Even though the White Samurai's armor was extremely tough, taking repeated hits from heavy machine gun rounds still affected his momentum, greatly reducing his aerial maneuverability.
The White Samurai weaved through the sky, darting left and right as he closed in on one of the helicopters.
His right arm's high-voltage electric blade crackled with current and wind-style chakra. The pneumatic device at his feet blasted high-pressure air, propelling him toward the helicopter under Hardy's control.
"Breath of Wind, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Slash!"
A green blade of wind tore through the sky in an instant, piercing directly into the cockpit.
The Tiger Security team members aboard the helicopter opened fire on Hardy, but their bullets only left a few sparks on the white steel armor.
With a sweep of the high-voltage electric blade, several Tiger Security members, along with the pilot, were decapitated in an instant. No blood was spilled—the high temperatures cauterized the wounds, leaving only a foul stench.
"Boom!"
Upon learning via radio that the crew of the attacked helicopter had been wiped out, an operator on another chopper immediately fired a missile at the stricken aircraft.
Fire blossomed in the sky, but before the Tiger Security members could relax, Hardy emerged from the explosion protected by the Mechanized Shield Seal.
"What's happening? The rotors are failing!"
Suspended in midair, Hardy watched the wobbling helicopters through the blue glow of the White Samurai's eyes.
He had only entered the helicopter earlier to find cover and form hand seals.
Wind Style: Sandstorm Cyclone.
The air currents above Gotham were thrown into chaos. Apart from Hardy, none of the helicopters could withstand the turbulence—they lost control and began to spiral.
And then...
Crash!
Several helicopters plummeted to the ground, erupting into fireballs and sending plumes of thick smoke into the sky.
In the distance, atop Gotham's tallest building—the Miracle Tower—
"Amazing... Hardy, you hid yourself well. Back at Arkham Asylum, I actually thought you were just a minor pawn," Dr. Hugo Strange said, wiping his glasses before putting them back on and gazing at the imposing white-armored figure on the surveillance screen.
"But it doesn't matter anymore. The Joker and the others' release has already set Gotham's chaos in motion. Whether it's you, Batman, or Robin, you're all directly or indirectly affected. Project Ten—you're too late to stop me now."
Hugo Strange stared at the countdown on the screen before him.
His goal was never simply to eliminate Gotham's crime.
Gotham and darkness are one and the same—how could it ever be cleansed?
Only that foolish Mayor Sharp would believe otherwise. That's why Hugo gave him full support, helping him become mayor, paving the way for his next step—
Project Ten: the complete destruction of Gotham, and then rebuilding the city from its ashes.
This is the only way to save Gotham!
"Three... two... one!"
Project Ten—activated!
The top of Miracle Tower began to rise, revealing a missile launcher.
He would use these high-tech missiles to scour every inch of Gotham except Miracle Tower, then rebuild the city as its sole survivor!
In this plan, whether it's Mayor Sharp, Batman, the Puppeteer, all of Arkham's criminals, or every citizen of Gotham—they're all just his pawns!
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
Countless missiles streaked across the sky, trailing flames.
Not far away, a Batmobile was racing toward the base of Miracle Tower.
Batman had finally obtained the last ingredient for the antidote from the Ninja Master.
Ra's al Ghul, having been resurrected multiple times by the Lazarus Pit, had all his wounds healed by its power. In the process, his body produced the very bioenzyme Batman needed.
Through his interactions with Talia and Ra's, Batman finally learned the whole truth.
Behind Hugo, it was always Ra's al Ghul supporting him. That's how he was able to help Sharp become mayor.
Ra's goal, like Hugo's, was to destroy Go...
Gotham!
This is also a test set by Ra's al Ghul for Hugo.
In this confrontation, if Hugo succeeds in destroying Gotham and defeating Batman, Ra's will pass on the title of Demon's Head to him, making Hugo the next leader of the League of Assassins—after centuries of resurrection, Ra's is nearing his limit.
Batman was once his chosen heir, but they parted ways due to irreconcilable differences in ideology. After Batman, Ra's selected a man named Oliver Queen. Although Oliver's aptitude was slightly inferior to Bruce's, Ra's was still quite satisfied. However, since Oliver ultimately became Green Arrow, the outcome was obvious.
This time, Ra's has chosen Hugo. Though Hugo lacks the formidable combat prowess of the previous two, he possesses keen intellect, is proficient in psychology, and has deep insight into human nature—barely qualifying. But Ra's demands that he defeat Batman to prove himself more worthy.
"Master, according to the computer's calculations, if Hugo intends to bombard Gotham comprehensively, there are still thirteen waves of missiles like this. After thirteen waves, Gotham will cease to exist."
Alfred's voice sounded in the earpiece.
"I know," Batman replied in a low voice, pressing down on the accelerator.
In the sky, Hardy, hidden within the White Samurai armor, also frowned as he watched missile after missile being launched toward the district he was in. The armor's forearms opened, and his hands formed seals.
"Wind Style: Grand Net!"
Air currents surged, fierce winds rose, and sand and stones swirled.
Endless air gathered in front of Hardy, forming a huge, dense net of wind blades.
"Lightning Style: Spider Web!"
Bolts of lightning merged into the wind blade net, flickering with dazzling light in midair, and then—
"Boom!"
The missiles collided with the net of wind and lightning, erupting into brilliant fireworks in the sky.
"Hm?"
At the top of Miracle Tower, Dr. Hugo took off his glasses, staring dumbfounded at the scene outside the window.
"This… No, there are still thirteen waves of missiles. Could you possibly destroy all thirteen waves?!"
Even if most of Gotham is destroyed, that would still count as a success!
The second wave of missiles launched again!
Damn!
Hardy couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Why the hell are they targeting my territory again?!
"I don't know if he can destroy all thirteen waves of missiles, but I do know—you won't get another chance to launch them!"
A deep voice sounded. At some point, Batman's figure had appeared behind Dr. Hugo, watching the second wave of fireworks outside the window with him.