Though crude, it was indeed a complete puppet, and since all its parts were made from Hardy's own tissues, its chakra compatibility was extremely high, making it easy to control.
[Puppet Name]: Wisdom Tooth No. 1
[Overall Parameters]:
Height: 2.3 cm
Weight: 4.5 g
Material: Bone, biological keratin, and connective tissue
Energy: None
Control Method: Chakra threads
[Puppet Rating]: D-
[Overall Evaluation]: Almost no combat capability, extremely crude and simple to operate.
Such a tiny puppet, yet it carried Hardy's hope of escaping from Arkham Asylum.
Of course, relying on such a weak puppet to help him escape was no simple matter.
His advantage lay in his abilities as a ninja and a puppeteer, as well as his intelligence-gathering skills.
"I still need a thorough plan and more intel."
With a flick of his wrist, Hardy easily controlled Wisdom Tooth No. 1 with just five chakra threads from one hand, launching it up to the ceiling and into a ventilation duct less than ten centimeters in diameter.
For now, he'd hide Wisdom Tooth No. 1 there. Later, he'd have to find a sensory-type jutsu in the village to pair with the puppet for scouting and finding opportunities.
Just then, the guards outside seemed to receive a message in their earpieces. They quickly switched off the safeties on their guns, lined up in formation, and pointed their weapons at the corridor entrance, on high alert.
"What's going on?"
Black Mask pressed himself against the bulletproof glass door, peering outside.
In the distance, from another cell down the corridor, a faint commotion could be heard, followed by—
The sound grew louder and louder.
"Aha! Bat! You're here!"
"Batman, I'm going to tear you apart!"
"The Joker? That guy got in too?"
...
"Bang! Bang! Bang!!!"
Black Mask excitedly slapped the glass door wall.
It was probably because two of Arkham's most popular guests were about to arrive.
"Did you hear that, Puppeteer? The Bat! The Bat is here! If I ever get out, I'll rip him to pieces!"
Black Mask screamed madly, looking every bit like a crazed Batman superfan.
Or rather, ninety-nine percent of Arkham's inmates were diehard Batman fans, willing to cause all sorts of trouble just to get his attention.
Hardy's clear eyes flickered, considering whether this might be a suitable opportunity.
*Click—*
The heavy iron-barred door opened. Four fully armed guards, weapons at the ready, escorted the Joker, who was shackled by handcuffs and leg irons to a tilted gurney.
A deep purple suit, exaggerated makeup, a manic expression.
Behind him followed a tall man in a Batman costume.
"Batman! I'm going to tear you apart!"
Black Mask kept pounding on the glass wall, eyes fixed on Batman, filled with madness.
"Oh, hey! Black Mask, long time no see. I knew you were a loyal fan of the little Bat. Look, Batman, you're so popular here. You're just like us, a lunatic. You belong here, don't you?
Oh! There's an empty cell left—perfect for you. Or are they going to put me in there? I'm kind of looking forward to it. Hey there, new neighbor, what's your name...?"
The Joker waggled his head and winked at Hardy, completely ignoring the array of guns pointed at him from all directions.
Batman watched the Joker coldly as he was pushed to the end of the corridor and locked into an elevator.
Hardy had seen this before—the Riddler had been sent to the most secure lower level with this very device.
Batman stopped at this point, since only Arkham staff could go further down.
Black Mask was still shouting, while Batman simply glanced at Black Mask and Hardy. Seeing nothing unusual, he turned and left without a word.
But Hardy felt something was off this time.
The Joker had been captured and brought in too easily. He was uneasy, which was why he'd followed all the way here.
"Director Sharp, take me to the security room. I want to see with my own eyes that the Joker is locked in his cell," Batman said into his communicator after leaving the barred door.
"Stop shouting, the Bat's already gone."
Hardy leaned against the wall and called to Black Mask in the next cell.
Black Mask stopped, though his eyes still lingered resentfully on the spot where Batman had disappeared.
"If the Joker gets out later, don't just stick with him. Look for a chance to escape."
Hardy flicked out a chakra thread and retrieved Wisdom Tooth No. 1.
The chance to get out had come.
"What did you say?"
Black Mask turned his head in confusion, then his eyes lit up with excitement.
"Arkham has never been able to hold the Joker. Look at the way he comes in—it's like he's coming home. There are usually only two reasons for him to show up here: either he's bored outside and wants to come in to mock us, his peers, or..."
Hardy turned his gaze to where Batman had left.
"Or he's turning Arkham into a trap—a trap for the Bat."
Black Mask's eyes shone even brighter.
Didn't this mean there was a chance to get back at Batman?
...
...
Just as Hardy had predicted.
A few minutes later, Batman smashed through the security room window and rushed out.
Gotham Police Commissioner Frank Bohn was an undercover agent who helped Harley Quinn infiltrate Arkham's control room and release all the inmates.
Including the Joker, as well as Hardy and Black Mask.
And what would these Arkham criminals do once released?
Of course, they'd give a proper "welcome" to the Bat who put them here.
"Oh, oh, oh, the show's about to begin, little Bat! This is the trap I've carefully prepared for you, and you just jumped right in. I've got a few surprises for you, but it'll take a little more time before they're ready. In the meantime, don't even think about bringing in any outside help—I've placed twenty bombs around Arkham Island. If anyone sets foot here... well, you know."
The Joker's voice soon rang out over the broadcast.
But in reality, the real Joker wasn't there at all. It was just Harley Quinn playing a pre-recorded message over the PA system.
The real Joker, humming happily, walked off in a certain direction.
Just as Hardy had said, the moment he arrived at Arkham, the Joker acted like he was coming home—completely at ease.
"Listen up, everyone! I've arranged a spectacular show for the Bat. He's the star, I'm the director. Tonight, whoever manages to take down the Bat becomes the new leading role!"