"I'm home." Ino put down her bag, placed her shoes by the door, and walked inside.
The atmosphere was typical for a family. Her biological father, Inoichi Yamanaka, like a retired cadre, was engrossed in a book titled [How to Communicate with Your Daughter], occasionally furrowing his brow in thought. The moment Ino entered, the Konoha Village's top intelligence chief immediately hid the book under his cushion, picked up a newspaper from the table, and pretended to read it.
Her biological mother, Yamanaka Rino, was systematically preparing dinner.
Ino changed her clothes and went to help. Soon, dinner was ready, and the family, adhering to the ancient teaching of 'no talking while eating,' sat around the table and finished their meal in silence.
Yamanaka Rino began to clear the dishes. Inoichi Yamanaka opened his mouth several times, seemingly wanting to chat with his daughter, make small talk, and show his concern, but being a quiet man, he simply didn't know what to say.
Their lack of conversation wasn't a butterfly effect from a transmigrator, but rather an inherent difficulty in communication between father and daughter.
The Nara Clan faced a similar issue. Nara Shikaku, a strategist renowned across nations, also didn't know how to communicate with his 200-IQ son. With no common topics for conversation, father and son could only play shogi to pass the time.
At least they could play chess. The problem at the Yamanaka Clan was even more severe.
Normally, at this time, Ino would usually say something like, "I'm going to study," or "I'm going to practice Chakra," and then retreat to her room to work hard. Her biological father and mother would offer a few words of encouragement, and the day would be over.
Today was different. Ino was quite excited about her 'Ninja' stat of 7. This level of Ninjutsu understanding and talent was perfectly sufficient for learning some low-level Ninjutsu.
"Um…" She hesitated.
Inoichi Yamanaka immediately looked over, speculating in his mind, but maintaining a smile on his face, seemingly encouraging his daughter to speak her mind freely.
Ino scratched her head: "Um… today I sparred a bit with the Hyuga Clan's heiress. Hinata's taijutsu is really amazing, it seems like a family taijutsu? Does our clan have something similar?"
The Yamanaka Clan definitely didn't have a taijutsu inheritance. For a refined and quiet man like Inoichi Yamanaka, asking him to shout "Leaf Whirlwind" or something similar would completely ruin his image.
Ino was thinking about the family Secret Technique. It was originally said that she would start practicing after graduation. Today, she had playfully sparred a few rounds with Hinata and realized that despite her relatively high stats, she lacked corresponding techniques and had no advantage in combat. Now she wanted to quickly learn the clan's Secret Technique.
Sakura, Ino, Hinata, and Tenten from the previous class, as four Female Ninja among the Konoha 12, Ino in the original timeline was basically at the bottom in terms of strength, appearing to be the weakest, making the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique seem like an empty name.
In reality, the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique wasn't that weak. Facing Uchiha Obito, who had a Rinnegan on the left, a Mangekyo Sharingan on the right, Hashirama cells in his body, and was connected to the Ten-Tails, Ino from the original timeline could still make him waver with the family Secret Technique. After receiving Nine-Tailed Chakra support, she could even forcefully control Obito. It's important to remember that Obito at this time, according to many fan-made power rankings, was definitely a Kage-level Ninja. For the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique to be able to control him, that's truly not weak.
She hadn't learned it before because she felt her 'Ninja' stat was too low. If her learning progress were too slow, she wouldn't appear to be a genius, which would affect her subsequent series of learning plans.
Only after gaining enough confidence did she bring up the matter today.
Inoichi Yamanaka was a bit surprised. His daughter wasn't lacking in aptitude, but she was afraid of hardship and fatigue, and lacked persistence. For a boy, he could be spanked or starved for a couple of days if disobedient, but it wasn't convenient for a girl. For this, the intelligence chief had worried a lot. This was the first time his daughter had proactively suggested learning.
Initially, a slight doubt flickered in his mind, feeling that his daughter's personality had changed a bit too much, but upon hearing Hinata's name, he felt he understood.
Girls compare themselves to each other. You're learning a family taijutsu? Then I can't lose either.
This kind of thing was simply too normal.
Managing intelligence inside and outside the Village, he was well aware of Hyuga Hinata's level. Defeating her wouldn't be difficult.
He pondered for a moment: "Our clan is not known for taijutsu. What we excel at is Secret Technique, a hidden Ninjutsu. It's actually not difficult for you to defeat the Hyuga Clan's heiress, but it will require some time and some hardship. Can you persevere?"
Inoichi Yamanaka wanted to know how determined Ino was this time. Could she stick with her studies for three days?
He was afraid of hurting his daughter's sensitive and fragile self-esteem, so he spoke cautiously, carefully choosing his words: "Your willingness to learn shows that you've truly grown up. Dad is very pleased, but I need to remind… no, warn? That's not right either… Hmm, let me explain beforehand, our clan's Secret Technique, when practiced, is much more difficult and dangerous than ordinary taijutsu or Ninjutsu."
He also gave an example: "Actually, the Nara Clan and Akimichi Clan also have Secret Technique. Their Secret Technique is relatively simpler, and its effects are not as good as our clan's Secret Technique."
Inoichi Yamanaka had no intention of slandering his old comrades. Ino–Shika–Chō, with Ino in the first position, the Yamanaka Clan had often held a leadership role in this alliance of over two hundred years.
The Akimichi Clan charges, the Nara Clan traps the enemy, and the Yamanaka Clan delivers the decisive blow! This was the Ino–Shika–Chō's combat style that dominated the Ninja World.
In terms of family Secret Technique, the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique was also the most difficult to cultivate, with the most peculiar effects. This Secret Technique placed extremely high demands on the practitioner's aptitude, comprehension, and willpower.
Even if predecessors had practiced it countless times and reduced the dangers along the entire path to a minimum, the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique still carried considerable risks when practiced.
"Family Secret Technique requires extremely strong willpower and patience, and also a persistent heart. You might need to practice this technique for three to five years, Ino, are you ready?" Inoichi Yamanaka said earnestly.
Yamanaka Rino quietly cleared the dishes, not participating in the father-daughter conversation.
Ino secretly pouted. This biological father really didn't know how to talk. Just draw a big picture, give a few encouraging words, and it would be done, right? Speaking so bluntly, was the Ino from the original timeline discouraged by your straightforward words?
Clearly knowing that the family Secret Technique was difficult, why didn't she start practicing earlier?
Children don't know the gravity of things, but don't you adults know? This Inoichi was probably too doting on the original Ino.
If Ino had started practicing the family Secret Technique earlier, how could she have tied with Sakura during the Chunin Exams? What could Sakura do before she became Tsunade's disciple? Absolutely nothing.
She asked a crucial question: "The family Secret Technique takes three to five years to practice?"
Inoichi didn't speak, he just nodded.