Naruto: Clan Simulation and Bloodline Evolution from Scratch

Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:

patreon.com/Draco_

*****

After speaking, Ino immediately regretted it. She was worried she might have scared Ximen Zhen.

The Yamanaka clan's abilities allowed them to possess another's body and control their mind.

To younger people raised in peaceful times, such a power often came across as unsettling—even repulsive.

Back in the Warring States era, it wouldn't have been surprising if the Yamanaka clan were considered some kind of cult.

Yet to Ino's surprise, not only was Ximen Zhen unafraid, he even smiled and replied, "I may not know the specifics of your clan's techniques, but I'm familiar with the general combat style of the Yamanaka."

"It's like Medical Ninjutsu. It can be used like a kunai to cut an enemy's throat or like a scalpel to heal a comrade's wounds."

"The difference lies in the one who wields the jutsu—whether they're a friend or a foe."

Ximen Zhen gently took Ino's wrist and, to her shock, placed her palm against his chest. "Ino, you're my friend. I trust you—so I'm willing to entrust my body to you."

"Go ahead. I'm counting on you."

Without waiting for her agreement, Ximen Zhen closed his eyes.

His heartbeat pulsed steadily beneath Ino's palm—strong and rhythmic like a war drum. The sound echoed in her ears, making her face flush with heat.

Thankfully, Ximen Zhen didn't see her reaction. Otherwise, she wouldn't have known how to hide it.

A few seconds later, Ino let out a long breath. "Since you're not afraid, then I'll begin. But don't regret it if I end up reading your memories."

"If you want to read my memories, you're welcome to," Ximen Zhen replied calmly. "Though they might not be very pleasant."

He wasn't worried about Ino accessing his mind. By now, he had learned to use curse seal techniques from Sunagakure to protect his consciousness.

These techniques might not be enough to block someone like Yamanaka Inoichi, but they were more than sufficient to stop someone like Ino.

Besides, just as he expected—

Although Ino made it sound like a threat, her chakra was moving carefully through Ximen Zhen's meridians, with no sign of trying to reach his brain.

Among the Konoha 12, Ino was actually the most sensitive and tactful. She understood how to gently maintain the delicate balance of friendship between people.

Under Ino's guidance, Ximen Zhen's chakra finally began to flow correctly through his meridians.

By the time he could refine chakra on his own, half an hour had passed.

[Ding! Half an hour of chakra connection with high-potential kunoichi Yamanaka Ino. Pheromone data collection complete.]

Seeing the notification before him, Ximen Zhen smiled in satisfaction.

While Ino carefully fulfilled her Hokage-assigned mission, Ximen Zhen had quietly extracted her pheromone data.

Both sides got what they needed—truly a win-win.

By now, Ino had already withdrawn her hand, but she remained quietly seated cross-legged across from Ximen Zhen, this time admiring his face directly.

When his eyelashes fluttered—signaling he was about to awaken—Ino quickly turned around, grabbed a teacup, and pretended to be deeply fascinated by the patterns on the ceiling.

"Thank you, Ino," Ximen Zhen said sincerely.

Though learning chakra control from Ino didn't significantly improve his strength anymore, it gave him a legitimate reason to use chakra openly.

More importantly, Ino was now the second kunoichi to offer her pheromones willingly.

Ximen Zhen silently vowed to make sure that, in future simulations, Ino would fully experience the taste of happiness.

"No need to be so formal—it was nothing," Ino replied, downing her tea in one go. "Now that you've learned how to refine chakra, I should be going."

"I'll walk you out."

"No need. I'm way stronger than you!"

"That has nothing to do with it. Besides, I was planning to buy something from the Yamanaka flower shop anyway."

"Eh… fine."

Ino had thought Ximen Zhen was just making an excuse, but when she saw him actually pull out money, she realized he was telling the truth.

"What do you want to buy? Our shop only sells flowers and some crafts."

"I want something to decorate my bedroom. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Huh, I didn't know you had a hobby like that…"

Ino gave him a surprised look, but soon her interest was piqued. She began counting on her fingers, excitedly listing the Yamanaka flower shop's best-sellers.

Though she didn't enjoy formal flower arrangement classes, that was mostly her playful side wanting more free time.

In reality, she'd shown great interest and talent in flowers and the family business since childhood.

As the two chatted and laughed on their way to the shop, they arrived just as Yamanaka Inoichi was walking out the door with a stern expression.

"Dad, are you heading out on a mission this late?" Ino asked upon seeing him.

Inoichi's gaze swept suspiciously between Ino and Ximen Zhen. When his eyes landed on Ximen Zhen, he looked as though he was itching to perform a Mind Body Switch Jutsu on him.

Ino saw right through her father's thoughts and smirked mischievously. "Ah, Dad, let me introduce you—this is my new friend, Ximen Zhen."

"By the way, Grandma already said he'll be an honored guest of the Yamanaka clan!"

"Hello, Uncle," Ximen Zhen greeted calmly.

Inoichi forced out a strained smile. "Such a well-mannered young man. I'm sorry to trouble you this late to walk Ino home."

"I'll make sure to teach her better—so she understands boundaries and doesn't inconvenience others so late at night."

Inoichi had only one daughter, and he cherished her dearly.

Unfortunately, though he could read others' minds, he couldn't seem to understand his rebellious daughter.

His heartfelt concern only made Ino feel even more suffocated.

So, without warning, Ino grabbed Ximen Zhen's arm and said, "I didn't trouble him at all, right, Zhen-kun?"

Ximen Zhen glanced at her mischievous smile, then at Inoichi's darkening expression.

It didn't take a genius to realize he'd just been dragged into the classic clash between a protective father and a rebellious daughter.

What should he do?

Play peacemaker—or choose a side?

The answer was obvious—stand firmly with Ino.

Ximen Zhen knew trying to curry favor with Inoichi wouldn't help his relationship with Ino.

But if he grew close to Ino, even if Inoichi disliked him, he'd eventually become an ally.

That's the reality of being a father to an only daughter.

So Ximen Zhen said, "Ino is one of the most thoughtful and sincere girls I've ever met. I'm lucky to have her as a friend."

Ino had prepared herself for Ximen Zhen to buckle under pressure—after all, her father was a well-known Jonin whose mere presence carried authority.

But Ximen Zhen stood by her side without hesitation, and for a moment, Ino stared at him in stunned silence.

Meanwhile, Inoichi's forced smile completely collapsed, replaced by a face full of frustration and twitching veins.

(End of Chapter)