Chapter 141: Calling Shotgun

Chapter 141: Calling Shotgun

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"If it's to protect our family, be it the kingdom or the entire world... we would make anyone our enemy. That's what it means to be Fairy Tail"

- Natsu Dragneel, (Fairy Tail)

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<(Bruce Wayne POV)>

"Sir, are you sure that you don't want to enjoy your vacation for a little longer? My crime analysis says that once you return to being Batman again, you won't be able to take a long vacation for quite a long time." Cortana asked for the third time since morning as I boarded the private jet that I had anonymously rented to go back to Gotham.

"Nope, I am done with my vacation. We can't afford to waste more time here. The more I laze around, the easier it will be for David Cain to stage another attack on me. Plus, my to-do list is mounting with unfinished tasks every second." I sighed while taking my seat on one of the comfy sofas in the jet. "Now, where the hell are the others?" I asked no one in particular as I glimpsed outside the plane through one of the windows.

Apparently, Alfred and Leslie were having a meeting with some European emissaries to properly discuss how the European Union and the country of Italy can "make it up" to us so that Wayne Enterprises does not pull away or halt the operations of some of the important projects and businesses that we have started here including the distribution of the xenobots programmed to treat various incurable diseases. Of course, it should also be mentioned that they were not so accommodating just because of the social service I was doing or the potential business I would be giving them but because of how the US government under the influence of the press and the public was treating the attack on me as an attack on America while actively pressurizing them from behind the scenes to compensate me for their lapse in security that led to the attack.

As for the girls, they actually wanted to go on one last shopping trip before heading back to Gotham with even Talia included in that list as well. Although previously, she had no interest in fashion or shopping like the other girls, after our passionate night of sex, however, she has been quite active in researching sexy costumes and kinky sex toys that she could use to have even more fun. She was a natural seductress and seemed to take that role quite seriously.

"They are finishing the final security checks in the Immigration. They will be here within fifteen minutes... By the way, sir, shouldn't you do something about Bialya as well since its current supreme commander is the one responsible for issuing the bounty on you? Maybe a few economic sanctions will be enough to dissuade them... or perhaps an assassination..."

"No, right now the political situation in the country is too sensitive for that. Economic sanctions might weaken the dictator's power for some time, but sanctions always affect the normal public the most. It's always the poor and the middle class who truly suffer its repercussions. An assassination on the other hand is the preferable approach in this case but the time isn't right. We should wait till we have more to gain from Bialya's change in leadership. And who knows maybe I can crack a favorable deal with the previous king in exchange for my help and the cure to his condition... In fact, Cortana, do keep an eye out for anyone from Bialya arriving in America, especially its diplomats and emissaries? I have a feeling that they might come in search of me to either ask for my help or to stop me from providing my help to the previous king." He ordered thoughtfully.

"Will do, sir." Cortana dutifully replied.

Anyway, now that I am finally returning to Gotham, I should start taking care of some of the villains who seem to have started their criminal careers already, especially the psychopathic ones who don't even seem to value human life.

"Sir, I think there is something you should know. It can just be a false alarm but if it isn't then there is a chance that your family is in danger." Cortana's voice chimed out as her hologram suddenly appeared over my bracelet with a serious face.

As soon as I had finished adorning the suit, Leslie gasped before exclaiming, "W-what is that armor, Bruce? Wait, are you...?" However, before she could complete her words, I launched into the air with the help of the thrusters under my feet. I was in a hurry and right now, reaching Brussels was the top priority.

A few days ago, I had already explained my dual identities to Alfred, and quite surprisingly, he took it quite well, I guess his knowing that the child he had raised for so many years was not an ordinary human because of the serums and the OP gadgets and armors made from his genius, didn't make him too worried about me getting hurt. In fact, he even appeared quite chill like he had expected it all along. All he did after finding out about my "secret identity" was just make me promise that I would always be careful in my "heroic" activities and that I should never make this a habit or grow overconfident. In his own words, he wanted me to experience a normal life as well while having some fun.

Leslie too knew that I wasn't exactly normal since she had witnessed my super intelligence before. I think she suspected that I was a cruel businessman unlike my father and even employed assassins and mercenaries for my benefit although she turned a blind eye to it. However, she had no clue that I was the same Dark Knight who was slowly becoming the nightmare of every criminal in Gotham. But today, she had found out for better or worse and it remains to be seen if she could handle that information well. I really did hope for her sake that Alfred could calm her down and make her understand that I wasn't a psycho or a criminal for doing what I did. After all, I would hate to use the Neuralyzer on her since she was Alfred's girlfriend and all.

"Location of target destination locked. Initiating Sonic Shotgun mode" Cortana declared after I had ascended to a considerable height in the sky.

The portion of the armor around my heels instantly began to bulk up as nanobots from all over my body flowed to that area. Once the armor around both of my feet had almost quadrupled in size, the thrusters began to whizz with energy.

BOOM A sonic boom escaped the thrusters, instantly launching me in the direction of Belgium with an incredible force, faster than even the speed of sound.

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