Chapter 25 The Rise of Batman

When Anton first took over the Daily Bugle, Jonah Jameson wasn't particularly pleased with his performance.

Fortunately, the Daily Bugle already had a well-established system in place. Even if Anton did nothing, the newspaper could operate sustainably for a long time.

Jameson's dissatisfaction peaked when Anton suddenly announced he wanted to make movies.

But as it was his only grandson, Jameson had no choice but to reluctantly support Anton's ambition to develop his career. After all, it was good to have some drive.

Unexpectedly, from that day on, Anton seemed like a changed person.

What struck Jameson most about Anton wasn't his professional growth but rather the moment just now.

From the instant he learned that Anton had easily taken down John Wick, he realized his grandson's wings had hardened—he was ready to fly solo. There wasn't much more protection Jameson could offer him.

Jameson's gaze was distant.

He glanced at the clock—it was 10:28 PM.

Anton had told him to call the NYPD for cleanup after midnight.

Factoring in travel time, Anton only had about an hour to work with.

"Let's see how far you can go, Anton," Jameson thought, filled with anticipation.

Anton's confidence had piqued his curiosity.

Though the two rarely spoke at length, they both understood each other's intentions.

"I'm waiting."

...

To avoid anyone linking him directly to Batman, Anton had been moving through secluded areas since leaving home.

His goal was to avoid surveillance cameras and prevent any direct evidence connecting him to Batman.

Finally, he arrived in an abandoned industrial zone.

From there, he entered the sewers.

He summoned the Batcycle from his "transport" options, activating his Batman mode, and his basic Batsuit materialized around him.

Lying low on the Batcycle, he revved the engine and pushed it to full throttle.

The low, rumbling roar of the turbine echoed.

Whoosh!

The Batcycle shot out from another exit in the sewers.

Checking the time, he had about an hour and ten minutes left until midnight.

From here to Manhattan, it would take 20 minutes at Batcycle speed.

This left him with around 50 minutes to take care of the Continental Hotel!

"More than enough!" Anton's expression beneath the helmet was bold and confident.

The power of Batman filled him with an immense sense of confidence.

Although the basic Batsuit didn't make him invincible against the superpowered foes of the Marvel world, he was more than formidable enough to take on the Continental, which controlled New York's underground network of assassins.

No matter how skilled the people in the Continental Hotel were, they were just ordinary humans.

If Anton couldn't cut through them effortlessly, that would be his own failing, not Batman's.

Whoosh, whoosh!

Anton rode the Batcycle down the streets at lightning speed.

As he zipped past, no one could stop him.

Even in traffic, he vaulted over cars, performing stunts as he soared tens of meters in the air.

Reckless.

Uninhibited.

Unapologetically audacious.

Although he adhered to the no-kill rule, New York wasn't Gotham. Anton didn't have to hide Batman's existence too carefully here.

Compared to what would happen later, with Iron Man fighting Obadiah in giant metal suits at Stark Industries, Hulk brawling with Abomination in an epic showdown, and the Avengers battling the Chitauri, leveling half of New York…

Batman riding a motorcycle down the road was nothing.

After all, this was becoming a world filled with superheroes. Batman didn't need to be a secret whispered among the populace; he could proudly display himself.

This aligned with Anton's vision of "gaining fan value."

The only thing he intended to keep under wraps was his own identity as Batman. That alone would save him plenty of trouble.

What? You think people will connect a film director to Batman? Just deny it!

Young people enjoy role-playing, don't they? Couldn't it just be Halloween?

As long as he didn't admit it, he wasn't Batman!

Isn't that perfectly reasonable?

"Whoa!"

People on the streets caught sight of Anton, visibly shocked.

"What is that?"

"So cool! Is this cosplay?"

"What character is this? Amazing! I'm dressing up like this for Halloween, no matter the cost!"

"It's Batman! I think that's Tony Stark's last movie that just came out."

"I'm going to watch it right now!"

Everyone who saw this scene was mesmerized.

Regardless of age or gender, all eyes were on Anton.

This alone showed Batman's universal appeal among regular people.

Honk! Honk!

Car horns blared.

Especially from the drivers whose cars' roofs the Batcycle had ridden over, none of whom were pleased.

Some called the police directly.

Others looked at the wide tires of the Batcycle and the nearly prone figure riding it, shouting internally.

"Motorcycle stunts—I'm learning that!"

"Wait! Teach me how to ride a bike like that!!"

"How much does that bike cost?"

"I'm buying it!"

...

With such an audacious display, Anton sped into Manhattan.

Manhattan was New York's most densely populated and economically developed area.

Bustling in every corner.

Police patrolled the area day and night, and the density of patrols was unimaginable for people in poorer areas.

Within minutes of entering Manhattan, Anton was spotted by patrol officers, not to mention the continuous reports from citizens about his recklessness.

Speeding! Deliberate vehicle damage!

The patrol officers instinctively wanted to chase him, but they suddenly received orders through their communicators.

Do not pursue! After midnight, all officers in the Manhattan jurisdiction are to gather outside the Continental Hotel.

That was when they would make arrests.

The officers were baffled.

But for the foot soldiers, understanding high-level decisions wasn't necessary.

Following orders was their way of survival.

They all complied.

...

As Anton neared the Continental Hotel, many nearby shopkeepers sensed something was off. They closed up shop, pulling handguns from drawers, preparing to defend themselves if necessary.

Even pedestrians with experience instinctively took cover, warily watching the figure speeding past.

Then, to their utter shock, they saw the man in strange armor zooming straight into the Continental Hotel on his bike.

"What the…"

One person gawked. "Is he going to die?"

"Shut down," someone beside him said solemnly. "This has nothing to do with us. Whatever the Continental does, we'd best stay out of it."

"True," the first man nodded, a hint of regret on his face. "It's a shame about that bike, though."

"And that outfit! The armor's pretty cool!"

The person beside him suddenly recalled, "Actually, doesn't that design look familiar?"

The two exchanged glances, but neither could quite remember it.