[{"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-120":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},2349171,4591,"Chapter 120: The Will of Fire!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-120",120,"\u003Cp>Root operations must be filed and submitted to the Hokage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hokage may directly command the Root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter point is unremarkable—during Danzō’s time, the Root still answered to the Hokage, even though Hiruzen Sarutobi rarely issued direct orders to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But during Danzō’s era, Root missions could be concealed from the Hokage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Fujinaka Genma is indirectly weakening the Root’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Minato Namikaze’s puzzled expression, Fujinaka Genma smiled: “Teacher Minato, power can be subdivided, but for an institution like Konoha that wields violence, there must be—and can only be—one voice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We must maintain strict internal unity to minimize internal waste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internal conflicts or rivalries cannot be entirely eradicated—Fujinaka Genma is not that naive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they must be confined within certain limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Danzō’s leadership, the Root could have severed itself from Konoha without any issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Root carried out missions even the Hokage didn’t know about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, Danzō even attempted to assassinate the Hokage and stage a coup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Fujinaka Genma were Hokage, he would never allow such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A unit to handle dirty work is necessary—but he doesn’t need a unit capable of splitting off at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at how many foolish things Danzō did once his ambition took hold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand your meaning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze nodded: “I approve this plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, it strengthens the Hokage’s authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, it enhances Konoha’s overall strength by maximizing the efficient use of its power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Minato, another idea of mine is functional subdivision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For example, establish separate intelligence departments for internal and external operations, training divisions, combat units—after subdivision, appointments of department heads must be decided by the Hokage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This further eliminates the possibility of large factions splitting off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze nodded, then said: “Take this step by step—don’t rush it. Also, it can proceed in tandem with the Hokage’s direct Anbu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded, then added: “After this batch of personnel is transferred, the Root must recruit and train new members.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides Kakashi and the Root’s existing recruitment mechanism, I want to add personnel from two clans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze’s gaze sharpened: “Uchiha clan, Hyuga clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded: “The Uchiha and Hyuga clans are powerful, but since the Second Hokage’s policy of reducing clan influence, they’ve been gradually marginalized.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During wartime, their fates were tied together—they gave everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in peacetime, their participation is far too limited.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, the Uchiha clan is teetering on the edge of losing control.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze raised an eyebrow: “The Uchiha clan losing control?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded solemnly: “The Uchiha clan controls the Security Force and holds real power, yet they remain marginalized at the core of authority—that’s the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither his direct Anbu nor the Root includes any Uchiha—this is abnormal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, no Uchiha serves as a team leader Jonin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Uchiha allow their members to attend the Ninja Academy, once they reach a certain level, they return to their clan and form exclusive teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In peacetime, both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans are extremely independent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike other ninja clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the Sarutobi, Shimura, Nara, and Akimichi clans have all been fully integrated into Konoha’s larger system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hyuga’s insight abilities, if integrated into teams, would greatly enhance Konoha’s overall strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Uchiha—wasting their power on the Security Force is a damn waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who doesn’t have ambition?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade is bound to cut both friend and foe—but Itachi don’t discard it just because it might hurt Itachi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Uchiha clan controls the Security Force; the criticism from law enforcement inevitably fuels resentment, deepening the rift between the Uchiha and Konoha as a whole.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the division becomes fundamental, a coup will become inevitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to his understanding, even without the Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha coup was unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine-Tails incident merely accelerated the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without the Nine-Tails incident, Konoha’s leadership would never trust the Uchiha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Danzō, deeply influenced by the Second Hokage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze understood Fujinaka Genma’s point, but resolving this completely would be difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, interfering with the Security Force might provoke resentment from the Uchiha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, bringing the Uchiha into Konoha’s core power structure would likely draw objections from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tonoki Koharu, Mizumon En, and other Konoha clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s also the potential risk the Uchiha bring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, another figure like Madara Uchiha might emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this is likely the primary reason Konoha’s leadership suppresses the Uchiha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, distrusted the Uchiha—let alone Hiruzen Sarutobi and others deeply influenced by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hyuga are relatively easier to handle; the Uchiha? One misstep and the whole system trembles!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long contemplation, Minato Namikaze said: “Regarding the Uchiha, we must proceed with caution and deliberate planning—but integrating the Uchiha and Hyuga into the Root and Anbu is feasible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded, offering no objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze may be Hokage and command the Root, but he can’t simply do whatever he wants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, there are other voices within Konoha; on the other, there’s the Uchiha clan’s stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking, Minato Namikaze said: “Itachi could first test the Uchiha clan’s attitude.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded: “I will personally visit both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the two discussed further specifics of Root reform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, changing the Root’s training methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma proposed an ideological education: the Will of Fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He disliked Danzō’s cold, emotionless training methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evidence shows humans cannot become truly emotionless—they only appear mechanical because they haven’t encountered the right thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more emotionless they are, the greater their vulnerabilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversely, with a firm belief in their heart, their combat power grows stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is proven by fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze naturally wholeheartedly agreed, smiling: “Itachi’ll need to ask the Third Hokage—he won’t refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not just the Third Hokage—Teacher, Itachi, and Jiraiya, I hope Itachi’ll all find time to pass on the Will of Fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Additionally, I will ask the Third Hokage and Jiraiya to compile a book on the Will of Fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Will of Fire may not take root in every individual, but I hope it takes root in this collective!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze’s spirit stirred—he said: “I will speak personally with the Third Hokage and Jiraiya.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Tsunade is currently away from Konoha, wandering outside—finding her will take considerable time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma smiled: “Leave this to Jiraiya—I’m sure he’ll find her quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>",1069,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8038a6b2787b7edda5f96e45534e4180230b655df05f895a44de23b44b749c5c","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-121","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-119",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]