Chapter 69: More Blood Samples
"Don't worry, May. The blood tests didn't show any serious bacterial infections. It's just a minor arthropod bite, and the wound has already been disinfected."
Uchiha Mikoto reassured the visibly anxious May Parker.
"Aunt May, it's really nothing. Just a small bite—I didn't even need to come to the hospital," Peter said, trying to comfort her while wiping away the cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
For some reason, Peter felt slightly feverish. He assumed it was just because of the earlier close contact with the voluptuous nurse that had raised his body temperature.
"If there are still symptoms tomorrow, just bring Peter back. And since you're one of our employees, May, don't worry about the cost."
Mikoto's words helped May relax a little. She hadn't been overly worried at first, but Peter's face had turned pale so quickly that she feared a serious allergic reaction.
She had no idea his paleness was just from having too much blood drawn.
Peter's visit to the Osborn lab had ended in disaster—the very first field trip of his life, ruined by a spider bite.
Thankfully, Harry took full responsibility and promised to handle things with the supervising teacher, ensuring Peter would still get at least a B+ for the assignment.
"Dad, while we were touring the Osborn Group lab today, something funny happened—one of the students got bitten by a spider. But he's fine now."
"Gwen, are you mentioning this because that boy is special to you?" George Stacy gently patted his daughter's head. He was always proud of her.
Gwen had always been a top student, winning scholarship after scholarship. She had never touched weed or anything like that, and though she'd had a few crushes, she remained modest and disciplined. To George, that was more than enough reason to be proud.
"It was Peter Parker from our class. He's really smart too—just... kind of lacking in confidence?"
"Oh, Peter Parker? I remember him. Poor kid. His parents used to be researchers at Osborn Group. They died in a plane crash during a business trip, leaving him an orphan."
"What? Peter is an orphan?" Gwen asked, surprised.
"Yeah. Luckily, one of his father's relatives—May Parker—took him in. I actually helped process the adoption paperwork back then. Sounds like he's a good student, huh?"
George smiled. "My lovely daughter isn't starting to like him, is she?"
"Of course not. I just... feel a little sorry for him, that's all." Gwen had never really paid Peter much attention, except when comparing scholarship results—his name often appeared right next to hers. Aside from that, Peter was basically invisible in class.
But after hearing her father's story, Gwen's interest in Peter was unexpectedly piqued.
That night, while Gwen was asleep, she had no idea that a spider had nestled itself in her long hair. When she was fully asleep, it crawled down and bit her on the cheek.
She didn't wake up at all.
Meanwhile, Peter had collapsed into bed and didn't get up again. In his dreams, he felt his body growing hotter and hotter, as if approaching the surface of the sun.
Later that night, May woke up, startled by Peter's labored breathing. She took his temperature—41°C (105.8°F). Dangerously high.
"This can't go on… I have to do something," May thought. She suddenly remembered Uchiha Mikoto's earlier promise and quickly called her.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Director... but Peter's fever is really bad..."
"I understand. Where are you?"
"Queens..."
"Got it. An ambulance will be there in 15 minutes. Don't worry, May!"
When Peter was finally brought safely to the medical center, May breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry, Mikoto. I was just so worried..." May broke down and cried in Mikoto's arms.
"It's alright. It's just a high fever. His vitals are stable—slightly elevated heart rate and blood pressure, but breathing is normal. Nothing to worry about. I'll go help with treatment now. Don't worry, I've got this."
So far, every surgery or treatment Uchiha Mikoto had participated in had been a success. That alone was enough to ease May's nerves. She fully trusted Mikoto's medical skills.
In the operating room, Mikoto drew two more tubes of Peter's blood. After analyzing and comparing the samples, she confirmed that Peter hadn't been infected by anything fatal.
"Akira, is this the mutation you mentioned? It's just like the genetic modification experiments in the Shinobi World."
Both Uchiha Akira and Uchiha Mikoto were present in the room.
"Yes. Strictly speaking, Peter's mutation originated from a spider—but it wasn't just random. Do you remember when we first took over some of Osborn Group's operations?"
"Yeah, I do," Mikoto replied. She had a good memory and quickly recalled the event.
"Back then, it was Peter's parents who took away Osborn Group's research data. We eventually recovered the files, but I didn't hand over everything. I kept the core parts."
"Unfortunately, that plane they were on encountered turbulence and crashed—no survivors."
"And that spider... it was created by Peter's parents, Richard and Mary, using Peter's own genetic blueprint as the base."
Mikoto's eyes widened. She was finally beginning to understand the full story.
"And how did you piece all of this together?" she asked, eyes filled with suspicion and curiosity.
Akira scratched his head awkwardly. "Would you believe me if I said it was just a hunch?"
"Forget it. I can't believe the kid I watched grow up is starting to brush me off. Still... if you're this interested in Peter Parker's genes, does that mean they have significant research value?"
"If my instincts are correct, they're extremely valuable. Comparable to a powerful bloodline limit. And it's fast-acting—could let a normal person gain elite jonin-level power in a short time. Do you think that's worth anything?"
"No kidding—elite jonin don't grow on trees."
"Was it really necessary to take that much blood?"
"I was worried it wouldn't be enough for research, so I asked the nurse to collect extra." Mikoto, ever meticulous, had thought of everything.
"Akira, don't tell me you're going through all this effort just for this one kid?"
"Of course not. My eyes are on the Osborn Group. But it's not fully under my control yet. And it's still missing a lead scientist with real authority."
"But it won't be long. Right now, I'm acting as bait—waiting for Osborn to make its move on me."