Bruce saw the change- he might not have Nexus' experience, but a killer was a killer, and in survival, one prerequisite was knowing that you looked first to the eyes for intention. 

And when you fought against the Order, the first thing Bruce needed to know was that he had to be able and willing to disregard anything about fighting he'd previously regarded as fact at a moment's notice, if not sooner.

[color=0072bc]"Are they?"[/color]

Bruce snapped his wrist down, bringing the spiked ball into his left hand, catching it such that he didn't hurt himself. Instead of swinging it in an arc, Bruce slid his blade upward so that Nexus' katana were applying pressure to a midpoint nearer the hilt, and he pressed his weight forward. He brought his left arm up, pushing the spiked ball narrowly around Nexus' guard toward his face. 

Bruce hadn't produced the chain on his forearm for offensive purpose- rather, should Nexus seek to take his arm off, the Ki would provide some protection while he pushed his unorthodox attack.

[color=0072bc][i]'You wanted to see resolve, Nexus. Here's a piece of it.'[/i][/color]