This Bastard Is So Annoying

Facing the muzzle of Downton's gun, Zsasz couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Didn't you say you wanted me to live long enough to see Falcone grow old? Why do I have to make a choice so soon!"

"Heh, you've lived this long, haven't you seen it yet? Falcone is pushing seventy; he's an old ghost, Zsasz!"

Downton pressed the gun harder against Zsasz, forcing a muffled grunt from him.

"Don't push so hard!"

Zsasz reached up to grab the barrel of the submachine gun, then continued speaking to Downton.

"Come to think of it, that empty shot of yours earlier... was that actually you running out of bullets before you died? As for those words about how much you think of me... how should I put it? I'm quite impressed by how quickly you come up with excuses. As for the choice you want me to make, as long as Falcone is in Gotham for even one day, I will always belong to the Falcone family. Do you understand me now, Downton?"

Having said that, Zsasz flashed a wicked, sinister grin at Downton.

Hearing this, Downton nodded in satisfaction and pulled the gun back.

"As long as Falcone is in Gotham for one day, you're his subordinate for one day? No problem. Once I've driven Falcone out of Gotham for good, you can follow me then. I have to deal with the Dimitrov Family first, and after that, I'll have some real fun with Falcone. Gotham is a young city; it doesn't belong to any old relics, and Falcone will realize that. Even if I weren't in this city, some other strange young upstart would eventually make Falcone realize it. Look at the vast, surging ocean; the waves behind always push the waves ahead. There's no ship left in this sea for Falcone to sail. Because I've arrived, the era has changed, Zsasz!"

Downton leaned back lazily against the seat, crossing his legs as he did so.

Looking at Downton's tattered clothes, Zsasz bared his teeth in a grin.

"Yeah, Downton, the era has changed. Even a mess like you has popped up. It's truly interesting that you can't seem to die. If there's a chance, would you let me test that?"

"What the hell are you trying to test?"

Downton sneered, shifting the muzzle toward Zsasz's crotch.

Seeing Downton's move, Zsasz hurriedly waved his hands.

"Don't joke like that. By 'test,' I mean letting me kill you with my own hands! I don't want to cause trouble for the Falcone family, especially trouble like you, but I want to kill you myself so badly that I have to discuss it with you in advance. How about giving me a chance? Let me kill you in my own way, at a time and place of my choosing!"

"Sure."

Faced with Zsasz's request, Downton laughed dismissively.

"Just like I said, true gold fears no fire. Since you want to kill me, go right ahead. But since I'm letting you kill me for the thrill of it, you have to agree to one condition. Help me keep an eye on Yuri Dimitrov himself in a moment. While I'm busy reviving, you must not let that guy run away! I want to finish him off myself!"

"No problem!"

Zsasz nodded decisively and high-fived Downton.

After the high-five, Zsasz looked at Downton's smooth, callus-free hands and shook his head slightly.

"Downton," Zsasz said suddenly.

"Your ability is truly amazing—amazing in a way that exceeds everyone's imagination—but your own skills... heh, you're like a little brat riding a wild boar. Everyone fears the boar, but in reality, if you aren't careful, you'll fall off and get trampled to death by it. You were just dealing with a few mobsters, and look at you, you died..."

He reached out and pointed at the countless holes in Downton's clothes.

"...you died so miserably!"

As he finished speaking, Zsasz gave Downton a look of disdain.

"If I were you, I wouldn't waste your talent like this. As long as you bring your combat skills to the peak of human potential, combined with your ability to never die, you could become the most dangerous person in this world! Tsk tsk, what a waste, truly a waste."

"I bet your fighting skills aren't even as good as Oswald's over at the Iceberg Lounge!"

Having said that, the disdain on Zsasz's face became even more pronounced.

Facing Zsasz's mockery, Downton patted him on the shoulder.

"Zsasz, I can't even die, do you know how miserable that feels? I can only live life to the fullest and enjoy it to my heart's content. I have to live with such flair, otherwise, this endless life would become boring. I can't even find anyone chasing me, because even I can't think of a way to finish me off for good. A life without any pressure is just too dull; a lucky guy like you, who has to be careful just to stay alive, could never understand the envious look I give you! I'm so damn envious of you guys, hahahaha!!!"

Downton laughed arrogantly, his laughter causing a few veins to bulge on Zsasz's forehead.

After Downton finished laughing, he patted Zsasz on the shoulder again and continued in a mysterious tone.

"Most importantly, I am constantly getting stronger; the me of tomorrow won't be the same as the me today. One day, I will become a man who can't even be killed by a nuclear bomb, because there is no limit to my improvement. You want me to learn combat tactics? Heh... When I can blow up the Earth with a single yawn, what need do I have for so-called combat tactics?"

Pausing for a moment, Downton amusedly glanced at Zsasz's face, which had fallen into deep thought.

"What are you thinking about? Are you wondering if I'm telling the truth? I'm not in the mood to lie to you, and you aren't worth me joking around with; one day you'll see for yourself. When I meet someone stronger than me, I'll just wait for them for a few days, or a few years if a few days aren't enough, because they have limits, but I don't! Zsasz, training and cultivation can't help you lift a building, but I just need to keep enjoying life, and one day I'll be able to carry the Earth on my shoulders. So you see, why would I bother to learn and compete with you guys over fighting techniques? To live even more exhaustingly? Or to be met with even more of your envious, jealous, and hateful gazes? Ha!"

Downton laughingly patted Zsasz on the thigh. At the same time, the driver in the front seat turned around and said softly, "Boss Victor, we've arrived!"

"Then let's get to work!"

Victor pushed the car door open in a foul mood and spat heavily onto the ground. He then clicked his walkie-talkie and roared into it.

"Everyone, get your heads in the game! Let this immortal bastard who gets stronger without training see the true power of teamwork and discipline! For anyone who dies today, I won't be paying out any pensions. Even if Falcone insists on sending money to your families, I'll snatch that blood money back and spend it on the asses of living women! Damn it all, this prick is infuriating!!!"

Cursing as he went, Victor Zsasz took the lead, brandishing his dual pistols as he charged toward the laundry room.

On the street near the laundry room, Bartel stared with wide, bewildered eyes as he watched the massive Falcone family motorcade!

"D-D-D-D... How did Boss Downton end up with Victor Zsasz? Boss, just because I didn't pick you up, you aren't going to dump me, are you? I only just switched bosses half an hour ago!!!"