[{"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-137":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},2349188,4591,"Chapter 137: Special Emergency Response Unit!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-137",137,"\u003Cp>With Hyūga Hizashi and Uchiha Shisui as his right-hand men, Fujinaka Genma’s work in the Root became significantly easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with Uchiha Shisui entering the Root and assuming the role of a battalion commander, Uchiha Fugaku rose directly into the village’s decision-making elite, bringing change to the Uchiha clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of whether the Uchiha’s ambitions had grown, the rift between the Uchiha and Konoha had certainly lessened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This improvement was also due to the absence of Danzō as a disruptive force, coupled with the diminished influence of the older generation—Tsunade and Mizukami En—both of whom had little sympathy for the Uchiha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hyūga clan experienced the same shift, no longer aloof and superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Minato Namikaze and Fujinaka Genma did not merely seek to court these two great clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their consensus was that the policy of balancing ninja clan power, even suppressing clan influence, initiated by Hashirama Senju and continued by Hiruzen Sarutobi, had been viable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the methods needed refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma absolutely did not wish to achieve this through extermination or deliberate suppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such actions would only alienate the clans and weaken Konoha’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, it was unrealistic to completely eliminate ninja clans from such a force as ninja.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The existence of Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques guaranteed the continued existence of ninja clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weakening them was equivalent to weakening the village’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, what was the net effect of the Senju clan’s disappearance on the village?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the benefit greater, or the harm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this reason, Fujinaka Genma and Minato Namikaze decided to conduct a full investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter was tedious: first, they needed to trace the fate of the Senju clan during that era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, identify which Senju members had intermarried as the clan dissolved into Konoha, and trace their descendants line by line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, count how many among them became ninja, how many became chūnin and jōnin, and cross-reference this with Konoha’s overall ninja production data across different eras—naturally yielding a dataset that, while not perfectly accurate, was still useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Konoha maintained population registration records, so the data was not hard to find—only cumbersome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma delegated these tasks, and others naturally took charge of the census.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, he continued reforming the Root, subdividing departmental functions according to plan, dispersing power, and improving organizational efficiency and initiative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Hyūga Hizashi and Uchiha Shisui in place, Fujinaka Genma became merely the one giving orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tasks were assigned; Hyūga Hizashi and others executed them, reported back any issues, and then everyone met to discuss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was far easier than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this might also have to do with trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Hyūga Hizashi and Uchiha Shisui, both with loyalty scores above ninety, he felt perfectly comfortable leaving everything to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, he had more time to cultivate and to date Hyūga Mio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Notably, after their engagement, Hyūga Mio’s Caged Bird Seal was removed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the beginning of the Hyūga clan’s transformation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the joint leadership of Minato Namikaze and Fujinaka Genma, with Jiraiya and Tsunade assisting, Konoha as a whole radiated vitality and renewal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Konoha, nearly fifty years old, seemed to be entering a second spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>December 31, Konoha Year 46.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Hokage Rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked, gazing down at the thriving Konoha, his expression serene and deeply satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undoubtedly, his push to end the war swiftly had been correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, Konoha could not have recovered so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kakashi’s generation, undergoing Root training and being instilled with the Will of Fire, was growing rapidly and would soon stand on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above them stood the young, energetic faction led by Minato Namikaze and Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyūga Hizashi, Uchiha Fugaku, Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza—all were capable leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, well, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought Fujinaka Genma might not quite fit the “young, energetic” label.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above them was the Legendary Sannin generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsunade, who had once left, had returned, now managing Konoha’s hospital and overseeing all internal research and training of medical ninja.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jiraiya, the notorious wanderer, was now dutifully assisting Minato Namikaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only problem was that the man still loved sneaking into bathhouses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cough!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat twice—he was merely inspecting the village, helping the younger generation by filling gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thinking of Orochimaru, he frowned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cloud Village had stabilized; Orochimaru had returned from the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The human experimentation had become common knowledge among Konoha’s highest ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had previously hinted to Orochimaru to cease all such activities, to draw a line—but the effect had been minimal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having an exceptionally talented student was not always a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Tsunade and Mizukami En appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sarutobi, placing the Uchiha clan into the outer defense perimeter is reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mizukami En spoke bluntly, his emotions agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Konoha’s defense had three layers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first was the network of visible and hidden sentries beyond the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second was the wall itself, reinforced by Konoha’s defensive barrier: anyone not a Konoha ninja who touched the barrier without entering through the main gate would be detected by the Barrier Team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During Pain’s attack, he entered from above and used Summoning Jutsu to confuse Konoha, obscuring the number and location of the invaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third layer was the Security Force, controlled by the Uchiha clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in practice, the third layer was merely a public security unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the village’s founding, no one had ever breached its inner defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even large-scale invasions had occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mizukami En was agitated because, while introducing the Uchiha into the outer first line of defense, they had not removed Uchiha control over the Security Force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Uchiha clan decided to act, and coordinated with an external attack, the second defense line would become meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsunade was calmer but equally firm: “Sarutobi, this is a major Yinhuan .”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We certainly trust the Uchiha clan—but no one can guarantee another Uchiha Madara won’t appear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We know all too well the Uchiha’s extremism. Though there are those like Uchiha Shisui, most remain untrustworthy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, exhaled smoke, and soothed them: “Itachi’re too hasty. The Uchiha still control the Security Force, but Minato’s plan is to broadly reduce its function and strength, limiting it to internal security and auxiliary civilian evacuation during emergencies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, it will no longer be solely under Uchiha control.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Additionally, we are establishing a Special Emergency Response Unit—this is the true third defense line. The Security Force provides early warning; the Special Emergency Response Unit handles combat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mizukami En frowned: “This will slow our response time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Security Force gives warning and the Special Emergency Response Unit responds, there will inevitably be a delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But restricting Uchiha power solely to the Security Force is not the optimal solution either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Uchiha problem must be resolved eventually. If Minato and Genma wish to try, let them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi was resolute, then smiled at them: “Even if this plan fails, there’s room for improvement—we’ll supervise and prevent any problems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he did not say was that he supported this reform because Fujinaka Genma had proposed a plan to balance ninja clan power through marriage alliances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, the Hyūga clan had enforced strict intra-clan marriage; now Fujinaka Genma had opened a crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It showed the Hyūga weren’t unwilling to marry out—they simply lacked sufficiently outstanding candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If outstanding talents all married into the Hyūga clan, it would elevate Hyūga power and influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same applied to the Uchiha clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their Kekkei Genkai and strength were fundamentally different from the Senju’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The balance required careful calibration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi’s thoughts drifted.\u003C\u002Fp>",1263,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","63f37fffae22b443bdfea3f380998b0117e106ec07c1d09d175d0c9734c245b6","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-138","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-136",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]