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Buying Arkham wasn't complicated.
In theory, Arkham was a public facility and couldn't be bought or sold. In practice, there were very few problems in this world that money couldn't solve.
This wasn't one of them.
With Bruce's money powers, the matter was resolved easily.
One phone call was enough.
Bruce informed them that Arkham was now his.
As for Gordon, Morin had him leave early.
His role was simple-come, see that everything Morin said was true, then wait to take the credit later and sell his face to the public.
Gordon wanted to argue that he wasn't that kind of person.
But in the end, he couldn't lie to himself.
It seemed his skin still wasn't thick enough.
"These are samples of the fear toxin," Morin said.
He poured the liquid into a small bottle and handed it to Bruce.
"You need to find someone to develop an antidote. Don't be too conspicuous."
He paused.
"You know who to look for, right?"
"The person that comes to mind," Bruce said, taking the bottle, "Fox?"
"He should be capable," Morin nodded.
"Hurry. Even if he succeeds, mass production will take time."
He continued calmly.
"We don't know when the League of Assassins will act. Crane has gone silent. They'll either abandon this opportunity-or accelerate."
"I think it'll be the latter."
"Why?" Bruce asked.
"Because one of them has a very deep connection with you," Morin said with a smile.
Bruce was about to ask who.
His phone rang.
"I'll head out," Morin said, waving. "As for who it is, I'll keep the suspense. You'll meet him soon enough."
He left.
"..."
Bruce sighed and answered the call.
He didn't have any way to make Morin stay.
I really should remember to buy that house, he thought.
"This is Bruce Wayne," he said, glancing at the unknown number.
It was his private line. Only people with connections had it.
"Master Wayne, this is Earle," the CEO of Wayne Enterprises said.
"Oh. It's you," Bruce replied, eyes narrowing slightly. "What's the matter?"
Earle spoke at length.
The gist was simple.
Wayne Enterprises had grown large enough that going public was inevitable.
Only an IPO would allow further expansion.
"And," Earle added with a laugh, "I heard you just spent a massive sum buying Arkham Asylum?"
"At this rate, if the company doesn't go public, it might not last much longer."
Bruce's expression darkened.
How dare you.
Are you questioning my money?
His thoughts moved quickly.
Earle looked down on him. Thought he was a shallow playboy.
And now he wanted to pressure him with finances.
Ridiculous.
Going public meant selling shares. Dilution of equity.
Bruce didn't care.
He had already planned to buy back shares through trusts, charities, and foundations.
Money wasn't the issue.
And now, with Alfred's assessment of Earle and Morin's plan in hand, everything aligned.
Govern Gotham.
Develop Wayne Enterprises.
A win-win.
Going public wasn't just acceptable anymore-it was necessary.
If the plan succeeded, Wayne Enterprises' value would skyrocket.
Bruce even planned to go public earlier than expected.
The difference from before?
Earle would be removed first.
Fox would take his place.
Then they'd go public.
"I understand," Bruce said calmly. "I know what to do."
"That's excellent," Earle said, satisfied, and hung up.
He assumed Bruce meant support for the IPO.
He had no idea Bruce had just decided to cut him out completely.
"Fox," Bruce said into the phone. "Where are you?"
...
Wayne Enterprises. Applied Sciences Division.
"This is a neurotoxin," Fox explained, holding up data. "It's also protein-based."
"When ingested, stomach acid neutralizes it. Completely harmless."
"But when inhaled, it reacts with lung cells and affects the nervous system. That induces fear, as you described."
He continued.
"To create an antidote, I'll need to isolate the receptor compound and the protein catalyst-"
"Sorry," Bruce interrupted. "Can you say that in a way I understand?"
Fox paused.
"I'm saying it's extremely difficult. And I'll need test subjects."
"Why didn't you start with that?"
"Because that sounds unprofessional," Fox replied. "And you wouldn't trust me. It's an art."
Bruce nodded.
"There are plenty of test subjects. Don't look at me like that-I didn't create them."
He gestured to the toxin.
"This was Dr. Crane's work. He used Arkham patients for experiments."
"I see," Fox said, then froze. "Crane... he also helped gangsters frequently."
"So they got what they deserved," Bruce said lightly.
He became serious.
"That's not the main issue. This toxin could threaten all of Gotham."
"I need the antidote fast. And mass-produced. As much as possible."
"...Threaten the entire city?"
"Yes."
Bruce explained everything.
Crane wasn't the mastermind.
A large quantity of fear toxin had been poured into Gotham's water system.
A terrorist organization planned to vaporize it.
Once airborne, the city would inhale it.
Mass insanity.
"A weapon capable of vaporizing an entire city's water..." Fox muttered. "There aren't many."
He froze.
Then rushed to a terminal.
"If I remember correctly," Fox said rapidly, "Wayne Enterprises developed one."
He typed.
"48-B1-ME. Microwave emitter. Designed to vaporize enemy water supplies."
"There were rumors it could disperse waterborne chemicals."
He didn't need to confirm much.
The data was already in his head.
Moments later-
"Found it," Fox said, showing Bruce. "It's being shipped to Gotham."
"Arrival date: today."
Bruce went silent.
"...We don't expose this," he said finally. "Pretend we know nothing."
"Focus on the antidote."
"But that could cause casualties!" Fox protested.
"If we expose it now, we're exposed," Bruce said firmly.
"They'll change tactics. We won't be able to defend against what we don't know."
"A permanent solution minimizes casualties."
Fox hesitated.
Then nodded.
"You're right."
He wasn't a saint.
He understood trade-offs.
"And," Bruce added calmly, "if such a weapon goes missing..."
"I'm curious how Earle will respond."
Fox looked at him.
"You've changed."
"I'm learning someone else's way of thinking," Bruce said, tapping his temple.
"Without crossing my own line."
"He's better at this than I am."
Fox smiled faintly.
"I'm curious now."
"You'll meet him."
...
"What did you say?"
Earle stood abruptly, face pale.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes," the assistant said. "The coast guard found one of our ships. Severely damaged."
"All crew missing. Presumed dead."
"A prototype weapon was onboard."
Earle's voice was tight.
"...And?"
"It's missing."
"Fuck!" Earle slammed his desk. "Find it! No matter what!"
"Yes!"
"Wait," Earle snapped. "Quietly."
"This weapon was never missing."
"Understood."
...
Morin wasn't idle.
Ten million was ten million.
Plus salary. Plus bonuses.
Enough to upgrade his police profession.
Teaching wasn't about talking.
It required practice.
Especially combat.
Targets were easy to find.
Gotham was still... friendly.
For example-
Falcone.
Falcone had been uneasy lately.
Crane vanished.
Arkham was bought.
Narrows Island stalled.
But Falcone had other businesses.
Drugs. All over Gotham.
Unfortunately for him-
Bruce and Morin were watching.
Over the next few days-
Falcone's operations were devastated.
Day one.
Stealth.
Day two.
Backstabbing.
Day three-
Magic.
"...Wait," Bruce said. "Magic?"
"Yes."
A ball of light appeared in Morin's hand.
He let Bruce inspect it.
Touch it.
No tricks.
"I've taught you everything else," Morin said. "You've mastered it."
"All that's missing is time."
Bruce's body control was exceptional.
The League of Assassins had given him a solid base.
Compared to Morin's system techniques-
That foundation was merely adequate.
The system's techniques were peak.
Absolute peak.
Morin hadn't seen anyone better.
As for why magic-
Morin didn't have much else to teach.
It was a sudden idea.
In a previous world, he'd studied magic basics.
He'd even deduced a spell.
Then hit a wall.
Mastery required understanding.
His deduction was incomplete.
So why not teach Bruce?
If Bruce learned magic-
Maybe Morin would gain inspiration.
After all, Bruce had protagonist aura.
And if Batman knew magic...
That would be interesting.
Morin's plan was solid.