Naruto: Clan Simulation and Bloodline Evolution from Scratch

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*****

After some laughter and teasing, Simen Zhen invited Ino to stay for dinner. This time, Ino didn't refuse.

Soon, the aroma of freshly cooked dishes wafted from the kitchen, and Ino, who was lying on the tatami reading Simen Zhen's novel, couldn't help but sniff the air.

Once the food was served, she took a bite of the grilled fish, and her eyes lit up.

"Seriously? You're good at cooking too?"

As the daughter of the prestigious Yamanaka clan, Ino had naturally tasted all kinds of gourmet food.

But Simen Zhen's grilled fish technique incorporated knowledge from his previous life, combined with the experience of three lifetimes' worth of cultivation. Naturally, it had a homestyle flavor that even high-end restaurants couldn't replicate.

"You like it? Then come over more often. I can cook all kinds of delicious food."

Ino swallowed a bite of fish, looked at Simen Zhen in surprise, then suddenly grinned.

"You're not falling for me, are you?"

"Well, can't blame you. I am destined to be the Flower of the Ninja World."

She winked playfully as if joking.

To her surprise, Simen Zhen nodded seriously.

"That's right."

"Eh?!"

Ino tensed up, just about to say something, but Simen Zhen continued:

"You'll definitely be acknowledged as a beauty in the ninja world someday. But… love and all that—we're still young."

The unexpected turn left Ino flustered. She could only hum and lower her head to focus on her meal.

Only she knew that at the moment Simen Zhen said "that's right," her cheeks had grown warm.

No matter how cheerful and energetic she appeared, she was still just a girl who hadn't even graduated from the academy yet.

As they ate and chatted, the two quickly cleared the entire table.

Rubbing her stomach with satisfaction, Ino wore a look of both happiness and concern.

"Am I going to get fat?"

"You won't," Simen Zhen replied while clearing the table, casually offering comfort.

When he returned with the tea, Ino asked:

"You're surprisingly good at comforting people… Did you learn that from books too?"

"If I didn't know how to talk like this, I'd have starved to death by now. My stipend's been cut for nearly a year."

Hearing that, Ino's expression grew a little gloomy. But Simen Zhen smiled and said:

"It's fine. I've gotten used to it."

"Like I said earlier, you're welcome to come by anytime. Otherwise, I'd be pretty lonely here."

He emphasized it again.

The reason he did so was because, in the simulation, he had only gotten close to Ino for a brief period.

Simen Zhen wasn't satisfied with that. He at least wanted to become good friends with her.

After all, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's clans had always been rock-solid in Konoha. If Simen Zhen could gain the friendship of those three families, even someone like Danzo would have to think twice before targeting him.

Ino nodded instinctively and said:

"Alright, I'll come visit often then."

She then glanced at the clock and, feeling it was about time, added:

"By the way, I can't just eat your food for free. How about I teach you chakra control?"

Simen Zhen looked surprised.

"Can you?"

"Of course! Chakra control is basic stuff—they even teach it at the academy. Lots of rogue ninja know it too. It's not a secret."

"You've got a decent chakra reserve, so you should learn how to control it. Otherwise, you might experience chakra backlash, and in serious cases, that can even be fatal."

Simen Zhen's expression turned serious, and he went on to explain the symptoms he had experienced at night.

Ino was startled by his honesty, then responded decisively:

"Exactly. So get started right away. Sit cross-legged."

As Simen Zhen followed her guidance and began refining chakra, Ino let out a subtle breath of relief behind him.

Once he learned all of this, her mission would be complete.

So far, everything was going smoothly—and… as she looked at Simen Zhen's back, Ino realized something.

He wasn't just handsome.

Sure, he wasn't particularly powerful, but both his talent and temperament were top-notch. Maybe…

Ino pursed her lips, a faint blush blooming on her cheeks.

Even though she always competed with Sakura for Sasuke's attention, only she knew deep down: she and Sasuke never really had a chance.

Not because of anything else, but because as the heir of the Yamanaka clan, she could only marry someone who would live with her clan as a live-in husband, and their first child—at the very least—would have to take the Yamanaka surname.

Would Sasuke ever agree to that?

Ino was confident in her charm, but not enough to think it could override everything.

Simen Zhen, on the other hand, was different. He was an orphan, and he clearly longed for emotional connection...

"Ahem!"

Just as Ino was lost in thought, Simen Zhen suddenly started coughing.

Startled, Ino quickly knelt beside him, placing her hand on his wrist.

"What's wrong?"

"I… I can't seem to control my chakra well… Maybe I'm just really untalented?"

Simen Zhen's face had gone pale, just like someone experiencing chakra backlash.

Of course, this was all an act.

After his third simulation, he had accumulated substantial experience in medical ninjutsu. Though he couldn't yet use the Mystical Palm Technique, he could easily fool Ino.

"Does it hurt? Do you want me to take you to the Konoha Hospital?"

Feeling his erratic pulse, Ino was clearly concerned. But Simen Zhen shook his head and said:

"It's fine. I'll rest for a bit before trying again."

"You know, there's no need to rush. I can come over every day to teach you."

Ino tested the waters with her offer. Simen Zhen nodded and closed his eyes to meditate.

Ino let out a sigh of relief and began looking around with a subtle excitement in her eyes.

Could she really come here every day from now on?

Though she was a little shy, being at Simen Zhen's house was way more fun than being at her own.

At least here, she didn't have her mom and grandma constantly nagging her to learn flower arranging, tea ceremonies, and other "ladylike" arts.

She even thought about getting a TV installed here. Word had it that a new drama called Ninja Chronicles of the Flower was becoming a huge hit…

Ino was already imagining turning Simen Zhen's house into her own little secret base, when he suddenly spoke up:

"Ino, I know it's a bit sudden… but can I ask you something?"

"Hm? Just say it. No need to be so formal."

Only then did Simen Zhen turn to her and ask:

"Would it be possible for you to guide my chakra flow directly… by inserting your chakra into my body?"

"I heard there's a medical technique called the Mystical Palm Jutsu that can do that."

He looked hopeful, but Ino stared at him, stunned.

Seeing that he wasn't joking, she burst out laughing.

She laughed for quite a while before wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

"Let's set the Mystical Palm stuff aside for now. Since you know the Yamanaka clan, you should know what kind of jutsu we specialize in, right?"

She gently tapped her own forehead with one hand, and with the other, pointed to Simen Zhen's chest—then to where his heart beat.

"We can kill without leaving a trace… and you still dare let me put chakra inside your body?"

(End of Chapter)