Guy took the training schedule and only glanced at it—but he couldn't look away.
Climbing, walking, swimming for endurance. Sprinting, leapfrog, weighted squats for explosive power. Even stretches and movements to relieve fatigue between sets…
Each section was laid out with purpose: methods, recommended durations, expected effects—all with clear, step-by-step explanations and detailed data analysis.
Even though Guy was a Taijutsu expert who practiced the peak form of the Strong Fist Style—the Eight Gates technique—he had never seen such a scientific, rigorous approach to training.
He had always relied on instinct to set his goals, then pushed through with sheer grit and the power of "youth." And it wasn't a bad method, really—Taijutsu is about the will to surpass one's limits.
But surpassing limits always came at a cost. Without the rare medicinal herbs he'd used over the years to recover, his body might have broken down long ago.
That's why, even as a special jonin, Guy lived modestly. Most of his savings and mission rewards went straight into maintaining his body.
The Eight Gates weren't just difficult—they were expensive. That high cost made the technique nearly inaccessible, which is why Konoha had only produced two users in all these years: one big, one small.
Guy had inherited his father's mantle and the responsibility of keeping the style alive. While his father never pressured him, it was still a heavy burden.
He couldn't imagine there'd be anyone else in the village like him.
But now, holding this training schedule—scientific, precise, and realistic—Guy suddenly saw a glimmer of hope.
He clutched the paper tightly, his eyes burning with determination.
"Don't worry, Lord Orochimaru. Leave her training to me."
Orochimaru glanced at Aoi, who looked a little nervous, and spoke to Guy:
"Do what you need to. Her body is strong. If she can't keep up, the problem lies in her will."
Guy nodded firmly. From the look in his eyes, he wasn't going to go easy—not even a little.
"Then begin."
Orochimaru gave a small nod. "Record all the training details. This schedule is only version one. It'll need refinement."
With the time to restore the soul drawing closer, developing Aoi's physical potential had become a priority.
The Djinn had once said the Eight Gates held vast potential, and Orochimaru was intrigued. Training Aoi with Guy might seem redundant, but Orochimaru wasn't short on money—and there's no harm in sharpening the blade before splitting wood.
Aoi was a perfect test subject: she carried the blood of the Uzumaki clan, with incredible vitality. Surely, she'd endure it all and help him refine a complete training system…
Right?
---
Hyuga Clan Compound
Orochimaru was welcomed into the Hyuga estate by Hyuga Hizashi and soon seated himself comfortably on a cushion behind the table. A spread of steaming, fragrant delicacies had already been prepared.
Without ceremony, Orochimaru greeted them briefly and immediately focused on the food. His disregard for formalities left Hizashi hesitant to speak—he simply smiled awkwardly and began eating alongside Orochimaru.
After some time, Orochimaru took a sip of tea, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faint smile.
"Your invitation was unexpected, Hizashi. I thought you'd bring Neji yourself."
If he hadn't been so focused lately on his experiments and refining his own body, Orochimaru would've ignored the invitation altogether. As far as fulfilling the Djinn's wish went—so long as Neji wasn't marked with the Caged Bird Seal—there was still time. Right now, his priority was himself.
Besides, the Djinn wasn't in a hurry either.
"Neji's case isn't urgent. He's only two years old," Hizashi said, face stiff, tone hesitant. "I invited you today because the clan head has a request, and I was asked to introduce you."
Orochimaru raised a brow. "Hyuga Hiashi?"
He was familiar with Hiashi, though not personally. They had only crossed paths at a few village meetings. After all, Orochimaru spent most of his time on the battlefield or in his lab.
Hiashi, as head of the main family, rarely saw the battlefield. And while Orochimaru had developed a recent curiosity about the Hyuga's Byakugan—a stable, inherited eye technique—it had yet to seem worth the effort of closer study.
"What does the Hyuga clan head want from me?" he asked, setting down his teacup and looking at Hizashi.
"It's not about the body enhancement surgeries like those you performed for the Uchiha," Hizashi quickly clarified. "You've already promised the Third Hokage you wouldn't do that again."
Recently, Uchiha Shinsuke had been making waves in the Anbu with his outstanding performance. His strength far exceeded that of typical jonin, and he was being praised as the new prodigy of the Uchiha clan—drawing attention from other ninja families.
Even Uchiha Yusuke, though less brilliant than Shinsuke, had shown notable improvement through physical training and had defeated many peers in the training grounds.
Fugaku, intrigued by the power promised through Orochimaru's methods, had already made a few indirect attempts to push for similar treatments—hoping to delay Orochimaru's Sharingan research in favor of surgery.
But Hizashi shook his head.
"No, it's not about that…"
He turned his face slightly, avoiding Orochimaru's sharp gaze. After a moment of hesitation, he sighed.
"Lord Orochimaru… you once said that if Neji showed talent, you might consider taking him as a disciple. So… would the clan head's daughter, Hinata, also have such an opportunity?"
"Oh?"
Orochimaru was visibly surprised. He looked closely at Hizashi. "And you're willing to share this opportunity?"
More disciples meant less attention for each, and Neji hadn't even officially been accepted yet.
"My lord… I am still part of the Hyuga clan."
Hizashi's words were formal, but the bitterness in his voice was hard to miss.
He had tried to keep things quiet. The "appreciation fee" Orochimaru had asked for was substantial, and raising that kind of money hadn't gone unnoticed by the main family. When questioned, Hizashi—as a branch member with little power—had no choice but to confess.
He'd kept the details about the Caged Bird Seal secret, of course. Even so, he had faced harsh criticism.
To the clan elders, Hizashi was merely a branch member, and the chance to become a disciple of one of the Sannin should have gone to the daughter of the clan head. Were it not for their concern about offending Orochimaru, Neji might have never had the opportunity at all.
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