Hiroki's eyes widened.
The [Muscle Growth Manager.sys] file actually opened.
And it wasn't the wall of indecipherable code he expected — but something eerily familiar.
It looked like a programming language from his previous life… only with a structure and comment style that felt oddly intuitive, as if designed to be understood by him alone.
——— Code ———
Muscle Regulator.sysFile size: 38 MB
//============ L1 Layer: Cerebral Cortex Motion Commands ============
enum BasicMotionIntent {
MoveForward,
MoveBackward,
TurnLeft,
TurnRight,
ArmExtend,
ArmContract,
LegExtend,
LegFlex,
TrunkStabilize,
… // ~100 total basic movement intents
};
CorticalInterface {
issueMotionCommand(intent, strength) {
MotionPacket = {
IntentType: intent,
ExpectedStrength: strength,
Timestamp: currentTime(),
Priority: computeInstructionPriority(intent)
};
// Send to spinal cord for processing
receiveInstruction(MotionPacket);
}
}
----------------------------
"This… this is the human body's motion control system," Hiroki whispered, scrolling rapidly through the code in his consciousness.
The structure was stunningly clear.
The L1 layer handled the cortex — only issuing about a hundred basic motor intentions.The L2 layer corresponded to the spinal cord neuron pool, breaking those intentions into fine motor primitives.And the L3 layer — the peripheral reflex system — executed everything automatically.
"A genius design," he breathed. "The brain just says, 'move forward,' and the body handles the rest. A thousand times more efficient than I ever imagined."
That meant he didn't need to micromanage every muscle. He only had to tweak the right part of the system — and he could automate muscle growth itself.
And if his mental processing ever became powerful enough…He could one day control each muscle individually.
He scrolled further.
——— Code ———
//============ L3 Layer: Peripheral Reflex System ============
PeripheralReflexSystem {
autoFatigueManagement(targetMuscleGroup) {
if (targetMuscleGroup.fatigue > 80%) {
autoReduceContractionStrength();
autoRecruitSpareFibers();
if (fatigue > 95%) {
forceProtectiveStop();
}
}
}
muscleGrowthCheck() {
for (muscleGroup in allMuscles) {
if (muscleGroup.avgFatigue > 60%
&& muscleGroup.avgFatigue < 85%
&& proteinReserve > growthThreshold
&& ATPReserve > energyThreshold
&& timeSinceLastActivation > restTimeThreshold) {
triggerAdaptiveGrowth(muscleGroup);
}
}
}
triggerAdaptiveGrowth(targetMuscleGroup) {
growthAmount = calculateGrowthAmplitude(targetMuscleGroup.fatigueAccum);
proteinConsumption = growthConversionEfficiency;
if (proteinReserve >= proteinConsumption) {
targetMuscleGroup.fiberDiameter += growthAmount;
targetMuscleGroup.forceOutput = recalcForce(targetMuscleGroup);
proteinReserve -= proteinConsumption;
}
}
}
-----------------------------------------
"Found it." Hiroki's eyes lit up.
The key was the triggerAdaptiveGrowth() function.
The logic was clear — growth was triggered only when muscles experienced moderate fatigue (60–85%) and had enough protein, energy, and rest.
Exactly how real-world muscle worked: train → damage → recover stronger.
But…
"What if I change that condition?"
He tapped his chin thoughtfully."In nature, muscle only grows when it's stressed — evolution's energy-saving feature. The body needs to feel 'weakness' before it upgrades itself."
But if he could bypass that safety check…
He could make his body grow stronger automatically.
Hiroki's consciousness flickered with code. He opened a blank file:
[Muscle_Passive_Growth_Patch_v0.1.txt]
——— Code ———
// Muscle Passive Growth Patch v0.1
// Goal: Enable automatic muscle growth without exercise
// Original condition:
if (muscleGroup.avgFatigue > 60%
&& muscleGroup.avgFatigue < 85%
&& proteinReserve > growthThreshold
&& ATPReserve > energyThreshold
&& timeSinceLastActivation > restTimeThreshold)
// Modified version:
if (proteinReserve > growthThreshold
&& ATPReserve > consumptionThreshold
&& (muscleGroup.avgFatigue > 60% || ForcedGrowthMode == true))
// New global variable:
bool ForcedGrowthMode = false;
// New function: Start forced muscle growth
startForcedGrowth(duration) {
ForcedGrowthMode = true;
// Simulate fatigue signals
for (muscleGroup in allMuscles) {
muscleGroup.simulatedFatigue = 70%;
}
setTimer(duration, function() {
ForcedGrowthMode = false;
clearAllSimulatedFatigue();
});
}
--------------------------------------
That was it — no fatigue required.His body would simply grow.
Hiroki grinned, exhilarated — then frowned.
"But… this could be dangerous."
Growth consumed protein and ATP. Without limits, it could burn him out or worse.
He started writing a safer version.
——— Code ———
// Safe version: Controlled forced muscle growth
safeForcedGrowth(targetMuscle, growthAmplitude) {
// Safety check 1: Nutritional status
if (proteinReserve < totalReserve * 0.3)
return "Insufficient protein reserves — growth canceled.";
// Safety check 2: Energy level
if (ATPReserve < totalReserve * 0.4)
return "Insufficient energy reserves — growth canceled.";
// Safety check 3: Growth limit
if (growthAmplitude > maxSafeGrowth) {
growthAmplitude = maxSafeGrowth;
LOG("WARNING: Growth exceeds safe limit. Adjusted to max safe value.");
}
// Execute growth
target = getMuscleGroup(targetMuscle);
target.tempFatigue = 70%;
executeMuscleGrowthCheck();
actualGrowth = calcCurrentGrowth(target);
target.tempFatigue = 0;
LOG("Forced growth completed: " + targetMuscle
+ " | Growth amount: " + actualGrowth);
}
----------------------------------------
Hiroki leaned back, staring at the glowing code lines.
"In theory, this should work," he murmured. "The key is balance — grow muscles without overloading the system."
It reminded him of a game's auto-upgrade feature:simulate activity, gain power, skip the grind.
If it worked, he wouldn't just be able to control his own growth — he could simulate fatigue in others, forcing instant exhaustion.
It was a terrifying thought… and a potential weapon.
But that would have to wait.
"One step at a time," he said quietly. "Test first — then celebrate."
He saved the patch and began planning his first trial.
"Definitely not on myself," he muttered. "If something goes wrong, I won't even know how to roll it back."
He needed a living subject. Something small, manageable.
"Maybe a mouse or two."
He closed his inner window, exhaled slowly, and stood up.
"If this works…" he smiled faintly, eyes glinting with anticipation,"…then I'll finally have something real to offer Kushina."
Time to head to the forest. Catch two white mice.