Enemies

Outside Wayne Manor, Damian stood quietly beside Venom, her small body looking somewhat rigid.

Being abandoned by her biological parents one after another in such a short time, not crying or making a fuss was already a show of strength far beyond that of children her age.

Her little face was tightly drawn, and her eyes revealed stubbornness and confusion. It was as if she were desperately suppressing her emotions. She looked like a small, silent statue, tugging painfully at the heartstrings.

Alfred's eyes were slightly red, and his gaze remained fixed on Damian. His heart was filled with reluctance. Behind him, the grand structure of Wayne Manor seemed especially solemn at that moment, its ancient walls seemingly sighing over the impending separation.

He had served the Wayne Family for decades and had practically regarded Young Master Bruce as his own child. Now that he had finally gained an adorable little granddaughter, she was about to be sent away at such a young age.

Bruce also clenched his fists tightly, the knuckles turning white from the force.

It was impossible to say that he did not like this daughter. Batman had not appeared once in the past five days. Apart from burying himself in the Elixir Formula during the first two days, he had spent the rest of the time accompanying Damian.

However, Gotham was a dark and decaying city, and this world was filled with danger and chaos. It truly was not suitable for a child to grow up in. He took a deep breath and tried to restore a calm expression.

Kino sent ten containers into Hell, unable to stop himself from sighing inwardly. As expected of Bruce—he had considered every aspect of Damian's future. From transportation to all kinds of jewelry, everything was included.

Turning his head and looking at Bruce's awkward expression, Kino smiled. "Bruce, why the long face? You don't actually think I won't bring your daughter back someday, do you?"

"Traveling between worlds is that easy?" Bruce asked, his brows tightly furrowed and suspicion in his eyes.

"It's as easy as taking a few steps," Kino replied nonchalantly.

"..." Bruce froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

I prepared myself to never see her again for the rest of my life. I even deliberately had Alfred treat Damian coldly and sever their emotional ties, so she wouldn't come to miss them or develop resentment toward Kino.

Alfred did not care about him. He quickly walked over to Damian and crouched in front of her, gently advising her:

"Miss Damian, when you get there, be good and listen. Don't be naughty or cause trouble. If you suffer any grievances, make sure to tell Mr. Kino.

"Remember to eat on time and sleep well. Put on more clothes when it gets cold, and don't catch a chill.

"Don't fall behind in your studies, either. Although your surroundings have changed, knowledge will always be the most precious wealth. And one more thing—don't try to be strong all by yourself. Ask someone for help when you encounter difficulties. Everyone will like you."

Damian looked at Alfred, her eyes filled with confusion. These past few days, she had not needed to train or suffer injuries, nor had she needed to drink foul-tasting nutritional liquid. Every day, she could eat sweet little cakes.

Although her father seemed cold, he told her stories every night and took her out to play during the day.

"Why are you abandoning me? Is it because I'm too weak?" Damian asked, her voice carrying a slight tremor. "Is that also why Mom did it?"

Her little fists clenched tightly, and her eyes reddened as she struggled to keep the tears from falling.

"Miss Damian..."

Tears slid down Alfred's deeply wrinkled cheeks.

Bruce also stood frozen in place, his lips trembling slightly. He wanted to explain, but he could not get the words out.

Kino pushed Bruce over to Damian.

"I only take care of her. Don't expect me to give her any fatherly love. I'm still just a nursing baby myself."

Bruce took a deep breath and crouched down, meeting Damian's gaze at eye level. His voice was slightly hoarse as he said:

"Damian, it isn't because you're weak, and we're not abandoning you. Daddy loves you—he loves you very much. But this world is filled with danger, and Daddy can't protect you at every moment.

"I'm entrusting you to Uncle Kino because I hope you can grow up somewhere safer, far from the darkness and conflicts here. Daddy will always think of you. When everything gets better, Daddy will bring you home."

Seeing this, Kino quickly pulled out his phone and recorded the scene, a hint of mischief on his face.

"This is one of the few vulnerable moments Batman has ever shown. I have to preserve it properly."

Venom rolled her eyes and returned to his body. The human child would be hers from now on, so there was no need to rush.

"Daddy..."

After hearing Bruce's words, Damian froze slightly. Then she spread her arms and hugged Bruce, burying her little head tightly against his chest.

After Damian's emotions had settled down,

"All right, let's go."

As Kino spoke, he placed Damian in the crook of his arm.

"Kino, who is the enemy?" Bruce stared intently at Kino, his gaze firm and resolute.

"Are you sure you want to know? This might plunge you into despair."

Kino frowned deeply. No one knew what would happen if Batman learned in advance what Barbatos would become, before he had experienced the various invasion wars.

"I am Batman." Bruce's words rang out with force, filled with unquestionable resolve.

Kino sighed, took out the Mind Ring, and said, "Drop your resistance. This can't be explained directly."

Bruce recognized at a glance that it was the ring that had controlled him last time. A trace of wariness flashed through his eyes, but he still relaxed his mind.

In an instant, a vast amount of information surged into Bruce's mind like a raging tide.

The sinister forms of the Bat-Family, the mysterious and powerful X-metal, the Court of Owls hidden in the depths of darkness... and the source of Gotham's wickedness, Barbatos!

Kino directly transmitted the entire Metal event to him.

After quite some time, Bruce slowly opened his eyes. His face was pale, and he took the handkerchief Alfred handed him to wipe away the blood flowing from his nose.

"This is my enemy."

"How do you feel?"

"So furious I want to kill him."

Bruce's eyes were cold and furious. Even if the enemy was an existence more powerful than Superman, Batman would not feel the slightest fear.

"Here's a piece of advice: treat this information only as intelligence, not as the future. Otherwise, you'll die horribly."

"I know that, of course."

"True. You are Batman, after all. I'm leaving."

After Kino flew into the sky and departed, Bruce looked up at the direction in which he had disappeared, his eyes somewhat unfocused. Only after quite some time did he turn around and walk into the Batcave.

Arriving at the desk in the Batcave, which was piled high with documents and equipment, Bruce turned on the computer and began formulating a series of plans.

"Justice League Plan..." His fingers flew across the keyboard, and new content continuously appeared in the document on the screen.

"Court of Owls Dismantling Plan..." Every word was filled with cold ruthlessness.

"Anti-Bat Plan..." This was meant to prepare for the Bat-Family's situation.

"And Anti-Kino..." Thinking of Kino's copied abilities, Bruce's expression grew increasingly grave.

In the darkness, Bruce's shadow was projected onto the wall by the computer's glow, resembling a gigantic bat, as if it were preparing to pounce on Bruce at any moment.