The moment Adam saw Bane inject the green liquid, a chill ran down his spine. As someone who knew what was coming, he remembered what that drug could do—the stuff in those tubes would make Bane so strong, he could toss a car like it was a toy. Batman could barely bench press 300 kilos; with this boost, Bane was nearing early Superman territory.
"Bronze Tiger, get back! Don't fight him now—he's way stronger!" Adam shouted.
Bronze Tiger didn't need to be told. He could already feel the danger, like the air around Bane had grown heavier. But behind him, Poison Ivy was escaping down the slope—the only safe way out. If he stepped aside, he'd be giving Bane a clear path to everyone he was supposed to protect. The line Bronze Tiger had drawn felt less like a warning now, and more like a promise he couldn't break.
"I can feel how you've changed," Bronze Tiger said, steady but grim. "That unnatural power—it always comes with a price. You're pushing your luck."
"If it takes a devil's help to win," Bane replied, his voice cold, "then so be it. Now the real fight begins."
He lumbered forward. His footfalls made the ground crack.
Bronze Tiger moved first. He knew if Bane got a chance to charge, things would get out of hand fast. He darted in close, feet moving quick and smooth, slashing at Bane with precise, knife-edged blows. But Bane just stood there, taking every hit without blocking or moving away.
"Is he too slow now that he's bigger?" Deadshot mumbled from behind, but Adam cut him off, yelling, "Go for his tubes! It's the only way—hit the machine on his back, or you can't stop him!"
Bronze Tiger's eyes narrowed at the tip. But Bane was ready. When Bronze Tiger twisted to aim for the device, Bane swung his huge fist. Bronze Tiger managed to deflect it, but the raw power shook the ground, carving a crater where the punch landed. Adam and Deadshot stared—if that ever landed on a person, there'd be nothing left.
Bronze Tiger darted behind Bane, aiming for the weakness Adam had called out. But as if he could sense it, Bane snapped a kick backward, launching Bronze Tiger across the field.
"What!?" Bronze Tiger grunted as he hit the ground.
Bane turned, unbothered. "There aren't many real fighters like you left. The way you move—hard to predict. But after your friend over there yelled out my weak spot, I figured you'd go for it. It's not hard to see what's coming when people shout instructions."
Bronze Tiger pushed himself up, silent. Blood seeped through the bandages on his side—Bane's blow was brutal, the kind of force that could easily shatter bones. Gritting his teeth, he jabbed his thumb into a pressure point near his waist. Blood flushed to his face, but the wound slowed its bleeding.
Bane sneered, stepping closer as he said, "Looks like it's over. You have to use tricks just to keep standing. You won't last long now." He swung a massive, iron fist at Bronze Tiger, the wind pressure alone making Adam and Deadshot shudder where they stood.
Instead of dodging, Bronze Tiger braced himself, arms crossed, and took the hit head-on.
A deep, echoing thud rang out. The ground beneath Bronze Tiger cracked open, but somehow, he was still standing.
"What?! You took that punch?" Bane's eyes widened. Since gaining this strength, nobody had ever stopped one of his full-force punches… until now.
Bronze Tiger pressed through the pain and said, "You talk about crossing the line between life and death… but the truth is, real strength isn't born from cheating death with drugs. Real martial artists put their lives on the line every day, pushing beyond their limits the hard way. Every step forward is earned through effort, pain, and heart. You'll never know that."
Adam listened, shaking with excitement. Batman, after all, was never a superhuman—he was just flesh and blood, aging, hurting, struggling. He became a legend by outlasting, outsmarting, and outworking everyone. Maybe that's what made him so inspiring, Adam thought—it was the same thing Bronze Tiger was showing now.
Bronze Tiger's eyes gleamed. He let out a sharp breath, muscles bulging as the bandages tore away. His body seemed to grow, looking almost as powerful as Bane's for a moment.
With a fierce shout, Bronze Tiger unleashed a hook punch right at Bane's chin. Bane jerked back in panic, narrowly dodging. Even so, the mere graze of the punch sent a sharp, burning jolt through Bane's head.
"The real fight has only just begun," Bronze Tiger said, ready for more.