Warframe Voidwalker : Multiverse Journey

Marcus didn't teach Bruce too many Cold-Faced Fury techniques. After all, this fighting style used the entire body and required exceptional physical fitness.

Bruce was still developing, and couldn't train intensively for extended periods. So the "Fury Incitement" move was only taught to familiarize him with the basics.

Alfred understood the physical demands of this fighting style, so whenever Bruce practiced, he remained nearby to monitor his progress.

He even assigned a medical team to check Bruce's physical condition daily, ensuring his body developed normally.

Time passed quickly. As a notorious sin city, Gotham rarely enjoyed a day of peace.

During his stay at Wayne Manor, Marcus witnessed various situations unfold in Gotham, including encounters with some of Bruce's future enemies.

As was his habit, Marcus ignored these individuals unless they provoked him directly.

He preferred to observe these characters develop, especially Cobblepot who had threatened Gordon. This future "Penguin" particularly intrigued him.

When Marcus first encountered Cobblepot, he was just a limping gangster—merely an umbrella-holding lackey trailing behind his gang leader. But after being abandoned by his boss, Cobblepot returned to Gotham with his own schemes and began his path to revenge.

Cobblepot was shrewd and excelled at gathering information, using it to accomplish remarkable feats.

After returning to Gotham, he established himself in a restaurant controlled by the mob. The gang leader, Marcus knew, was Maroni—a rival to Falcone.

Marcus even dined at that restaurant. The food was quite good, at least to his taste.

Beyond Cobblepot, Marcus witnessed many other strange occurrences.

Someone was distributing a substance called "Venom" on the streets. Just inhaling it granted tremendous strength—enough to rip an ATM machine from a wall.

Marcus encountered a Gotham resident addicted to Venom—a gaunt homeless man. After experiencing his newfound strength, the man began robbing indiscriminately and eventually targeted Marcus.

But Marcus was no ordinary target. His combat abilities far exceeded those of average people. Though the homeless man possessed formidable strength, he relied solely on brute force to smash and grab.

When the man attempted to rob him, Marcus easily evaded the attack and knocked him to the ground.

Soon after, the homeless man groaned in agony before collapsing into a limp heap.

The incredible power granted by Venom came from burning calcium in the body. The homeless man's skeletal calcium had been depleted. As his bones deteriorated, his body could no longer support itself. He collapsed, his internal organs rupturing from the strain.

This same Venom had been used at a Wayne Enterprises party. If Bruce and Alfred hadn't escaped quickly enough, they might have suffered a similar fate.

...

"I need to leave for a while."

Marcus sat in a chair sipping tea while Alfred stood nearby.

He planned to return to Jonathan's farm to see how young Clark was doing. After all, he was Clark's godfather who had baptized the boy himself. Christmas was approaching, and he couldn't be absent for his godson's holiday.

"Has something happened?"

Alfred looked at Marcus, noting his apparent eagerness to depart.

"Nothing serious. Christmas is coming soon, and I need to visit my godson."

Marcus wondered how Clark from Krypton was faring. He recalled how ill Clark had been when he left.

However, he wasn't particularly concerned about Clark's condition. He knew the boy was simply adapting to Earth's environment. Once fully acclimated, Clark would draw strength from the sun. Marcus just didn't know how long that adaptation would take.

"You have a godson? That's surprising. If Master Bruce learns of your departure, he'll be quite disappointed," Alfred remarked.

After all, Marcus had guided Bruce out of his grief. His leaving, even temporarily, would sadden the boy.

"It's alright. All good things come to an end. Besides, I'm only leaving for a while—not forever."

As he spoke, Bruce finished his daily training. Noticing Marcus and Alfred talking, he approached them.

"What are you discussing?"

"I'm going to leave for a while," Marcus said, raising his eyebrows at Bruce's sudden deflated expression. "Don't look so sad. I didn't say I wouldn't return."

Hearing this reassurance, Bruce brightened somewhat, though he remained subdued.

"Even though I'm leaving, you can't neglect your training. When I return, if you meet my expectations, I'll teach you additional Cold-Faced Fury techniques."

Bruce looked up suddenly, staring at Marcus with excitement.

"Really? Then we have a deal!"

"Ha! A deal it is!"

They clasped hands, sealing their promise. Marcus would return to continue teaching fighting skills, and Bruce committed to mastering all his current techniques.

In high spirits, Bruce sat nearby and carefully reviewed various Wayne Enterprises documents.

Marcus and Alfred exchanged glances, both smiling.

A few days later, Marcus bid farewell to Bruce and Alfred. Taking the items he'd acquired during his stay, he boarded a plane to Kansas.

Gotham was far from Kansas, and he didn't want to spend all his time traveling.

Though the plane departed from Gotham, there were no hijacking attempts. The flight progressed smoothly, eventually landing safely at the Kansas airport.

After disembarking, Marcus took a bus toward the town near the Kent farm.

At Jonathan's house, the couple was busy decorating for the holidays.

Christmas was approaching, and Clark had been with them for two years now, so they wanted to make the celebration special.

"Jonathan, where's the Christmas tree I wanted? Didn't you buy it?"

Martha searched the storage shed but couldn't find the tree she planned to decorate, which frustrated her.

"Oh, I seem to have forgotten!" Jonathan slapped his forehead with a crisp sound. "I'll buy it after I finish painting the house."

As he spoke, a pickup truck approached their property.

Beep! Beep!

"That's Old John's truck. Why would he come here when he hasn't even decorated his own home yet?"

Spotting the approaching vehicle, Jonathan set down his tools and descended the ladder.

The pickup stopped in front of the couple, and a familiar figure jumped down from Old John's truck.

"Hey, long time no see!" Marcus smiled and waved to them, then walked to the back of the pickup and called out: "Old John, which tree is mine?"

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