[{"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-103":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},2349154,4591,"Chapter 103: The Fourth Hokage!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-103",103,"\u003Cp>“It must be Jiraiya!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A minister spoke on behalf of Hiruzen Sarutobi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiraiya? Hmm, a fine choice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, this meeting was merely a formality—the daimyo had no authority to appoint the Hokage of Konoha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He naturally had access to all the necessary intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Jiraiya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya was indeed the most suitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether in battlefield achievements, strength, or reputation, he qualified on all counts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet just as everyone thought the matter was settled, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke: “Jiraiya is indeed a suitable candidate, but he has declined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Declined?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only the ministers, but even the daimyo was stunned—someone actually refused to become Hokage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo chuckled, “What a pity. If so, who is next?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo’s voice sounded casual, but his peripheral gaze remained fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo could not appoint the Hokage, but that did not mean he was uninterested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Hokage was one of the two pillars of the Land of Fire, entrusted with its protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Orochimaru…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he finished, a minister nodded in agreement: “Orochimaru is certainly a strong candidate—he played a major role in defeating the Sand Ninja this time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And his performance in the last war was outstanding—he would surely lead Konoha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi cut in: “Orochimaru has sufficient strength and achievements, but lacks the necessary prestige.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He may not gain the approval of the Jonin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers in the daimyo’s hall fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the only one left is Tsunade…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo said: “Though appointing a woman… she is still one of the Legendary Sannin, and a direct descendant of the First Hokage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let it be her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Shikamaru Nara rose: “Daimyo, I apologize, but Tsunade has temporarily left Konoha and cannot assume the Hokage position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo covered his face with his fan, displeased: “Then who is the Fourth Hokage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo suddenly stood: “If none of the Legendary Sannin are suitable, then this old man—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi declared: “Minato Namikaze!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Minato is the most suitable candidate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo’s words died in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Minato Namikaze?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo frowned, turning to his ministers; one immediately replied: “Minato Namikaze—the young man known as the Yellow Flash of Konoha?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t he Jiraiya’s student?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Precisely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shikamaru Nara nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo immediately said: “Minato is far too young!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another minister spoke up: “I heard the man called the Death God of Konoha, who single-handedly crushed the Sand Ninja, is Minato’s student?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes—the one who forced the Stone Ninja to retreat was also this master and disciple pair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Tsume Uchiha who spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Danzo’s heart lurched—he felt a bad omen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiraiya’s student? Then he is the Third Hokage’s grandstudent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo nodded, smiling: “Youth is fine—it brings energy and drive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let it be him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daimyo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others: “Any further objections?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsume Uchiha and Mizukage En Yan  remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo’s face darkened; he sat down without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew—he had lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo suddenly regretted it—he should have supported Orochimaru as originally planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Tsume Uchiha and Mizukage En Yan  might have backed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been careless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo seethed with resentment, but could do nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in Konoha, Fujinaka Genma enjoyed a long-awaited peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soaked in a comfortable bath, shared a delicious lunch with his mother, and helped out at the family’s fruit shop in the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the evening, Fujinaka Genma went to Minato’s house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, it’s been so long—Itachi’ve grown taller than me now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After so long apart, Kushina Uzumaki hugged him, then measured him with her hand: “Itachi’re almost as tall as Minato-sensei!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kushina-sensei, I’m fifteen now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma spread his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he immediately received a punch from Kushina Uzumaki: “Fifteen? Itachi’re still far from adulthood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma groaned, clutching his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how powerful he seemed outside, he still got beaten up at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a bit of play, they stepped out together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Fujinaka Genma had come to invite Kushina Uzumaki home for dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they did not know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that very moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his party returned from the daimyo’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the war was still ongoing, they did not linger at the daimyo’s estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately dispatched Anbu to the Cloud Ninja front to notify Minato Namikaze and prepare him properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, no further complications were likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze possessed sufficient strength and dazzling battlefield achievements, though his glory had been overshadowed in this war by his student, Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, Fujinaka Genma’s accomplishments would, to some extent, reflect positively upon his teacher, Minato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Legendary Sannin, no one in Konoha could rival him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Uchiha Fugaku of the Uchiha clan was also capable, his charisma was utterly outclassed by Minato’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Uchiha clan was powerful, but could not match the combined strength of the rest of Konoha’s ninja.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma escorted Kushina Uzumaki home; halfway there, a masked ninja blocked their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fujinaka-sama, the Hokage requests your presence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma raised an eyebrow—late at night? Was something urgent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the Anbu ninja to the Hokage Tower, he knocked and entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi again after months, Fujinaka Genma felt he had grown even older.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, sorry to call Itachi so late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression was gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma immediately said: “Third Hokage, has something happened on the battlefield?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The battlefield situation remains stable. The Mist Ninja have made minor moves, but Jiraiya can handle them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi explained, then added: “The Fourth Hokage has been decided—it is your teacher, Minato Namikaze.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s gaze sharpened; he said nothing, only listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi continued: “I want Itachi to go to the Cloud Ninja front—to ensure nothing goes wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go. Be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi added another warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded, then turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping out of the Hokage Tower, Fujinaka Genma halted, looked up at the star-strewn sky, and for the first time in a long while, his calm heart stirred—“This day has finally come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will the rise of the Fourth Hokage mark a new era?\u003C\u002Fp>",1037,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","008127038bdf22b79d93b12577b38b153f37f2041d6196a1120eebc14a316068","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-104","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-102",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]