Natasha: It's Hard to Imagine You're Human!

Hearing Peter's mockery-filled remarks, Natasha could not help but feel a trace of helplessness flash through her eyes.

Kids these days really were not cute at all.

And what did he mean by "auntie" and "dog leash"?

That was way too harsh!

I'm still working for S.H.I.E.L.D. Couldn't he show his big sister here a little respect? (The story followed the movie universe setting, meaning Black Widow was born in 1984.)

Still, she was a battle-hardened ace agent. Before coming here, she had anticipated all sorts of possibilities, including the target's extreme lack of cooperation.

Besides, since she was not a true United States citizen either, she did not feel much attachment to the United States. Thus, she did not feel particularly offended.

Seeing that there was no longer any need for secret probing, Natasha relaxed as well.

She adjusted her posture, leaned forward slightly, and lazily propped her delicate chin up with one hand. Her emerald-green eyes studied Peter with interest.

"Fine. It looks like I really did make an unnecessary move earlier."

"How about this? Tell me every condition under which you would be willing to join S.H.I.E.L.D., and I can report them to my superior word for word."

"If there are still disagreements during this process, I can take you to meet him directly after school so the two of you can talk face-to-face."

Natasha felt that she had already acted exceptionally warm and approachable.

Yet Peter's attitude did not soften because of it. His words remained blunt to the extreme.

"Forget about the wonderful idea of getting me to join S.H.I.E.L.D. I won't join any organization."

Peter leaned back in his chair, his hands folded before him, his expression utterly indifferent.

"I don't want to be bound by anyone or any rules."

"So at most, I can establish a cooperative relationship with you."

"I can help you deal with problems you cannot handle, but once the job is done, you must pay me compensation that satisfies me."

The moment he said that, the air in the office seemed to freeze.

The fingers Natasha used to support her cheek stiffened slightly. She felt that Peter was simply arrogant beyond measure.

He would not join any organization and did not want to accept any constraints?

Who did this high school student think he was? God?

Did he think that, with nothing but the ability to restore objects, he could stand against the entire world?

How naive!

Peter could guess what she was thinking, so he spoke directly.

"I know what you're thinking. You think I'm an arrogant, conceited idiot, don't you?"

"Agent Natasha, I hope you understand one thing..."

Peter stared straight into Natasha's eyes. That gaze made even an agent like Natasha, who had seen countless major scenes, feel immense pressure.

"My confidence comes from the fact that I am strong enough!"

Before his words had even faded, he suddenly opened his right hand.

Bzzzz—!

A rapidly spinning ball of blue energy appeared out of thin air. It emitted a piercing hum, warping the surrounding air with its violent rotation!

That wild, pure energy fluctuation made every hair on Natasha's body stand on end!

What was that?!

Before she could react, Peter casually pressed the "Rasengan" onto a nearby office desk.

Ssshhh—

There was not even a terrifying explosion.

The sturdy solid-wood desk seemed to have been sucked into a black hole, instantly shredded into wood chips scattered all over the floor!

After shredding the desk, Peter extended his hand toward the pile of wood chips.

The next second, soft white light enveloped the pile. Before long, an intact office desk, without even the slightest scratch, appeared in its original spot out of thin air.

The office fell deathly silent.

Cold sweat beaded on Natasha's forehead.

Even her heart, hardened like stone through countless grueling training sessions, could not help but race at this moment.

She finally understood where this kid's confidence came from.

Destruction... then restoration...

That was practically power comparable to that of a god.

If she had possessed such miraculous power at Peter's age, she might have been even more arrogant than him.

After a long while, Natasha finally came back to her senses. When she looked at Peter again, her voice carried a tremor that even she herself had not noticed.

"Are you... really human?"

Hearing that question, Peter could not help but smile.

"Of course."

He chuckled, then suddenly grabbed the right hand she had resting on her knee under Natasha's astonished gaze.

Natasha instinctively tried to resist, but Peter's hand was as fast as lightning, and his grip was unbelievably strong. She could not break free at all.

Then she watched as Peter placed her hand over his heart.

"If you don't believe me, you can check for yourself."

Through the thin fabric, his warm body temperature and powerful heartbeat clearly transmitted themselves into Natasha's palm.

Feeling Peter's firm chest muscles, Natasha froze for a moment before a barely perceptible trace of embarrassed annoyance appeared on her face.

Was this little brat... flirting with her?

With that thought, an unwillingness to lose rose within her.

It was just touching!

Then touch him she would!

And then, her hand actually began roaming swiftly over Peter's body.

Pectorals, biceps, abs... Ahem, touching any farther would be impolite.

Seeing that Peter remained unmoved throughout, Natasha ultimately did not let her hand continue downward.

She merely suppressed her displeasure and a strange, inexplicable emotion before speaking.

"Okay, I'm certain you're human through and through. Also, I can truthfully relay your demands to my superior. Go ahead and state whatever you want."

"My demands are simple." After Natasha let go, Peter slowly raised three fingers.

"First, do not disturb my normal life, and do not send anyone to monitor me. Otherwise, I'll make them pay the price."

Natasha nodded. "Understandable. We'll withdraw all personnel stationed around you."

"Second, I will only deal with you and the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Without my permission, you are not allowed to reveal my identity to anyone, including other S.H.I.E.L.D. members, the government, or the military."

"This..." Natasha looked troubled. "That may be a little difficult. Director Fury also needs to report to those above him."

"I don't care how you do it. I'm only stating my demands. If you cannot meet them, our cooperation ends immediately."

Natasha: ...

After once again complaining inwardly that this brat was hard to deal with, Natasha nodded lightly.

"I understand. I'll truthfully convey your demands to my superior."

"Good." Peter nodded in satisfaction, then continued.

"Lastly, and most importantly."

"I require you to send your professional agents to protect my guardians, Ben Parker and May Parker, with the highest level of security whenever I am not home.

Also, don't even think about using them to control me. If anyone among you dares entertain any improper thoughts, I guarantee I'll make him die with a rhythm!"