บท 286: 283
Haruto and Guy sat in Haruto's small but tidy apartment, both wrapped in exhaustion. The treatment had pushed them to their limits, and the deep soreness in their muscles was a constant reminder of just how intense it had been. Haruto could feel the ache deep in his bones, but he knew this was only the beginning. There would be no immediate transformation, no instant payoff. The results would take time.
Across the table, Guy leaned back, breathing heavily. His body was clearly worn out from the treatment. Unlike Haruto, who had plans to push himself further every night, Guy would need more time between treatments. His recovery wouldn't be as fast, and Haruto couldn't explain why his own was different—not without revealing his secret.
Haruto stood up and opened the fridge, pulling out several containers of grilled meat, rice, and vegetables. He had prepared the food earlier, knowing that after the treatment, his body would demand fuel. His stomach growled as he set the food on the table, and he quickly dug in, eating with the same intensity he had after every hard day of training.
"You look like you haven't eaten in a week," Guy said, his voice tired but amused.
Haruto grinned between bites. "I just like food," he said with a casual shrug, continuing to eat. The hunger was fierce, but he was prepared for it. He didn't need to mention that his body was working overtime to recover—there was no reason to give away too much.
Nearby, Duy leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching them both. Haruto's appetite had always impressed him. They had shared meals together many times after training, and each time Duy was amazed at how much Haruto could eat. Today was no different.
"You really know how to pack it away, Haruto," Duy said with a chuckle. "Where do you put it all?"
Haruto smirked, wiping his mouth briefly before continuing. "I guess I'm just built for it," he said, giving his usual nonchalant response.
Guy, though clearly hungry, ate more slowly, still recovering from the intense strain of the treatment. His body was more focused on healing than refueling, and Haruto could see that Guy wouldn't be bouncing back as quickly.
Once Haruto finished eating, he walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a thick stack of parchment. He placed the stack of seals on the table next to Guy. "These should last you six months," Haruto said, his tone serious. "Do the treatment every three days. No more than that."
Guy nodded, his hands trembling slightly from fatigue as he accepted the seals. "Every three days," he repeated, his voice filled with determination despite the exhaustion weighing him down.
Haruto nodded, satisfied that Guy would stick to the plan. They weren't going to be doing the treatments together anymore. Guy would need to pace himself, while Haruto had his own strategy. With the right food and the recovery plan he had in place, he believed he could handle the treatment every night. But that was something he'd keep to himself.
Duy watched the exchange quietly, his expression thoughtful. "You've both done well today," he said, his voice calm but filled with pride. "But listen to your bodies. The ice will help with the inflammation, but the real recovery takes time."
Haruto nodded. "I know. I'm not rushing anything." He stretched his arms, feeling the tightness in his muscles. His body ached from both the earlier workout and the treatment, but he was confident that he'd be ready to train again by tomorrow morning. The soreness would linger, but he could handle it. What he couldn't share was the reason why—Tier 2 Stamina was his edge, but it was a secret he had to protect.
Guy smiled weakly, clearly worn out but not defeated. "I'll be ready for the next treatment."
Haruto smiled back. "Good. Just don't overdo it. Let your body adjust."
With that, Haruto saw them off, walking Duy and Guy to the door. The apartment was quiet now, the sounds of the village outside fading as the night settled in. Haruto cleaned up the dishes, his thoughts already racing ahead to the next steps.
As he stood by the window, looking out at the village, Haruto let his mind wander. His apartment was small, functional, but he had been thinking about getting a bigger place. With the money he was making from his directional explosive tags, it was starting to make sense. He could even ask Daichi to move in as his roommate—it would be good to have his friend close by, and Daichi would definitely appreciate the extra space.
He set a kettle on the stove, preparing a cup of tea to wind down. The day had been long and intense, but there was no rest for him yet. In the other room, one of his shadow clones was already hard at work, preparing more body enhancement seals for future treatments. Another clone was focused on refining the storage Fuinjutsu he had been developing.
Haruto stretched again, feeling the soreness flare up in his muscles. It was going to be like this for a while—night after night of treatments, followed by the relentless hunger and deep aches in his body. But he was prepared for it. The process was long, and he didn't expect any immediate results. His progress would come slowly, but it would come.
Sipping his tea, Haruto stared out the window at the bustling village below. Tomorrow, he would go through the process again—a full workout followed by another treatment. He had the tools and the recovery strategy to handle it, and as long as he was careful, he believed he could push himself further than anyone else.
For now, though, he let the calm of the evening settle in. His path was long and demanding, but Haruto was ready for it. The treatments were just the beginning, and he knew the rewards would be worth the pain.
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