Chapter 174: Three Gifts
After decades navigating Gotham's underworld and encountering countless alien civilizations across the universe, Batman had honed his ability to read people—even non-human entities.
As long as something possessed intelligence, Batman could deduce its nature and psychology from minute details.
This was why Batman had been willing to give Doctor Octavius and Professor Adrian Toomes second chances. He'd judged their fundamental decency despite their temporary lapses.
It was also why Batman had immediately unleashed his full strength during his first meeting with Kingpin at Oscorp Tower, defeating him with a single punch and crushing bones—sending a clear message.
His selection of the young woman Alice as Parker Industries' assistant, later promoting her to CEO—Chief Executive Officer—similarly reflected Batman's judgment.
Batman had no time to personally manage Parker Industries. He spent most of his time as an absent owner, letting Alice handle the majority of operations. Evidence suggested Alice was performing adequately.
Though by Batman's standards she still fell short, he was willing to cultivate Alice's skills until she could independently manage Parker Industries without his guidance.
But understanding human nature, Batman had simultaneously prepared several contingency plans should Alice prove corrupt or incompetent. Fortunately, Alice hadn't triggered any of those scenarios, and Batman was pleased to leave those plans unused.
Now Batman sat in Parker Industries' chairman's office wearing a dark brown suit, while Alice busied herself with the company's many operations.
Looking at the envelope-sized package on the office desk, Batman didn't immediately reach for it.
Without the Arkham suit's transparency and scanning capabilities, Peter Parker's body's enhanced senses would have to suffice.
"Not a trap. No danger. Spider-sense hasn't triggered..."
Confirming the contents posed no threat, Batman still didn't touch it. Instead, he removed a small device from his pocket and placed it on the desk.
This was technology Batman had created that far exceeded current world standards—it created an absolutely secure signal-blocking zone, rendering Batman's communications and actions untraceable by any means.
Normally installed in the Batcave, with another unit mounted in the Arkham suit, Batman now deployed it to prevent any electronic device inside the package from broadcasting—specifically to avoid a scenario where "this is meant for Batman, but Peter Parker opened it," exposing his dual identity.
As for Parker Industries itself, Batman wasn't concerned about information leaks. From patents to production line sources, Batman had already woven plausible cover stories.
Ensuring opening the package wouldn't create problems, Batman finally reached for it and tore it open.
The outer packaging was crude—simple paper wrapping. But removing that revealed an exquisitely crafted interior box.
Purple-black base color with distinctive pale gold patterns along the edges. The box's face bore a panther emblem.
Without opening it, Batman identified the package's origin from those patterns alone—Wakanda. They matched the decorative motifs on T'Challa's clothing during their meeting almost exactly.
The box had three layers. Each contained an item. At the bottom lay a note with neat, elegant handwriting.
The first layer's center held a spherical bead, colored purple-black matching the box, with a plain surface lacking any patterns. The note beneath it read:
"One-time communication channel, called a Kimoyo bead. Thank you for your trust and assistance, Batman. When you need my help, use this."
Batman recognized this bead.
T'Challa had worn a bracelet made of these beads at Silver Sable's company, using it to intercept Batman's communication frequency.
However, this Kimoyo bead had clearly been stripped of most functions, serving only for one-time emergency communication.
Batman placed it beside the signal blocker, then opened the box's second layer.
Inside lay a chip the size of a fingertip.
"This contains complete data for biological tissue rapid regeneration gel. Wakandan medical technology. It cannot regrow severed limbs, but dramatically shortens trauma healing time."
T'Challa had written on the note beneath the chip:
"When we met, you could have coerced me with force, but you didn't. Regardless of your reasons, I offer you respect and gratitude. I hope this technology provides some assistance."
Batman placed this chip beside the signal blocker as well, then opened the box's third layer.
The bottom layer contained an irregular silver metal piece roughly palm-sized.
"I told my father about you. This is his gift, for continuing your research. Please use it carefully."
T'Challa hadn't explicitly identified the metal, but Batman understood perfectly.
Vibranium. Far more than the finger-sized piece T'Challa had reclaimed. The value must be substantially higher.
Arranging all three items beside the signal blocker, confirming the box contained nothing else and was simply ordinary Wakandan paper construction with no electronic devices in hidden compartments, Batman sat in his office chair and contemplated.
T'Challa—even Wakanda itself—had no obligation to send these three gifts.
Batman had returned that finger-sized vibranium to T'Challa not expecting gratitude, simply treating it as payment for intelligence about Wakanda.
The world's greatest mind raced through possibilities. Twenty minutes later, Batman had determined T'Challa and Wakanda's motivations.
"Wakanda detected the isotope markers I left on that vibranium using vapor deposition. They know I don't rely purely on physical force—that I possess significant technological capabilities."
"Hence the regeneration gel gift. Responding to my science with their science."
"The Kimoyo bead provides one emergency contact... Based on the capabilities I've demonstrated, Wakanda still believes situations exist that I cannot handle alone."
"Which means this world is far more dangerous than what I've seen so far. There are threats even SHIELD infiltration cannot reveal."
"That's another subtext in giving me the regeneration gel."
Batman focused on the palm-sized vibranium piece. He knew T'Challa wasn't exaggerating.
The finger-sized vibranium had been stolen according to T'Challa, requiring recovery. This palm-sized piece represented Wakanda's response to Batman's actions.
Wakanda was investing in him. Simultaneously eliminating the risk that Batman might acquire vibranium through other means—by bringing the vibranium question into the open.