use to have even more fun. She was a natural seductress and seemed to take that role quite seriously.

"They are finishing the final security checks in the Immigration. They will be here within fifteen minutes... By the way, sir, shouldn't you do something about Bialya as well since its current supreme commander is the one responsible for issuing the bounty on you? Maybe a few economic sanctions will be enough to dissuade them... or perhaps an assassination..."

"No, right now the political situation in the country is too sensitive for that. Economic sanctions might weaken the dictator's power for some time, but sanctions always affect the normal public the most. It's always the poor and the middle class who truly suffer its repercussions. An assassination on the other hand is the preferable approach in this case but the time isn't right. We should wait till we have more to gain from Bialya's change in leadership. And who knows maybe I can crack a favorable deal with the previous king in exchange for my help and the cure to his condition... In fact, Cortana, do keep an eye out for anyone from Bialya arriving in America, especially its diplomats and emissaries? I have a feeling that they might come in search of me to either ask for my help or to stop me from providing my help to the previous king." He ordered thoughtfully.

"Will do, sir." Cortana dutifully replied.

Anyway, now that I am finally returning to Gotham, I should start taking care of some of the villains who seem to have started their criminal careers already, especially the psychopathic ones who don't even seem to value human life.