Ethan Hunter maintained a calm expression, but inside he was utterly shocked.
Why the hell was it Tony Stark here?
Sure, when he had requested reinforcements from Nick Fury via his personal terminal, he had asked for someone with sufficient firepower—hundreds of enemies wouldn't be manageable otherwise.
But was this level of firepower really necessary?
He hadn't planned on tearing Arkham Asylum apart!
"Tony Stark! What are you doing here!?"
Ethan's eyes widened.
A Batman who hadn't prepped in advance was still manageable, but now there was also a playboy genius in a flying armored suit…
This wasn't looking good.
He glanced angrily at Ethan Hunter, who was wearing a satisfied grin. Clearly, Stark was the reinforcement the young federal agent had called in.
"Damn it… retreat!"
"Retreat? Do you think Arkham Asylum is some place where you can just come and go as you please? Or that the Federal Bureau would let a few hundred armed thugs walk away freely?" Ethan smiled brightly. "Mr. Stark, do whatever you like—just neutralize the Joker Gang's main forces outside. And don't worry, I won't hold you accountable if things get… a little messy."
"I'm not some bloodthirsty maniac…"
Tony Stark muttered as he surveyed the young Republic agent and then flew out. Hundreds of armed criminals were no challenge for him.
Now the dynamics of offense and defense had shifted.
Ethan and Batman didn't hesitate. They charged into the crowd like tigers among sheep.
Harley Quinn followed closely behind. She ignored the Joker Gang members swinging weapons at her, skillfully dodging each attack as she advanced toward the fleeing "Smiley."
Even though she had broken ties with the Joker… she still hated this woman who had taken her place.
Bang, bang—two shots hit the door handle, forcing Smiley to turn and face her.
"Harley Quinn, looks like you still haven't forgotten Mr. J."
"My obsession with the Joker is irrelevant. What matters is that no one can replace me."
Harley Quinn gave an inappropriately cute smile, a stark contrast to the massive handgun in her hands.
She was about to leap forward to punish the woman who had usurped her position—but a pair of hands yanked her back by the collar.
"Don't stop me!"
"Obviously! You're holding a gun but want to rush a knife-wielding enemy? That's insane!"
Ethan pulled her back and shoved her behind him.
After the initial chaos, more than half of the Joker Gang members lying in the hall were already groaning in pain.
Ada hadn't even lifted a finger, simply observing Batman handle the enemies.
"Miss Smiley, I strongly recommend surrendering. I'm not Batman—I have no 'no-kill' rule. If a criminal like you resists, I won't hesitate to put you down. Believe me, I won't hesitate."
Batman finished off the last few thugs in a few swift moves. Amid the explosions and screams outside, the hall fell completely silent, the quiet almost unnerving.
"I surrender."
Smiley grinned—but it was hard to smile. Especially with Batman's unrelenting gaze fixed on her.