"An ordinary guy who shoots arrows? Specializes in all kinds of high-tech arrowheads?"
As Cyborg projected the candidate profile, Hal studied the man on-screen—Green Arrow—and felt an odd sense of déjà vu.
He turned his head toward Ben and subtly pointed at Batman, as if asking whether these two characters were basically the same archetype.
Catching Hal's meaning, Ben grinned and answered, "Yep. And they're both rich, too—so Green Arrow's basically known as Star City's mini-Batman."
With that confirmed, Hal locked in his opinion and objected to Batman's first pick.
"I don't think the League needs a second Batman."
"The League needs someone who can provide high-level tactical planning if I'm unavailable—or if something happens to me."
Batman stated his reason plainly: he was pushing Green Arrow first because the League needed redundant strategic leadership.
The Justice League didn't lack powerful fighters. Everyone at the table was a high-tier combatant.
But they also needed someone who could rapidly analyze battlefield conditions and produce workable tactics in real time.
Right now, only Batman truly filled that role.
Wonder Woman could partially substitute—her combat instincts let her spot openings and strike decisively—but it wasn't the same as dedicated tactical command.
Ben mostly relied on "future knowledge," and Batman wasn't willing to gamble the League's operational planning on the assumption that the timeline would remain stable.
Two-layer contingencies were non-negotiable. If Batman went down, the League still needed a strategist.
Superman read the dossier with a tight mouth and a slight frown. He agreed with the necessity—but Green Arrow's methods, according to the file, seemed harsh.
Flash voiced what Superman was thinking:
"Isn't Green Arrow… kind of brutal?"
Wonder Woman scanned the materials and nodded occasionally, but she didn't share the same worry.
"He's an excellent warrior. From what's written, he isn't killing for the sake of killing—he's applying tactics efficiently."
To her, that wasn't a flaw. Hesitation in combat only creates openings—and people die in openings.
Ben raised his hand and added his own take:
"Even if, post-Flashpoint, he sometimes ends up more like a fringe player… he's still a key Justice League member."
After Ben spoke, Cyborg, Shazam, and Aquaman had no real objections. Only Hal insisted that they shouldn't decide solely off paper.
"I can go to Star City and talk to him. We shouldn't judge someone's real character from one file."
"Agreed."
For once, Batman didn't push back. He'd gathered intel, but he hadn't had direct contact yet—and Green Arrow's willingness to join was still unknown.
Since Hal volunteered to handle outreach, Batman moved to the next candidate.
"Next: Martian Manhunter. On Earth, he goes by J'onn J'onzz. After Darkseid's invasion, he contacted me on his own and offered to help the League. I ran a background check."
Cyborg switched the projection to the next dossier.
Based on information "provided" by the D.E.O., the file claimed Martian Manhunter was accidentally transported to Earth during an experiment by Dr. Erdel.
Then Erdel died from a heart attack, leaving Martian Manhunter stranded.
At present, he was living on Earth under the identity of police detective John Jones.
Flash looked toward Hal.
"A Martian? Hal—do you know anything about him?"
As the Green Lantern responsible for Sector 2814, Hal should have known Earth's neighborhood.
But Hal just looked blank.
"I… don't know. I always thought Sector 2814 only had life on Earth. Let me check—"
Before Hal could query his ring, Ben cut in with the key info.
"Martian Manhunter is trustworthy. Pre-Flashpoint, he's even one of the Justice League's founders. And—Martian DNA is insanely useful."
Ben was emphatically in favor of bringing him in.
Not only because he was an old-guard cornerstone in the original League, but because Ben wanted that DNA in the Omnitrix.
Strength, durability, flight, shapeshifting, invisibility, intangibility, top-tier telepathy—Martian Manhunter was basically Superman-adjacent.
Yes, the fire weakness was a problem. But the overall kit was absurd.
And, most importantly, Ben had an alien form in his watch that was powerful… but he'd never liked using it.
Because if he could get a straight-up "super-upgrade plus" version of a Martian transformation—
Who the hell would ever pick Ghostfreak?
Flash, the guy whose actions caused Flashpoint, scratched his head awkwardly—he clearly hadn't expected that his timeline mess would be the reason Martian Manhunter missed the League's founding.
"We should probably arrange a formal meeting with him," Flash said.
Batman nodded, then looked at Ben.
"He has one request. When we meet, he'd like us to avoid bringing Heatblast."
Ben nodded immediately.
"I get it. Martian Manhunter has a fear-of-fire weakness."
…
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 90)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 95)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 80)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter70)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter70)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter50)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter60)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 30
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 30
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