**The Art of Thievery in a World of Superheroes**
Part 1
As I stepped off the train and onto the bustling streets of Paris, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement mixed with a dash of trepidation. One moment, I was a grad student in New York, working on my thesis about the intersection of mythology and modern pop culture; the next, I was hurtling through space and time, landing with a thud in the City of Light. My phone, still clutched in my hand, displayed a cryptic message: "Welcome to Earth-1610. Please adapt quickly." The last thing I remembered was attending a comic book convention, dressed as Arsène Lupin, the legendary French thief. Now, as I took in my surroundings, I realized that this wasn't just any ordinary Paris. Towering skyscrapers loomed in the distance, and flying vehicles zoomed by, leaving contrails behind. I spotted a group of superheroes, clad in colorful costumes, battling a behemoth robot near the Eiffel Tower. My mind reeled as I tried to wrap my head around this new reality. I had always been fascinated by the DC and Marvel universes, and now, it seemed, I was a part of them. As I navigated the crowded streets, I noticed a small, sleek device on the ground. It was a high-tech smartwatch, adorned with intricate engravings. Without thinking, I picked it up and strapped it to my wrist. The watch suddenly sprang to life, displaying a holographic message: "Greetings, Arsène Lupin. Your skills have been recognized. You are now the chosen one, destined to follow in the footsteps of the great master thief. Your adventure begins now." A wild grin spread across my face as I felt an electrifying surge of excitement. This was either the most incredible dream or the most surreal reality. Either way, I was ready to play along. As I strolled through the city, I pondered my next move. I knew that I needed to gather a team of skilled individuals to aid me in my quest for thievery and adventure. My mind turned to the legendary companions of Lupin III, the Japanese master thief: Daisuke Jigen, the expert marksman; Keiko, the resourceful and intelligent femme fatale; and Goemon Ishikawa, the skilled swordsman. With my newfound smartwatch as a guide, I set out to track down these iconic characters, hoping to recruit them to join me on my escapades. My first lead took me to a high-stakes poker game in an underground casino, where I hoped to find Daisuke Jigen. As I entered the dimly lit casino, I scanned the room, searching for my target. The air was thick with tension and cigarette smoke. I spotted a suave, laid-back individual with a confident smile, effortlessly winning hand after hand. My eyes locked onto his, and I knew I had found my first recruit. "Care to join me for a game, friend?" I asked, flashing a charming smile. The man raised an eyebrow, intrigued by my boldness. "I'm always up for a challenge. What's the stakes?" With a mischievous glint in my eye, I replied, "The stakes are... whatever I can steal from you." The game was on. What do you want me to do next?