DC: A Cop in Gotham

Chapter 46: Penguin: Vote for me, meow, thank you, meow🐱😽

(T/N: I don't wanna change the title, it's too funny HAHAHAHA)

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"Dean, do you have any clues about the case of super weapons that I asked you to investigate?"

During breakfast, Commissioner Gordon asked his successor about the case.

Dean put down the half-bitten donut. "We caught a few gangsters yesterday, and today we plan to follow the clues to find their superiors. But this case isn't that simple. They were transporting not only weapons but also corpses. This must be related to Gotham's pharmaceutical companies."

When capital comes to this world, dirty blood bleeds from every pore. When heroes fight to protect the people, those they protect are hoping for their blood. They desire to become stronger than the heroes, so endless human experiments that disregard human ethics create more supervillains.

Gordon agreed with this and warned: "Be careful. Sometimes these corporate institutions are more difficult to deal with than supervillains. Don't let them catch you off guard. I've read your report on the Black Mask incident. Although there are reasons for everything, I still hope you'll try not to take the lives of others. Every bullet you shoot wantonly may leave your conscience riddled with holes, and you will hurt yourself."

Jim Gordon, this veteran policeman who has worked in Gotham for decades, has made countless sacrifices to protect the justice of public power. He taught Dean a lot about how to be a good policeman.

Of course, Dean would not disobey an old man's advice. Even though he was a second-generation officer, he was still a young man in terms of life experience.

"Director, I will use my eyes to measure and my ears to listen, but no matter what, when a criminal and an innocent are placed on the scale, I will always favor the latter."

They had had similar conversations at the dinner table many times. They did not intend to convince each other. One old and one young used these moments to understand and change each other. This was Gordon's teaching method.

In other words, Gotham is already a shithole. Why not try something new? Maybe better, maybe worse, but it's better than the same thing.

At this point, whether it is Gordon, Batman, or the Justice League, they are all seeking change. The Justice League chooses to absorb new people, Gordon and Batman choose to train successors, and Gotham, because of its stubbornness, external factors such as Lado, has produced unprecedented changes.

As we all know, in a world where superheroes exist, buildings usually become a consumable. After all, when heroes and villains fight, they must give priority to saving people and have no time to take care of the surrounding buildings. Behind the story of a hero saving the world, the background is often a messy battlefield.

As the saying goes, if there is demand, there will be a market, and if there is a market, there will be competition. With the demolition and reconstruction day after day, the construction technology in this world has reached another level.

On the fourth day after the earthquake, the dilapidated Gotham City has begun to take on a new look, and the number of people coming and going is not much smaller than before.

Dean noticed that many redeveloped plots of land were silently bearing the prefix Wayne. It was obvious that the Wayne Group was not simply giving, and its profit-oriented nature had not changed.

"If I apply to launch an antitrust investigation against the Wayne Group now, I don't know what will happen. Ha."

After the earthquake, the voices that had previously insulted the Wayne Group for spreading rumors and making illegal profits completely disappeared. Therefore, the citizens of Gotham, who had been saved by the Wayne Group's actions, supported Wayne to a new high. The Wayne Group, which was once the subject of public criticism, now found itself receiving the admiration and trust of Gotham's citizens. The earthquake had indeed created an unexpected scenario, one in which Wayne Enterprises became the city's savior, reinforcing its influence and control.

Although Dean has also gained a certain reputation due to the verbal mention of Superman, the Wayne Group is now at its peak. If he tries to get into trouble, he'll be peeled off in minutes. It would be impossible to challenge such a powerful force at this stage without encountering significant resistance. People in Gotham knew better than to pick a fight with the Wayne Group, not after their bold actions during the recovery from the earthquake.

The Wayne Group's contributions were undeniable, and they had managed to restore order amidst the chaos. With the restoration of damaged infrastructure and resources, the city had begun to show signs of recovery, but there was something unsettling about how easily Wayne Enterprises seemed to dominate the rebuilding process.

Their influence was enormous, extending into all aspects of the city's recovery, raising suspicions that their actions might not be entirely altruistic. For all their good deeds, their growing influence came with an inevitable price.

It was also during this great earthquake that not only the Wayne Group seized the opportunity, but also another person who invested all his wealth in it and made a lot of money as a result. The event had created a perfect storm for ambitious investors, and several individuals, not just the Wayne Group, had positioned themselves to benefit from the disaster. Some had invested their fortunes into rebuilding efforts, and those with foresight had managed to profit handsomely. However, the true question that loomed over Gotham was whether their wealth was gained fairly or through opportunistic means. While Wayne Enterprises seemed to have the city's best interests at heart, not everyone shared that belief. Others, like Dean, remained skeptical.

Dean was sitting on a bench with today's newspaper in front of him. The front page had the headline "Gotham Rebuilds: Wayne Group's Triumph." Two passers-by walked past him, unknowingly discussing the aftermath of the earthquake.

"This earthquake was entirely due to the overall planning and command of the Wayne Group. I feel that the city government did nothing," one of them remarked with a tone of bitterness.

"Not only did he do nothing, he simply added fuel to the fire. I heard the mayor flew away for vacation long before the earthquake. Fortunately, Commissioner Gordon is still reliable," the other added, showing clear frustration.

"I heard the reason there weren't too many vicious crimes this time was because Penguin and Gordon worked together to arrest all the criminals who caused trouble."

"Yes, my friend's brother's teacher's son is a policeman. That day, there was a crowd of vans arriving at the door of the Gotham Police Station, and a bunch of breadmen came down… Bah, a group of people from the Penguin Gang. He said he thought the police station was about to be breached, and Gordon even pulled out the tank! It turned out that the Penguin Gang pressured the criminals and sent them to the police station. Can you imagine that?"

The conversation between the two men was typical of the rumors that circulated throughout Gotham. People loved to talk about the latest headlines and exchange stories, often without knowing the full truth. It was common for citizens to exaggerate what they had heard or seen, mixing fact with fiction.

"There was also the fish-man monster in the sewer, which was also solved by the Penguin Gang. I also read the *Daily Planet*. It turns out that the Penguin's childhood was so miserable. When a disabled person grows up, he wants to give back to society. He's simply a moral model!"

After listening to the conversation between these two people, who were obviously wrong, Dean glanced at them. They had misrepresented the facts but were still passing judgment on the situation. When the two saw the wooden knife at Dean's feet, they swallowed back the harsh words that were on their lips and quickly walked away, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of confronting him.

Clamping the newspaper with his right hand, Dean picked up Hoshikudaki and began to walk slowly towards the colorful icebergs in the distance.

Every day, he was becoming more aware of the complications of Gotham's tangled web of politics, crime, and corruption.

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"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Mayor."

The Penguin shook hands with a well-dressed man, his smile calculating and cold.

"Oswald, you seem to be very active recently," the mayor, Hamilton Hill, commented with an air of feigned cordiality.

Hamilton Hill, the current mayor of Gotham City, could not be said to have made any significant achievements during his tenure. His term was marked more by neglect and incompetence than by any real improvement. However, his tenure had also been one of convenience for Gotham's elite, including the Penguin. Hill's tenure had been more about maintaining the status quo than driving any real progress.

He and Penguin shared an old friendship, of course, one based on money and power transactions. It wasn't about genuine camaraderie or even mutual respect—it was simply about shared interests. Both men were fully aware of the other's ambitions, though they chose to act as if they were allies.

Regarding the unkindness revealed in the mayor's words, Penguin laughed it off: "I'm just doing what I should do. As you know, Mr. Mayor, the Cobblepot family is one of the founders of Gotham and also its guardian. How can I turn a blind eye when this city is in danger?"

The Penguin's words were high-sounding, and the mayor could find no fault with them. It was a calculated response, designed to neutralize any potential objections. From this answer, it was clear that the Penguin had no intention of giving up on his goals. His plans had never been about maintaining the status quo—they were about shifting the balance of power in his favor.

In this case, there was no need to maintain the pretentious appearance of you and me being good. The game was about power, and Penguin had no illusions about the real nature of his relationship with the mayor. He knew how to play the game better than most.

Gotham's arms and intelligence markets are not enough to satisfy your appetite. You actually want to clear your name and go ashore. Do you think you can make Cobblepot the next Wayne?

I tell you, it's impossible! I won't let you succeed."

The mayor's eyes widened in anger, foaming at the mouth, and he pointed at Penguin's hooked nose and cursed loudly, his hands trembling with fury. He could no longer hide his frustration, and the words he spoke were laced with hostility and fear.

The idea of the Penguin rising to a level of power that could rival his own, or even that of Wayne, was more than the mayor could bear. He felt threatened, cornered by the ambition of this man who had once been a small-time player but had now positioned himself as a formidable rival.

The Penguin listened carefully, enduring the tirade in silence. It wasn't until the mayor had run out of breath and words that he finally spoke. His tone was still polite, restrained, and remarkably calm considering the venom that had been directed toward him. His voice remained smooth, as if he were simply responding to an inquiry about the weather, despite the rising tension in the room.

"Mr. Mayor, I never wanted to become the next Wayne. All I want to do is regain my family's glory, the legacy of the Cobblepot name, getting back what the family lost, such as… a certain position."

There was no anger or defiance in the Penguin's response, just a cold, measured statement. The words were carefully chosen, designed to sow doubt in the mayor's mind about his true intentions. The Penguin was always a master of manipulation, knowing exactly what to say and when to say it to achieve his aims. His desire was never about public recognition or fame—it was about restoring the power and status that had been stripped from his family, about reclaiming what had once belonged to them.

The mayor fell silent at the Penguin's words. He had expected a more emotional response, but instead, he was faced with a cool, calculating answer that only heightened his discomfort. He came to the Iceberg Restaurant with the goal of suppressing the Penguin's restless ambitions, to remind him of the limits of his influence. But now, it was clear that the Penguin was far more resilient and composed than the mayor had anticipated.

"You can't blame me, Penguin," the mayor finally stammered, his voice wavering with a mixture of fear and frustration. "How can bad people turn into good so easily? I will fully support the Gotham Police Department. The righteous Commissioner Gordon must be looking forward to taking you into custody. Bring you to justice!"

The mayor's voice, now trembling with indignation, cut through the air like a blade. He had underestimated Penguin's resolve, and now, in his desperation, he turned to the only weapon he had left: the power of the law. He tried to justify his actions by invoking the righteous cause of Commissioner Gordon, hoping that the mention of the police commissioner would somehow intimidate the Penguin into submission. But the Penguin was no fool. He had already anticipated such a response and had prepared accordingly.

After a few more harsh words, the mayor dropped the bombshell and turned to leave with his secretary. His parting words were filled with venom, but they did little to shake the Penguin.

The Penguin raised his hand to remove the men who were positioned near the exit, watching as the mayor, who had been so furious moments ago, walked away with an air of self-satisfaction. The mayor had come to the Iceberg Restaurant on the pretext of visiting one of Gotham's "outstanding entrepreneurs," but his true purpose was far more political. As always, his goal was to maintain control and suppress any potential threat to his power.

The Penguin watched the mayor's departure, a slow, amused smile creeping across his face. "It's impossible for bad to become good? But you are not good either, Hamilton Hill," he muttered to himself, the words dripping with disdain.

He stood alone in the dimly lit room of the Iceberg Restaurant, staring at the ledger in his hand that recorded the transactions between him and the mayor over the years. The pages were filled with secrets, deals, and promises made in the shadows of Gotham's underworld. He took a long puff of his cigar, allowing the smoke to swirl around him, obscuring his thoughts for a moment.

Penguin's thoughts were clear, though—he was not trying to clear his name on a whim, nor was he interested in dedicating everything to Gotham. That was not his way. His responsibility, as he saw it, was to revive the Cobblepot family name and restore the family's lost legacy. Gotham itself would remain a secondary concern.

Before he could accomplish his ultimate goal, however, he needed to take back control of the underworld and assert his dominance once more. He would continue to lead the Penguin Gang and maintain his stranglehold on Gotham's arms and intelligence markets. The underworld was his domain, and he wasn't about to let anyone, not even the mayor, challenge his authority.

"The end justifies the means. This is the Penguin style," he said, the words echoing in the empty room.

He turned to his secretary, who had been quietly observing the scene from the corner of the room. "I don't like playing dirty games with these politicians," Penguin continued, his voice low but filled with an edge of determination. "I remember that the number of car accident deaths has increased very fast in the past two years, right?"

The secretary nodded quickly, understanding the implication. It was common knowledge that certain "accidents" in Gotham had a way of happening, and the Penguin had long used such events to further his own interests. In a city where the line between law and chaos was often blurred, it was easy to manipulate the narrative and use the chaos to one's advantage.

"During this earthquake, some stubborn people did not listen to the advice and lost their lives as a result," Penguin continued, his eyes narrowing as he thought about his next moves. "These people were very impulsive… and they paid the price."

The secretary immediately understood what was meant by this. "I'll make arrangements right away," she said, eager to comply with the Penguin's wishes.

"In addition, there's a gentleman who wants to meet you," she added cautiously.

Penguin's eyes narrowed even further, sensing something more at play. "At this time, are those people trying to take advantage of my reputation again?" he mused aloud, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice.

The secretary quickly left the room to arrange the meeting, and Penguin stood alone once more, his mind already calculating his next steps.

In the lobby, Dean, holding a newspaper with the front page title *"Penguin: Gotham's Hope,"* slowly approached the entrance of the Iceberg Restaurant.

"Tell Penguin, the demon cop has come to visit," Dean muttered as he walked into the establishment.

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