The moment the system notification faded, Peter felt a completely different kind of power quietly stirring within him.
Unlike the sheer physical might of the lizard serum, which felt rooted in muscle and bone, this was an internal, refined energy.
It felt intimately connected to his spirit and soul. As he focused his mind, this energy flowed through his meridians, leaving a warm, soothing sensation in its wake.
This was Chakra—the fusion of physical and spiritual energy.
"Just as I suspected, my chakra reserves are staggering!"
"Plus, this isn't as niche as I thought. Even just coating my fists in raw chakra should significantly boost my striking power."
"I'm not sure what the cost of a standard ninjutsu is, but with my current reserves, I should have more than enough to forge a 'ball'?"
With that thought, Peter immediately began attempting to form the Rasengan. Every detail of Naruto's training flashed through his mind: shape transformation, extreme rotation, and maximum power. To ensure success, he chose the basic method of using both hands.
He extended his right hand, palm up, and began channeling and compressing the chakra. His left fingers moved rapidly around the sphere, injecting disordered, high-speed rotation.
POOF!
A sudden explosion erupted. The Rasengan destabilized due to an imbalance in the rotation ratio, creating a localized blast of air akin to a miniature typhoon. The force sent Peter flying backward, his sturdy frame smashing into his old wooden wardrobe.
Holy—!
His enhanced hearing caught the sound of hurried footsteps coming from downstairs. Without a second's hesitation, Peter slapped his hand against the bedroom floor, activating the Horse Talisman. A flash of light later, the trashed room was instantly restored to its original state.
"Peter, are you alright?" Uncle Ben's worried voice came through the door.
"I'm fine," Peter said calmly as he opened the door, stepping aside so Ben could see the room. "I just tripped and hit the floor while I was exercising."
"Careful, son. Even with exercise, you have to take it one step at a time." Ben looked around, and after confirming Peter didn't seem injured, he left with a reassured nod.
Peter let out a long sigh of relief once Ben was gone. Even though it was his first try, he had managed to form the basic shape.
His chakra control was leagues ahead of the original Naruto's. He had already gained a fundamental understanding of the rotation speed, output frequency, and stability required.
With his genius intellect, it would only take a few more tests to calculate the precise numerical range for a stable Rasengan.
Mastering it was no longer a pipe dream. It was far more efficient than the "brute force" training Naruto did. If the original Naruto needed a week of non-stop training, Peter probably only needed... half a day?
However, he couldn't practice anymore tonight. The failure was too loud; a few more "accidents" and Ben and May would definitely get suspicious. He'd have to find a secluded spot after school tomorrow.
For now... he had other problems to solve.
He checked the system again. Five items remained, and he had 2,000 points left. But Peter had no desire to keep spending.
The remaining items—like the Nichirin Sword or Kagune—either lacked supporting techniques or had a very low power ceiling. Instead of wasting hard-earned Sacrifice Points on mediocre items, he'd save them for next month's shop refresh.
"The priority now is the suit!"
A suit to hide his identity and facilitate movement was a necessity for his nocturnal activities. Peter grabbed a pen and paper. Using his superhuman memory and computer-like brain, he quickly sketched a suit that looked nothing like the traditional Spider-Man.
The base was a form-fitting black and gold tactical suit, topped with an Assassin's Creed-style hooded trench coat. The mask was designed like Ichigo Kurosaki's hollow mask. The overall look was ethereal yet dashing—it looked incredible.
"This is going to look so cool when I go out!"
He could already imagine the fan following he'd garner while fighting crime in this gear. It would definitely be more popular than a certain "small spider" in a black-and-white ballet-tight suit (smirk).
But once the design was set... Peter hit a wall. He had the blueprints, but where were the materials? The tools? Aunt May had an old sewing machine, but you can't make bricks without straw.
He searched his pockets—his entire net worth was less than thirty dollars. That wouldn't even buy a scrap of high-tech fiber.
As for asking Ben and May for money? He squashed that thought immediately. His kind guardians lived paycheck to paycheck.
They were already straining to pay his school fees; he couldn't bear to add to their burden.
Frustrated, Peter flopped back onto his small bed. Power, technique, god-tier items... he had everything needed to be a superhero, yet he was stuck on the "funding for the suit" phase. Talk about irony!
Peter sat by the window, watching the glittering lights of the Big Apple. God only knew how much crime and darkness was hidden beneath that prosperity. After a long silence, the curve of his mouth turned cold and sharp.
If he wanted Ben and May to live well, he'd have to stay on the straight and narrow. But... if it was just for his "heroic" start-up capital, he didn't need to play by the rules.
Great men do great things.
As an anti-hero, it's only logical to fund my career by robbing the robbers, right?
The next morning.
When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the curtains, Peter opened his eyes. There was no urge to sleep in; the triple buff of Lizard Serum, Horse Talisman, and Chakra kept his energy at a peak.
His body was further integrating with his new powers. He could feel his senses, strength, and reflexes had ticked up slightly from the day before.
The feeling of getting stronger every second was intoxicating.
He specifically chose baggier clothes to hide his new physique before heading downstairs. He chatted and laughed with Ben and May over breakfast, but his mind was elsewhere.
Today's goals: Master the Rasengan and... secure the first "pot of gold" for the suit!
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