7: Chapter 7 A New Prototype

Spider-Man and Batman.

They don't have god-like powers that can destroy the World. Batman relies on equipment and his brain, while Spider-Man relies on superpowers and wisdom. They both experienced huge losses, which led them to shoulder their missions. Bruce Wayne for revenge, Peter Parker for responsibility.

They both protect their own cities. They both rely mainly on their fists and brains to fight. Even their villains are surprisingly similar: Joker and Green Goblin, Black Cat and Black Cat, Sandman and Clayface.

Peter and Bruce are practically each other's mirror images. One has superpowers, the other has extreme training and wealth.

If Peter wants to become Spider-Man, he must not repeat the old path of Peter Parker. He must be stronger, he must surpass the original!

He leaned against the wall of the hangar, looking around. Why go through so much trouble? For people he doesn't know?

No, he can't think like that. The tragic scene of the Hulk and the Abomination fighting in Harlem flashed through his mind. If a strong enough hero had intervened at that time, the destruction would not have been so severe.

He needs to become a hero. Since he has the power, why be a mediocre wall-crawler?

Back home, Peter opened his computer and started searching for skills he needed to learn.

He made a list: various martial arts, mechanics, chemistry, physics, and even foreign languages.

He found a dojo that taught mixed martial arts, including Karate, Judo, and Taekwondo, two hours for each, from 3 PM to 9 PM. Ordinary people would only sign up for one class, but Peter is not an ordinary person.

He couldn't put on the suit and fight crime immediately; the suit and the second-generation shooters both need time. He must be patient, lay low, learn, and grow. The birth of Spider-Man still needs time.

The next day, Peter changed his learning strategy.

He went to the library and borrowed an introductory French book. During history class, while listening to the teacher, he frantically memorized French vocabulary in his mind.

Thanks to Peter Parker's abnormal brain, he mastered basic French phrases in just one day. Although it wasn't enough to chat up a French supermodel, it was a good start.

In class, he started asking questions like crazy, filling pages with notes. The teachers were happy at first, but soon they were overwhelmed by his rapid-fire questions.

After school, Peter didn't take the bus with Mary Jane, but instead took the train directly to Manhattan.

Before leaving, he told Aunt May and Uncle Ben that he was going to martial arts class.

"Peter, why do you want to learn this?" Aunt May asked worriedly.

"I want to protect myself, Aunt May. If I encounter danger, I hope to have the ability to deal with it."

"But Peter,"

"Mei, let the boy do what he wants to do." Uncle Ben smiled and persuaded, "He wants to protect himself, this is a good thing. Besides, he finally has a hobby."

"Not exactly a hobby, more like an agenda." Peter thought to himself, but nodded on the surface, "Yeah, life is too boring, I need to find some fun."

"Can't you and Mary Jane find something to do together?" Aunt May suggested.

"No, Mary Jane... she's very busy lately." Peter shrugged, "It's no big deal. But I really want to learn this, Aunt May, please."

Aunt May eventually compromised, but urged him not to overexert himself. Peter lied, saying the class was only from five to nine, and only one class, not three.

Arriving at the "Li" dojo in Chinatown. Seeing so many parents sending their children in, Peter felt a bit hesitant. Can this place really teach anything? Or is it just a shell to scam money?

Just as he was hesitating, his eyes caught a sign half-hidden by neon lights at the street corner.

"Li" Dojo.

Peter's pupils shrank slightly. Colleen Wing. She is Iron Fist's lover, but at this point in time, she is also a member of The Hand! And The Hand, in this Universe, is an assassin league that specializes in brainwashing children and cultivating killing machines!

Peter was in a dilemma. Going to other dojos might be a money scam; coming here, knowing it's a wolf's den, might actually teach real skills.

This is a dangerous bet. The Hand's ninjas are unparalleled killers in this World. But on second thought, didn't Bruce Wayne also learn from Ra's al Ghul?

He planned to start from the bottom, and then plot to acquire advanced ninjutsu.

Peter walked into the building and went to the second floor. The yellow corridor was exactly the same as in the show. He stood outside the dojo, watching Colleen Wing instructing students. He had to admit, she looked truly charming.

Colleen spotted him and nodded for him to come in.

Peter took off his shoes and walked into the dojo.

"I want to learn ninjutsu." He looked straight at Colleen.

The female ninja smiled slightly: "You've come to the right place. However, you don't have to use that kung fu movie tone."

Peter scratched his head and laughed dryly: "Sorry, a bit nervous."

"It's okay, my name is Colleen Wing, and you are?"

"Peter, Peter Parker." He took off his jacket, revealing the sportswear underneath, "Can I start now?"

Colleen was a bit surprised: "No, not today. Today I want you to stand on the side and watch. Can you do that, Peter?"

Peter nodded: "Of course."

He sat on the sidelines, staring intently at Colleen's movements. The students were practicing basic Kendo swings.

The first class ended, and everyone was drenched in sweat. Kendo is not just about swinging a sword, it also requires a lot of hand movements and physical exertion.

"Alright, that's it for today. Same time tomorrow, don't be late!" Colleen sent the students away and walked up to Peter.

"What do you think? Can you keep up?"

"If I can keep up, can you let me skip grades?" Peter asked back.

Colleen was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"What they are learning is too simple, it shouldn't be your elite class. Your dojo should have different levels, right? If I learn fast enough, I hope you can let me skip grades instead of being slowed down by them."

A flash of surprise crossed Colleen's eyes: "I would never bury a talented student. If you prove yourself, I will let you advance. But don't get your hopes up too high, Peter."

Peter's mouth curled up: "I think I can do it."

"Really?"

"Of course." Peter walked to the weapon rack, picked up a wooden sword, "Can you let me try?"

Colleen hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Come on, let me see."

Peter took a deep breath and began to demonstrate the three sets of basic forms that Colleen had taught the students today. The first set was basic offensive and defensive combinations, the second set added footwork and turning, and the third set was complex swings. Relying on Spider-Man's agility and super brain, he not only perfectly replicated it but also corrected several errors in force exertion.

Colleen's eyes widened: "What?! How did you do that? Have you been trained before?"

Peter shook his head: "No, I just watched how they moved and imitated it. By the way, I found a few mistakes and corrected them on the way."

Colleen took a deep breath, and a smile of appreciation appeared on her face: "I am honored to teach you, Peter."

Peter bowed slightly: "Thank you, Teacher Wing. Does your next class start soon?"

"Yes, there are three more classes after this. Do you want to stay?"

"Yes."

"Alright. But you are not allowed to practice the moves I taught them today, understand? Those moves are extremely dangerous and only masters can use them safely. Don't be greedy for progress, understand, Peter?"

Peter smiled: "I won't even think about it."

For the next three hours, Peter sat on the sidelines, watching four batches of students come and go. Colleen's teaching system was very complete: the first batch practiced Kendo, the second batch practiced advanced skills and combat, the third batch practiced unarmed fighting, and the fourth batch was pure killing machine training.

Peter knew clearly that this was not yet The Hand's complete ninja training program. The fourth batch of students was still full of flaws. They would be sent to a facility for further brainwashing and training. Iron Fist once mentioned that the facility was in New York, but where exactly, Peter couldn't remember.

After paying the tuition for one month, Peter returned home early. Aunt May was very happy that he found a dojo with reasonable hours, completely unaware that her nephew was making a deal with an assassin league. If she knew, she would probably faint right away.

The next morning, Peter got up early to go for a morning run.

Aunt May saw him exercising and smiled with relief: "Mary Jane is really a great influence on you, Peter."

Peter's face sank, and his tone was stiff: "I'm not doing this for her, nor for anyone, Aunt May. I'm doing this for myself."

He ran out the door with some anger. In the two hours before school, he ran for half an hour, and spent the rest of the time in the hangar grabbing chains to practice swinging, which helped improve his balance and control in the air.

Because he was too focused on practicing, he was almost late. He ran home at extreme speed, showered, and changed clothes, setting a personal record.

When he went downstairs, Uncle Ben was reading the newspaper.

"Morning, Uncle Ben." Peter grabbed his breakfast and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Slow down, Peter! You will—"

Peter coughed violently.

Uncle Ben sighed and handed him a glass of water: "Choked. Drink some water, don't rush."

"Can't be late. Need to catch the bus." Peter gulped down the water.

"Then I'll drive you." Uncle Ben got up to get the car keys, "Finish your food."

Peter finished his breakfast at lightning speed and went out with Uncle Ben.

Just as he walked out the door, he saw Mary Jane waiting for a ride in front of her house. Just as Peter was about to step forward to say hello, a convertible sports car roared up and stopped in front of Mary Jane.

Harry Osborn sat in the driver's seat, honking the horn and shouting: "Mary Jane! Hurry up!"

"Coming!" Mary Jane ran over happily, hopped into the passenger seat, and shared a smile with Harry. The sports car drove away in an instant.

Peter stood in place, a low roar coming from his throat. He actually roared out loud.

"Peter." Uncle Ben sighed, "She doesn't mean to abandon you."

"Really? Because that's what it feels like." Peter opened the car door coldly, "Let's go, Uncle Ben, I'm going to be late."

Uncle Ben started the car and slowly drove into the street: "Peter, she's just happy to make friends. Can't you understand?"

"I understand. I also understand that the moment she made friends, I was completely ignored and forgotten."

Uncle Ben drove steadily: "Peter, just because she talks to you less doesn't mean she looks down on you as a friend."

"Maybe she doesn't, but I do." Peter sighed, "I don't even know why I'm complaining. I didn't have friends in the first place. But Uncle Ben, the feeling of being ignored really sucks."

Uncle Ben smiled gently: "I know, I know. But everything will be fine, I promise."

Peter didn't speak again. He watched the scenery retreating outside the window, asking himself silently, should he continue to be her friend?

That day at school, Peter didn't talk to anyone. He mechanically took notes, learned French, and strictly carried out his plan.

After school, he went to the "Li" dojo. Colleen allowed him to join the beginners' ranks, but his grace and precision, which far exceeded ordinary people, made everyone else look inferior. Spider-Man's physical fitness is the biggest cheat.

In the evening, Peter took the train back to Queens.

Just as he walked out of the train station, a scream pierced the silence of the street.

Peter's eyes sharpened. Robbery!

He rushed out of the gate like an arrow off a bow, his eyes scanning across the street. A man and his girlfriend were being forced into an alley by three knife-wielding thugs.

Peter didn't hesitate to pull up his hoodie, covering most of his face, and rushed in.

"Hand over the jewelry and money, or I'll stab you to death!" one thug threatened viciously.

"Okay, please don't hurt us!" the man protected his girlfriend behind him.

"Hey, assholes!" Peter shouted at the alley entrance.

The nearest thug turned his head: "What—"

Before he could finish, Peter's boot had already kicked him hard in the face. Accompanied by the crisp sound of a broken nasal bone, the guy flew out directly and fell heavily to the ground.

"Take him down!" another thug roared, brandishing a dagger at Peter's abdomen.

Spider-Sense flashed a warning. Peter tilted his body slightly, easily avoiding the blade. He grabbed the thug's wrist with his backhand, twisted it sharply, snatched the dagger and threw it away, then swept the opponent to the ground with a whip kick.

The last thug saw this and roared as he lunged to tackle Peter. Peter leaped lightly, vaulted over his head, landed, and kicked him in the back, pinning him firmly to the ground.

Before that person could struggle, Peter had already rushed up and grabbed the dagger he dropped. His fingertips exerted force, and the dagger seemed to stick to his hand, easily snatched away and thrown aside.

"You moth—"

Peter's fist had already slammed into his face. The huge impact caused the man's nose to collapse instantly, and the whole person slid back two meters.

Peter turned around and delivered another heavy kick to the abdomen of the last thug who had just climbed up. The air in that man's lungs was instantly squeezed out, and he curled up in pain, clutching his solar plexus.

"Th-thank you..." the rescued man thanked him tremblingly.

Peter didn't look back, his face under the hoodie hidden in the shadows. He glanced at the two, turned, and disappeared into the alley at lightning speed.

He wasn't some superhero. A skinny kid instantly seconds three knife-wielding thugs? If this were filmed, there would be no way to explain it!

That night, Peter returned home with a smile.

"Did you have a good workout at the gym?" Aunt May asked.

"It's a dojo, Aunt May. Yes, it was great." Peter recalled his clean and neat combat, feeling secretly pleased. If he really mastered fighting skills, he could definitely be cooler!

He just hoped that his reconstruction of the fusion of Batman and Spider-Man was accurate enough.

"That's good. Go wash up, Peter, we have your favorite pizza tonight!"