Back in Gotham, Batman would rather shut down the fusion energy project and sacrifice the hundreds of millions already invested than let it fall into Bane's hands.
But at that time, he wasn't proficient in nuclear physics. After self-study and research, Batman overturned his previous views.
Whether magnetic confinement fusion or tokamak devices, their final volume would be extremely large.
To weaponize a fusion reactor, you'd have to convert it to nuclear fission—which was completely impossible.
Even if criminals did steal the device, Batman would only need to destroy it. Bombs, artillery... it could be easily demolished without triggering fusion reactions.
Controlled fusion was extremely safe, clean energy. So over these three days, Batman hadn't tried to stop Dr. Otto's research—instead, he'd incorporated it into his own plans.
"It's 2006 now. By investing funds to help Dr. Otto perfect fusion energy, I estimate I can complete capital accumulation within two years and build equipment to locate my original world."
"But before that, I need a Plan B."
Batman shifted his gaze from the New York map to the small computer in the warehouse—modified from Peter Parker's assembled machine.
He planned to hack this country's core classified files to determine if supernatural forces existed in this world, but this computer couldn't meet Batman's needs.
In other words, Batman desperately needed money.
The abandoned shipyard was located in the eastern part of Lower Manhattan. Not particularly large, but the various abandoned industrial equipment and derelict ships made the terrain quite complex.
No homeless people would stay here because they couldn't move the multi-ton industrial debris to create shelter, and had to constantly avoid getting cut by rusted objects.
For the homeless and penniless, tetanus infection meant almost certain death.
But the abandoned shipyard wasn't always deserted—certain people came here for various purposes.
Like Batman. Like two gangs needing to make a deal.
Caw—
As the last fiery cloud of dusk disappeared, ink-black night completely shrouded the abandoned shipyard.
A crow perched on the massive gantry crane, cawed twice, then flew away with beating wings, completely unaware that Batman, dressed in black night gear with all presence concealed, was hidden nearby.
Aside from a towering ship's keel, this was nearly the highest point in the shipyard, allowing Batman an unobstructed view of the entire area.
"Swoosh."
Three cargo trucks stopped outside the shipyard's perimeter. Seven or eight men in ordinary clothing, mostly black, got out. Their hands were empty, but their waists bulged suspiciously—undoubtedly concealing weapons.
Compared to their unremarkable appearance, their leader's outfit was quite eye-catching.
A woman in a black deep-V leather jacket, her full curves nearly bursting the leather's constraints. Her exposed skin was so pale it seemed to glow, with white fur trim at the collar and equally snow-white hair giving her a wild appearance.
In Gotham, anyone dressed unusually was usually talented. Batman focused almost all his attention on her.
"Search this place thoroughly. I want you to give me good news: nobody's tampered with anything here," she said.
"Understood, 'Black Cat' ma'am."
Her subordinates responded quietly, then silently and quickly searched the accessible areas of the abandoned shipyard.
Batman wasn't worried about them discovering the warehouse he'd cleared and used as a temporary operations base. He'd disguised it so well that unless someone actually went inside, they'd never notice anything unusual.
His three days of training traces were similarly processed—with Batman's professional methods, no one would discover those multi-ton counterweights had ever been lifted.
"Black Cat ma'am, everything's normal here."
A very muscular, short-haired man in a black suit quickly compiled all the other reports, then approached Black Cat and lowered his head.
Black Cat nodded lightly, quite satisfied with her subordinates' report.
Batman crouched on the gantry crane, taking in everything, completely clear about what would happen tonight.
During his daytime intelligence gathering on New York's streets, he'd learned that two gangs would conduct an arms deal here tonight—right about now.
One group was already in position. Where was the other?
Almost as soon as the thought crossed Batman's mind, an ice cream truck slowly stopped outside the shipyard's perimeter.
"Ding-dong~"
Accompanied by the ice cream truck's cheerful melody, five or six fierce-looking tough guys got out.
Compared to Black Cat's silent, orderly subordinates, these thugs looked more like what ordinary people imagined gangsters to be.
"You're quite punctual, Mr. Joseph?"
Black Cat smiled as she approached the lead thug wearing a baseball cap.
"Of course, I'm always on time. But Black Cat arriving before us—that would touch any man's heart on a date."
The thug named Joseph slightly lifted his cap's brim, revealing a square face wearing a cold smile.
"I wouldn't date a man like you." Black Cat's lips curved as she winked at Joseph and his thugs.
Joseph ignored Black Cat's flirtation, but his subordinates couldn't help swallowing, their eyes glued to Black Cat.
Black Cat twisted her body slightly, evading their stares.
"Just to remind you, we're not on a date, Miss Black Cat." Joseph looked around. "Where's my merchandise?"
Black Cat gestured to her silent subordinates, who quickly moved to unload wooden crates from the cargo trucks.
From how they carried them, these crates were quite heavy.
"The goods are here. Where's the money?"
Black Cat nimbly leaped onto a crate, looking down at Joseph.
Joseph whispered something to someone behind him, and soon a briefcase was handed to him.
Watching Joseph open the briefcase to display neatly arranged bills, Black Cat smiled sweetly:
"Joseph, you know these goods are quite heavy, so even if we wanted to take the money and run, we couldn't carry them away."
"Besides, you should trust Kingpin's reputation... so give me the money first."
Joseph maintained his cold smile:
"Don't play tricks, little Black Cat. Kingpin's name doesn't scare me."
He forcefully threw the briefcase, which Black Cat caught steadily.
The scent of ink from the bills made Black Cat's smile even brighter as she looked at Joseph:
"You're quite trustworthy, but I have one last question."
"You only brought one vehicle. How do you plan to transport all this merchandise?"
While speaking, Black Cat drew a pistol and aimed it at Joseph:
"I'm guessing you planned to eliminate us, then conveniently drive away in our trucks. Right?"