Peter sat on a floating platform of stone, cross-legged, as he gazed across the vast mental realm. It had shifted from an open field into a regal, celestial palace suspended in the sky, with golden spires stretching into the heavens.
At the center, Naruto Uzumaki, the Emperor of Mankind, sat on an ornate throne, exuding an effortless aura of command. Despite his relaxed posture, there was an unmistakable maturity in his gaze, a weight of immeasurable experience that made Peter instinctively straighten his back.
This was a man who had conquered entire civilizations, yet here he was, taking time to train a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
Peter sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, uh… I've been thinking."
Naruto arched a brow, resting his cheek against his knuckles. "A dangerous habit."
Peter smirked. "Yeah, yeah. I've been trying to control my strength better, and I think I've got that mostly handled. But collateral damage is still a problem."
Naruto's gaze sharpened. "Explain."
Peter gestured with his hands. "Okay, so let's say I'm fighting Tombstone in the middle of a street. Even if I pull my punches, he still crashes through buildings, cars, light posts— it's a mess. I can't just stop mid-fight and evacuate people either."
Naruto nodded, his expression contemplative. "You're realizing the true burden of power. Strength alone isn't enough—you need strategy, foresight, and control over the battlefield itself."
Peter exhaled. "Yeah. So… what do I do?"
Naruto leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the throne. "There are three solutions."
Naruto lifted a single hand, and suddenly, several golden, circular shields materialized around him, floating effortlessly in the air. They shimmered with raw energy, rotating like a defensive formation.
"You can create floating shields, controlled by your chakra. They can block incoming attacks, redirect shockwaves, and create enclosed combat zones."
Peter studied the shields with fascination. "I can do that?"
Naruto nodded. "With your earth affinity, you can shape and control them instinctively. It won't take much effort, and you can have them orbit you like a defensive perimeter."
Peter grinned. "Like Doctor Strange's magic discs?"
Naruto smirked. "Something like that."
Peter immediately filed the idea away. This was something he could implement quickly.
Naruto raised another hand, and several mechanical drones appeared, hovering silently in the air.
"If you don't want to worry about bystanders, then remove them from the battlefield before the fight begins."
Peter whistled. "You're talking about automated evacuation drones?"
Naruto nodded. "Simple AI-controlled drones that detect civilians and escort them to safety. You don't even have to think about it—the system handles everything."
Peter rubbed his chin. "I could probably build that… with time."
Naruto gave him an approving nod. "It's not an instant solution, but it's worth investing in. You have the intelligence and resources—use them."
Finally, Naruto raised his right hand, and a massive energy dome formed around them, encapsulating the entire palace.
Peter felt a shiver run down his spine as he took in the sheer scale of it. This was the ultimate solution—a battlefield locked away from the outside world, where nothing could escape.
"This," Naruto said, "is the ideal answer."
Peter swallowed. "You're saying I should trap my enemies inside a forcefield and fight them there?"
Naruto nodded. "Precisely. If you can create a barrier that isolates a battle zone, then there's no risk to civilians. You can fight on your own terms without worrying about collateral damage."
Peter exhaled. "Yeah, that'd be perfect. But… I have no idea how to even begin making something like that."
Naruto smirked. "I do."
Peter blinked. "Wait, you have the plans?"
Naruto leaned back, his regal aura never faltering. "I do. But knowledge isn't free, Peter."
Peter groaned. "I knew there was a catch."
Naruto chuckled. "Nothing in life is free. You want the designs? Earn them."
Peter crossed his arms. "Lemme guess—you have a task for me?"
Naruto's grin widened. "Several. If you can complete them, you'll get your ultimate battlefield solution."
Peter sighed, but his determination burned bright. "Alright, fine. What's the first task?"
Naruto's eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Oh, you're gonna love this one."
Peter landed on the mist-covered Great Naruto Bridge, his eyes scanning the battlefield. The air was heavy with tension, and his enhanced senses could barely make out the rapid movements of Haku, flickering between the Crystal Ice Mirrors at blinding speeds.
Sasuke, standing in front of Naruto, was bloodied and exhausted, but still glaring at the masked figure inside the dome of ice.
Peter muttered under his breath. "Y'know, I really gotta stop agreeing to these 'just go and help' missions without asking for details."
Peter quickly realized firepower wasn't the answer.
Haku's mirrors were absurdly tough, withstanding even Sasuke's fire-style jutsu.
Haku himself was too fast, appearing and disappearing in blurs of motion before they could react.
The mist reduced visibility, making it even harder to track movements.
Peter crouched beside Sasuke. "Alright, pal, I'm guessing just punching the mirrors isn't gonna work?"
Sasuke scowled. "Tch. We need to either trap Haku or break the formation. But he's too fast."
Peter grinned. "Well, lucky for you, trapping people is kinda my whole deal."
Peter shot several strands of webbing in different directions, using the mist to hide his movements.
Webs clung to the bridge pillars, forming a wide net.
Thin, nearly invisible strands covered the entire battlefield, acting like tripwires.
Sticky layers coated the ground, making it harder for Haku to land freely.
Now all they had to do was wait.
Haku's voice echoed from within the mirrors. "No matter how many traps you set, you won't be able to catch me."
Peter smirked. "Oh yeah? Let's test that theory."
As Haku vanished into a mirror, Peter kept his eyes peeled.
'Come on, where are you gonna—'
There!
A blur of motion flickered from one mirror to another.
Peter yanked on a web line—tightening the strands across the battlefield.
THWIP!
Haku hit the first tripwire, slowing down for a fraction of a second.
Peter fired another web—this time directly into the next mirror, where Haku was about to emerge.
THWIP!
The webbing coated the mirror's entrance, and as Haku tried to phase through, he got stuck.
"Wha—?!"
That tiny moment of hesitation was all Peter needed.
He fired multiple web lines, sticking Haku's arms, legs, and torso, and yanked him out of the mirror completely.
Sasuke saw the opening and rushed forward, his Sharingan fully awakened.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Multiple fireballs shot forward, igniting the webs without burning Haku but destroying the mirrors completely.
Haku, still tangled in webs, crashed to the bridge floor, struggling to move.
Peter landed beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Game over, buddy."
With Haku down, Peter turned his attention to Kakashi and Zabuza's fight.
Kakashi was gaining the upper hand, but Zabuza's massive sword swings still made him dangerous.
Peter activated his floating drones, sending them to harass Zabuza from multiple angles.
BZZT!
Small but powerful shock blasts hit Zabuza's arms, making him grunt in pain.
Peter swung in and webbed Zabuza's legs, yanking them out from under him.
Kakashi took the opportunity.
"Lightning Blade!"
A burst of electricity pierced through Zabuza's chest, ending the battle.
As Naruto had his emotional moment with Haku, Peter took a deep breath.
That was a workout.
A moment later, the world faded back into the mental realm, where Naruto sat on his golden throne, smirking.
"Not bad, Parker," Naruto said. "Your webs beat one of the fastest ninjas in history."
Peter grinned. "Guess I really stick the landing."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Alright, you earned your first piece of the forcefield plans."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "First piece?"
Naruto's grin widened. "Oh yeah. There's more."
Peter groaned. "You really love making me work for this, huh?"
Naruto chuckled. "Welcome to being a hero."
It was a typical afternoon in the library, but the meeting room in the back corner was bustling with energy. The room was warm, filled with stacks of papers and textbooks scattered around the large wooden table. Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy sat across from each other, working on a group project for their Advanced Physics class. Gwen had a bright smile as she flipped through a textbook, while Peter scribbled furiously in his notebook, occasionally glancing at the clock.
Peter, wearing his typical casual clothes, was trying to keep his focus. But his mind kept wandering to the night before, where he had been training with Naruto, battling supervillains, and constantly thinking about the kind of hero he was becoming. Yet, here he was, trying to act like a regular college student.
"Hey, Peter," Gwen said, looking up from her work, a gentle smile crossing her face. "You've been staring at that page for the last ten minutes. Something on your mind?"
Peter blinked and snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh, yeah. Sorry. Just trying to figure out this quantum mechanics stuff." He chuckled awkwardly. "Still not my strong suit, you know?"
Gwen raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eye. "You're a genius, Peter. You always figure things out, even when you act like you don't know what you're doing."
Peter chuckled again. "Maybe, but I still get lost sometimes with all the formulas. Speaking of, are you done with that calculation on the wave functions?" He gestured to the paper she had been scribbling on.
Gwen nodded, pushing the paper toward him. "Yeah, I think I've got it. I was going to ask you to double-check it, though."
Peter leaned forward and took the paper, his eyes scanning the numbers. As usual, Gwen's work was impeccable. He glanced at her, a little distracted by the way she pushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
"You're really good at this stuff," Peter said, his voice sincere. "I mean, like, way better than me."
Gwen smiled warmly. "I like math. It's one of those things that makes sense, you know? But you're not bad, Peter. You're a quick learner."
Peter grinned and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I think you're giving me way too much credit." He quickly made a few adjustments on the paper. "There, should be good to go."
Gwen picked it up and looked it over. "See? I told you, you're a genius." She laughed softly, then her expression softened as she leaned back in her chair, looking at him more seriously.
"You know, I'm glad we got to know each other. It's been fun working on this project together." Gwen said, her voice quieter now. "I mean, I didn't think we'd get along this well when we first met."
Peter looked up, meeting her gaze. His heart gave a small lurch, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "Yeah, me too. It's been… nice."
Gwen's smile widened, and for a moment, they just sat there, both feeling the chemistry between them growing.
"Hey, Peter," Gwen said, breaking the silence. "I was thinking, we've been working together for a while now, but we never really hang out outside of school. How about we grab some dinner after this? I mean, the work's basically done, right?"
Peter blinked, slightly taken aback by the invitation, but quickly recovered. "Dinner? Yeah, I'd like that. I know this great place down the street. It's a little out of the way, but the food's amazing."
"Sounds perfect," Gwen said with a smile, clearly pleased by the idea. "I'll let you choose, then. I trust your taste."
Peter felt a sudden wave of nervousness but masked it with a casual grin. "Alright, I'll make sure we won't go hungry. And don't worry, I've got this." He leaned back, his hand subconsciously rubbing the back of his neck again.
Gwen laughed. "Okay, I'll hold you to that."
As they packed up their things, Peter couldn't help but feel that strange warmth in his chest whenever Gwen was around. They had only known each other for a couple of weeks, but it already felt like they had been friends for much longer. The connection between them was growing in subtle ways, and Peter could feel it.
He could feel it in his heart that Gwen was meant for him. He didn't need to know that Gwen was the one for all the Peter Parker's in the multiverse.
After a quick walk through the campus, Peter and Gwen arrived at the university gym. The lights inside were bright, and the sounds of weights clanking and people chatting filled the space. Gwen, walking with a confident stride, led the way as Peter followed, still a bit surprised by the change in plans. He had been expecting a dinner date, but now, he was facing something entirely different: a sparring session.
"You know, I've seen you in that lab coat and behind books," Gwen said, a playful grin on her face as she glanced at Peter. "But I also noticed those muscles of yours. Thought I'd see if they match the hype."
Peter chuckled, trying to keep his nerves in check. He had never been the most athletic growing up, but after his training with Naruto, his skills had improved in ways he didn't even realize. Martial arts had become a part of him, his body naturally moving in the fluid, calculated way of a trained fighter. But still, sparring with Gwen was a different challenge altogether.
"I'm not sure what 'hype' you're talking about," Peter said, giving her a playful nudge. "I'm just trying to keep in shape."
Gwen rolled her eyes with a smile. "Right, 'just in shape,'" she said sarcastically. "I'm sure you do more than just 'keep in shape.'"
They reached an open sparring area in the gym, and Gwen quickly grabbed a pair of gloves, throwing one to Peter. "Come on, Parker, let's see what you've got. Just don't go too hard on me." She winked, as if to reassure him, but there was a challenge in her voice.
Peter caught the glove with ease, slipping it onto his hand and stretching his fingers. His mind flickered back to his Naruto training—his body feeling like a machine, instinctively picking up every move and technique that had been engrained in him. He wasn't afraid anymore to show off what he had learned.
As Gwen assumed a ready stance, Peter hesitated for a split second, studying her posture. It was clear that Gwen knew her way around a fight. She looked poised, ready for anything. A part of Peter admired her confidence.
"Alright, Gwen," Peter said, adopting a loose fighting stance, "let's see what you've got." He smiled, trying to keep things light, but there was a certain energy in the air that he couldn't ignore.
Gwen, standing in front of him with a determined expression, bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, her eyes locked on Peter. "Alright, Parker," she said, smirking. "Let's see what you've got. Kickboxing and grappling—think you're ready?"
Peter raised an eyebrow. "Grappling? You're really going all out here." He adjusted his stance slightly, stretching his arms and legs as he cracked his knuckles, getting into a relaxed but ready position. "Okay, let's do this. I promise, I won't disappoint."
Gwen's grin widened. "Good. I'd be disappointed if you did."
They moved into their starting positions, Gwen with a relaxed but confident stance, and Peter standing a little taller, his legs slightly apart for balance. Gwen started with a quick step forward, launching a left jab aimed directly at Peter's face. Peter was quick to react, slipping the punch to the side and countering with a quick right cross. Gwen blocked the punch easily and shot out a roundhouse kick to Peter's side.
Peter, agile as ever, managed to catch the kick mid-air, twisting his body and using the momentum to push Gwen off balance. She grinned but quickly regained her footing, stepping back and adjusting her stance. Kickboxing was all about combinations, and Gwen wasn't going to let Peter off easy.
"Nice reflexes," Gwen said as she wiped a strand of hair out of her face. "But you're not going to be able to dodge everything."
Peter smiled back, his tone light. "We'll see about that."
They continued exchanging quick jabs, hooks, and low kicks. Gwen was fast, her footwork light and unpredictable, testing Peter's speed and reaction time. Peter had no intention of making this easy, but he also didn't want to completely overpower her. The dance of strikes and blocks continued for a while until Peter saw his opening—a low kick to Gwen's front leg. It landed with a thud, but Gwen used the impact to spin around and attempt a spin kick aimed at his head.
Peter ducked just in time, the heel of her foot grazing the top of his hair. He staggered slightly but regained his balance. "Okay, okay. That was close," he said, a grin creeping onto his face.
Gwen winked at him. "I'm just getting started."
As the fight progressed, the pace of the sparring slowed for a moment. Gwen was getting a feel for Peter's movements, his quick dodges and counters, but she knew she had to mix it up. With a sudden burst of speed, she lunged at Peter, attempting to grab his arm and force him into a throw. Peter, however, was ready. He grabbed her arm mid-swing and used her own momentum to twist her body to the side, attempting to flip her over his shoulder. Gwen was light on her feet, though, and before she hit the floor, she managed to roll and regain her stance.
"Not bad, Gwen," Peter said, impressed. "That was a nice counter."
She shot him a quick look, her body already moving again. "You've got to be quicker than that."
They locked up, both using their grappling techniques. Peter tried a few throws, attempting to use his larger frame and the martial arts he'd learned, but Gwen was quick and nimble, using her agility to slip out of holds and reposition herself.
At one point, Peter was able to grab her in a tight clinch, locking his hands behind her back, attempting to set up a trip. But Gwen, always thinking fast, dropped her weight, using Peter's forward momentum against him to sweep his legs and send him tumbling to the ground.
"Gotcha!" Gwen said, laughing as she quickly sprang to her feet, ready to go again.
Peter, lying on his back, looked up at her, laughing too. "Alright, alright. You win that round."
Both of them were panting a little now, the intensity of the sparring session taking its toll. Sweat dripped down their faces, and Peter was impressed by how strong Gwen's will was. She wasn't pulling any punches, and her fighting style was incredibly fluid, like she had done this many times before. She looked at him for a second and then smiled.
"Let's make this last one count," Gwen said, her grin wide and competitive.
Peter wiped his forehead with his glove. "Agreed." He got back into his stance, this time more focused than ever.
They resumed, but this time the sparring felt different. Peter focused less on speed and more on precision. He began blocking her attacks with purpose, while keeping an eye on any openings to counter. Gwen was just as focused, ducking and weaving as she attempted to land more clean hits.
In one final exchange, Gwen aimed a powerful front kick to Peter's midsection, but Peter anticipated it, catching her foot mid-air and spinning her toward the ground. This time, instead of flipping her, he allowed her to roll with it, following her movements until he had her in a half-guard position, his weight pressing down lightly on her chest as he held her arms in place.
Gwen chuckled, staring up at him, breathless. "You really are full of surprises, Parker," she said, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Peter, out of breath but smiling, leaned down, offering her a hand to help her up. "You're not so bad yourself."
Gwen took his hand, grinning up at him. "I think I'll call it a tie for now. But I'm definitely coming back for a rematch."
Peter laughed, pulling her up. "You've got it, Gwen. Just be ready."
They both stood there for a moment, catching their breath, a sense of respect passing between them. The sparring had started as a test, but now it felt like something else—something more mutual, and something they could share. They were no longer just classmates or acquaintances, but two people who had seen each other's strengths and weaknesses, and had learned something new.
Peter, wiping the sweat from his brow, couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. Gwen was competitive, fun, and real—someone who challenged him but also made him feel like he could be himself.
"Alright, now we can finally get that dinner," Peter said, smiling. "You've earned it."
Gwen gave him a mock salute. "I'd say I definitely have. Lead the way, Peter."
As they headed toward the door, Peter felt lighter than he had in a while. The sparring had been intense, but it had also reminded him of what it felt like to have real connections—not just as Peter Parker, but as himself.