Chapter 9: Little Ringo Begins to Participate

99.

Bruce Wayne never stopped learning.

He continued to study medicine, researching how to treat wounds for himself and his teammates in extreme situations; he studied materials science, researching how to create lighter and stronger equipment; he even mastered the technology of manufacturing micro-devices, adding various sophisticated tools to his secret base.

At the same time, his secret base is constantly expanding.

The surveillance area has quietly covered most of the streets and corners of Gotham, recording every possible crime clue at any time; the training room welcomes me, Bruce and Barbara every day for high-intensity physical training; the medical room is equipped with the most advanced first aid equipment in case of emergency.

There is still a lot of space in the secret base, waiting for our continued expansion.

100.

Barbara is also a frequent visitor to Wayne Manor. To show my appreciation for her, I asked her to choose a room in the manor and design the style she wanted.

She chose a room near the library (I think it's because the entrance to the secret base is located there). It's equipped with high-performance computers, intelligence equipment, and surveillance systems. There's also a small library and a large floor-to-ceiling window facing Gotham. It's simple yet full of technology.

Barbara and I helped Bruce build a more complex firewall and linked the entire surveillance system to establish a database of criminal information, tracking their activities and psychological patterns to more efficiently monitor criminal activities in Gotham.

We two little girls would spend every day in front of the computer screen, debugging various programs, and occasionally we would prankly implant some "little surprises" into Bruce's system - such as the voice reminder that "the great Miss Leona is watching you."

Although Bruce expressed his disgust, he obviously condoned our little pranks.

However, when Barbara offered to participate in the operation, Bruce decisively refused.

"Barbara, you can provide logistical support, but you cannot participate in frontline operations." His tone was firm and serious. "This is not a place for you to take risks."

Although Barbara was disappointed, she could only nod in agreement.

In my heart, I didn't want her to participate in such a dangerous activity (how could she be so much like Bruce?). After all, I know my body. Even if my head was chopped off, I could just sew it back together and be back to being alive and kicking in no time. But she couldn't do that. She was a smart, if truly "normal" little girl, and she was my sister! I felt it was my responsibility and obligation to protect her.

101.

In the following training, Bruce became more strict with Barbara and me.

He taught us combat skills, weapon handling, stealth skills, and the ability to make quick analysis and judgments.

"Girls, when facing criminals, you must be calmer and faster than them." Bruce said sternly while guiding our movements. "Remember, mistakes mean failure, and failure can mean death."

At this time, the difference between me and Barbara was revealed. No matter how serious the injury was the day before, as long as I got a good night's sleep, I would be refreshed and energetic the next day.

But Barbara obviously couldn't do that. Even though she entered the medical cabin and repaired her body, she was still mentally exhausted.

I also told her frankly that while my body might not appear significantly different from hers on the surface, our cellular activity and metabolism were clearly beyond the reach of ordinary people. If I were to arm wrestle Brumby, I'd definitely win.

My physical qualities were determined at birth. In reality, no matter how much I train, my body will gradually return to its original state over time. My strength will remain essentially unchanged, so I can only train my skills until they become muscle memory.

Barbara accepted the advice on the surface, but she was a strong-willed girl, so she trained even harder.

In order to prevent her from being overwhelmed mentally, I tried to teach her some Reiki exercises. Although they didn't have much effect, they could stimulate her muscles while soothing her mind.

Fortunately, Barbara obviously had some talent for cultivation, and she was able to absorb some spiritual energy quickly and easily, which made us feel relieved.

102.

A year later, Bruce began to realize a cruel fact - the criminals in Gotham would not surrender to his violent methods.

Even if he knocked them down, they would still appear on the streets again a month later with broken bodies and continue their crimes.

"Fear," he whispered one night as he sat in his secret base. "I need to make them fear."

Barbara and I looked at each other and didn't dare to disturb him. We just watched him silently as he fell into deep thought.

A few days later, he saw several bats in a corner of the secret base.

The little black creatures flew out of the shadows, flapping their wings and making a harsh sound.

Bruce stared at them, a strange glint in his eyes.

"Bats," he whispered. "That was my biggest fear as a kid."

Then he turned around and said with more determination than ever: "I will become a symbol of fear for criminals - the bat."

103.

From that day on, Bruce began designing his Batsuit.

He studied the appearance and movements of bats and selected the most frightening silhouette; used the most advanced materials to create a combat uniform that was both lightweight and bullet-resistant; and designed a long cape for gliding and concealing movements.

"This will not just be a suit." Bruce looked at the sketch of the suit and whispered, "It will become a symbol, a nightmare."

Barbara and I stood by, looking at his design with mixed emotions.

"He wants to turn his own fear into the fear of all Gotham." Barbara said softly, with a hint of admiration in her tone.

I nodded, looking at Bruce's back firmly. "Yes, but no matter what he becomes, I will stand by him."

"Well...and this secret base finally has an official name - Batcave, how about it?"

“Very fitting!”

104.

"Maybe I should give myself a code name, too," I mused, standing in the training room of the Batcave.

"Hmm...Batgirl?" Barbara said after thinking seriously for a while while sitting at the computer.

I turned around and grumbled, "Oh, Batgirl. That's obviously the codename you gave yourself, right, Baba?"

Barbara raised her eyebrows and retorted without a shred of timidity, "Come on, I'm not that cheesy. I'm your technical support. Do I need to start my own codename with a bat?"

"So what do you mean?" I crossed my arms and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You think my code name is too nice?"

"It's not that I think it sounds nice, it's that I think it doesn't suit you." Barbara shrugged, smiling smugly. "You are the great Miss Leona, how can you be content to be a 'girl'?"

I was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt that what she said seemed to make sense, so I thought about it and asked, "Then what do you think my name should be?"

Barbara looked up, looked into my sparkling eyes, and said seriously, "Peregrine Falcon."

"Peregrine falcon?" I repeated, somewhat surprised.

"Well, peregrine falcons are faster and more agile than bats, and they're quite intelligent." She smiled slightly. "You can extract the ring from the peregrine falcon (Peregrine), and adding an o makes it Ringo. It sounds more suitable for you."

I was stunned for a few seconds, then I smiled with satisfaction: "Okay, Barbara, you win. Peregrine Falcon, I like this name!"

Bruce stepped out from the shadows nearby, his tone tinged with joking, "I hope your speed and decision-making ability are worthy of this name."

"Don't worry, Bruce Wayne." I put my hands on my hips and raised my chin proudly. "My name is better than yours, and I can be faster than you!"

Barbara covered her mouth and giggled, while Bruce just shook his head helplessly, but a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

105.

"Barbara?" I turned and asked her, "Have you decided on your code name?"

She stopped typing on the keyboard, raised her head, and a confident smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

"Of course," she said calmly, "I've always had an idea, codenamed 'Oracle'."

"Oracle?" I raised my eyebrows. The name sounded a bit profound, but also very powerful.

Barbara nodded, her tone filled with confidence. "The Oracle is a messenger that delivers information and prophecies. My current mission is to provide you with intelligence and technical support to ensure that every step you take is safe and secure."

I couldn't help but nod. This name really fits her personality and abilities perfectly. "Oracle... this name suits you quite well. You're calm, wise, and full of mystery."

"And it's much more stylish than 'Batgirl,'" Barbara added playfully, winking at me.

Bruce watched us from the side, a hint of relief in his eyes. He walked over and gently patted Barbara's shoulder. "Oracle, Peregrine...you two are indispensable partners."

Barbara smiled and nodded, "We will always support you, Bruce."

At this time, Ah Fu walked over slowly with a cup of tea, his tone as calm and composed as always.

"Ah, it seems that there is no role for me in this play." He said it lightly, as if he was just stating an objective fact.

Bruce raised his head and frowned slightly, "Alfred, you know you are not redundant."

Ah Fu smiled slightly, put down his teacup gracefully, and said softly, "Of course, Master. After all, the scenery on the stage always needs someone to manipulate it behind the scenes."

Barbara couldn't help laughing. "Afu, if you want a code name, what would it be?"

Ah Fu pondered for a moment, a subtle smile on his lips. "'Old Antique' seems too modest. Let's call it 'Penny-One'. After all, protecting the young master and young heroes like you is truly a lifelong career."

"Penny-One and Pennyworth, um..." Barbara nodded with a smile, "What a fitting name."

I couldn't help but applaud when I heard that. "Great! The code name 'Penny One' is amazing! It's much more elegant than Bruce's Batman!"

Ah Fu nodded gracefully, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Then I will continue as 'Penny One' and ensure that this manor will not be reduced to ruins because of your 'heroic feat'."

"Alfred, we all know that without you, all this would have been a mess long ago." Bruce shook his head helplessly, but a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Alfred, are you sure you didn't choose this name just to appear more majestic than me?"

Ah Fu bowed slightly and said gracefully, "No, Master. It's just an appropriate title. As for majesty, that's a responsibility you alone need to bear."

We all laughed, and under the light of the secret base, this temporary family seemed particularly warm.

106.

"Alright, Peregrine, Oracle... and Pennywise, we have a lot of work to do." Bruce's voice was low and firm, and a new determination ignited in his eyes.

"Stand by, Bruce." I responded with a smile, already eager to take action.

Barbara nodded and sat back in front of the computer. "Let's see what secrets are waiting for us to uncover in the darkness of Gotham."