Having obtained the information he desired, Batman immediately turned and left, quickly exiting the venue. He intended to solve the problem at its root: apprehending the mastermind behind it all, Ivan Vanko, which would cause everything to crumble on its own.
As Batman ran out of the venue, his sleek Batmobile was already waiting for him.
After getting into the car, Batman didn't hesitate, flooring the accelerator. The Batmobile shot out like an arrow from a bow.
"I don't recall inviting you into the car," Batman said calmly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"Don't be like that. More people mean more strength. I doubt you'd refuse the help of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent."
Seated in the passenger seat of the Batmobile was none other than S.H.I.E.L.D.'s female agent, Natasha.
Batman wasn't particularly bothered by Natasha's uninvited presence; otherwise, he could have simply kicked her out from the beginning.
There was still a considerable distance from Stark Tower to Hammer Industries. While in the car, Natasha asked, "How did you get Hammer to talk just by looking at him?"
As an agent, Natasha had, of course, systematically studied how to interrogate criminals and extract information quickly, which included the concept of aura.
Everyone possessed an aura, but ordinary people's auras were faint and difficult to perceive. Those with slightly stronger auras often worked in specialized professions, such as butchers, gravediggers, and soldiers. Due to the unique nature of their work, their auras were much stronger than those of ordinary people, which was why some animals would feel scared when encountering a butcher.
To better and faster interrogate criminals, Natasha, as an agent, had also learned how to use her own aura to exert psychological pressure on the interrogated. However, in Natasha's opinion, such aura suppression was mostly a supplementary tool during interrogations. She had never seen anyone like Batman, who, through sheer aura and a gaze alone, completely broke down Hammer's psychological defenses. And judging by Hammer's reaction afterward, those few seconds of eye contact had undoubtedly left a significant psychological scar on him.
Batman was speechless. To Natasha's question, he replied with a single, brief sentence.
"Because I'm Batman."
Hearing Batman's explanation, Natasha inwardly sweatdropped. Saying that was no different from having "arrogant" written on his face. Moreover, Natasha doubted if Batman knew how to converse; didn't that one sentence just kill the conversation?
After a while, Natasha managed to compose herself and asked again, "With such impressive skills, why don't you consider joining S.H.I.E.L.D.? We offer excellent benefits."
Batman glanced at Natasha before turning his head back to the road and continuing to drive.
"Alright, you don't lack money."
Considering Batman's true identity, Natasha promptly gave up trying to persuade him to join S.H.I.E.L.D. However, she quickly changed tack and asked, "Does your Wayne Enterprises still need secretaries? I believe I can be qualified for the job if the price is right."
Batman wasn't surprised that S.H.I.E.L.D. knew his true identity. If such a large, international spy organization didn't know Batman's identity, that would truly be a ghost.
"You talk a lot. Are all S.H.I.E.L.D. agents like you?"
Natasha's lips curved into a smile. "It depends on who it is, doesn't it? After all, wouldn't it be more comfortable to get in good with the boss of Wayne Enterprises than to be an agent? If you don't mind..."
Before Natasha could finish her sentence, Batman executed a sharp drift, abruptly ending the conversation. Batman had never had much affection for government personnel, let alone a female S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Despite her pleasant words, not a single one was true.
"We're here. Get out."
With that, Batman opened his door and stepped out first.
"Truly a bore."
Natasha muttered a complaint and followed him out of the car.
They pushed open the doors of Hammer Industries one after another. The next moment, a security guard in uniform emerged from the nearby guardhouse.
"Hey, outsiders are not allowed here, and neither are people wearing strange costumes."
As he spoke, he reached for his baton, intending to drive them away.
Natasha didn't bother arguing with him. She was already frustrated with Batman, and now someone had run into her.
Without a word, she lunged forward, snatched the baton from the security guard's hand, and unleashed a flurry of punches followed by a sweeping kick, easily taking the guard down.
However, this act had completely stirred up a hornet's nest. Seven or eight security guards rushed out from the guardhouse and, as if by prearrangement, drew their guns and opened fire.
"Is this how S.H.I.E.L.D. works?"
While dodging bullets, Batman couldn't resist taunting Natasha. He then threw two bat-shuriken that struck the chests of two guards. Before they could react, electricity coursed through their bodies, causing them to briefly lose consciousness.
During this time, Natasha also quickly dealt with the guard in front of her.
Although the two had never met before, it didn't hinder their seamless coordination in combat. Within two minutes, all seven or eight security guards were subdued by the combined efforts of Natasha and Batman.
However, when they reached the control room where Ivan was operating, and kicked open the door to enter, they found only rows of running servers and a laptop on a desk. Ivan was long gone; he had fled.
Oh, right, there were also two dead security guards hanging there. It seemed Ivan had left with quite a bit of resentment.
Natasha urgently reported to S.H.I.E.L.D., as the robots were still wreaking havoc at the venue and needed to be stopped. Meanwhile, Batman approached the computer and began operating it, attempting to remotely control it and see if he could force all the robots at the venue offline.
"How is it? Can you do it?"
After several attempts, Batman shook his head in frustration. "No. Ivan is very clever. After sending the commands, he severed all connections between this place and the robots. The robots are now beyond control, merely executing their last received command."
"However, War Machine is controllable."
As he spoke, Batman began to operate the system, and soon he rebooted the War Machine's system, restoring Rhodey's control over the suit.
"That should do it."
Just as Batman finished speaking, the screen on the laptop flickered, and Ivan's face appeared.
"Welcome. It seems not everyone is an idiot. At least you are quite smart. But unfortunately, smart people usually don't live long."
"Damn it, a bomb!"
Natasha, with her sharp eyes, spotted the bomb hidden in the control room. She and Batman quickly retreated from the room and, without a second thought, crashed through the corridor's glass and jumped out.