Chapter 373: Little Black and Big Black
"Why hide it? Because he has something to feel guilty about."
"I believe he's not that kind of person, even though he seems arrogant."
"Who knows~"
Somewhere in the darkness, a figure twirled a small object between their fingers—it was a damaged chip. In front of this person was a transparent virtual holographic screen.
"Actually, I only came for these few matters. Now that they're resolved, it's time for me to leave."
Klein swallowed the last of a large prawn, the sound of his mandibles crunching echoing in the room.
"Then until next time, Teacher Klein," Peter said with a smile.
"I'll wait for your good news, Peter."
Klein glanced at Peter, nodded, and kicked off with his legs, launching himself out of the window. He leaped across the neighboring rooftops, quickly vanishing into the moonlight.
"I really didn't expect it—Teacher Klein actually came back." Peter had thought Klein might never return to New York.
"Is it really that surprising?" Silas chuckled and shook his head. He had long anticipated Klein's return. After all, Klein had sought this power specifically to protect his students. Now that he had mastered and controlled it, there was no way he would abandon his original ideals.
"Of course. I certainly didn't see it coming." Peter stood by the window, staring blankly at the bright, clear moon.
"What are you looking at?" Silas walked over and draped an arm over Peter's shoulder.
"I don't know why, but I suddenly feel like the moon is beautiful tonight," Peter said, as if lost in a memory.
"Beautiful?" Silas looked up at the starry sky. To him, the moon looked exactly as it always did.
The Next Morning
As usual, Peter finished his breakfast and headed out in his spider-suit to fight crime. Today, however, he had a date with Gwen, so he made sure to be on time.
Following a long conversation with Silas the night before, Peter had taken the initiative to say he no longer needed the help of Silas's Shadow Kingdom. He even returned the "Spider Squad" of ninjas and his new high-tech suit to Silas. Peter stated that while the suit was amazing, he wanted to start over on his own.
Clad in his classic red-and-blue suit and wearing his homemade web-shooters, Peter set out to rediscover himself!
"What's got into him?" Silas wondered. Peter seemed to have matured significantly overnight. In the past, if Silas had tried to take back the suit, Peter would have practically begged him to keep it. Now, he had even returned the AI, Gaia.
Most importantly, Peter had realized there was always a Shadow Ninja watching him from his own shadow. Silas had forgotten that Peter's Spider-Sense was formidable; even if the ninjas showed no hostility, the sensation of being watched was constant. Now, Silas had withdrawn all the shadow observers.
"But this is good. This is the real Spider-Man," Silas thought, wishing Peter a successful day before heading off to find Felicia. Compared to the busy Peter, Silas was a total slacker. Unless he had new magic to research, he spent his days gaming.
The Vast Plains
"Experiment number 375," Little Black said, recording data.
Big Black stood nearby, cradling a rabbit. He placed the rabbit on the ground and gently stroked its fur.
"Are you ready?" Little Black asked, putting away his pen.
"Ready whenever you are!" Big Black gave a big thumbs up.
"Then... start!" Little Black hit the timer.
Simultaneously, Big Black swatted the rabbit's rear. The rabbit bolted instantly, turning into a blurred streak like a speeding arrow before vanishing from the ninjas' sight.
"How was it, Little Black? Is the data good this time?" Big Black hurried over.
Little Black marked a line on his paper. "No. If we want to outrun that cheetah, the speed gap is still too wide."
"That's still not bad! The gap used to be huge, and now it's tiny. You're a genius, Little Black." Big Black immediately pulled out a fan to cool Little Black down, then started massaging his shoulders.
"Stop trying to flatter me," Little Black said, stepping away to dodge Big Black's hands.
"Why are you so suspicious of me? We're the Shadow Khan, we're supposed to be united!" Big Black followed him with a grin, squeezing Little Black's arm like a sycophant.
"I don't even have to guess—you want something from me," Little Black sighed. He had been having a perfectly good experimental session until Big Black insisted on 'helping.' Big Black was never this diligent unless he had an ulterior motive.
"You know me best!" Big Black smiled. "Don't you have a symbiote in your project for actual testing?"
"Mm-hmm, I do," Little Black nodded.
"Didn't the Master say we need to find hosts for the symbiotes?" Big Black continued.
Little Black thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes, the Master told me to find them suitable hosts."
"Ahem! Well, I'm not much, but I'm willing to perform this 'labor of love'!" Big Black blurted out his goal.
"You?" Little Black looked him up and down with disdain. "Forget it. If you mess it up, you're in trouble."
"Little Black, don't look down on me! I have a name, you know!" Big Black said proudly. So far, they were the only two Shadow Ninjas with names.
"Give it a rest. If you hadn't ridden my coattails, would you even have a name?" Little Black scoffed.
"You can't say that!" Big Black zipping to his right. "Look at how many ninjas there are. Why was I the one picked?"
"Pure dumb luck," Little Black said expressionlessly.
"..." Big Black suddenly felt like swearing.
"You want to curse at me?" Little Black could sense Big Black's thoughts.
"How did you know?" Big Black was shocked. While the Shadow Ninjas were connected, if one party refused to cooperate or blocked their thoughts, the other wouldn't know. That was why the Talisman Squad could play poker without 'cheating.'
"Sorry, the Master just trusts me a bit more." Little Black pulled out an object that was very familiar to Big Black.
"The Master... he gave you that?!" Big Black gasped in shock.
In Little Black's hand was the Shadow Mask of Ninja General, Ninja. Wearing it would grant control over the entire Ninja Shadow Legion.
Silas had given it to Little Black after careful consideration. Little Black's performance had been stellar; he managed almost everything for Silas except for pure magic. Even though the ninjas were selfless subordinates, Silas wasn't cold to his own people. He rewarded Little Black with the mask, which would allow him to evolve into a Shadow General and reshape his body.
"Is it so strange?" Little Black tucked the mask away. He didn't put it on yet; there was no need.
"Must be nice~" Big Black crouched on the ground, drawing circles with his finger. He was jealous; he wished he was as smart as Little Black.
"Don't feel bad. Brains are a gift from birth; being stupid isn't your fault," Little Black said, patting Big Black's head. He had actually considered reshaping Big Black's body several times to see if he could upgrade his brain—that was why he had 'killed' Big Black so many times in experiments. But it seemed Big Black was just stuck this way.
"Forgive me, General. I shouldn't have pestered you," Big Black said, suddenly half-kneeling with deep respect. The hierarchy of the Shadow Khan was absolute; a ninja must show total reverence to a General.
"General?" Little Black sighed. "I prefer you call me Little Black. 'General' sounds weird, especially since I haven't even put the mask on..."
Before Little Black could finish, Big Black lunged and hugged him. "I knew you were the best, Little Black!"
"Let go..." Little Black's face darkened.
In the distance, the rabbit sat confused, wondering why no one was coming to pick it up.
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