[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha":3,"chapter-starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-101":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting Off with Horse and Sword in Konoha",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2349152,4591,"Chapter 101: Stalemate!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-101",101,"\u003Cp>Underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curled White Zetsu helplessly told Uchiha Madara: “The plan was ruined by that Fujinaka Genma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another White Zetsu immediately said: “We underestimated him. How did he even manage it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did he plant a mark on Uchiha Obito beforehand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curled White Zetsu feigned shock: “Has our plan already been discovered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uchiha Madara ignored the two actors and said calmly: “Then choose another target.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Zetsu shrugged: “There aren’t many who meet your criteria.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Uchiha Obito was quite impressive—though he awakened his Sharingan late, he directly unlocked the double tomoe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curled White Zetsu stroked his chin: “Perhaps we could try again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Choose another target.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uchiha Madara was firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Fujinaka Genma’s group met with Mura Kami Yajuu, Konoha was advancing steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the memories of his three Shadow Clones returning, Fujinaka Genma immediately knew the situation in the Land of Rain was likely dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained the situation, but Minato said: “The Land of Rain won’t be a problem—don’t underestimate Danzo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mura Kami Yajuu nodded in agreement: “With Danzo-sama present, the Iwa ninja cannot break through the Land of Rain into the Land of Fire unless they commit all their forces toward Rain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But right now, Rain will likely need to evacuate its people from the Land of Grass first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ninja are still human—they’ll starve without logistics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Iwa is simultaneously facing three enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Konoha, Suna, and Kumogakure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their battle with Kumogakure, Iwa won decisively—but lost the Third Raikage, and that hatred runs deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will Kumogakure watch Iwa feast on Konoha’s flesh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They won’t allow it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Fujinaka Genma understood why the Five Great Nations and their ninja villages fought so chaotically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, Itachi’ll need to hold back Oonoki.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mura Kami Yajuu said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mura Kami Yajuu then turned to Minato: “Minato, the breakthrough is yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato nodded without objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Hokage’s orders arrived, he would remain on the Land of Grass battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, given the current situation and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s policy, large-scale fighting with Iwa seems unlikely to resume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Minato’s analysis, Fujinaka Genma thought for a moment: “Iwa is now trapped—between me and my teacher Minato, their cost to break into the Land of Fire would be too high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though reluctant, if the Third Hokage chooses negotiation, Oonoki will likely go along with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma sighed: “This war will end with no true victor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato and Mura Kami Yajuu both nodded, deeply agreeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Konoha won its battle against Suna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what did they gain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, Konoha has demanded no war reparations from Suna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, after fighting and losing so many lives, their only gain was an increase in mission assignments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More missions mean steady, long-term benefits—not insignificant—but insufficient to offset Konoha’s losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in the short term, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the Land of Fire has such wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did the Fourth Kazekage become a miner, hailed as supporting his entire village by himself? Precisely because he had no money!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this war, Suna’s mission assignments plummeted, the Lord of the Land of Wind slashed the budget, and they were forced to raise funds themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Konoha, by contrast, has far more money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just look at what Danzo did with human experiments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subsequent situation unfolded exactly as Mura Kami Yajuu and Minato predicted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oonoki remained on the front line, facing off against Fujinaka Genma; Iwa showed zero defiance when confronting Minato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One-on-one? Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Group battle? Also impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the Five-Tails Jinchuriki present, they couldn’t contain Minato’s mobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwa rapidly withdrew its forces, retreating finally to the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stalemate reemerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwa and Danzo’s forces clashed repeatedly in the Land of Rain—small team versus small team, skirmishes never ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, they seemed minor, but casualties were heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on the Land of Rain battlefield, it wasn’t only Iwa and Konoha active—there were also local Rain ninja factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example: Akatsuki!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not the first time Fujinaka Genma had heard of Akatsuki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to intelligence, the group’s power was rising rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder if Danzo has discovered the Rinnegan yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Mura Kami Yajuu’s intelligence report, Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help but think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will the fate of Akatsuki’s trio— Miyan , Nagato, Konan—change because of my presence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably not…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can save Uchiha Obito—but I can’t save them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saving someone isn’t just about wanting to—it depends on whether they’ll let Itachi save them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma had also considered finding Uchiha Madara and sealing him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But though Madara is now dormant and the Rinnegan resides on Nagato’s body, if Fujinaka Genma went now, he might not achieve his goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might even be instantly killed by Madara’s last move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, another large-scale war… suits my interests…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, Fujinaka Genma hadn’t noticed his own mindset had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mura Kami Yajuu, seeing him lost in thought, asked: “Genma, what’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there a problem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma snapped back: “Akatsuki benefits us, but Danzo won’t let this war end so easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mura Kami Yajuu nodded, then said: “What the Third Hokage decides, Danzo-sama cannot change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cannot change!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma pondered this, then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Danzo destroyed Akatsuki, he couldn’t stop Konoha and Iwa from negotiating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi was resolute on this—and Fujinaka Genma agreed it was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Konoha’s current strength, continuing the war serves no purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So preserve strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protecting the next generation is key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was especially clear after the Nine-Tails incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma supported Hiruzen Sarutobi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People like Danzo are reckless, with no regard for consequences or long-term planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, prepare yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi’ll likely need to hold this position for a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mura Kami Yajuu said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oonoki dared not leave the front line, fearing that if he did, Fujinaka Genma might go berserk like the Third Raikage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Iwa killed the Third Raikage, their own losses were severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Fujinaka Genma—with his powerful Body Flicker Technique—is even harder to contain than the Third Raikage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they eventually killed him, it wouldn’t be worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Konoha couldn’t afford to let Fujinaka Genma leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Fujinaka Genma left, Iwa’s forces, combined with Oonoki, would overwhelm Mura Kami Yajuu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Fujinaka Genma began a leisurely life at the front line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at Onoki, and Onoki stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato had gone to the Hidden Cloud battlefield, while Kakashi’s team returned to the Hidden Leaf Village.\u003C\u002Fp>",1075,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","67a005f9c65fe2234799ce52e51b0a97ed8d1c775c90f6e8145d1c42def36375","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-102","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-100",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]