Naruto: Clan Simulation and Bloodline Evolution from Scratch

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Although Ino was a year younger than Tenten, her sociable personality had allowed her to get to know Tenten back when they were still in the academy. Now, she was using that past connection to get closer to her.

Tenten happened to be in a good mood, so the two of them began chatting casually. She didn't even notice that Ino was subtly trying to extract information.

It wasn't until Ino repeatedly brought up Ximen Zhen that Tenten grew wary. "Are you interested in Ximen Zhen or something? I don't think you two even know each other."

Ino had already prepared her excuse. With a hopeful expression, she said, "I heard he's writing a biography on the Uchiha clan. I want to learn more about them so I can better understand Sasuke-kun."

"Oh, I see…"

Tenten believed the explanation. Her attitude toward Ino grew more friendly as she felt they suddenly had more in common.

The two chatted as they walked, and even had dinner together at Ichiraku Ramen before finally parting ways.

At this point, Ino felt she had obtained all the information she needed. Tomorrow was the weekend—perfect for starting her mission.

But approaching Ximen Zhen too directly would seem a bit abrupt… Right! She'd have her grandmother help her.

Didn't Ximen Zhen love stories? Her grandmother used to be a Konoha jōnin—she could definitely tell stories that were far from ordinary!

So, the following afternoon, Ino dragged her grandmother Yamanaka Mayu—dressed in a modest kimono and wearing an expression of quiet resignation—to the front door of Ximen Zhen's house.

"Grandma, you've got to follow my lead on this, okay?" Ino said in a mock-serious tone. She had told her grandmother this was an official mission—otherwise, there was no way she would have agreed to go along with such nonsense.

Yamanaka Mayu nodded, coughed lightly, and said, "Ino, aren't you going to present the formal invitation to Mr. Ximen?"

Ino immediately stepped up.

She politely knocked on Ximen Zhen's door, then cheerfully called out, "Good afternoon, Ximen-kun! We're here from the Yamanaka clan for a visit!"

Ximen Zhen already knew this event would happen thanks to the simulation, but he was still a bit baffled by Ino's formality.

Did it really need to be this ceremonious?

Still, he stood up and made a welcoming gesture. "You honor me with your presence. I am Ximen Zhen. And you are…?"

"I'm Yamanaka Ino, and this is my grandmother, Yamanaka Mayu. She's come to tell you a story, if you have time."

Ximen Zhen nodded and accepted the invitation letter.

He then politely excused the old man who had been talking to him about how the Uchiha clan raised cats, asking him to enjoy tea in the courtyard instead. Only then did he formally invite Yamanaka Mayu inside.

Ximen Zhen was an orphan. By all rights, he shouldn't have known how to interact with people from influential clans like the Yamanakas.

But with three lifetimes of simulation experience—one of which had even made him a Kazekage advisor—he now carried himself with grace. His demeanor and expression were even calmer than those of the veteran ninja in the courtyard.

This unusual poise immediately caught the attention of the Yamanaka grandmother and granddaughter.

After Ximen Zhen prepared the tea and snacks, Yamanaka Mayu couldn't help but praise him. "Ximen-kun, where did you learn such refined manners? You're even more polished than my granddaughter."

"Grandma!" Ino whined, but her eyes were already filled with curiosity as she looked at Ximen Zhen.

She had originally thought he was just a lucky kid with a pretty face who had caught the Hokage's attention by chance.

But now it seemed that, aside from not being as strong as she was, Ximen Zhen surpassed her in every other way.

Maybe even… more than Sasuke...

Startled by her own thoughts, Ino quickly looked away and pretended to study the furnishings of Ximen Zhen's room.

Ximen Zhen responded with a gentle smile. "You flatter me, ma'am."

"There's a saying: 'Within books, one finds golden mansions; within books, one finds beauties as fair as jade.' I simply read a lot and learned a few rigid principles from them. I can't compare to the deep heritage of a great clan."

At this point, citing "reading" was still his best excuse.

But unlike the nervousness he felt when first using this explanation, Ximen Zhen was now composed and at ease.

He simply needed to stay on the Third Hokage's good side for the next six months. By the time the Chūnin Exams rolled around, he'd be strong enough to rival a jōnin. At that point, the world would be wide open to him.

That was the source of his current confidence.

"A fine quote indeed. I'll remember it and use it to encourage the younger generation of the Yamanaka clan," Yamanaka Mayu said sincerely. But her scrutinizing gaze revealed she didn't entirely believe his explanation.

If reading alone could produce someone like Ximen Zhen, then his home would need to be filled wall-to-wall with books.

Yet all she saw on his desk were a few sparsely arranged volumes—most of them newly bought.

It was clear that Ximen Zhen was hiding something… but what did that have to do with the Yamanaka clan?

Their role was to handle their own affairs and assist the Hokage. That had always been their survival strategy.

Everything else was for the Hokage and his advisors to worry about.

"Well, since we're talking about books, Ximen-kun, may I read something you've written? That might help me figure out how to tell the stories I know."

"Of course."

Ximen Zhen handed over the volume he'd written so far. Ino eagerly took it, opening it in front of herself and her grandmother.

Though she was here for a mission, Ino was genuinely curious about his writing.

And after just a single page, she was completely hooked—gripped by the tension and bloodshed of the Warring States Era.

Yamanaka Mayu, on the other hand, seemed to be reliving past life-and-death battles. Her face turned pale, and her eyes shimmered with unspoken emotion.

After the two finally finished reading the last page, Ino reluctantly closed the book, while Mayu said softly, "Ximen-kun, you are truly a genius."

"I don't deserve such praise, ma'am. You may call me by name."

"Then don't call me ma'am either… just call me Grandma. That'll make things feel more warm and familiar."

"Huh?!"

Ino cried out in surprise. Since when did Ximen Zhen earn the right to call her grandmother "Grandma" too?

That was a huge leap in their relationship—how did she not see this coming?

Seeing her granddaughter's confusion, Mayu smiled and patted her head. "Ximen-kun will write many more books in the future. His stories will one day become legendary in all of Konoha."

"Perhaps someday, the name of the Yamanaka clan will appear in one of his books."

"A person like that naturally deserves to be an honored guest of the Yamanaka clan."

(End of Chapter)