The warmth of the cozy Spider Base contrasted sharply with the harsh reality outside.
Peter sat with Gwen and Cindy, watching as they enjoyed the meal he had prepared. It was a rare moment of normalcy, but the weight of their choices loomed overhead.
He leaned forward slightly, expression serious.
"Right, so I heard from Yami that you have some control over your powers now. Do you intend to really continue? The training is painful. What about your families?"
There was a long pause.
Gwen set down her fork, her blue eyes unwavering as she responded.
"I will join. We already know the state of our city, so there is no need to delude myself with imaginary safety. It's just not our time to die, so we survived. But people die every day—from normal things to supervillains."
Her voice was calm, but there was an edge of acceptance to it.
Peter studied her for a moment before nodding.
"I guess we have similar views about the situation."
Gwen smiled, shifting slightly closer to him.
"I thought so." She reached over and held his hand, offering silent support.
Peter squeezed her fingers lightly before glancing at her.
"What about your father?"
Gwen's expression softened slightly. "I will talk to him. My father is an upstanding man with a courageous heart, so I want him to know. We could even work together. Just in case, I won't tell him about anything else—only my powers."
"Do you want me to accompany you?" Peter asked, his tone gentle.
Gwen's eyes widened slightly before she grinned. "Really? That's so sweet… but it would be better if I go alone. I will call you when I need your assistance."
Peter nodded, trusting her judgment. "Thank you for accepting my offer."
Gwen tilted her head slightly, looking at him curiously. "Was hero life getting too difficult?"
Peter exhaled, rubbing his temples.
"Yes. I can't do this alone. The city is too big, and too many things happen at once. I can't cover everything. I can't even know everything—I depend on my eyesight and police reports. I'm working on solving the issue by making some drones, but it takes time to set everything up. But for the first problem, I still need a hand… and other heroes aren't willing to join me. They don't trust me."
He wasn't bitter about it—just stating facts.
Gwen hummed in understanding. "I see. There are many problems with being a hero. It's not as easy as we imagined… but I will try my best to lower your burden."
Peter gave her a small grateful smile before turning to Cindy.
"What about you?"
Cindy tapped her fingers against the table, looking thoughtful.
"I'm not so sold on the hero idea, to be honest. I'm not a selfless person willing to put my life on the line for others. But I am willing to train—just in case I ever need my powers in an emergency."
It was practical, logical, and Peter could respect that.
"I understand," he said, nodding. "And even I am not being completely selfless. I only wish to create a safe environment so that it doesn't affect my life. That's how I think of my actions, and they are just a build-up to my goal. I wouldn't give up my life for strangers, nor would I choose them over my family. In the end, I'm also just human."
His words cleared away some of the doubts they had about him—he wasn't some perfect hero on a pedestal. He was just a man trying to survive.
Cindy smirked slightly. "I'll keep that in mind."
Peter glanced at the time and stood up.
"You girls can go to sleep, talk, or read some books. If you're feeling motivated, you can also train with Wonder Woman."
The moment he stood, the threat system came online, flashing an urgent alert.
His eyes narrowed as he read the report.
A large reptilian creature had been spotted slipping into the sewers.
It was connected to the NYPD system, which he had been integrating into his network. Soon, he'd have a setup similar to Batman's, gathering information from all sources.
Peter let out a quiet sigh, stretching his arms.
Time to work.
The past two weeks had been transformative for Peter.
His suit was no longer just a body-covering outfit—it was now a battle-ready, high-tech piece of engineering.
Designed with Naruto's guidance, it was built properly, ensuring absolute flexibility without compromising defense. The mechanical components were seamlessly hidden beneath an illusion, making it appear like a normal suit unless someone had the ability to see through it.
But underneath?
It was a walking fortress.
🔥 Heat Gauntlets: Amplified his Fire Style Jutsu, causing devastating burns even without ninjutsu. Close-quarters combat had never been deadlier.
🎯 Advanced Visor:
Lock-on Targeting System for precise attacks.
Data Recording to analyze enemy movement patterns.
🚀 Booster Boots:
Enhanced speed and maneuverability.
Allowed him to dash in mid-air and deliver explosive kicks.
🛡 Reinforced Chest Armor:
Improved durability without restricting movement.
Could tank heavy blows, including direct missile impacts.
🔫 Back-Mounted Guns:
Could fire bullets, webs, or web bombs to counter blindside attacks.
💀 Specialized Pellets:
Poison Pellets – Lethal against enemies with enhanced healing.
Acid Pellets – Capable of melting through armor and walls.
Ice Pellets – Used to freeze and immobilize fast-moving foes.
⚡ Refurbished Railgun:
Originally used by Tombstone, now modified and summonable.
🔗 Seals for Durability:
Embedded Naruto-style seals to make the armor stronger than any standard metal.
Without the seals, it was already superior to any conventional body armor.
🤖 Combat Drones:
Used to assist him in battle or evacuate civilians
Enhanced enemy tracking and battlefield analysis.
Peter's access to confiscated tech from criminals provided a steady stream of materials.
He wasn't on Iron Man or Reed Richards' level yet, but with time and the right knowledge, he was pushing towards something far greater.
For now, though…
With this armor, Peter knew one thing—
He was ready for anything.
Peter had barely stepped into the cityscape when his communicator buzzed.
"Peter, I need your help."
The voice was Connor's—but something was off.
"What is it?" Peter replied, stopping on top of a skyscraper, his masked eyes narrowing. He had just arrived in the city, moving at top speed, yet this call sent an uneasy feeling through his gut.
"Just come to this location."
That was not how Connor usually spoke. The scientist was always polite, always adding 'please' and explanations. But this time, his voice carried an urgency—almost like he was… angry.
Peter's mind raced.
'There's something wrong… and why is he there?'
The location was deep inside an infamous crime zone—not a place Connor should ever be.
There was only one logical conclusion—
Connor had been kidnapped.
Peter didn't waste time.
Without another word, he launched himself into the air, swinging towards the coordinates. His black and white form darted across the skyline, catching the attention of the city below.
"Hey! It's Spider-Man!"
"Look! He's moving fast—something must be happening!"
The streets of New York were alive with the sight of their friendly neighborhood hero.
People waved. Some shouted words of encouragement. Others tried to snap photos as he blurred past.
He even managed to exchange a few quick words during his swings—
"Yo, Spidey! Any new moves?"
"You bet! Watch this—!" (Cue a flip-kick mid-swing)
For some, Spider-Man wasn't just a hero—he was a symbol. A friend. A guy they could actually talk to.
He had taken selfies, accepted gifts, and even given quick interviews—his reputation among the people was strong.
The media, however?
Not so much.
Despite everything, the press constantly questioned his motivations, twisting his words, implying hidden agendas.
Jonah Jamesonwas at the forefront of it all.
Peter exhaled, thinking.
'Maybe it's time I meet the big man himself.'
But that was for later.
For now?
He had a scientist to save—and something told him this wasn't going to be a normal rescue mission.
The abandoned building loomed before Peter, its rotting walls barely standing, the air thick with dust and mildew. The place was completely dark, but his enhanced senses caught the subtle sounds within—breathing, the scrape of claws on concrete, and the faintest heartbeat.
Something big was inside.
Peter activated his comm, whispering,
"Doc, are you inside the old building?"
A deep, almost inhuman voice responded,
"Yes, where are you, Peter?"
Peter frowned.
If he were just some regular guy, this situation would have screamed horror movie material—a creepy voice, an abandoned building, and a weird request to come inside? Yeah, no thanks. He would have called the cops.
But this was Connor—a friend.
So Peter moved stealthily, slipping in without a sound.
The second he stepped in, however, he felt it.
Eyes. Watching him.
And not just any gaze—this was feral, the look of a predator analyzing its prey.
His mind worked fast.
'That's… not normal.'
Then, in the dim light, he saw it.
A massive reptilian figure lurked in the shadows—towering, muscular, and radiating raw power. The faint glint of scaled skin, a long tail swaying behind him, and sharp claws that looked like they could tear through steel.
And the eyes—cold, yellow, and filled with something Peter didn't expect.
Fear. Suspicion. Paranoia.
Peter remained calm, using an illusion to make himself appear normal, hiding any threatening details about his new suit.
He spoke carefully,
"Is that you, Doctor?"
Connor hesitated, then responded,
"Peter…"
His tone was uncertain, but he didn't attack immediately.
Connor's mind was breaking down, his human side fading with every passing second. His instincts were growing stronger, and they were telling him something Peter hadn't considered.
Peter stepped closer.
Connor stiffened, his tail curling slightly.
The moment Peter got within a few feet, Connor's body tensed up, and his eyes widened in alarm.
Something was wrong.
Peter wasn't acting the way he should have.
There was no fear in his stance. No hesitation. Not even a flicker of disgust at the transformation.
That wasn't like Peter.
That wasn't human.
Connor's mind jumped to a horrifying conclusion—
'It's not Peter. They captured him. They're tricking me!'
His yellow eyes burned with rage, his claws tightening into a fist.
The only response his instincts allowed?
Violence.
A furious roar shook the building, shaking dust loose from the ceiling.
"WHERE IS PETER?!"
His massive claw came slashing down at Peter with terrifying speed!