Though crude, it was undeniably a complete puppet—constructed entirely from Shimizu's own biological tissues. The chakra compatibility was extremely high, making it relatively easy to control.
[Puppet Name]: Wisdom Tooth No.1
[Overall Stats]:
Height: 2.3 cm
Weight: 4.5 g
Material: Bone matter, biological keratin, and connective tissue
Power Source: None
Control Method: Chakra threads
[Puppet Rating]: D-
[Overall Evaluation]: Practically no combat ability. A rudimentary puppet that is extremely simple to operate.
Yet this tiny puppet carried all of Shimizu's hopes of escaping Arkham Asylum.
Of course, using such a weak puppet to flee a high-security facility was no simple task.
His true advantages lay in the skills of a ninja and puppet master, as well as intelligence-gathering ability.
"I still need a thorough plan… and more intel."
With a flick of one hand, Shimizu effortlessly controlled Wisdom Tooth No.1 using five chakra threads, launching it to the ceiling and guiding it into a ventilation duct less than 10 cm in diameter.
For now, he would hide the puppet there. Later, he needed to learn a sensory-type ninjutsu in this world to pair with the puppet for recon and surveillance—seeking the right opportunity to escape.
Just then, one of the outside guards received a message in his earpiece. He quickly disengaged his weapon's safety and joined the others, forming a strict formation and pointing their guns toward the hallway entrance—something was approaching.
"What's going on?"
Black Mask leaned against the bulletproof glass door, peering outside.
From down the hall, faint sounds of commotion echoed from another cell. The noise grew louder.
"Aha! Bats! You've come!"
"Batman! I'm gonna rip you apart!"
"The Joker? That guy's in here too?"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Black Mask slammed the glass in excitement.
Two of Arkham's most popular "guests" were apparently arriving.
"You hear that, Puppet Boy? Bats! The Bat is here! If I ever get out, I swear I'll tear him to pieces!"
Black Mask screamed like a deranged Batman superfan.
In fact, 99% of Arkham inmates were hardcore Batman fans. Many committed atrocities just to get the Dark Knight's attention.
Shimizu's gaze sharpened slightly—was this his opportunity?
Click—
The heavy iron gate creaked open. Four fully armed guards entered, escorting the Joker, who was strapped to an angled gurney in shackles.
Purple suit, exaggerated makeup, deranged expression.
Behind him walked a tall man in a Batsuit.
"BATMAN! I'M GONNA RIP YOU APART!"
Black Mask continued pounding the glass, his eyes locked on Batman with crazed excitement.
"Oh hey! Black Mask, long time no see. I knew you were a Bat fan. Look, Batman—see how beloved you are here? You belong with us, you're one of us… a certified lunatic.
Oh! Is that an empty cell over there? That's for me, right? How exciting.
Hi there, new neighbor—what's your name?"
The Joker made faces at Shimizu from the gurney, completely ignoring the guns trained on him from all directions.
Batman stared coldly at Joker as he was wheeled down the hall and loaded into an elevator.
Shimizu recognized the lift. The Riddler had been taken down the same way last time—to Arkham's maximum-security lowest level.
Batman stopped there—only Arkham staff were authorized beyond that point.
Black Mask kept yelling. Batman gave him and Shimizu a brief, wordless glance, found nothing unusual, and turned to leave.
Shimizu, however, felt something was off.
Joker's capture had been far too easy. That worried Batman, which is why he had followed all the way here.
"Director Sharp, take me to the surveillance room. I want to personally confirm the Joker is in his cell,"
Batman said into his comm as he exited through the iron gate.
"Stop yelling. The Bat's already gone,"
Shimizu leaned against the wall and called over to Black Mask in the next cell.
Black Mask stopped pounding the glass, though his eyes still burned with reluctant obsession, staring toward where Batman had disappeared.
"If Joker breaks out later, don't just stick with him. Look for your own chance to escape."
Shimizu extended a chakra thread and retrieved Wisdom Tooth No.1.
The moment had come.
"What did you say?"
Black Mask turned his head, stunned—then his eyes lit up with excitement.
"Arkham's never been able to hold the Joker. Just look at the way he came in—it's like he's coming home.
Usually he shows up here for one of two reasons. One, he's bored outside and just wants to come in and mock us fellow inmates.
The other…"
Shimizu turned his gaze toward where Batman had exited.
"...is that he's turned Arkham into a trap. A trap for the Bat."
Black Mask's eyes burned even brighter.
Was this… a chance to get back at Batman?
Just as Shimizu predicted…
Minutes later, Batman smashed through the surveillance room's window and rushed out.
GCPD Commissioner Frank Bohn had been working undercover, helping Harley Quinn infiltrate Arkham's control center and release every prisoner.
That included Joker, Shimizu, and Black Mask.
And once these inmates were released, what would they do?
Naturally, welcomed the Bat in the only way they knew how.
"Oh, oh, oh! The show's about to begin! Little Bat, I made this trap just for you—and you walked right into it!
I've even prepared a few surprises for you… though they need a bit more time to arrive.
Until then, don't even think about smuggling anything in. I've placed twenty bombs around Arkham Island. If anyone steps foot on it… well, you know what happens."
The Joker's voice echoed from the broadcast system.
But the real Joker wasn't in the control room—that was a pre-recorded audio clip Harley Quinn played over the intercom.
The real Joker was cheerfully strutting deeper into Arkham.
Just as Shimizu said—he moved through the halls like he was returning home, knowing every turn by heart.
"Listen up, everyone! I've arranged a spectacular performance for our Bat friend!
He's the star, I'm the director—and tonight, whoever kills Batman gets the leading role!"
(End of Chapter)