"I shouldn't rush, Alfred, but time is critical. I need to act now if I'm to remove Axel, this huge threat, from Gotham."
Bruce lifted his fork and knife, eating quickly while speaking.
"Axel's immortality has been proven, but his personal strength is still raw—for now. With his habit of seeking Death, it won't be long before he evolves into one of the most dangerous people alive, bullet after bullet, Death after Death. Now's the only chance to exploit his inexperience, find his weaknesses, and drive him out of Gotham. Miss this, and he could haunt me forever."
Bruce forked a piece of fried egg with a slight tension in his grip. Alfred shook his head, his voice calm but firm.
"We're not the only ones who want him gone, Bruce. Perhaps others can test their luck first. Yesterday, his clash with the Falcone Family cost Falcone his old ally Sabatino. Axel doesn't fit Gotham's criminal ecosystem. Letting the Gangs' grudges simmer might be wiser than rushing in blindly."
Bruce's eyes sharpened, cold as steel. "Even if a fool finds Axel's weakness, a misstep could alert him. I don't trust any Gotham Gang, nor the corrupt City Hall and police working with Falcone. Axel, Falcone, their cronies—they all deserve hell. But Axel is priority. I will deliver justice to them all in Gotham's night, a daily punishment of fear and pain. I must do this myself. I can't wait another moment, Alfred."
Alfred's breath caught at the icy resolve in Bruce's eyes. Fifteen years of Gotham crime had forged him into a vessel of vengeance. He hadn't returned to love this city; he returned to punish it.
"I understand, Bruce. Even so, you need the right tools. I'll rush the mask you want, and you can check Wayne Enterprises' R&D. Lucius has been quiet these years, but his mind hasn't wasted away. You may find something useful there."
Bruce nodded briefly. "I'll go later." His gaze avoided Alfred's, where concern, guilt, and unspoken pain lingered. Even the most complex human emotions can't be charted by logic alone.
"When I go to the company, I need you to monitor Axel's news. If possible, decrypt the call he left for reporter Louise. Keep collecting intelligence on him and this city while he's quiet."
"Of course, Bruce. Always at your side." Alfred's smile was faint but familiar, just as it had been decades ago. The sharp pang it caused made Bruce set down his cutlery and prepare for Wayne Group.
Meanwhile, far from Wayne Manor, the Little Italy district buzzed with early activity. Two streetwalkers' eyes lit up.
"Is it him?"
"Yes! I saw him myself. Quick, call Big Sis!"
Axel, oblivious, stood in front of the Balding Owner's shop. He shrugged.
"No way someone ran scared to the countryside because of Falcone, right?"
He knocked on the locked door, waited ten seconds, then amusedly drew his pistol.
"Old man, I'm here to restock. You're not around, so I'll borrow. I'll pay when I have cash. Falcone hasn't even investigated you yet, and you're hiding like a scared child. Does your courage match the guns in your shop?"
Axel fired several rounds at the rolling shutter's lock, shattering it. The alarm blared. Laughing, he pulled the shutter up and entered the shop.
He grabbed the tactical backpack nearest the door, restocking it quickly. Axel ignored the fancy rifles, instead stuffing in two short shotguns, a submachine gun, and an extra Desert Eagle for dual-wielding. He filled the remaining space with fragmentation grenades, ammo, and added a tactical dagger at his waist.
Before the police could respond, Axel was already running toward the Iceberg Lounge with a fully stocked bag. Revenge waited for no one; if he rested overnight, it was only to recharge before continuing his assault on the Dimitrov Family. Sabatino was long gone, and their boss still lived. Axel barely concealed his boredom at the delay.
He might as well extend his "overtime" to nine o'clock. That massage at seven? A waste. Better sleep after nine, stronger and sharper.
Lacking information on the Dimitrov Family, Axel went first to the Iceberg Lounge to meet his pre-arranged black-stocking intermediary. Liv, alerted by her subordinates, quickly came out to greet him.
Back in Little Italy, the Balding Owner stared blankly at his ransacked shop. He had rushed from home at the alarm, only to find his inventory gone, the door destroyed.
"It's only eight forty! What gun shop opens this early?! Axel, you bastard! I'll f*** your family! Crazy… truly crazy! You'll never get goods from me again! I'm not done with you, Axel!"
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Milestones
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200 Power stones = 3 Bonus Chapters
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