Joker

Though crude, it was indeed a complete puppet, and every component was made from Shimizu's own body tissue. Its chakra compatibility was extremely high, so it was not difficult to control.

Puppet Name: Wisdom Tooth No. 1

Overall Parameters:

Height: 2.3 centimeters

Weight: 4.5 grams

Materials: Bone material, biological keratin, and connective tissue

Power Source: None

Control Method: Chakra Thread

Puppet Rating: D-

Overall Evaluation: A crude puppet with almost no combat capability, but extremely easy to operate.

This tiny puppet carried Shimizu's hopes of escaping Arkham Asylum.

Of course, escaping alive with such a weak puppet would not be easy.

His advantages lay in the abilities that belonged to a ninja and a Puppeteer, as well as his informational advantage.

"I'll need a thorough plan and more intelligence."

With a flick of one hand, Shimizu used just five Chakra Threads from that hand to easily launch Wisdom Tooth No. 1 onto the ceiling, where it crawled into a ventilation duct less than ten centimeters in diameter.

For now, he would hide Wisdom Tooth No. 1 there. Later, he would need to find a sensory-type ninja technique he could learn in the village, then use it together with Wisdom Tooth No. 1 to scout the surroundings and search for an opportunity.

Just then, the guards outside seemed to receive something through their earpieces. They swiftly disengaged their weapon safeties, formed a neat line, and aimed toward the entrance to the corridor, standing alert for something.

"What's going on?"

Black Mask pressed himself against the bulletproof glass wall of the cell door and peered outside.

From a cell on the far side of the corridor came a faint burst of commotion, which gradually grew louder.

"Aha! Bats! You're here!"

"Batman, I'm going to tear you apart!"

"Joker? That guy got brought in too?"

Bam bam bam!!!

Black Mask excitedly slapped the glass wall.

Apparently, two guests with immense popularity in Arkham were about to arrive.

"Did you hear that, Puppet Master? Bats! That bat is here! If I ever get out, I'm going to tear him to pieces!"

Black Mask shouted like a madman, looking every bit like Batman's most devoted fan.

Or rather, ninety-nine percent of Arkham's inmates were Batman's loyal fans, willing to cause all kinds of major incidents just to get his attention.

Shimizu's eyes shifted slightly as he considered whether this might be a suitable opportunity.

Clack—

The heavy iron-barred gate opened. Four fully armed guards escorted Joker, who was secured by handcuffs and shackles to an inclined restraint board.

A dark purple suit, exaggerated makeup, and a crazed expression.

Behind him stood a tall man dressed in a bat suit.

"Batman! I'm going to tear you apart!"

Black Mask kept pounding the glass wall, his eyes locked onto Batman, his gaze filled with madness.

"Oh, hey! Black Mask, long time no see. I knew you were Little Bat's loyal fan. Look, Batman, see how popular you are here? You're really just like us—a mental patient. You belong here too, don't you?

Oh! And there's an empty cell. It's perfect for you. Don't tell me they're going to lock me in there? I'm actually looking forward to it. Hi there, new neighbor, what's your name...?"

Joker bobbed his head and made faces at Shimizu, utterly ignoring the guns aimed at every part of his body.

Batman watched Joker coldly as he was pushed to the end of the corridor and locked inside an elevator.

Shimizu had seen it before. Last time, Riddler had been taken down to the lowest level, where the security measures were the tightest, using that same device.

Batman stopped there, because only Arkham staff were permitted to proceed farther down.

Black Mask was still shouting, but Batman merely swept his gaze over Black Mask and Shimizu. Finding nothing unusual, he turned and left without a word.

He felt that something was off this time.

Joker had been captured too easily. He could not put his mind at ease, so he had followed all the way here.

"Warden Sharp, take me to the surveillance room. I want to watch Joker being locked in his cell with my own eyes."

After stepping through the iron gate, Batman spoke into his communicator.

"Stop shouting. That bat has already left."

Leaning against the wall, Shimizu called out to Black Mask in the neighboring cell.

Black Mask stopped moving, though his eyes still stared resentfully at the spot where Batman had vanished.

"If Joker shows up later, don't just keep hanging around with him. Look for a chance to escape."

Shimizu flicked out a Chakra Thread and reeled Wisdom Tooth No. 1 back in.

The chance to get out had arrived.

"What did you say?"

Black Mask turned his head toward the next cell in confusion, then his eyes filled with excitement.

"Arkham has never been able to hold Joker. Look at the way he came here—it's like he's coming home. There are usually only two reasons he comes here. One, he got bored living outside and wanted to come in to mock people in the same line of work as him. The other..."

Shimizu turned his gaze toward where Batman had left.

"Is to turn Arkham into a trap. A trap meant for the Bat."

Black Mask's eyes lit up even more.

Didn't that mean he had a chance to get revenge on Batman?

Just as Shimizu had predicted.

A few minutes later, Batman smashed through the window of the surveillance room and rushed out.

Frank Bourne, the chief of the Gotham City Police Department, was an undercover agent. He helped Harley Quinn infiltrate the control room of Arkham Asylum and release every prisoner.

Including Joker, Shimizu, and Black Mask.

And what would these Arkham criminals do once they were released?

Naturally, they would give the bat who had sent them here a proper welcome.

"Ohoho, the show is about to begin, little Bat. This is a trap I carefully prepared for you, and you jumped right into it. I've prepared some surprises for you, but they'll take a little longer to arrive. Until then, don't even think about bringing in any random junk from outside. I planted twenty bombs outside. If anyone steps into the boundaries of Arkham Island... you know what happens."

Joker's voice soon rang out over the loudspeakers.

But the real Joker was not there. Harley Quinn had merely played a prerecorded message over the broadcast.

The real Joker strode cheerfully in a certain direction.

Just as Shimizu had said, the moment Joker arrived at Arkham, it was like returning home. He knew the place inside and out.

"Listen up, everyone! I've arranged a wonderful show for the Bat. The Bat is the star, and I'm the director. Whoever takes down the Bat tonight becomes the new star."