Peter had managed to escape Kraven and his henchmen. He had shaken them off and was now walking naked and disoriented through a forest... He wasn't sure how long he'd been walking, but he eventually reached a point where he couldn't go on anymore and passed out.
He had no idea how long he was unconscious, but he swore he saw his entire life flash before his eyes. He was angry and felt frustrated.
— I see you're waking up — said a voice.
— W-where am I? — he whispered, sitting up in bed.
— In Japan — came the cold reply.
— Who are you? — he asked, frowning.
— Hirochi, leader of The Hand — he replied. — Judging by your look, I can see you have a lot of questions — he crossed his arms.
— How did I get here?
— The daimyo from Africa found you. He saw your scars — he explained. — He believes you could be a member of The Hand.
...........
New York
Emma Frost regretted everything that had happened. She met Spider-Man when he stood by her side while she was powerless and on the run from the Hellfire Club. And when it was her turn to be there for him… she failed miserably.
Sitting in the mansion's gardens, Logan approached.
— How are you dealing with it? — he asked coldly.
— You should be asking Hope that — she replied. — She lost her mentor.
— And you, a friend.
— What do you know, Logan?
— Everything. Because he told me — he answered. — He asked about you. Wanted to know if you were okay after that mission when you had to flee the Hellfire Club because you had no powers — he crossed his arms. — He was interested in you — he confessed.
— Thanks for not badmouthing him behind his back, like the other heroes do — she grumbled. — Or seeing him as a clown or a fool — she sat down. — He told me he met your brother.
She smiled, nostalgic.
— Yeah, they were roommates in college — she whispered.
— Don't tell anyone — he looked at her — but I miss him — he admitted.
— Even though we didn't spend much time together — said Emma — we were just starting to get to know each other… and even so, I miss him too.
........
Inside the mansion, Kitty Pryde was trying to cheer up Hope Summers, but without success. At some point, Hope had shared why she admired and respected Spider-Man, proudly saying he was her mentor.
— It wasn't your fault — Kitty whispered.
— But I couldn't help — Hope replied. — When I saw the Captain holding his lifeless body… — she looked away — for some reason, I felt like a part of me was gone.
— You did what you could.
— No, that's not true — she looked at Kitty. — We didn't do anything — she growled.
.........
At the top of a building, Spider-Woman was fighting Black Cat. Jessica Drew hated the thief even more now that she was taking advantage of Peter's absence.
She pinned her to the ground, pressing her abdomen with her knee and gripping her neck with her hands.
— You're nothing but a bitch! — she exclaimed angrily. — You never cared about him, did you? — she growled.
With effort, Felicia extended her claws and sank them into the Avenger's hands.
A cry of pain escaped Jessica's mouth, and she instinctively brought her wounded hand to her chest. Black Cat took the opportunity and broke free, throwing Spider-Woman against the building's ducts.
— You don't know anything — Felicia growled.
— You're wrong — Jessica got up. — I know everything — she glared. — Peter… he told me everything. How you betrayed him, lied to him, used him — she frowned. — He cried over you. And even so, he still believed you could change, leave this life behind — she raised her voice. — But he was wrong. And I don't know what he saw in you, but there's one thing we agreed on: you're a bitch.
— He would never say that...
— Spider-Man, no. But Peter Parker, yes — she smirked cynically.
Both lunged at each other, trying to gain the upper hand, but collided mid-air.
IMPACT
— You want what he and I had — said Felicia, struggling.
— And end up being seen as a bitch? No, thanks — Jessica replied.
They separated. Spider-Woman flew toward her enemy and punched her in the face.
— He's not here anymore — she said. — But I won't allow everything he did to be ruined by you — she growled. — I won't let you take over the city.
.......
— So… Japan — murmured Logan.
— Yeah, I needed a new environment — she answered. — To move on — she whispered.
— You'll come back, right?
— Yes. I have a responsibility to the X-Men, and that's something I can't abandon — she looked at him. — I just… I just need some time for myself.
........
Japan
Peter collapsed to the ground. He was exhausted and sweating. Hirochi's gaze was grim.
— Is that all you've got? — he asked.
— No… — Peter got up. — I can do this all day — he took a fighting stance.
— Why are you holding back? — Hirochi questioned. — I don't want you to hold back — he growled.
Peter said nothing and simply charged at him. His blows were easily dodged, which frustrated him. He remembered what he had learned from Shang-Chi when he lost his spider-sense, and began using his legs more. His attacks were still blocked by Hirochi, who quickly landed a kick to his face, knocking him down.
— You're an idiot — Hirochi scolded. — You're holding back.
— Tsk...
— You're angry, frustrated, and you feel betrayed — said Hirochi. — I can sense it. But if you keep holding back, your enemy is going to kill you.
For a brief moment, Peter remembered Norman Osborn. He hated him deeply, because he was, basically, the reason for his death… He had always held back with his enemies, but what good had it done? They never learned and kept making the same mistakes. His jokes and attitude didn't help. Maybe it was time to find another path.
Peter punched the ground, leaving a fist mark.
Maybe it was time to become the kind of hero others had always wanted him to be. To take the job seriously. Maybe even to inspire fear.
He stood up and stared at Hirochi.
— I want to learn the knowledge and techniques of The Hand — he declared.
— If that's what you want, then know this: you must not hold back — Hirochi replied. — Above all, you must be capable of killing.
It was time for a change. Time to leave the jokes behind.
— I promise I won't hold back. And believe me, I'll be capable of killing.
— Good.
He didn't want to pretend anymore. He wanted the Green Goblin dead. He wanted to make him pay for everything. And that… that, he would fulfill.