The First Signs of Batman

Dilos had made a skull mask, but he had no interest in making a shihakusho. He preferred more modern clothes.

Aside from his outfit, he had also made a few small gadgets suited to his needs. But because they were so intricate and complex, after printing them with a 3D printer, he still had to make some complicated, time-consuming adjustments with tools and needle and thread. This routine lasted only a few days before a news report on TV caught his attention.

"Criminal or knight of justice?"

A large black bat symbol was printed above the headline.

"Gotham City crime boss Carmine Falcone and several others were arrested by police while conducting an illegal deal at the docks. One of the gang leader's men claimed that a giant humanoid bat had attacked and subdued them."

"Several criminal hideouts across Gotham City have been raided. Numerous criminals were beaten badly enough to suffer broken bones and end up in the hospital. One of the criminals receiving treatment told police that their attacker was a monster dressed in a bat costume."

"Over the past two months, Gotham City's crime rate has fallen by a significant 30 percent. Many residents have seen this crime-fighting figure dressed in a bat costume, and have taken to calling him Batman."

The beautiful news anchor, wearing a low-cut outfit, listed Batman's deeds over the past two months one by one. Then the camera cut to some Gotham City residents being interviewed.

Resident A: "Honestly, I like this vigilante. I used to be afraid to walk at night, but now I at least have the courage to walk the streets after dark."

Resident B: "That guy's a deranged freak! We want a society governed by law, not a criminal who takes it upon himself to inflict vigilante justice on citizens! Just look at the people he's sent to the hospital! A lot of them have been crippled!"

Resident C: "A man dressed as a bat? Wow, he's hot..."

Resident D: "I think Batman is the superhero we've been waiting for. After all these years, we finally have another superhero after Captain America. Just thinking about it gets me excited!"

"Those are the opinions of Gotham City residents, both positive and negative. Next, let's hear from the Gotham City Police Commissioner." As the beautiful anchor spoke, the camera turned to the city's police commissioner.

The Gotham City Police Commissioner was a middle-aged Black man in a blue suit. His years in a high-ranking position had given him an imposing air, even at a glance.

"Although the news has been saying that Batman has stopped many criminal acts in Gotham City, I must say that we live in a society governed by law. We absolutely cannot allow this criminal act of vigilante justice to continue. So, in the coming days, we will hunt down Batman. Finally, I ask all citizens to trust our police department's ability to carry out its duties and keep you safe..."

Dilos had no desire to listen to the rest. Disgusted, he pressed the remote and turned off the TV.

"You really can't judge a book by its cover. The commissioner looks like a decent man, but he's just another lackey for the gangs."

A sneer crept onto Dilos's lips. "When the law can't protect lives, lives have no reason to obey the law."

He wasn't saying this without reason. Gotham City was notorious across the United States as a den of thieves. During the more than ten years he had lived in Smallville, he had regularly seen reports of Gotham City crimes in the newspapers. The city's technology and law enforcement resources were no worse than those of New York and similar cities, yet it had the highest crime rate in the country.

It was obvious that law enforcement agencies like the Gotham City Police Department weren't doing their jobs. Given Gotham's resources, if they really wanted to deal with the gangs, they could have done so long ago. Then crime wouldn't be reported so frequently. In Gotham City, the authorities did nothing while criminals roamed the streets. Countless people had been hurt by this, and they had no power to fight back. Some had chosen to fall into corruption; others, though they longed for the light, had chosen to turn a blind eye...

This kind of conflict was bound to erupt sooner or later.

As for what it would look like when it did, Dilos could only describe it with one word: "censored." Especially now that Batman had appeared out of nowhere and was fighting for justice in Gotham day and night. His actions would bring hope to those yearning for the light, but they would also deal enormous losses to the criminals.

Under these circumstances, the conflict between the two sides was bound to explode before long. Dilos was sure that within six months at most, Gotham City would become very, very "lively."

"Looks like I need to hurry. I can't shake the feeling that this world is about to change." Batman's appearance had stirred an ever-stronger sense of danger in Dilos. He instinctively sped up the work on his gadgets and began making detailed plans for the future...

"Damn it!"

Inside the chairman's office at Fisk Enterprises, Kingpin slammed his cane against the floor.

Crack!

The blow left a web of cracks more than ten centimeters across in the tile beneath his feet.

"First the X-Men, then S.H.I.E.L.D., then Daredevil, and now Batman!" Kingpin rarely showed such a hateful expression.

"Especially that last one! Who the hell is that bastard? He took down twenty of my bases!"

Even though Kingpin was the most powerful crime boss in the United States, and one of the country's wealthiest men, losing twenty bases in such a short time was no small matter. Especially since the police had arrested the men working for him at those bases. Not only were they hard to get out, but the arrests had also caused significant losses to his business!

Train, standing beside Kingpin, didn't dare say a word. He could only lower his head and silently watch his boss throw a tantrum. In his experience, anyone who approached and spoke up at a time like this would get beaten to death by his boss, who would claim it was a way to vent his anger.

Train knew his boss's capabilities and temperament very well. Kingpin might look fat, but that was all highly developed muscle! He spent a fortune working out almost every day, and fought intensely against top boxers and wrestlers.

That alone wasn't the problem. The real issue was that beneath Kingpin's seemingly stern face lurked a sick, bloodthirsty heart.

Train had once witnessed what Kingpin did when he was in a bad mood. A fool who didn't know better had approached him with a question. In the next instant, Kingpin had shot out a hand like lightning and grabbed the man by the throat. Train heard a crack, and the poor bastard was sent straight to hell.

And that unfortunate man had been Train's predecessor.

Kingpin was a tyrant. That was how everyone who worked for him thought of him. Nobody dared defy him; those who had were already dead. And they had died horribly.

"Train."

At the sound of Kingpin calling his name, Train's heart jolted. He suppressed his panic and cautiously walked over to him. Then Kingpin's voice reached his ears.

"I've changed my mind. We'll carry out that plan in three days!"

Train abruptly looked up at Kingpin. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but lowered his head under Kingpin's icy gaze.

"As you wish."