A man who has kept himself alive for centuries using the Lazarus Pit.
Dio calmed down while remembering that Robin doesn't have much time and tried to come up with a plan to save them both without them being killed.
"It seems your offspring has found you, Detective."
Ra's al Ghul spoke while walking calmly around the two.
"You've become soft; the child should have been quicker than this."
"I raised a hero, not a killing machine."
Batman responded calmly.
"If he were a killing machine, he might have a chance against Shiva."
This is really the worst possible situation.
Shiva is regarded as the world's best assassin, but she is also the best martial artist.
In fact, Batman has never been able to defeat her using just his skills, and the fact that he has never been Shiva's target may also help to explain all of his victories.
Robin won't last much longer.
"What do you want?"
Batman asked while hiding the concern in his voice.
"Many things, Detective. This place, for example, was one of them."
"A place you destroyed with your own hands,"
Batman interrupted.
"Yes, I had never used the Pit as a power source, and after several months without incidents, I thought it was time to clean up the rest of the city. In the end, a wave of madness took over the city's residents."
So, here's the truth about the city's demise.
"It was truly a shame; this city was the utopian dream I envisioned for the world. They were even nice enough to be guardians."
Ra's then looked to the left, and two beings joined them.
"The mechanical Guardians took me a few hours to get them up and running, just for nostalgia."
The Mechanical Guardians are also part of the city's legend; they were said to be a fully programmed police force for the city, a massive feat for a city two hundred years ago.
The robots aren't very tall, and Dio can also see the gears in their chests moving.
Their heads are almost oval-shaped, and their eyes glow in the same color as the Lazarus Pit.
It is also powering them.
"Oh, please spare me this long and tedious moment of nostalgia and get straight to the final part of your evil plan."
Catwoman spoke for the first time, a voice Dio hadn't heard in many years.
"As you wish, Thief."
Ra's said, and he looked like he wasn't offended.
Ra's walked to the edge of the hole and stared at the waters of the Lazarus Pit.
"I am old, detective, the effects of the Lazarus Pit are getting weaker, I weaken more and more; and the world still needs the Head of the Demon."
"I won't take your place as the leader, Ra's."
"I am aware of that, so I have no choice but to take your body!"
Then everyone fell silent.
"Imagine this, my power and wealth combined with your young body and influence would advance the League's plans by a few decades."
It is possible to change bodies.
In fact, Dio has seen two different spells that do the same thing.
A lot of spells work like this, and magicians and sorcerers who are very old often choose to switch bodies when they are about to die.
There are some prices for them, but since they still have their knowledge, they have a good chance of getting back to their peak power.
"Child, why are you watching the Master!?"
The rough and strong voice came from behind him.
In panic, Dio teleported to the left side of the roof and appeared next to the man, who easily found and approached him without him noticing.
He was wearing a red kimono open at the chest while proudly displaying his well-trained body and the long scar on his chest.
He was definitely over sixty years old as he was bald on top of his head and had long, white hair on the sides and back. He also has a long, thin mustache.
The mistake Dio made was that he forgot to look at his surroundings since he was so focused on the conversation.
This was not the time to be thinking about that, so he made the first move by taking his shield from his back and jumping towards him.
The plan was to hit his neck with the side of the shield, but the old man easily avoided his attack by hitting the bottom of his shield while lifting it and hitting his stomach with his other fist.
Before Dio could process the pain, the old man spun Dio's body in the air and threw him off the roof.
Dio's instinct took over, and he turned his body and fell on the edge of the roof.
"Well-trained but lacking experience."
"Who are you?"
Dio asked as he stepped away from the edge.
"I am the Sensei; that's all you need to know. Now come!"
Then Sensei took a stance with his body slightly lowered and legs apart, placing one arm in front of his body and the other raised above his head.
The palms are open, and his fingers are spread as wide as possible, like claws.
Sensei is one of the main members of the League, older than Ra's himself.
There is a rumor that he is Ra's father, but Dio can't remember if it's true or not.
What Dio did know for sure is that this man has been training all League members for centuries.
Dio moved slowly toward him while putting his shield on his back and not drawing his sword.
Sensei is not only a master of martial arts but also a fencing master, and Dio didn't want his own weapon used against him.
Sensei may have had centuries of training, but he doesn't have the strength and reflexes far superior to Dio.
However, he's not just a human with prolonged use of the Lazarus Pit enhances strength, speed, endurance, agility, and durability.
It's not enough to compete with him, but it's enough to fight him without getting overwhelmed.
He has been strengthened in many ways, but he still has a clear weakness, he is too old to have enough energy.
This means that Dio will win if he can keep the fight going longer.
The problem was that Dio didn't have time, so he'd make him spend all his energy on one attack.
"CRAAACKK"
The ground under his feet broke as Dio sprinted with all his speed, entering super-speed mode and aiming a punch at his face.
Sensei was able to predict his move and put his open palm in the direction of his hand, even though he wasn't moving as fast as him.
Dio's strength should have broken his hand, but Sensei twisted it, turning his wrist and using his own strength against Dio.
With Dio's body twisted, Dio saw his arm going to the back of his clothes, and a small blade came toward his throat quickly and precisely.
Dio ducked, and the blade passed over his head while cutting a few white strands of his hair.
Sensei didn't stop and stepped on his foot to prevent him from moving while trying to stab the small knife into his heart.
Dio stopped him with his raised wrist and hit his elbow with his open palm breaking his arm.
He wasn't done yet.
Sensei let go of the knife; he caught it with his other hand before it hit the ground and cut Dio's leg.
He then raised his arm again and tried to slash Dio's throat.
Dio lifted his leg while ignoring the pain and stomped the ground with force.
"BOOOOM"
There was no delay; this building was falling apart, and his kick was enough to make a large part of the roof fall onto the floor below.
In mid-air, Sensei didn't lose composure and kicked Dio's body while doing a somersault in the air and returning to the part of the roof that hadn't collapsed.
Dio teleported behind him, but he was already waiting for him. Sensei had to think quickly with the blade inches from the center of Dio's forehead.
The only thing Dio could do was teleport a few inches back and give himself space to grab the blade between his fingers and break it.
This caught Sensei by surprise, so Dio took advantage of it to spin his body and kick him in the face with all his strength.
Sensei managed to lift his one good arm and defend himself, but the force of the blow sent him flying out of the roof.
"BOOOM"
Then Sensei moves his arm to make sure everything is good. Sensei puts his hand behind his back.
"Επικαλούμαι το κρύο της θλίψης του ποταμού Cocyte!"
(I Invoke the Cold of the River Cocytus's Wailing!)
Dio breathes out a black mist that covers the ground and freezes it.
At the same time, Sensei throws two shurikens at Dio, and they freeze in the air and fall to the ground.
Sensei moved quickly and took his idea. He punched the ground, breaking through it, and then fell to the floor below.
...
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