Chapter 678: Is this… Naruto?

Chapter 678: Is this... Naruto?

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In the aftermath of the battle, surrounded by the fixed and pristine city of New York, Peter stood alone, the once chaotic noises of the city subdued to a haunting silence. His spidey senses didn't fail to notice the subtle shift in the air—the temperature dropped, and a figure cloaked in shadows materialized before him.

The Grim Reaper, also oddly known as John amongst those who had the peculiar misfortune of knowing him personally, appeared more harried than usual. His usual ominous aura was undercut by an impatient tapping of his foot. "Peter, I really must be quick about this. My wives are expecting me for a date," he said, a bizarre semblance of domesticity cloaking his skeletal grin.

Before Peter could respond, John produced a gnarly black scythe, its blade shimmering with an eerie light, in one hand, and a translucent, ethereal shell, resembling a ghostly idol in the other. With a casual flick, he tossed both towards Peter. Reflexively, Peter reached out, his spider-agility allowing him to snatch the scythe just shy of its sharp end.

[Mission Complete: Destroy the Council of Kang's

• The Council of Kang's unwillingness to regulate themselves is leading the multiverse towards an inevitable death. Eradicate them to restore order

Reward: Deaths Harvester

• A legendary scythe imbued with the very essence of Death. This formidable weapon, owned by Death himself, boasts a blade forged from the darkest matter found in the universe. Its handle is crafted from ancient, gnarled bone, wrapped in the tattered remnants of souls it has reaped since the beginning of time.]

[Sub-mission Complete: Kang Genocide

• Kill all Kang's to eliminate future threats

Reward: Kang Soul Husk

• A husk which holds the souls of every Kang in the multiverse. Do with it as you wish]

As his fingers touched the cold metal, the scythe began to glow intensely, disintegrating into countless motes of light that spiraled towards him, sinking into his skin and vanishing. Peter's eyes widened in shock, his heart racing as he felt a surge of deathly energy pulse through him.

"Wha—what was that?" Peter stammered, turning back to where John had been, only to find the Reaper already fading into the ether.

"Sorry, kid, no time to explain!" John's voice echoed back as his form dissipated completely, leaving behind a faint trace of brimstone.

"Wait! I need-!" Peter yelled, his voice echoing off the silent buildings. But it was too late; John was gone, and time resumed its march, the sounds of the city flooding back as if someone had pressed play on the world.

Leo's features brightened slightly at that. "Okay," he said, a small smile returning as he picked up his fork again.

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After a peaceful dinner with his family, Peter and MJ gently tucked their kids into bed, whispering goodnight amidst soft giggles and final bedtime stories. Once the house fell silent with the deep, contented sleep of their children, Peter and MJ shared a quiet moment alone.

MJ wrapped her arms around Peter, her head resting against his chest. "Be careful out there," she murmured, her voice tinged with worry yet filled with trust.

Peter kissed the top of her head, holding her close. "I'll be back before you know it," he reassured her, his voice steady yet soft. They lingered in their embrace, savoring the warmth and familiarity of each other.

Finally, with a deep breath, Peter stepped back and opened a portal. The star-shaped gateway shimmered into existence, casting eerie lights across the room. He glanced back at MJ, offering a brave smile.

With one last wave, he stepped through the portal, and materialized in the thick of a dense forest, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warm goodbye he'd just received from MJ and the kids.

Navigating the underbrush with ease, Peter used his heightened senses to scout the area. The trees were dense, a mix of pine and cedar that filled the air with a pungent scent, enhancing the feeling of being far from home.

A low hum of activity to his left didn't startle him; instead, he followed the sound with practiced stealth, moving toward what his instincts told him was the direction of civilization. Before long, the dense forest gave way to a clearing, and beyond that, the unmistakable outline of a large, ancient-looking Japanese town or village.

Peter paused at the edge of the forest, taking in the sight of high wooden walls and the large, imposing gate guarded by men in traditional armor. It was like stepping into another time.

As he approached the gate, the guards tensed, immediately blocking his path. Their conversation was rapid and entirely in Japanese, a language Peter didn't speak very well. He could only offer a friendly, albeit awkward, smile in response, hoping his universal gesture of peace would be understood.

Unfortunately, the guards were not reassured. Their hands went to their swords, and Peter found himself facing the sharp end of cold steel. He raised his hands in a non-threatening gesture, trying to defuse the situation with a nervous chuckle. "Hold on a second, guys. I'm sure I can magic a way for us to communicate—"

*BOOM! ROAR!*

His words were cut off by a sudden, earth-shaking explosion. A deafening roar followed, and as both Peter and the guards whirled towards the source, they saw it—a giant nine-tailed fox rampaging through the center of the village. Its tails lashed out, toppling buildings and throwing debris into the air.

For a moment, the surreal scene seemed beyond belief, yet the pieces clicked for Peter. The village, the guards wearing leaf headbands, the Mount Rushmore-style faces etched into the distant cliff, and now, the rampaging nine-tailed fox. He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Is this... Naruto?"

A/N: 1630 words :)

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