There stood The Batman, outside a Japanese style store called "Equivalent exchange" an up and coming store, where you could essentially buy anything for the right price, information, an escape, blueprints, medical treatment, you name it.

The batman had been having a lot of problems with the villains in Gotham lately, and this store had been the reason why. He had found out from a reliable source that some exchanges were made in an alternative source of payment.

The person that gave this information. , or as his former name which he goes by now "Victor Fries"

Flashback

Batman was making a patrol when he saw step out of his vehicle, instead of a cold suit, he wore a black suit, as Victor made his way around the vehicle, Batman saw many changes in his character both physically and emotionally.

Some of the physical changes included the fact that he was wearing an eyepatch other his right eye, and he saw his left-hand sleeve was fluttering in the wind, which let Batman know that he was not in possession of his appendage anymore.

Victor was no longer that sickly blue as it was before, his skin looked healthy, he looked younger even. What was actually grabbed the attention of Batman, however, was not the fact that someone could reduce Dr. Freeze to that state, but what really grabbed his attention was the fact that Victor had a smile, he looked genuinely happy.

The Batman stopped in front of Doctor Freeze and grabbed his forearm as he was opening the door.

"What are you up to Freeze." The Batman asked

"Absolutely nothing," He said as he smiled.

"You're going to jail," the Batman said as he tightened his grip on Victor

"Actually, I have been pardoned for my crimes, as long as I meet my parole officer amongst other things"

The Batman let go of his arm but started to scowl

"What did you do, who did you threaten?"

"Nobody" Answered Dr. Fries as he handed Batman a card

"Whats this?" asked The Batman, In his hands was a Matte Black card that had a design of a scale on it, it read Equivalent Exchange, in gold. in the back of the card was a red swirl.

"This store opened up a little while ago, it's owned by a Young Man, some Japanese guy."

"What does this have to do with you being pardoned," The Batman asked quite confused

Fries sighed " He is what you might call a Broker, except that some requests cannot be accommodated with money, the name Equivalent exchange is quite appropriate, he Barters with things that cannot be bought with money, in this case for me it was forgiveness for my crimes"

"Yeah? What? Was that what cost you an eye and an arm?" The Batman asked a bit sarcastically

Dr. Fries looked at him for a second and smiled a bit "Yes actually, I heard about how he could do anything, I asked him if he could make my wife better"

The batman raised his eyebrow "And did he?"

Dr Fries chuckled "Yes he did, he had me bring her to him, It cost me half of the remainder of my lifespan, about 25 years, he told me that he gave her 20 years of my life, the other 5 were his, he told me that she would live for another 20 years, should nothing happen. She would die in her sleep I was told, and I would go after her a week later, gave me enough time to prepare us a proper sendoff, he told me that she had built up a lot of positive karma and she did not deserve what befell her, which is the reason that he only took 25 years from me."

Batman seemed shocked, someone who was able to take away someone's lifespan was dangerous

"That does not explain that arm and eye"

"Well Batman, what kind of husband would I be if I left my wife all alone and went to Prison?" asked the Batman like he was stupid

Batman glared at the man "You know what I mean"

"Yes yes" Fries waved him off, "I asked him if he was able to do something about my criminal record, he told me it would cost an arm and an eye, so what do I do? I take my right arm, and prop my eyelids open, then I take my other hand, I secure it on my eyeball, and I pull" He started shivering a bit, not in fear but in recollection of the pain "god it hurt"

"Anyway, he grabs my eye, puts it in a jar and tells me 'That was only to test your conviction, your arm will be painless' he then did something unbelieveable, he put his hand to my eye socket, and it healed perfectly, granted my eye was no longer there, but the blood stoped, he grabbed me by the elbow and my next thing you know my arm falls off, no pain, no hastle, I haven't even had any phantom pains, he picked up my arm and put it in this Glass box, it became a deep blue and was radiating cold, next thing you know my skin is what to my normal color, he told me to stay in the waiting room pulled out a phone and ten minutes later I get a call and have my crimes pardoned, granted im on parole for three years and have a few additional rules i must follow as well as compensation, but still, now I am able to spend what time I have left with my wife"

" So we have a psychopath making deals with criminals, why is he not on the GCPD's radar? As a matter of a fact why haven't these villains attempted to raid this store, there must be much of value."

sighed yet again "Your thinking too narrow-minded Batman, this Young man, he's powerful im not surprised if he was stronger than Superman, The police won't touch him because he is not technically doing anything illegal that can be linked back to him, even if they did find something he has enough connections to get him out of trouble, Villains won't touch him, he's what you might call 'off the market' for them, the villains won't harm him in fear of not only incuring his wrath but also those he has made exchanges with, I dont think even the joker is crazy enough to mess with him."

"So he's a dangerous villain?" Batman asked clenching his hands

shook his head " He's dangerous that I won't deny, but rather than a villain he's neutral, he trades with all parties, he's a free agent as one would say, put in the request and an offer that can satisfie the 'balance' as he calls it."

The Batman was pondering on that information when the car door opened, the batman put himself in a defensive stance, out of the vehicle came a beautiful woman that looked like she was in her early to mid-thirties.

"Is everything okay honey?" She asked a bit worried and looking at Batman

"Yes honey, everything is fine, he was just asking some questions," he said as he smiled "Now If you'll excuse me I have to accompany my beautiful wife to dinner." he walked away from the Batman with his wife holding his arm.

'Equivalent exchange' thought Batman, Definitely a threat he thought through gritted teeth, I better go check this out.

He jumped back into the Bat Mobile.

Flashback end

He stood in front of the store "Equivalent exchange" it was a beautifull traditional Japanese style building, he opened the door, and inside the building he saw a big and some mats laid out, in the center of the room he saw a young man, maybe 17-19 years old, with sunkissed blonde hair, he was wearing a black and white silk kimono jacket that went below his knees with tree designs on it, in the back of the kimono jacket were nine commas going down in rows of three, and a red swirl above that Looked like the one in the back of the card, underneath the jacket was a black kimono with an orange bottom, on the neckline were white commas once again only six this time, he wore black circular shades.

He had two deep and bright blue eyes, they shone with innocence, yet they looked fierce.

The Batman noticed that the young man radiated tranquility, yet powerful.

On the wall behind the young man was a scroll with beautifully written words that read

"Rules:

All exchanges must be of equivalent Value, whether it be the monetary value or other alternative modes of payment.

All sales are final, refunds are up to the owner's discretion.

No fighting in store, all aggressor will be removed from the premise in a less than friendly way.

No identities are for sale if you want to know a masked person's identity go somewhere else.

We have not hired assassins, we do not kill.

Those who form a contract and do not abide by it will be penalized heavily.

No Brooding, We don't like Emos! :(

The Young man was sitting at the table drinking tea, he looked up at The Batman quizzically

"Yes? May I help you?"

"Are you the Owner of this store?" The Batman asks showing him the card Dr. Fries gave him

"Why yes I am, how may I help you?" he asked yet again with an eyebrow raised as he lifted the tea to take another sip

"What is your name?" Batman says as he reached into his utility belt discreetly

"Naruto Uzumaki," He said taking yet another sip

"You are coming with me," The Batman says as he takes out his batarangs

"I do not think I will kind sir, is there something that interests you in? I see you have a black and gold card. You are can receive a 25% discount on your purchase with it, only works once per person though." He said as he took another sip

The batman took the batarangs and threw it at the young man in an attempt to stun him, however as soon as he threw them and were within a few feet of the young man they stopped in the air, and were returned to him twice as fast.

The batman managed to dodge them, and the young man sighed

"I know you read the rules when you came in here, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Not without bringing you in." The Batman stated through gritted teeth

Naruto looked at him questioningly "For what? I have to arrest warrants to my name"

"You are a danger, that is supplying criminals"

"What criminals? I am new here you see, I know nothing about anyone, I sell to any and all that come to my store, regardless of race, gender, or affiliation," he said drinking yet again, this time, however, he pulled out a cell phone.

"If you refuse to leave I'm afraid I will have to call the police," said Naruto

"Why don't you then?" Batman stated coldness in his voice.

Naruto started dialing

"You asked for it. Yes? GCPD, This is Naruto Uzumaki, I want to report a case of Assault, yes, Batman entered my property and started throwing bat shaped toys at me, yes, I have recordings of it, thank you sir" He then put the phone back in his pocket

Sirens were going off a couple of blocks away from the store and were getting closer.

"They should be here any minute, Batman." He said as he took another sip.

"This isn't over," Batman said as he walked out and grappled his way to the top of a building.

Naruto sighed yet again and looked at his tea, " Some people, always have to be in control, I find control to be quite boring." When the police arrived they took a report of what happened, and he handed the officers a recording.

"Thank you, officers, would you like some tea?" he smiled

"No problem, we will make sure something like this doesn't happen again , And yes we would love some tea." The officer smiled

Naruto waved his right hand and cups appeared, enough for all six officers, and poured tea

"I hope your officers don't mind, there's a bit of caffeine in the tea, I know how hard you guys must work and patrol at this time of the night way me very tiring."

"Yes Mr. Uzumaki you are right, alright boys lets not let 's tea go to waste."

They sat down and drank the tea, they started to feel more energized, and their muscles began to feel more relaxed and less tense.

"Wow, whatever is in this stuff is great." said an officer

Naruto chuckled " Why yes, it's jasmine and I blended some herbs in there as well to help the healing process, so if you are feeling your muscles relax and energized then the herbs are doing their job."

"Yes, they are said the officer."

"I'm glad you like it." He smiled

"Alright, guys it's time to go, Thank you ."

"No problem officer, have a good night."

The officer smiled and tipped his hat in acknowledgment

Back in the Batcave

"Naruto Uzumaki I've run his name through every government database, and I have yet to find anything about him, its like he popped out of nowhere, what are you hiding." He said as he clenched his fists on his supercomputer.