"Just call me Naruto," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We're friends, and I'll help you out when you need me. But I don't like giving things for free either."
Peter listened intently, already understanding the underlying message.
"I don't like people becoming dependent on me," Naruto continued. "So I'll only help you train, give you advice, and provide tests that might lead to some rewards. Got it?"
Peter nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. "Yes. That's more than I could ever ask for. I'll never forget this goodwill."
A thought popped into his mind.
'Did you give something to my sister?'
It was a random question, but once it entered his head, he couldn't ignore it.
Naruto tilted his head slightly. "Do you want me to give her something?"
Peter clenched his fists. "She'll be targeted once someone finds out about our family connection, won't she?"
"She'll be in danger regardless of her family relations," Naruto said, shaking his head. "S.H.I.E.L.D. will recruit her soon after high school. If you want happiness, you need to cover all your bases, and you can't do it alone."
Peter swallowed. He had always been alone in his battles. He had always thought it was his responsibility, his fight.
"You need a real safe house, a team—for your people and for the city," Naruto continued. "You already know how many heroes have suffered death fighting alone."
Peter exhaled slowly. He had always admired Captain America, Iron Man, and the Avengers. They had a team. They had support. He didn't.
He wasn't stupid. He knew that was a problem.
"…What kind of rewards can I expect?" he asked, curiosity creeping into his tone. "And what kind of tests?"
Naruto smirked. "Battles. You'll go through battles each time, and I'll give you a choice of rewards."
Peter's eyebrows lifted slightly. "What kind of choices?"
"It can be a medical item, a magical item, a technological item—whatever you want," Naruto explained. "But the difficulty of the test will determine what's available."
Peter's mind raced with possibilities. If he played this right, he could get gear that would make him unstoppable.
"When do we start training?" he asked eagerly.
"Tomorrow," Naruto answered. "We'll train for a month inside this place."
Peter blinked. "A month?"
Naruto nodded. "This place is inside your mind. But don't worry—with my powers, your body will experience everything and grow. Right now, you already look different since your body has gone through changes."
Peter frowned in confusion. Changes?
Then a mirror appeared before him.
His eyes widened as he took in his reflection.
His body was taller, standing at 1.9 meters. His once thin frame was now well-built, covered in lean muscle.
He looked… strong.
Not just Spider-Man strong—physically strong, even without powers.
His old self wouldn't stand a chance against him in a fight.
"…Whoa," Peter muttered. "I look—"
"Damn good?" Naruto grinned.
Peter let out a short laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah."
He turned to Naruto. "How is training here any different? Is it the time?"
Naruto nodded. "Yes. In reality, it will only be a single night. But in here, you'll have lived for a month."
Peter let that sink in. That meant—he could gain a month's worth of experience every single night?
This wasn't just training.
This was evolution.
Peter looked at Naruto, realization settling deep in his bones. This wasn't some ordinary encounter. This wasn't just about becoming Spider-Man.
This was a new beginning.
Naruto's voice softened.
"Relax," he said. "And never let negative thoughts affect your mind. Negativity only kills you from the inside. It will never help you."
Peter's breath slowed.
"Keep positive," Naruto continued. "Keep looking for answers, because you'll definitely find them with time. Don't ever let this become a chore."
Naruto smiled.
"Enjoy it. Because when you enjoy something, you put all of yourself into it."
Before Peter could respond, the world faded away.
Tomorrow, his journey would begin.
For Naruto, this was nothing more than a small diversion.
His grand quest—the one that had defined his existence—was finished. The world was saved. Peace had been achieved.
And now?
Now, he was enjoying life, free from the burden of sitting on the throne. He had delegated the responsibilities of leadership, allowing himself the rare luxury of relaxation.
But even in his leisure, he had not forgotten those who still struggled.
The spider wasn't the only one he had sent out.
There was the bat, the centipede, the toad, the eagle, and many more. Each one had been sent to a person he had expected—before their tragedies could take root.
Before the pain.
Before the loss.
He had given them something that so few were ever granted.
A second chance.
But that was all he had done.
Power alone meant nothing. It only provided an opportunity—a better chance at life. It was up to them to make sure that their future remained bright.
Their effort. Their will. Their choices.
As Naruto sat back, watching the changes unfold, a small, contented smile played on his lips.
"It's fun," he mused to himself, his voice filled with warmth.
"Seeing their happy expressions."
Peter awoke with a start, lying in the alleyway where he had collapsed. But something was different.
For one, he was safe—which was surprising. Given the kind of city he lived in, he should have been mugged clean by now.
But no.
Not a single soul had disturbed him.
'Naruto's power, huh?' Peter thought as he slowly sat up. His body felt amazing—stronger, faster, more alive than ever before. And yet, it had only been a minute since he blacked out. He confirmed it with his watch.
One minute had passed.
And in that one minute… his entire life had changed.
His vision was perfect now—he no longer needed glasses. His body felt light, yet brimming with incredible strength.
He could feel it.
The power running through his veins.
Peter took a deep breath, letting the sensations settle as he analyzed his abilities.
He could lift 100 tonnes effortlessly.
He could run like the wind, faster than any normal human.
He could stick to surfaces at will.
His healing was faster than ever before.
His spider-sense was sharper, warning him of danger before it struck.
And most intriguing of all… he could produce webs using chakra.
Chakra.
The concept wasn't foreign to him. Naruto had already implanted the basics in his mind, making it feel like something he had always known. He could feel the energy inside him, waiting for his command.
But he didn't mess with it just yet.
He understood one crucial fact—if he ran out of chakra, he'd be powerless. So, until he learned how to use it properly, he would tread carefully.
'It wasn't a dream.'
'I really met him… and got bit by his spider.'
'I finally know about my parents… and my sister.'
'There's so much to take in… my head really hurts.'
Shaking his head, Peter pushed his thoughts aside and started heading home.
His appearance, fortunately, hadn't changed outwardly. Naruto had placed an illusion over him, ensuring that no one would notice anything unusual. The changes to his body would slowly reveal themselves over three months, preventing any suspicion from forming.
'That guy really thinks of everything.'
The realization made Peter even more grateful.
Naruto could have easily left him to figure things out on his own. He could have manipulated him, played him like a fiddle, or even blamed him for not asking the right questions.
But he didn't.
'He really is a nice person.'
Peter's thoughts drifted back to Naruto's offer—the tests and the rewards.
What kind of things could he earn?
If he could become special, then so could his family.
He could use his future rewards to help Aunt May and Uncle Ben—extend their lives, give them better health, and allow them to enjoy the wealth he planned to build.
That thought alone excited him.
As Peter walked through the city, the world around him felt brighter, noisier, and frankly, disgusting. His enhanced senses made everything too much—too loud, too clear, too overwhelming.
But luckily…
He could adjust them.
If not, he probably wouldn't even be able to walk straight.
It was expected—power came with challenges.
And Peter?
He was ready for them.
The moment Peter stepped into the house, Uncle Ben's voice greeted him from the living room.
"Peter, were you drinking?"
Peter blinked, surprised by the question.
"Huh? Why would you think so?" he asked as he cleared his shoes, setting them aside neatly before slipping into his indoor slippers.
Ben chuckled, getting up from the sofa where he and May had been watching an old movie together.
"We were students once too, you know," he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Going drinking is pretty normal. I just hope you didn't do anything irresponsible."
Peter paused, then smirked slightly.
"I did go drinking, but I didn't do anything irresponsible."
Ben raised an eyebrow, sensing something deeper in Peter's tone.
"Peter, do you want to share something with me?" Ben asked, his expression growing softer. "I won't mind, even if it's a difficult topic."
He had noticed it before—the tension, the pressure on his nephew's shoulders. Peter had always been bullied, and Ben had tried to help, but there were limits.
Flash's father was a corrupt cop, and that man had made it very clear that no one else was allowed to discipline his son except him.
'I thought that boy would have changed after the incident,' Ben thought grimly.
But before he could dwell on it, Peter suddenly spoke.
"I am very happy today, Father, Mother."
Ben and May froze.
Did they hear that correctly?
Peter walked over and hugged Ben, completely shocking the elderly couple.
May took a few hesitant steps forward.
"F-Father?" Ben stammered.
"M-Mother?" May echoed, blinking in disbelief.
Peter smiled at their reactions.
"You have been my parents for so long. I think it's only right to call you that." He looked at them gently, his eyes full of warmth. "Or… do you not want me to?"
May immediately shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes.
"No, no, no—of course, we do!" she said, her voice breaking as she wrapped her arms around him. "It's just… I was so taken aback. I didn't even realize how much I had been missing those words."
She sobbed softly, holding Peter like she never wanted to let go.
She had always wanted children, but after suffering a stillbirth in her first pregnancy, the doctors had told her she couldn't try again.
Her dream of becoming a mother had been shattered.
Until Peter came into their lives.
And now, after all these years, he had finally called them Mother and Father.
Ben rubbed his eyes, feeling overwhelmed. He wasn't the type to cry, but this was one of those moments that made him feel it deep in his bones.
Still, being the teasing dad that he was, he couldn't help but joke a little.
"What happened out there? Did you fall in love? Did you… y'know… do it?" Ben asked, wiggling his eyebrows mischievously. "What exactly happened to make you change so much?"
Peter laughed, shaking his head.
"I just… I finally realized how important you both are to me." His voice softened. "And that I've never really said it out loud."
Then, he added casually—almost too casually—
"Also, I almost died."
Ben and May froze again.
"…What was that?" Ben asked, his tone suddenly serious. "I must be hearing things, because I thought I just heard you say 'die' and 'I' in the same sentence."
Peter raised his hands defensively.
"Ah, relax first! Let's sit down." He gestured towards the couch. "I have something important to share with you."
Ben narrowed his eyes, but he trusted Peter enough to hear him out.
Peter had decided—he wouldn't hide this secret from them.
Naruto's advice echoed in his mind:
"Everything starts at home. From family to friends… and then the neighborhood."
And Peter knew—if he was going to fight, he needed someone to talk to.
And there was no one he trusted more than Ben and May Parker.