[{"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-136":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},2349187,4591,"Chapter 136","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-136",136,"\u003Cp>In response to Jiraiya’s question, Fujinaka Genma spread his hands: “I found no relevant information in the Root. Danzo’s body was completely burned to ash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the others who participated in that mission, I’m sorry—none of them returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he knew the truth about the Rinnegan—even better than anyone else—he wasn’t ready to reveal it yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Black Zetsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he even human?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Fujinaka Genma’s words, Jiraiya and Tsunade both frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant they now had a hidden enemy lurking in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this enemy was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone Danzo took with him didn’t return; they were likely killed by the Rinnegan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Root’s elite had already proven the Rinnegan’s horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having such an enemy hidden in the dark made it nearly impossible to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Fujinaka Genma’s analysis had already told him that Nagato was not the destiny child he sought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Fujinaka Genma wondered: if in the original story, Naruto’s words of persuasion had failed, could they have won?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—if it’s Madara Uchiha, he wouldn’t let the Nine-Tails go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya suddenly said, turning his gaze to his student Minato Namikaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not ‘wouldn’t’—he definitely wouldn’t!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsunade spoke with finality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no affection for Madara Uchiha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew well how Madara Uchiha once rode the Nine-Tails to destroy the Hidden Leaf; her grandfather had died because of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, all eyes turned to Minato Namikaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze remained calm and composed: “Don’t worry—the Nine-Tails is safe for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsunade shook her head: “Enemy in the dark, we in the light—defense alone won’t solve this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I still need to go to the Land of Rain again. It’s the Akatsuki’s base. If Nagato isn’t dead, he won’t leave. And the chaos there makes it perfect for hiding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya rubbed his chin: “Also, if Nagato seeks revenge, I believe Hanzo will be his first target.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma immediately objected: “Lord Jiraiya, if Itachi go to monitor the Rain Village, Itachi’d be wasting your talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze quickly agreed: \"Genma is right, Master Jiraiya. Even if Nagato seeks revenge for Hanzo, it's not our time to act.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What we need now is to confirm, assess, and gather intelligence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His meaning was clear: Hanzo was bait. Watching him would draw Nagato out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But letting Jiraiya do the surveillance was a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiraiya, Itachi stay in the Hidden Leaf. Don’t get caught away when Nagato strikes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsunade also sided with Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3 to 1—Jiraiya instantly looked crestfallen and gave in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh… I still need to find the destiny child!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya muttered helplessly to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him defeated, Fujinaka Genma secretly rejoiced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Jiraiya wasn’t the type to sit still—especially now that he’d learned Nagato was dead, then alive again, and likely corrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His actions were free-spirited, steeped in personal heroism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was part of his charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if only he weren’t so lecherous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keeping Jiraiya in the Hidden Leaf for a while would strengthen their side during the Nine-Tails’ rampage. That was vital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Fujinaka Genma comforted him: “Lord Jiraiya, the ninja world isn’t stable yet. The Cloud Village hasn’t fully withdrawn, and we haven’t signed a ceasefire—they could attack at any moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the Mist Village’s new leader, Yugito, isn’t an easy man either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the Stone Village, even though they’ve negotiated peace, they’ve been stirring up trouble in the Land of Grass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once the situation stabilizes, Lord Jiraiya, Itachi can travel the world without hurry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And Itachi could even go with Lady Tsunade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya’s eyes lit up instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsunade punched down—Fujinaka Genma dodged and hurriedly added: “Lady Tsunade, I haven’t finished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I meant, have Lord Jiraiya accompany Itachi to every ninja world gambling den—he pays.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsunade smirked: “Now that’s more like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya’s face turned black, drenched in sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Tsunade’s luck, she’d bankrupt him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato Namikaze, torn between laughter and despair, quickly steered the conversation back: “Regarding the Rinnegan and Madara Uchiha, we must investigate and prepare in secret.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Until we confirm real intelligence, avoid rash attacks—or even contact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Jiraiya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his teacher’s nature well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya opened his mouth, then sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brief meeting was nearly over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Fujinaka Genma revealed much and steered the discussion, it held no immediate practical value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for him, a mental preparation was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new Akatsuki was still in hibernation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, what he desired wasn’t for the Hidden Leaf to fight the Akatsuki, Madara Uchiha, Black Zetsu, and Kaguya Otsutsuki alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted the Hidden Leaf to seize the initiative in the future—and profit from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if there was even the slightest chance to completely change this damned world, it would be a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was stuck in this world now—no going back. He’d marry, maybe have children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want his descendants to suffer as he had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya and Tsunade left. Fujinaka Genma and Minato Namikaze continued their discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed to further analyze the previous points, and draft preliminary plans and contingency measures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Root headquarters, Fujinaka Genma handed signed orders to Shisui Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi: “From today, Hyuga Hiashi, Itachi are my deputy, assisting me with Root internal affairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the Hidden Leaf, Itachi answer to only three people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second, the Fourth Hokage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And third…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shisui Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi both thought of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Fujinaka Genma said: “The third is the Hidden Leaf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hidden Leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shisui Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi instantly understood Fujinaka Genma’s meaning—a sense of mission surged within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had always held the ideal of protecting the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their former superiors had never expressed it this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Genma, Hiashi understands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Hiashi nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded, then turned to Shisui Uchiha: “Currently, the entire Root is divided into three sections.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Internal, external, and special training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Special training needs no explanation. Internal covers Hidden Leaf defense, counter-espionage, and traitor hunting. External is split into two: Special Intelligence Division, and External Special Assassination Unit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shisui, I need Itachi to lead the External Special Assassination Unit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi are the battalion commander—Itachi will forge them into the sharpest weapon protecting the Hidden Leaf!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi will become true ninja—heroes who guard loved ones and homeland in darkness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Itachi die in battle, your names won’t appear on the memorial stones outside—but they will be carved into the Root’s own memorial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, every year, the Hidden Leaf’s high command will hold a separate memorial for fallen Anbu. Heroes will never be forgotten!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shisui Uchiha’s blood boiled: “Yes, Lord Genma! I won’t let Itachi, the Fourth Hokage, or the entire Hidden Leaf down!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1095,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7540d4e6513a7bb800462a0e4a445c66a43300064267031582be0d86cccec74e","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-137","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-135",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]