As a ninja, running on rooftops, scaling walls, and walking on water were all basic skills.
Without paying any attention to the noisy bar downstairs, and in order not to attract attention, Shimizu picked up the safe, climbed up to the window, spread chakra evenly across the soles of his feet, and walked vertically up the wall at a 90-degree angle. Without anyone noticing, he reached a balcony, leaped a few times, and disappeared into the skyscrapers.
One hour later – Iceberg Lounge.
Basement level B1.
This was the hidden casino beneath the Iceberg Lounge.
As soon as he arrived, someone escorted Shimizu to a private booth.
"Unbelievable... You actually escaped from Arkham, Puppet Doctor."
Inside the booth, Penguin looked Shimizu up and down in surprise.
Here, Shimizu hadn't concealed his identity—because his background as a graduate of Arkham Asylum actually made it easier to move in these circles.
It was basically a certified high-level criminal diploma, personally endorsed by Batman, and carried a lot of weight.
What happened at Arkham had already spread across Gotham, thanks to helicopters and reporters from the city's ever-hungry news media, who filmed Batman's battle with the Joker. The entire city now knew about the Arkham incident.
The criminals who escaped—including Shimizu—had all been labeled as highly dangerous fugitives, wanted by the entire Gotham Police Department.
Especially Shimizu.
According to the world's greatest detective, Batman, Shimizu was the mastermind behind the escape that took place amid the Joker's chaos.
Overnight, Clear Water had become a rising star among Gotham's villains.
"Interested in working for me?"
As expected, Penguin—cigar in his mouth—offered to recruit him.
"I prefer working alone. Besides, if too many of us gather together, it's easier to attract the attention of that little black animal."
Shimizu placed the safe on the table in front of Penguin.
"I need to buy a few things."
A female dealer carrying a digital scale stepped up and began inspecting the contents of the safe.
"Haha, you're absolutely right! That little bat brat has been snooping around for information on you."
Penguin adjusted his monocle and burst out laughing.
More trouble for the Bat family—he welcomed it.
The one investigating Shimizu was Nightwing.
After Wayne Tech extracted the Titan venom from Milovan using a blood separator, restoring him to his original form, Nightwing realized he'd been played.
Following the conclusion of the investigation, Nightwing requested to take charge of capturing the fugitives from Arkham.
"Fifty chips total. Normally, I charge a 5% commission on transactions here... but for you, I'll waive the fee this time."
Penguin clapped his hands, and his men brought over fifty casino chips, handing them to Shimizu.
"Each one's worth $10,000. Happy shopping, my friend."
Penguin made a graceful "please proceed" gesture and opened the booth door.
Shimizu left the booth, passed through the noisy casino, arrived at a small side door, and stepped into an elevator.
The first basement level was the casino.
The second basement level housed Penguin's black market.
Shimizu knew the way—his original self had been here once before.
Along the hallway, black cloaks and masks were hanging.
They were optional disguises for customers who didn't want to reveal their identities.
Shimizu donned a black cloak, picked up a tanuki mask, put it on, and entered the black market.
As Gotham's largest black market, the place was quite lively.
After all, Penguin was one of the city's top underworld bosses—and the best businessman among them.
Most people, like Shimizu, wore cloaks and masks.
Both sellers and buyers preferred to stay anonymous.
You could find firearms, ammunition, human organs, rare minerals and drugs, and all kinds of jewelry here.
Shimizu began browsing—checking this stall, inspecting that booth.
His goal: is to find materials suitable for puppet crafting.
Whenever he saw something interesting, he'd buy a little to test it.
He wasn't very familiar with the materials here and didn't know how well they conducted chakra.
Most of them… didn't seem very good.
In the Naruto world, chakra had existed for thousands of years, and many materials had developed a natural resistance or conductivity to it—like chakra metal, or plants used to make explosive tags and chakra paper.
But this world was different.
Shimizu frowned.
For puppets, it was acceptable for filler materials to have poor chakra conductivity, but the core hubs, especially the parts that connect chakra threads, needed excellent conductivity.
So far, what he'd found was just average at best.
He'd have to compromise.
Gold, silver, and copper were the most conductive metals—great for transmitting energy. For now, they were the best chakra-conductive materials Shimizu had identified.
With his current wealth, he could buy a decent amount.
Unfortunately, those three metals were too soft and not suited for use as the puppet's main body.
So, his best option was to go with aluminum alloy coated in bulletproof stainless steel.
As for weapons, he didn't need to worry too much—this place had plenty, even RPGs.
After a full circuit around the market, Shimizu finally chose:
Three ceramic-composite bulletproof vests
A bag full of micro-cameras, mini radar sensors, and other gadgets
Two firearms: a Hardin revolver and a Beretta PMX submachine gun
All of these were intended to be installed on puppets.
He also picked up a few other useful materials.
Total cost: just two chips—that is, $20,000.
"You don't seem to have bought much. Not impressed with the selection?"
After leaving the black market, Shimizu went to find Penguin again.
"They didn't have what I really wanted. But then I thought—you might be able to help with part of the problem."
"Oh? From what you bought, I can't quite guess what you're building. But let me take a wild guess at what you're really here for—a new identity, right?"
Penguin chuckled.
Right now, Shimizu was wanted across Gotham. If caught, he'd be sent straight back to Arkham, and since he had a history of escaping, he'd likely be treated like the Joker—locked in the highest-security unit.
So yes, he needed a new legal identity.
"Exactly. I want a legal identity—one that can survive a background check. I don't want that damned bat trailing me anytime soon."
"Haha, I get it. That'll cost you $100,000. Want me to throw in a top-tier plastic surgery package, performed by the best doctors money can buy? A new face would help match your new identity…"
Penguin grinned, puffing on his cigar.
"No need."
Shimizu flipped back his cloak, formed hand seals with his fingers—
(End of Chapter)