Batman’s Fighting Prowess!

Following the direction the sound waves had come from, everyone raised their heads high and looked toward the sky.

A white-haired woman hovered high above. She wore a black skintight combat suit, with a white bird-shaped emblem and stripes across her chest. Red gems were set into her golden shoulder armor, giving her a valiant, dashing appearance.

Behind her, two pink wings fluttered gently, lending her a sacred aura that seemed impossible to approach.

"Th-that’s Songbird!" an older reporter cried out.

"I know her. She’s with the Thunderbolts. They were supposed to be traitors."

"Why is she here?"

"Could it be that she isn’t a traitor after all, but a hero?"

Songbird’s appearance instantly shocked everyone. They had never expected that, after all these years, one of the traitors who had betrayed them back then would be the one accompanying Hawkeye here.

But their words did not affect Songbird. At this moment, she had completely emerged from the sins of the past. Perhaps she would never be able to forgive herself, but at the very least, she wanted to do some good now.

Sir, the southern perimeter squad has been attacked by Hawkeye and Songbird. They have already broken through the first line. Should we intercept them?

Arnim Zola’s voice sounded through Red Skull’s earpiece, drawing Red Skull’s attention away from the battlefield between Sandman and Green Lantern.

Songbird’s shriek had been loud, but Red Skull was simply too far away. Coupled with the countless deafening explosions filling the battlefield, Red Skull, seated high atop the execution platform, had not noticed the disturbance at the edge of the square.

"Barton, he came too?" Red Skull’s eyes filled with delight. "Of course. My mistake. How could that old bastard possibly miss such a grand battle? I just wonder whether that old wolf came with him."

I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, sir. Our intelligence reports that Wolverine has been staying obediently on his farm and has never left. This information was delivered a day ago. In one day, without magic or spatial folding technology, Wolverine could not possibly cross the entire country.

"That’s true."

Red Skull smiled and shook his head. Then he raised a hand and waved it lightly through the air.

"Let Barton and the others in. The livelier this battlefield is, the better. Those Justice League people have surprised me, but they cannot stir my desires the way old enemies can."

Sir, the squad maintaining order on the western side has also come under attack. An old man drove a suicide truck through our security barrier.

"What? You personally constructed our security barrier. And with more than fifty Hydra elites guarding it, how could a suicide truck possibly break through?" Red Skull’s expression darkened.

It was the missile launched by that cyborg just now. It happened to damage the western security barrier. Since that side is near the black market, most of the guards there are gangs that have pledged allegiance to us. Our forces are all in the eastern theater.

"A bunch of trash." After muttering the curse, Red Skull quickly regained his composure. "Who is this old man?"

He was wearing Punisher gang clothing. He should have infiltrated us.

"Wearing Punisher gang clothing?"

Hearing that, Red Skull seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world. He sneered. "Is it possible that he’s fucking Punisher himself?"

Accuracy 65%. Unable to confirm his exact identity.

"Heh heh, another old bastard who managed to survive. Today must be my lucky day. Let him in!"

Red Skull revealed a terrifying smile. He stood silently atop the towering execution platform. On the battlefield beneath his feet, people lost their lives every moment, but he did not care in the slightest. He merely looked down upon the land engulfed in war.

"The more people who come, the better. After today, I will make everyone in this world who dares resist me lose all hope. From now on, they will have only one nightmare: me!"

As he spoke, Red Skull suddenly sensed danger. He immediately leaped backward, narrowly dodging the deadly black shadow flying toward him.

The black dart flashed past. After circling once through the air, it flew back toward the direction it had come from.

Following its path, Red Skull saw a bat-like black figure standing in a corner on the other side of the execution platform. Cold eyes stared fixedly at Red Skull’s scarred crimson head.

"And your nightmare is me, Skull."

Batman caught the dart and spoke slowly in his signature deep voice, without the slightest trace of emotion.

"You dare attack the Führer!" Taskmaster, the executioner beside Red Skull, had also been startled by Batman’s sudden arrival. Even he had not noticed when Batman had appeared, but that did not stop him from displaying his loyalty before Red Skull.

"Batman, that’s your codename, correct?"

After the initial ambush, Red Skull quickly recovered. He had seen plenty of powerful superhumans and many bizarre beings, so Batman’s sudden appearance did not surprise him.

"You bear the same symbol as that fellow. It seems your relationship must be very close. I’ve taken especially good care of him recently, and once you become my prisoner, I’m sure we’ll have plenty to talk about."

"I’ve met plenty of people who gave me headaches. You wouldn’t even rank in the top three."

Without another word, Batman raised the Bat-claw in his hand and fired it straight at Red Skull’s head.

But Taskmaster was clearly faster. He had climbed step by step to reach this position. If Batman got past him and hurt Red Skull, the rest of his life would be miserable.

"Dead bat, you’ll pay for this!"

The grappling claw was blocked by a round shield. Taskmaster drew the sword from his back and slashed directly at Batman. The Adamantium-enhanced blade gleamed with a sharp light, as if merely looking at it could cut someone.

After joining Hydra, Taskmaster’s weapons had long since been upgraded. The sword and shield he relied upon for a living had been infused with Adamantium and Vibranium respectively, allowing him at last to experience the benefits of truly powerful weapons.

Knowing how formidable the weapons in his opponent’s hands were, Batman did not underestimate him. He immediately retreated again and again, evading Taskmaster’s attacks while drawing two black batons from behind his back to counterattack.

"Useless—"

With one slash, Taskmaster forced Batman to the edge of the execution platform.

"You’re challenging an opponent who can strike back at you like a mirror!"

Half of Batman’s foot stood on the edge of the platform, his heel hanging in midair, yet he showed no sign of nervousness. Instead, just as Taskmaster gained the upper hand and prepared to deliver the final blow, Batman counterattacked.

"Then I need a newer mirror, because this one can’t keep up with my movements!"

A black shadow swept past. Taskmaster’s dynamic vision had seen Batman’s movement, but his decayed, aged joints simply could not keep up with his reaction.

In the next instant, Taskmaster and Batman’s positions switched, and offense and defense reversed.

"Impossible!"

Under Taskmaster’s astonished gaze, Batman planted a kick squarely in his chest, sending him flying off the execution platform.