[{"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-17":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},2349068,4591,"Chapter 17: The True First Battle, Terrifying Power!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>Konoha Year 40, October 18th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been half a month since Fujinaka Genma and the others arrived at the western border as the second-tier patrol team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrol duty was slightly dull, but thanks to Hyuga Mio’s Byakugan, the task had become somewhat easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past half month, Fujinaka Genma and his team had encountered no intruders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the ninja world’s situation was growing increasingly tense, it had not yet reached the point where enemies dared infiltrate the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason for assigning this mission was likely to help Fujinaka Genma and the others adapt to life as ninja.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma did not particularly like this kind of mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lasted too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another half month remained until mission completion, and only ten Rider Slash points would be awarded upon success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Fujinaka Genma was no true child; he possessed sufficient mental maturity to suppress his impatience and could still find time to train and improve himself during the patrol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the stern-looking Murauchi Hachijo was surprisingly easy to get along with, offering guidance to all three of Fujinaka Genma’s team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, Mio—Route Three. Genma, check the traps carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 2 p.m., it was patrol time, and Murauchi Hachijo gave the orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Sensei Hachijo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and Hyuga Mio rose and left the outpost, beginning their patrol along the pre-planned Route Three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past half month, the four-person team had operated in two groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and Hyuga Mio formed one group; Murauchi Hachijo and Ebisu formed the other—a balanced pairing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrol routes were not fixed but consisted of three planned routes, rotated alternately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and Hyuga Mio’s roles were clearly defined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only were traps and their maintenance assigned to Fujinaka Genma, but Hyuga Mio, with her Byakugan’s wide field of vision, handled reconnaissance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Hyuga Mio’s actual patrol range extended far beyond the designated Route Three, often advancing a considerable distance ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not the maximum observation range of her Byakugan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But patrol didn’t require maxing it out—it drained chakra excessively, and she wasn’t like Fujinaka Genma, who had a chakra reservoir. Even when eating, she never consumed less than he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe they grew in the wrong place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio mused to herself, glancing down briefly before continuing her patrol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Hyuga Mio froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her Byakugan’s vision, a four-person squad appeared—clearly moving in a combat formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enemies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio snapped to attention and rushed to find Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Fujinaka Genma was inspecting each trap one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the forest, traps could be accidentally damaged by animals, so regular checks were necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, their small team could never cover such a vast area—traps were meant to reduce that coverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio’s anxious voice carried from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s brow lifted—he knew something had happened—and immediately moved toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enemies are approaching!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A four-person squad, combat formation, not following the prearranged route!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio landed beside Fujinaka Genma, speaking rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma looked westward: “No alert from the first patrol line—either they had no chance to send one, or there’s a breach; someone has infiltrated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Either way, these intruders mean trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma turned away, speaking swiftly: “Mio, go notify Sensei Hachijo and Ebisu—don’t use signal flares.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll use the traps to buy us some time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. Be careful, Genma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga bit her lip and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though worried for Fujinaka Genma’s safety, she knew this was the right arrangement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Hyuga Mio vanish into the dense forest, Fujinaka Genma took a deep breath and drew his short blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had seen blood and death countless times as a doctor in his past life, this was his first real battlefield kill—and his nerves tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t trying to be a lone hero now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using traps—or setting temporary ones to slow the enemy’s advance—was his best option, not reckless bravado.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Fujinaka Genma raised one hand, summoning two Shadow Clones, who took the backpacks and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself flickered forward, leaping past several traps, and took cover along the enemy’s path of advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four figures appeared one after another within Fujinaka Genma’s line of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No visible village insignias—they looked more like a covert unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iwa? Rain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or Suna?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the Third Kazekage already been killed by Sasori by now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoughts flashed through his mind as the four ninja entered his trap zone—he triggered them instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! A dense rain of hidden weapons shot from every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma turned and ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, a series of thunderous explosions echoed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t look back—he knew his explosive tags had detonated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much damage they caused? Luck would decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those who had penetrated the first defensive line were unlikely to be weak—traps alone probably wouldn’t eliminate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma reunited with Hyuga Mio and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, how was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ebisu, about to face his first battle, was nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The enemy is no ordinary force—the traps were mostly useless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he hadn’t faced them directly, his trail of traps had given him a clear sense of their strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murauchi Hachijo nodded slightly: “Anyone who made it this far must be formidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, coordinate carefully—no reckless charges.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our mission is to delay them until the first-tier patrol team arrives to encircle them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already contacted the border line via special means and received confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the other two nodded in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Fujinaka Genma, Hyuga Mio, and Ebisu formed one group, while Murauchi Hachijo operated alone—hiding, waiting for the enemy to approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than two minutes passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four enemies entered the ambush zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden behind a large tree, Hyuga Mio, Byakugan active, watched their every move—then suddenly shouted: “Now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and Ebisu moved simultaneously, raising one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Detonate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chain of explosive tags ignited—flames roared through the forest, smoke surging violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One o’clock, twelve o’clock!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One o’clock direction—no obstruction!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio precisely reported the enemy positions—only two remained because the other two were already engaged by Murauchi Hachijo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and Ebisu emerged from behind the trees—Ebisu hurled shuriken toward one o’clock, while Fujinaka Genma infused his with a Fire Release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang! Metal clashed—and a muffled grunt followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma—above Itachi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio cried out in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma looked up—white lightning flickered across his body—and he leapt upward with his blade, his foot crushing a thick branch into a deep imprint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden behind him, Hyuga Mio watched in awe as Fujinaka Genma shot toward the enemy descending from above like a bolt of lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two clashed midair—three sharp metallic strikes rang out—and then a piece of blade fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio couldn't help but gasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s short sword was severed in one stroke, and he was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind ninjutsu counters Lightning ninjutsu—just as I thought!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, as he retreated, he abandoned his sword, then gathered lightning arcs in his right hand; the Chidori Sharp Spear extended outward, stabbing the enemy charging at him with blade raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chidori Sharp Spear was instantly severed by the enemy’s blade, infused with wind ninjutsu chakra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fujinaka Genma gained a precious breath—he twisted his waist midair, using his exceptional bodily coordination to deliver a flying kick. A crack of breaking bone echoed as he caved in the enemy’s chest, sending the man spitting blood plummeting from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Landing beside Ebisu, Fujinaka Genma heard a sharp command: “Retreat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy is fleeing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Fujinaka Genma and Ebisu leapt down from the branches to pursue the grappling foe, Mura Kamiha appeared before them: “Don’t chase!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We must hold this position, or the frontline will have a gap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Mura Kamiha looked at Fujinaka Genma and the other two, and his stern face broke into a smile: “Itachi three coordinated well today—especially Itachi, Genma. Itachi killed one of them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen it—kicked the man to death with a single kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such terrifying power—it rivals even one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade!\u003C\u002Fp>",1348,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","22772687d54f6d963ca6bcc95bdb2a84f4c32d68d824d9f5bed35e3a8ae9cf50","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-18","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-16",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]