Man Behind the Scenes

"With my help—" Before he could finish his sentence, Bane walked around to the back of a tank and pointed to a distinct handprint embedded in the armor beside the hatch. "This looks like one of the National Guard tanks I crushed with my bare hands."

"Impossible!" Penguin's eyes bulged, his monocle popping out of its socket. "I am a reputable and trustworthy businessman. I would never exploit someone else's misfortune and sell their salvaged equipment."

The hulking figure with bulging muscles responded with silence.

"Alright, alright," Penguin conceded, raising his hands in surrender under Bane's intense gaze. "Yes, I salvaged those tanks, but I repaired them. It's simple, really, just replace a few armor panels."

Bane remained silent.

The tanks he had destroyed had sustained significant damage. The fact that Penguin could repair them so quickly was a testament to his capabilities.

The transaction continued smoothly, with Bane's men loading the weapons provided by Penguin.

"By the way, Bane, I have something to tell you."

Penguin puffed on his cigar and adjusted his monocle.

"Did you know one of my nuclear bombs was recently stolen?"

"Nuclear weapons?" Bane paused.

He immediately retorted, "Damn you, you're in possession of such dangerous things."

Penguin narrowed his eyes.

The gesture was chilling. Even though he was a short, stout man with a hooked nose, the act of squinting while smoking was unnerving.

"You weren't aware that my nuclear weapons were stolen?"

Bane countered, "Should I have been?"

The two locked eyes, the atmosphere growing tense.

The smarter members of Penguin's and Bane's crews had already sensed the shift. They set down the weapons they were handling and watched their respective bosses intently.

"Hahahahaha!" Penguin burst into laughter. "It's nothing, my friend. I simply wanted to ask if you happen to know the whereabouts of the thief who stole my nuke. If you do, please let me know so I can personally tear them apart!"

But Bane's muscles remained tense, his eyes fixed on Penguin with a cold stare.

"Ha, haha..." Penguin's laughter trailed off awkwardly.

He summoned one of his men and addressed Bane directly. "Have the armed helicopters circling above us stand down. I'm confident this wasn't Bane's doing. No need to have missiles pointed at our valued customers."

Bane's posture relaxed slightly.

The tension dissipated, replaced by a semblance of harmony. Penguin stroked his chin, his eyes darting back and forth.

"My friend, these weapons may greatly increase your power," he said.

"But I don't see a bright future for you. You'll soon be defeated, just like all the others who've challenged Batman over the years."

Noticing Bane's darkening expression, he pressed on, unconcerned.

He knew Bane's emotions ran deeper than his brutish exterior suggested, but since the man preferred to play the mindless muscle, why not indulge him?

After all, Penguin's goal was to prolong Bane's fight with Batman, ensuring a steady stream of customers for his wares. So he continued bluntly:

"For the sake of our partnership, Bane, I've met many talented individuals from Arkham, and they've all said the same thing."

"Bane is no Batman. So let me point out a simple fact, my handsome ally."

"No matter how many killers and strongmen you bring from Santa Prisca, no matter how many scum you recruit from Blackgate, those Arkham lunatics have seen worse, and they won't be intimidated by you."

Bane remained silent.

The rest of the transaction proceeded without incident. In an odd silence, the peculiar pair of customers and the merchant completed their business.

"The next batch of weapons will be delivered in two days~ My ally, this time you'll have to pay full price. You know, the super special offer of trading so many weapons for one body only happens once."

He handed Bane a price list, detailing the cost of each weapon, then strutted away under Bane's watchful eye.

A few minutes later, in a secluded corner.

Bane signaled a few of his men to guard the entrance and tapped his earpiece. "So, my ally what do you suggest?"

"I'm not your ally."

A British-accented voice echoed in Bane's earpiece, like a butler offering a silver platter in a noble manor.

"We are merely using each other, Bane. There's no need to pretend otherwise. Are you addicted to playing the alliance game with Penguin?"

It was a blatant taunt, but Bane remained silent.

"I will provide you with information and funds. You only need to repay me by achieving your desired goal – destroying Batman. That is my objective."

The mysterious voice continued, "No matter the method, even if it means razing Gotham to the ground. Go forth and achieve your grand ambition."

"I smell a conspiracy," Bane growled. "I never trust help that comes without a reason."

But the mysterious voice ignored him. "The final payment for the weapons will arrive soon, and then we will never meet again."

"Give me as much as you can," Bane demanded.

"Of course, Bane," the figure in the shadows paused, tapping his cane. "Enough to arm all your men to the teeth."

Bane ended the call, turned around, and was about to order his men to collect the weapons when a commotion erupted.

"What's happening? Zombie, go check it out."

Before the subordinate Bane called Zombie could move, a voice echoed through the air:

"That won't be necessary. You're Bane, right?"

"Pfft!"

A light chuckle followed, and Bane frowned. He noticed Zombie grinning beside him.

Bane silently activated his Venom, the dark green liquid coursing through his veins, increasing his size slightly.

"Oh, no need to be so tense. We both have Batman to deal with. We're allies!"

"Pfft! Hahahaha!"

Zombie suddenly dropped to his knees, laughing hysterically.

Bane glared at the pale figure who had appeared before him. "Joker!"