Chapter 96: Throne, Scepter, Crown
"Tell me. Where did you get Stark Industries weapons?"
In the dim red warning lights, Batman's deep voice resonated.
His face remained completely hidden in shadow—only a black silhouette blocking Kingpin's cell exit.
Recognizing Batman by his pointed ears, Kingpin's expression immediately soured.
But hearing Batman's question, his mouth curved slightly into a smile. He spoke in his characteristically gentle, magnanimous voice without urgency.
"You want answers? I thought you were omniscient, omnipotent... but apparently there's much you don't know."
"Beg me. Or do what you did at Oscorp—punch me through the wall."
Using brief but potent sleeping gas to incapacitate guards and other inmates while simultaneously covering surveillance cameras, Batman had ensured his infiltration wouldn't cause complications.
Time was limited. Batman had zero intention of wasting words on Kingpin.
Since Kingpin refused to talk, Batman didn't mind employing certain methods to loosen his tongue. He walked slowly toward Kingpin, eyes hidden in shadow, constantly watching.
"Come on, Batman. Use your fists."
As Batman's footsteps approached, this wheelchair-bound man—having regained his composure as a criminal emperor—smiled gently.
"My wounds will heal. My bones will mend. But the answers you seek will rot in my heart forever."
Batman didn't resort to violence. Before deciding to visit Rikers Prison, he'd already prepared for Kingpin's likely refusal to cooperate.
Standing before Kingpin, Batman looked down at this defeated opponent and extended two photographs.
Kingpin accepted them quizzically. Then his expression transformed violently. This time his facial muscles twisted completely, eyes glaring venomously at Batman.
As if the figure before him wasn't merely the man who'd imprisoned him, but someone who'd slaughtered his entire family—a mortal enemy.
"Vanessa Fisk. Richard Fisk." Batman's voice remained low.
"Your methods of protecting family are useless against me."
"What are you doing! Damn bat! What have you done to them?!"
Kingpin clutched the photographs desperately, struggling to throw a punch at Batman.
The two photos showed a woman and a boy. Kingpin knew them intimately—his wife and son, whom he'd protect at any cost.
From his wheelchair, Kingpin's punch posed no threat to Batman, who caught it effortlessly.
Crash!
From the reciprocal force, the wheelchair beneath Kingpin immediately collapsed, metal supports bending. He sat directly on the floor.
"I've done nothing," Batman's voice remained low. "I'm warning you—your methods of protecting family are too simple. I easily traced your family's information from your past records."
"Others can do the same. Especially those you've victimized who bear grudges."
"Tell me how you obtained Stark Industries weapons. In exchange, I'll completely hide your wife and son's information. Nobody will trace them through any clues again."
Threatening an opponent's family had never been Batman's method.
As Batman stated, he hadn't touched Kingpin's wife or son. After reviewing their files and confirming they weren't involved in Kingpin's crimes, he'd chosen not to contact them.
Batman wouldn't punish innocent people for another's crimes.
"You expect me to trust you?" Kingpin sat on the floor, looking up at Batman's shadow-concealed face.
"You have no choice. You must trust me," Batman said.
Kingpin fell silent, breathing slightly labored, obviously struggling internally.
Moments later, having apparently reached a decision, Kingpin spoke three company names:
"Throne. Scepter. Crown. Three shell companies I once registered. I used them to pay for those Stark Industries weapons."
"The funds ultimately transferred to a trust fund in the Cayman Islands. That's everything I know about the channel."
Batman observed Kingpin's facial expressions while the Arkham suit simultaneously analyzed vocal fluctuations, confirming this criminal emperor wasn't lying.
"How were weapons delivered to you?"
"If I said airdrop, would you believe me?" Kingpin smiled self-deprecatingly.
"All parachutes and packaging related to airdrops had no identifying marks. And I destroyed them all."
Kingpin waited long after speaking but heard no response from Batman.
Looking up, he found the dim red warning lights had returned to normal. Outside, inmates occasionally shouted their identification numbers.
Everything seemed unchanged from before Batman's visit—as if recent events were hallucinations.
Clang! Clang!
Guards had reached Kingpin's cell, batons rudely striking the closed door.
"Get against the wall! Press your head to the surface..."
"Damn it, you filthy pig! Broke your wheelchair?"
"Hands behind your head! Wait for me to cuff you!"
Kingpin glanced peripherally at the flattened wheelchair, confirming recent events weren't illusions. Batman had definitely visited.
He didn't resist. He showed no reaction to guard insults. He simply raised his hands slowly, clasping them behind his head.
Rikers Island's western shore. Standing here provided clear views of North Brother Island's lush forests.
Deep within those woods, hidden among the trees, lay the laboratory and living quarters converted from the old estate.
Batman's leg muscles tensed. He leaped skyward, reaching maximum height before spreading his cape and gliding toward North Brother Island.
Whoosh.
Batman landed smoothly on North Brother Island.
This would become Batman's most important scientific research base besides City Hall Station—where three top scientists from different fields converged.
But before conducting any other experiments or research, Professor Connors's situation required resolution.
Unlike Dr. Banner, who could freely control his Hulk transformation, Professor Connors neither understood how to control becoming a giant lizard nor knew whether the lizard transformation affected him.
When Batman arrived in his Arkham suit, Drs. Banner and Octavius were binding Professor Connors to a massive metal frame, preparing various tests.
"Professor Connors, don't be nervous," Dr. Banner reassured him.
Completely restrained, Professor Connors nodded, tongue depressor in his mouth. He gave Dr. Banner a thumbs-up, indicating he was fine.
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