Chapter 54
The high-speed train had successfully left the blockade of Naihe Island via the viaduct, and as the microwave transmitter entered Gotham City, all the water in the underground pipes within range began to evaporate.
The sudden surge of high pressure caused sewer covers on the road to fly off one by one, enveloping Gotham City in a toxic fog of terrifying fear toxins.
At that moment, Bruce had pursued Ra's al Ghul into the train to thwart his nefarious plans.
"You just can't learn your lesson, can you?" Ra's didn't expect Bruce to follow, but he wasn't surprised; after all, Bruce was his disciple.
At the same time, Ra's was unfazed by Bruce's Batman persona. He waved his hand, signaling four subordinates to position themselves in front of Bruce.
"I hadn't planned on killing you, but if you keep pursuing death, then I'll gladly oblige," Ra's stated, clearly imposing a death sentence on Bruce.
The four subordinates understood his intent, and a murderous aura suddenly enveloped them as they rushed toward Bruce from both sides.
Bruce was unyielding, displaying the skills he had honed while fighting Ra's men.
Kara had walked a path Bruce recommended, and what she learned, he had undoubtedly learned as well.
However, Bruce lacked Kara's superhuman strength, so he had joined the League of Shadows for final training. Now, when he faced other shadow warriors, he easily judged their weaknesses.
Bruce was more powerful than those shadow fighters. The former apprentice brothers posed no threat to him.
Facing four opponents, he took them down one by one in the narrow confines of the train.
"Will you just hide behind your subordinates?" Bruce shouted at Ra's as he dispatched the last of them, opting not to kill any of them.
Ra's scoffed and suddenly drew a knife.
It was the blade he had concealed in his cane. Typically invisible, the sharp, straight blade popped out when activated by a special technique.
"Let me show you my true horror," Ra's said, swinging the long knife at Bruce.
Bruce, weaponless, raised his right hand and blocked the attack with the arm guards on his battle suit. These arm guards, equipped with sharp, sawtooth-like edges, were designed specifically to counter Ra's and his men.
Without waiting for Ra's to retract his knife, Bruce clamped down on the blade with his arm guards, using the serrations to create a scissor-like grip, exerting more force.
Crack!
Ra's long knife shattered into several pieces.
Many people might assume that a knife is sturdy, suitable for chopping, but in reality, it can be easily severed from the side. It is difficult to break a knife by striking the blade; typically, it would only chip a piece. However, Bruce had easily destroyed Ra's prized knife.
This knife was undoubtedly the best in the League of Shadows, likely one of a kind.
And now it was destroyed.
This was Bruce's combat style. He always prepared meticulously before a battle, employing comprehensive strategies to catch his enemies off guard.
If Bruce was adequately prepared, he could even defeat or kill Superman and Kara, as that scoundrel possessed a warehouse of Kryptonite during his most reckless moments. Who could have foreseen that?
Back to the present.
Ra's glanced at the broken knife in his hand but concealed his frustration. After all, Bruce was his disciple. It could be said that Ra's had taught Bruce all the skills he had acquired in the League of Shadows.
How could he fear his own student?
"Do you think this will deter me? You underestimate me, Bruce. You can't stop this train. Gotham City is doomed, and I will let you watch it fall before your very eyes," Ra's declared, throwing a punch at Bruce without hesitation.
Bruce wasn't intimidated, but as he engaged in combat with Ra's, he realized he had underestimated his opponent.
Ra's was older, but his speed and strength far exceeded Bruce's.
Bang! Bang!
The muffled sounds of punches landing on flesh echoed as Ra's pummeled Bruce. His sophisticated moves and powerful strikes prevented Bruce from landing even a hit.
"What's wrong? Is that all you have? Bruce, don't forget who taught you your skills. Remember, you've never defeated me," Ra's taunted, lecturing Bruce while mocking him loudly.
Although Bruce fought with all his might, he found himself outmatched. In a one-on-one confrontation, the gap between him and Ra's was still considerable.
Unless Gordon completed his assigned task of blowing up the viaduct to divert Ra's attention, Bruce had little hope of victory.
However, the viaduct Bruce had asked Gordon to destroy was located near the Wayne Tower. The train had just left Naihe Island and had not yet reached Wayne Tower in central Gotham City.
It seemed he was about to suffer another beating.
Just then, a strange noise suddenly emanated from the train.
Moments later, a striking black figure flipped in through the window.
"Hey there, handsome. Need a little help?" Kara said, wearing a Batman-style battle suit similar to Bruce's, standing confidently with her hands on her hips.
Bruce, who had been struggling, instantly transformed his worry into joy upon seeing Kara. "Did you take care of those guys?"
"Easy peasy," Kara replied, tilting her head to reveal a long knife strapped to her back.
Ra's frowned. He understood the significance of losing one's sword as a warrior. Even if he didn't care about his prized blade, he trained his subordinates rigorously, and he suspected they had likely met their end.
"Speaking of Bruce," Kara seemed to notice something at that moment, glancing at the microwave transmitter situated in the center of the train, "Don't tell me your Wayne Enterprises still plans to salvage that dangerous machine. Why won't you just destroy it?"
Bruce replied weakly, "Do you think I have a chance to destroy it like this?"
Kara suddenly realized that Bruce was being pinned down by Ra's, one hand constricting his neck while the other was clenched in a fist. Before Kara arrived, Bruce had taken quite a beating.
Kara raised her hand to shield her eyes. "Go on, I didn't see anything."
Simultaneously, Bruce and Ra's yelled, "What are you misunderstanding?!"