Auntie, Times Have Changed

The next day, at Midtown High School.

Students were still discussing yesterday's thrilling four-way battle, and cries of "Fuck the Arbiter!" could occasionally be heard throughout the hallways.

Because of the school's miraculous restoration, the previously unknown Arbiter received an overwhelming amount of media attention.

Countless reporters flooded into Midtown High School, interviewing people everywhere and trying every possible way to uncover more information about the Arbiter.

JJJ, J. Jonah Jameson, practically praised the Arbiter to the heavens.

Though both concealed their identities, JJJ believed Ghost Spider caused destruction wherever she went, while the Arbiter had restored an entire school in full view of everyone. Not only had he let the children return to class, but he had also prevented tens of millions in property losses.

The difference between them could not have been clearer.

JJJ's blatant double standard enraged Gwen, who put on her suit early that morning and crazily sprayed webbing at JJJ's ugly face on the giant screen in Times Square.

"Students, because Mr. Tommy, who teaches politics, unfortunately broke his leg in a fall, we have a new substitute politics teacher: Tasha."

As the homeroom teacher spoke, a long leg clad in black stockings entered the students' view first, instantly perking up the male students who had been slumped over their desks.

When Ms. Tasha entered the classroom, sporting curly red hair, exquisite features, a smoking-hot figure, and a professional outfit, the classroom immediately erupted!

The boys practically turned into Indians, wishing they could put their hands to their mouths and start going, "Woo woo woo woo~" on the spot.

Even the girls looked at Ms. Tasha with envy and jealousy.

She was way too beautiful, way too sexy!

She instantly made all these immature girls look inferior.

Listening to the Ghost Cry around her, Gwen unconsciously rolled her eyes.

What a bunch of shallow people. Peter definitely would not act like this.

Thinking that, Gwen instinctively turned her head—and immediately let out a cold snort in anger.

Not far away, Peter was staring unblinkingly at Ms. Tasha, with an odd smile on his face...

Gwen's already unpleasant mood instantly got even worse!

I never thought you were this kind of person, Peter!

Pouting, she could not help glancing at a certain ample part of Ms. Tasha's body, then lowered her head to look at her own little buns... Her mood grew even gloomier.

If Peter could hear Gwen's thoughts, he would definitely cry injustice right now.

Although he had indeed looked a little extra at certain places—well, several extra times.

He really had not been charmed by her!

He simply had not expected Black Braised Egg to send out this Black Widow, practically a "Marvel must-try list" attraction, the moment he made his move.

"Hello, students."

While Peter was finding Black Widow's appearance amusing.

Ms. Tasha—or rather, Black Widow Natasha Romanoff—introduced herself while swiftly sweeping her gaze across everyone in the classroom.

After observing them for a while, her gaze quickly settled on Peter and Gwen.

As an ace agent, she was extremely sensitive to others' gazes and dispositions. She could nearly judge someone's approximate social standing from their bearing alone.

She could also easily determine a person's current emotional state through their eyes.

In her view, Peter and Gwen were by far the most extraordinary people in the classroom.

At the same time, they were the two people Black Braised Egg Nick Fury had specifically instructed her to focus on.

As early as last night, S.H.I.E.L.D. had pressured Norman Osborn over the phone and obtained some vague intelligence from him.

For example, Gwen had once been Curt Connors's assistant, and Peter had solved the Decay-Rate Algorithm.

Though Norman had revealed only that much, it was already enough for Black Widow.

As a professional agent, she was confident that she could easily uncover the flaws on the two of them.

With that thought in mind, Natasha began the day's lesson.

The forty-five minutes passed in a flash. When the dismissal bell rang, Natasha thought for a moment before speaking.

"Peter Parker, come to my office."

Peter remained remarkably calm. After merely winking at Gwen, he got up and headed toward the office.

Just as expected, there was no one in the office except Natasha and Peter.

"Have a seat."

Natasha gave Peter a seductive smile and unconsciously crossed her legs.

Her black-stockinged legs overlapped. Her round thighs compressed slightly against each other, creating a uniquely sensual curve.

Natasha had not thought much of it. She had merely intended to fish for some information through casual conversation.

But the moment Peter spoke, her entire body jolted in alarm.

"Let's skip the pointless probing, Agent Natasha Romanoff."

The instant she heard that, every muscle in Natasha's body tensed. Her hand unconsciously moved toward her pocket—where a lipstick gun was hidden.

"Peter, I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Is that so?" Peter smiled faintly, then extended a finger and pressed it against Natasha's desk.

Pfft~

With a muffled sound, his finger instantly pierced through the solid wooden desk.

"My patience is limited. If I don't hear the answer I want, you and the people behind you will forever lose the chance to speak with me."

Peter had considered playing along with her for a while.

But he quickly abandoned that thought.

There was simply no need!

There was no benefit to him in endlessly wrangling with S.H.I.E.L.D.

They already suspected him. As long as he wanted to keep acting in the future, they would inevitably deduce his identity.

Rather than let Black Braised Egg come to his house later to show off, he might as well seize the initiative now, make them wary of the abilities he possessed, and use that to secure more benefits.

Staring at the hole left in the desk, cold sweat streamed down Natasha's forehead. Though she had worked as an agent for decades, she had truly never encountered a target like Peter.

She felt completely at a loss, not knowing how to handle him.

How had a high school student learned her identity?

Even if he was a superpowered person, a masked hero, and had learned of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s existence through Norman Osborn, he should not have been able to identify her true identity so directly!

Though countless questions swirled in her mind, Natasha took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and had no choice but to follow Peter's lead.

"Fine, I admit it. Peter—or rather, the Arbiter—I'm here on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury to extend an invitation to you."

"Your abilities hold extremely important strategic significance for the country. We hope you can serve it."

Natasha cautiously played the patriotism card first, but Peter only scoffed.

"Auntie, times have changed. You don't seriously think I'll be like Captain America, eagerly putting a dog collar around my own neck just because you say 'serve the country,' do you?"