Zhengyi Fumed in the Office

"People can't overtrain their bodies. Muscles need time to repair themselves."

"We ninjas are different from ordinary people. We have greater muscular endurance, but we still need rest days."

Zhengyi had been getting along better and better with Might Duy, the Genin he'd recently befriended.

They shared a common interest: getting stronger and healthier!

Can you believe Zhengyi was teaching Duy, who'd spent his whole life training, about exercise?

But what he said was true.

From the beginning, Might Duy and Might Guy had been using the Eight Inner Gates wrong.

To put it scientifically, running improved cardiovascular health and endurance, but it was an aerobic exercise. Doing only aerobic exercise over a long period caused the body to lose muscle.

That was why the father and son, despite having trained their whole lives, didn't look very muscular. Opening the Seventh Gate also put a strain on them because they'd only trained their muscles for endurance.

Zhengyi could only say that Liu Suolong next door really knew how to train.

He lifted heavy weights, ate meat, and slept afterward, letting his body repair its muscles. After years of training like that, how could his body not have explosive power? How could the slash he swung not be strong?

"What did you say? You and Guy go to bed hungry, with your belts tightened around your waists?"

Might Duy had only just found out that Zhengyi was Guy's classmate.

"I can't help it, Zhengyi. With my salary... I can barely support myself. Even youth has its own unspeakable obstacles." Might Duy awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

It was ridiculous.

Konoha's supplies used to consist mostly of things like Military Ration Pills, which seemed to replenish chakra but weren't very nutritious.

It wasn't until Orochimaru brought in Protein Powder and sent Zhengyi a cow every few days that Zhengyi could eat his fill. It was the first time he'd experienced the joy of being full.

He wondered if his son, who'd been assigned to the Kirigakure front, was going hungry.

That was just how it was for ninjas. Being short on money was the norm.

Even Jonin lived in dire poverty, because just buying food cost a fortune.

After chatting with Zhengyi for a while, Might Duy went off to try the heavy-weight anaerobic exercise Zhengyi had recommended—in other words, lifting trees.

Train for a day, then rest for a day, giving the muscles a day to recover?

Duy had no idea if Zhengyi's scientific training method would work.

Meanwhile, Zhengyi prayed silently that his teacher would succeed in the Hokage competition.

Minato was certainly talented, and he was good at handling administrative affairs too.

But Minato didn't have access to the core technology.

Come to think of it, could his teacher invent a cell phone?

When Zhengyi had nothing to do, he really had nothing to do.

Uh.

Had he actually mastered it?

"Zhengyi, how come there's less and less Protein Powder every time I scoop some out?" Might Duy came back to find Zhengyi, carrying his Yeast Protein Powder.

Well, anyone at the camp who spouted nonsense like that had trained their brains into a stupor. In other words, they'd trained too successfully.

Before long, it was time for Orochimaru and Zhengyi to return to Konoha for a break and a change of duty.

Kumogakure had recently been locked in a fierce struggle with Iwagakure, giving Konoha a brief respite.

"Mmm..."

Zhengyi lay on the bed in his dormitory. His soft, comfy bed really was the best.

But he hadn't been lying there for long when he was summoned to the Hokage Office.

"You're here?"

There wasn't a trace of anger on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face over Sarutobi Hayate's death. He watched Zhengyi approach with a kind expression.

Jiraiya and Team Minato had also returned for a break, and were in the office.

Orochimaru was there too.

Jiraiya and Minato looked at Zhengyi curiously.

Minato had heard about Zhengyi from Obito for a long time. How should he put it? Based on what Obito had told him, Minato would have especially disliked Zhengyi.

After all, Obito treated Minato like a brother.

But Zhengyi...

There was no way Minato had heard anything good about Zhengyi from Obito.

"Long time no see."

"Obito, Kakashi." Zhengyi hesitated for a moment, then greeted Rin as well. "And Rin."

"Long time no see, Zhengyi," Rin said with a sweet smile. Zhengyi had grown taller.

Kakashi gave a slight nod in reply.

"Hmph." If they hadn't been in the Hokage Office—a place he'd be working in someday—Obito would really have beaten Zhengyi up. Just seeing him made Obito angry.

Minato gave Zhengyi a couple of warm smiles, acknowledging him.

Zhengyi returned a warm smile.

What a coincidence. They were cut from the same cloth: both had the warm, sunny sort of demeanor.

When Zhengyi smiled, Minato realized they were rivals. He might not be able to beat Orochimaru in the race to become the Fourth Hokage, so Zhengyi was his rival for the Fifth Hokage position.

It wasn't that Minato didn't believe in himself.

Even his students didn't think he had much of a chance.

But Zhengyi, who knew the story, could tell from Hiruzen Sarutobi's coming orders and the smile on his face exactly who he wanted to become the Fourth Hokage.

"Team Minato will serve as a mobile unit, moving between the various battlefields to provide support..."

Others might not understand the deeper meaning. Even Orochimaru didn't see it, thinking it was just a routine assignment. But Zhengyi knew the unspoken purpose: to get Team Minato noticed everywhere.

"Yes, sir!" Minato nodded. Obito was brimming with enthusiasm. All right! Let the whole Shinobi World hear the name of the great Obito! Even if his usual missions involved escorting supplies.

"Orochimaru and Zhengyi, stay in Konoha and help me handle the paperwork."

"I'm getting old. Every day, I've got a whole desk piled high with documents. Heh, looks like I'm about ready to retire."

If someone else heard that, they would probably think Hiruzen was grooming Orochimaru to become Hokage. But Zhengyi knew better. "Help me handle the paperwork"? Wasn't this just a way to keep his teacher from going to the battlefield and earning merit?

All of the village's mainstays were fighting outside.

Only a few elderly higher-ups remained in the village. What good would it do for them to know that Orochimaru was great at handling paperwork?

After leaving the Hokage Office.

Rin said she wanted to invite Zhengyi out to eat, and bring Anko along too.

But one look at Zhengyi's expression...

Did the Third Hokage say something to him just now?

"Rin! Zhengyi's no good. You should stay away from him." Seeing Rin gazing with concern at Zhengyi's departing figure made Obito jealous.

"Heh. And you're any better?" Kakashi shrugged as he walked past Obito.

"Damn it!"

"Being young is great, Minato." Jiraiya looked glum too. The old man had actually tricked him. Hadn't Hiruzen said he favored Minato?

You can make Orochimaru Hokage!

But you can't lie to me and dangle false hope in front of me, making me think Minato could become Hokage while I risk my life fighting the enemy.

"Minato, you're younger than Orochimaru. Your youth is your greatest asset."

"What do you mean, Jiraiya-sensei?"

Jiraiya patted Minato on the shoulder without explaining. If he told Minato this was a competition for the Hokage position, Minato would inevitably become a little self-interested, no matter how honorable he was. And in the old man's eyes, he couldn't afford to be self-interested.