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*****
Ximen Zhen wore a serious expression—this was a subject that deeply intrigued him.
There was no doubt that once a person gained chakra, their vitality would be enhanced.
For example, ever since Ximen Zhen had acquired chakra, his body's recovery rate had at least doubled.
But vitality was not equivalent to chakra, since the vast majority of people who possessed chakra did not necessarily gain extended lifespans.
At the same time, chakra and vitality could be partially converted into each other. Chiyo's technique, One's Own Life Reincarnation, was a realization of this process.
However, the conversion process caused severe loss, to the point where using One's Own Life Reincarnation was almost certainly fatal.
Ximen Zhen didn't teach himself that technique just to someday sacrifice himself to save others. He wanted to fully understand the conversion and utilization of vitality. Perhaps in the future, he could discover a way to gradually nourish his own vitality using chakra.
If that happened, then the real-world version of himself would never have to worry about most injuries again.
Just as he had anticipated, the process proved so difficult that Ximen Zhen was nearly at a complete loss.
[After a full year of research, you realize this jutsu heavily depends on a ninja's natural talent and places a significant demand on your Yang Release chakra affinity.]
[Konoha Year 67: You're unable to find a way to improve your Yang Release talent, but you consider using the Mitotic Regeneration Technique to gather Yang chakra from multiple individuals and funnel it into a specific target.]
[Konoha Year 68: Your theory gains Tsunade's approval, and she grants you permission to experiment—but only for healing purposes. You succeed and name the entire medical jutsu Life-Healing Reincarnation.]
Ximen Zhen was stunned as he looked at the simulated results—he hadn't expected to actually pull it off.
Although his own talent limited him from performing the entire technique alone, the simulation experience he gained in Sunagakure inspired him to think beyond Konoha's medical jutsu system.
It seemed that in the future, he ought to visit other nations. Who knew what unique experiences he could gather?
He even wondered… could he perhaps infiltrate the Akatsuki as well?
The simulation continued.
[Your medical jutsu is rated S-rank by Tsunade, as even she cannot perform it solo. She forbids you from passing the technique to anyone without authorization. You agree to this without hesitation.]
[Konoha Year 68: Naruto returns from training, and many events unfold in Konoha. Among the events you know of are the Kazekage Rescue Mission, the Tenchi Bridge Battle, Orochimaru's death, and the formation of Team Hebi.]
[However, what concerns you most is the battle between Team 10 and the immortal duo. Upon learning of Team 10's deployment and Tsunade's plan to send reinforcements, you volunteer to join the support team.]
[Tsunade approves your request. By the time your team arrives, Asuma is already critically wounded. Ino is crying as she tries to heal him, but her Mystical Palm Technique is useless for Asuma's damaged internal organs.]
[You gently pull Ino away. Under her shocked gaze, you take over the treatment. You draw a sealing array, instructing all present shinobi to stand at each point and channel chakra into the array.]
[You then control the array and use Life-Healing Reincarnation, converting everyone's chakra into vitality to extend Asuma's life. Everyone except you sacrifices around six months of their lifespan. You, shouldering the majority of the burden, give up at least ten years.]
At this point, Ximen Zhen couldn't help but sigh.
Perhaps only in a simulation could he give of himself so selflessly.
In real life, he would most likely choose to hide his strength. After all, such power would almost certainly invite disaster.
Even so, he silently vowed never to allow himself or those around him to face such danger again.
If he could develop Life-Healing Reincarnation, then one day he would surely create even more powerful medical jutsu—with fewer side effects.
Just like in the original story, where Tsunade and Naruto could heal entire villages or even the Allied Shinobi Forces.
[You manage to keep Sarutobi Asuma alive, but collapse due to excessive vitality loss.]
[When you awaken, you're back in Konoha Hospital. Struggling to sit up, you glance at the mirror—only to see a white-haired, gaunt version of yourself. You can't help but reflect that you've truly turned completely white.]
Seeing this, Ximen Zhen's heart tightened.
In his final directive within the simulation, he had set a goal: to use this opportunity to reconcile with Ino.
If, under such circumstances, Ino still refused to see him, then he would have no choice but to let go.
To preserve the outcome, he would have to switch to simulating Tenten instead.
Though he had no idea what result that would yield.
Just then, a line of text appeared in the simulation that made Ximen Zhen's spirits soar.
[Thanks to Tsunade's treatment, Sarutobi Asuma makes a full recovery. He brings all of Team 10 to visit you. He expresses his gratitude and pledges that, from now on, you are a benefactor of the entire Sarutobi clan.]
[Because of your intervention, the Sarutobi clan retains its strongest pillar. Your standing in Konoha rises to just below the Hokage and the Hokage's advisors.]
[As Sarutobi Asuma leaves your hospital room, Ino stays behind, under your affectionate gaze.]
[Ino doesn't dare look at you. She sits quietly by your bedside, head lowered as she peels an apple. Once best friends who could talk about anything, the two of you now find it difficult to connect.]
Ximen Zhen licked his lips. Right now, he really wanted to give guidance in the simulation, but unfortunately, he was out of directives.
All he could do was hope that his understanding of Ino would allow his simulated self to say the words he most wanted to say.
This time, the simulation didn't disappoint.
[You pluck a flower from the bouquet brought by other shinobi and hand it to Ino, smiling as you tell her that, no matter what, you'll keep bringing her flowers in the future.]
[Ino finally lifts her head. Her red, swollen eyes glisten with flowing emotion. She tosses the apple aside and throws herself into your arms, bawling uncontrollably—as if she were the one who had been wronged.]
[You're confused, but still choose to hug her and comfort her. As you're wondering what to say next, Ino suddenly asks you a strange question: "Has your body recovered?"]
[Luckily, your increasing mastery of Yang chakra has accelerated your healing, so you didn't miss this opportunity to grow closer to Ino.]
[Ding! You and Yamanaka Ino have become a couple.]
Upon reading this, Ximen Zhen's jaw dropped.
Ino… took the initiative?
But what had really happened? What changed in Ino?
Ximen Zhen couldn't figure it out, but he knew—he would soon learn the answer.
(End of Chapter)