Brother Tan's Awkward Predicament

Since the last attack by Joker's Gang on Arkham Asylum, resulting in a large-scale escape of criminals.

The incident immediately dominated the headlines of Gotham City's major newspapers, causing widespread panic among citizens and leading to immediate protest marches.

Under pressure, the police department increased patrol personnel, and the city hall repeatedly promised to fund improved security measures at Arkham.

As for apprehending the escaped criminals, that was the dark knight Batman's job.

Seriously, with a salary of two to three thousand, what did they expect me to do, go head-to-head with Joker's Gang?

Was it that donuts weren't tasty anymore, or had heroism suddenly struck?

Director Quincy, sipping his coffee, looked at the workers installing electric fences outside the window, a dismissive smile on his face.

Electric fences, watchtowers, firearms – what good were they?

Blackgate Prison next door was breached last week anyway, with many dangerous criminals escaping.

It would have been better to round them all up and lock them in Desert Ark Prison, touted as the highest-security facility under S.H.I.E.L.D.

At least there was one thing Director Quincy felt fortunate about.

No matter how insane the patients who escaped Arkham Asylum were, they only sought trouble with Batman. The criminals from Blackgate Prison were different; they'd rob a bank on their way to the restroom.

"Director, something's happened!"

A stout Black nurse burst in. Her uniform was tightened around her, layer after layer like a life preserver, bouncing with her rapid breaths.

"What is it?"

Director Quincy frowned slightly, unable to imagine what worse thing could possibly happen.

"Allen's back, but he's run off again," Catherine said.

"Back and then ran off again?"

Director Quincy was startled.

He wasn't worried about Allen doing anything bad, but the two bigwigs from S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Hand had personally requested that this individual be closely monitored.

"Allen heard about the escaped criminals and wanted to catch them himself. He might be back a bit late, so you don't need to prepare dinner for him," Catherine relayed the exact words.

"..."

Director Quincy glanced out the window and happened to see Allen scaling the wall, carrying a bicycle.

He looked closer and felt the bicycle looked a little familiar.

"You bastard, put down my bicycle!"

Director Quincy's head shot out the window as he yelled anxiously. He was an environmentalist and contributed to reducing carbon emissions by choosing to cycle to work, which was perfectly reasonable.

Of course, it had absolutely nothing to do with his divorce, which resulted in a large portion of his income going to his ex-wife and child support, leaving him unable to afford a car.

"No need to see me off, I'll be careful."

Allen waved his hand, leaped off the high wall, and rode his bike straight towards Gotham City.

Half an hour's ride.

Entering the city, shrouded in a slightly thick smog.

Gotham City as a whole was controlled by the Wayne Group in every aspect. On the surface, it was a gleaming, modern metropolis, but in the forgotten corners, homeless people gathered, and simultaneously, sin and criminals festered.

Riding through the various streets of Gotham City, Allen first familiarized himself with the environment.

"Shit, I forgot to grab the Bat-Man suit. My combat power is reduced by at least fifty percent."

Allen looked at the League of Assassins attire he was wearing, which completely clashed with his persona.

"On one hand, there's the wisdom of the former CEO of Arigaba, Yujiro, who said he never pays for anything he buys."

"On the other hand, there's the live teaching from the golden instructor Run America's Square Jungler, with the confidence of saying 'The Old Buddha already paid'."

"I've already grasped the skills for surviving in the wild."

Having studied the cases of many successful people, Allen had already conceived a complete plan in his mind.

Weaving through the homeless encampments, he searched for monster spawn points.

After two hours, Allen's haul was considerable.

Two hamburgers, a sandwich, three cans of sweet soda, a black novelty eye mask, a plush blanket, and five dollars in an envelope.

Putting on the eye mask and tying the blanket, Allen was very satisfied with his new look.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking a new identity, Whip Woman, Bruce Horne. All-attribute combat power increased by 300%, attack speed increased by 500%."

The above was merely Allen's fantasy.

Night fell.

Dark clouds obscured the moon, another overcast day.

And the dark clouds, like a curtain, illuminated a bat symbol.

Commissioner Gordon stood by the searchlight, hands in his pockets, waiting for Gotham's knight, Batman, to arrive.

Hoo…

A movement sounded from behind, followed by a low inquiry: "Gordon, you need something from me?"

He turned sharply, seeing a figure standing in the shadows.

Quickly drawing his gun and aiming, Gordon asked warily, "Who are you?"

"I am the Knight of Justice, Bat-Man."

As he spoke, Allen emerged from the shadows, pushing a bicycle.

Seeing the face of the newcomer, Gordon couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

A novelty eye mask, a little blanket… Can't you put more effort into your role-playing?

In Gotham City, there were many hot-blooded youths who impersonated Batman to fight for justice, and this guy looked at least 80% similar.

"Hands on your head and against the wall, immediately," Gordon said with a serious expression.

"You're not on the reality show Hell's Kitchen anymore, you've switched careers to become a cop?" Allen remained unfazed.

"We're not the same person. He's a chef, and I'm a detective."

Gordon corrected him sternly. In America, there were countless people with the same name; after all, naming was a very taxing endeavor.

"Gordon, stop."

At this moment, a dark shadow descended between the two.

He was entirely wrapped in a black combat suit, with only his mouth and eyes exposed to the air.

Seeing the real deal, Gordon put away his service pistol, thinking that Batman was more than enough to deal with the costumed freak, Bat-Man.

Allen excitedly walked forward, baring his large teeth, "Bat-Man, is that you?"

"You've mistaken me for someone else."

Bruce lowered his voice, pretending not to recognize him, and looked at Gordon.

"B, L, S."

Allen uttered the three letters. Instantly, Bruce, unable to remain calm, covered Allen's mouth, having recognized the initials of his name.

"Let's talk business later."

"No questions, handsome."

Allen quietly listened to the two men talk.

Commissioner Gordon brought intelligence on Joker's Gang, detailing their strongholds.

Generally, Bruce didn't venture into the grey areas; they operated under a set of underground rules. Joker's Gang, however, was different. They not only sought to break the existing order but also to challenge authority, making them a primary target for crackdown.

As for the Penguin Gang led by Penguin and Riddler, their goals were money and power. They merely wished to usurp the current order and had no interest in destruction. For now, they could be left alone and dealt with later.

After the intelligence exchange was complete, Gordon withdrew.

"Bat-Man, you pretended not to know me just now. Do you know how hurt I was?"

Allen clutched his chest, putting on a heartbroken expression.

"I have too many enemies; my true identity cannot be exposed."

Bruce then asked, "There was no news of you for over ten years. I thought you had disappeared in Silent Hill."

He and Oliver had escaped Silent Hill and waited at the entrance for five days. During that time, they had reported to the police and organized search parties, but found nothing, and the matter was eventually dropped.

"I came back directly from Silent Hill. I just thought 'System, return' in my mind," Allen replied truthfully.

"..."

Bruce didn't believe Allen's nonsense. If it weren't for the near-death experience he had gone through, he might have actually believed Silent Hill was some kind of paradise.

"Father, who is he?"

At that moment, a teenager ascended to the rooftop using a grappling hook. His red and black combat suit indicated that he was the fifth Robin, Damian.