The Punisher's Investigation

Night draped over New York, the city lights blazing with vibrant life. The wealthy reveled in their decadent lives, while those in the slums found warmth in their families.

Hell's Kitchen, the cesspool of New York, hadn't found peace even after Kingpin's death. This notorious district, rife with chaos and crime, saw its criminal elements – gangsters, drug dealers, street thugs – resurge like weeds after a fire, silently corrupting every block.

Matt Murdock sat alone in his law office. His enhanced senses allowed him to pick up various sounds nearby, and with concentration, he could extend his range to an entire city block—

"What are you guys doing..."

"What, man, don't get in the way, or I'll blow your head off!"

"You wanna go!"

"You want a taste of pain?"

Matt clenched the files in his hand. He had long given up his Daredevil persona. Since Kingpin's demise, the blind lawyer had resolved not to don the red devil suit again. Perhaps the departure of his friends Foggy and his assistant Karen had finally made him realize that violently fighting criminals was a superficial solution. In punishing criminals, Daredevil himself was breaking the law.

Despite his firm decision, whenever Matt heard of a crime, he couldn't suppress the urge welling up inside him. His inherent hatred for evil made it impossible for him to stand idly by when faced with criminals and violent acts.

"NYPD! Spread out! Stop!"

The arrival of the police quelled a brewing violent confrontation. Matt nodded, letting out a long sigh. Perhaps this was the best way to resolve things; Daredevil's appearance only made matters worse!

Matt forcefully suppressed the impulses within him. With Kingpin's fall, Hell's Kitchen had at least regained a semblance of peace. The blind lawyer thought no further, focusing on preparing the legal documents for an upcoming case.

Having abandoned his vigilante life as "The Devil of Hell's Kitchen," Matt now engaged in pro bono legal aid, specifically serving common people who couldn't afford prominent lawyers. This was, in its own way, another method of combating evil.

"Frank, is that you?" Matt frowned as he organized his files, having seemingly heard familiar footsteps.

"Your ears are still sharp, counselor!" The burly, tall man climbed through the window via the fire escape and casually sat on the sofa. "Got any booze? Whiskey on the rocks!"

Matt stood up, retrieved a bottle of beer from the refrigerator, and tossed it to Frank on the sofa. The tall man, known as "The Punisher," caught the beer with ease and precision, twisted off the cap, and drank heartily.

"Could you use the door next time? Stop climbing through windows." Matt had quite a few opinions about Frank's method of entry.

"I'm not like you, Matt. The entire NYPD is looking for me. Those damn cops suspect me of killing Kingpin and have put me on their most-wanted list!" Frank finished his beer in one gulp, furious at being framed for something he didn't do!

Matt chuckled and shook his head. "Actually, I thought it was you at first."

Frank, a former Marine, had witnessed his family's brutal murder upon returning home. Traumatized, he began single-handedly cleaning up the criminal elements in Hell's Kitchen. Matt had met him during this period. They had clashed fiercely a few times initially. Eventually, understanding the situation, Daredevil had saved a severely wounded Frank and even offered to be his defense attorney.

"Although that guy's brutal style is a lot like mine, he beat me to it before I could even make a move on Kingpin."

Frank fiddled with the firearm in his hand. He was now infamous in Hell's Kitchen. Compared to the now-disappeared Daredevil, this ruthless and extreme Punisher had been relentlessly targeting the mob.

Calculating the time, Matt spoke, "You wouldn't come to me without a reason, Frank. What have you found now?"

"Look at you now, Matt Murdock, the righteous lawyer!" Frank's tone was mocking. He hadn't expected Matt to give up being Daredevil. "Remember what I told you before? Someone's planning a major conspiracy. Kingpin is dead, but The Hand's influence is growing. They're secretly controlling a company called Midtown Circle Financial. I found many red ninjas stationed there, which is very unusual!"

Matt fell silent for a moment. His girlfriend, Elektra, had been killed by The Hand. Those Japanese ninjas had attempted to turn Elektra into a powerful weapon called "Black Sky." During a fierce pursuit and battle, Elektra had sacrificed herself to save him.

This was Matt's deepest pain, and it was precisely why he had decided to hang up his Daredevil suit and helmet, choosing to return to a normal life.

"The Hand... I thought they had left Hell's Kitchen." Matt's smile was bitter as he buried the painful memories deep within his heart.

"No, they just went into hiding. They seem to have been making moves in the shadows." Frank shared the clues he had recently uncovered, hoping for Matt's assistance. He found it difficult to deal with The Hand's rigorously trained elite ninjas alone.

"What are you planning to do?" Matt asked.

"There's a 'Hellfire Club' in Hell's Kitchen. It's a melting pot, the best place to gather information." Frank flashed a not-so-friendly smile. It was clear that The Punisher's methods of gathering information certainly didn't involve polite visits.

"I have court at three o'clock, defending a child who lost his legs... Well, I wish you luck with your investigation." Matt stuffed the files on his desk into his briefcase, picking up his cane. "You can stay at my place for a while. Remember to lock the window before you leave; the security in this area isn't great."

"You don't want to get involved in this kind of thing anymore, do you, Matt Murdock? Are you really content to forget your past life and be a great lawyer who speaks for justice and defends the poor!?"

Frank stood up, a hint of anger in his voice. He wanted Matt to pull himself together and continue being Daredevil, fighting evil. Hell's Kitchen needed someone like that!

"You think the law can punish those villains? I thought you'd seen it clearly by now, Matt. The law can't bring those unbridled scoundrels to justice. In Hell's Kitchen, crime bosses walk in and out of police stations like they own the place. They enjoy fine wine and beautiful prostitutes even in prison, and even the guards bow down to them! These people face no punishment, and they won't repent to God. That's why I show no mercy, because these scum all deserve to go to hell!"

Frank's voice was chillingly cold, like icy bullets, striking Matt's heart. After much hesitation and struggle, the impulse Matt had been suppressing surged once more.

"Frank, I'm sorry, I can't do it!" After a long pause, Matt gave his answer and walked out of the dilapidated apartment.

Frank sighed, standing in place. It seemed he would have to find help elsewhere. After all, new figures had emerged in Hell's Kitchen recently: the Harlem hero Luke Cage, and private investigator Jessica Jones, both possessing extraordinary abilities.

Regardless, he would head to the Hellfire Club tonight. He hoped the owner would be sensible and provide him with the answers he sought.

The Punisher, with the skull emblem on his chest, climbed out the window again, his imposing figure disappearing into the dim night.