Naruto: Clan Simulation and Bloodline Evolution from Scratch

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Although Yugao Uzuki's words of affection were touching, Ximen Zhen had already heard them during the simulation.

What he was truly curious about now was Yugao Uzuki's current feelings.

Otherwise, just keeping a promise didn't count as deep emotional attachment.

Yugao Uzuki fell silent, but Ximen Zhen didn't rush her.

The two of them fled together, eventually reaching the boundary between forest and sand dunes.

Yugao Uzuki stood atop a dune, gazing up at the bright moonlight. Her face, once shadowed with grief, gradually softened.

"Zhen-kun, is it alright if I call you that?"

Ximen Zhen nodded lightly, curious to hear what Yugao would say next.

"Zhen-kun, you probably didn't know this, but I'm an orphan too."

"I once believed Konoha was my home—where there were elders who trusted me, and friends and comrades by my side. I thought one day I'd build a family there and live a happy, peaceful life."

"But..."

Yugao's eyes grew resolute. "The Third Hokage died. My friends and comrades died. Konoha couldn't avenge them—nor could it stop me from seeking revenge."

"You were supposed to be Konoha's hero. Instead, they turned you into a sacrifice."

Yugao turned to face him and hugged Ximen Zhen. Her voice was brave, but tinged with fear.

"I can't accept any of this."

"If you die... I truly don't know what else I could live for."

"So... let's become each other's reason to live. Can we?"

Looking at Yugao's tear-filled eyes, Ximen Zhen finally understood everything.

Her answer wasn't the kind of romantic fantasy he had imagined, but it was sincere enough to convince him.

Grasping desperately at one last strand of hope—and giving everything for it—was probably the final way many people in the ninja world managed to keep going.

Ximen Zhen raised his hand and gently wiped away Yugao's tears. Then, he firmly took her hand in his.

"Let's go. I'll take you to a new life."

"I promise—this life will be one of happiness."

Under the moonlight, Ximen Zhen made his vow.

He originally planned to exit the simulation at that moment, but then he saw Yugao lower her head, her lips curling into a smile full of hope.

When Ximen Zhen's consciousness returned to reality, he instinctively looked toward the shadow outside the window in the darkness.

Thanks to his newly acquired chakra-sensing talent, Yugao Uzuki was now completely within his perception range.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but it felt like Yugao was also watching him.

…No, must've been his imagination.

Ximen Zhen brushed his fingers against his lips—her kiss had felt cool and gentle, with a softness like water.

But that would probably be the last time. He didn't plan to simulate Yugao Uzuki again.

After all, her life simulation involved too many unpredictable variables. His soft and sweet Tenten was much easier to work with.

Calming himself, Ximen Zhen didn't indulge in the passionate, all-consuming simulations like he did with Tenten—those moments where day and night blurred together. Instead, he began reviewing the gains he had obtained over the years in Sunagakure.

The most important of which was the Scientific Ninja Tool Scroll.

In fact, the idea of such a scroll had long existed in the ninja world. Whether it was Jiraiya sealing Amaterasu or Shikamaru using a scroll to unleash Water Style despite not knowing it—those were all early prototypes of this tool.

However, in those earlier versions, ninja had to already know how to use the techniques to activate the scrolls, and most scrolls were single-use only.

The Scientific Ninja Tool Scroll developed by Ximen Zhen allowed users to simply perform a few basic hand seals to activate the jutsu sealed within—no understanding of its inner workings required.

Additionally, the scrolls were modular and could be recharged by the logistics department. As long as the scroll itself wasn't destroyed, it could be reused almost indefinitely.

This innovation gave Sunagakure, known for its puppet techniques, a whole new arsenal of tools for combat—significantly improving the village's strategic strength.

Of course, this progress merely solidified Sunagakure's standing among the Five Great Ninja Villages and enhanced its war potential. It didn't elevate the village's overall ceiling.

If Sunagakure hoped to surpass the other villages with this alone, it was a fantasy.

Next was the fact that Ximen Zhen had essentially mastered nearly all non-kekkei genkai techniques within the village—from Wind Release and Sand techniques to puppet crafting and manipulation, even poison techniques and medical ninjutsu.

Unfortunately, Ximen Zhen could never reach the same level of puppet control as Sasori of the Red Sand or Chiyo. That kind of mastery couldn't be achieved through mere learning.

Lastly, and perhaps most surprisingly, was this:

He had successfully walked an entirely new life path—a life not bound to Konoha.

This meant that even if one day he was no longer welcome in Konoha, he could still thrive in Sunagakure.

In fact, compared to the turmoil-ridden Konoha, Sunagakure seemed safer and a much better place to lay low for a lifetime.

Of course, the environment there was far harsher than in Konoha, but that wouldn't affect Ximen Zhen as a high-ranking figure in Sunagakure.

He had a faint feeling that this might be his most valuable gain from the simulation.

The moment he realized he had a fallback plan, Ximen Zhen felt an unexplainable lightness in his body.

Stretching lazily, he decided to get some sleep and welcome the next day with renewed energy.

The next day, Ximen Zhen resumed his daily routine.

He refined chakra, wrote his books, reflected on his simulation gains, and prepared to welcome the elderly and children who came by in the afternoon for tea and play.

This peaceful lifestyle would likely continue for a while—until Ino arrived on her mission to teach him chakra control.

What Ximen Zhen didn't expect, though, was that by sunset, a lively and lovely figure appeared at his doorstep.

Tenten stood outside Ximen Zhen's home, stunned. She thought she had come to the wrong place.

Less than a week ago, his home had looked rundown and desolate—it made her heart ache just looking at it.

But now? It was bustling with activity. Her first thought was that a new shop had opened here.

"Who are you looking for?"

A little girl sucking on a lollipop stood before Tenten, examining her curiously with a bold, outgoing attitude.

Just as Tenten was trying to come up with an excuse to brush her off, the girl took a deep breath and shouted:

"Big Brother Ximen! Your girlfriend is here to see you!"

In that moment, all the elders and children in the courtyard turned to stare.

Tenten felt as though she had just taken a mental hit at the Kage level.

Her face flushed, and her body felt frozen in place.

Just as she was figuring out how to run away—

Bang! A loud sound was followed by the little girl crying out, holding her head in pain.

Ximen Zhen twisted the girl's nose and said,

"Don't talk nonsense. Tenten is not my girlfriend."

(End of Chapter)