[{"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-35":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},2349086,4591,"Chapter 35: Nighttime Ambush!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-35",35,"\u003Cp>Patrol and supply lines, danger is fifty-fifty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Fujinaka Genma and the others are on the fourth defensive line, so generally the danger is low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after explaining the mission, Mimura Yajuu added: “This is your mission!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the other two froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mimura Yajuu immediately explained: “For the next mission, Genma, Itachi’ll temporarily serve as team leader—your sensei has another assignment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s heart jolted—had the war just begun, and already the team leader jonin was abandoning them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly asked: “Sensei Yajuu, has something unexpected happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mimura Yajuu gave a slight nod, his expression darkening: “Intelligence indicates the Iwa ninja are repeatedly probing the Kusa Village. Your sensei is being sent to the border forces of the Land of Grass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma instantly understood—Konoha might soon be surrounded by enemies on all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, these fresh graduates can still handle low-risk missions, but when Konoha’s forces become stretched thin, things will be entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sensei Yajuu, rest assured—I’ll lead Ebisu and Guy to complete the mission and survive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s expression was grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I trust Itachi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mimura Yajuu rarely smiled, but now he did, then turned to Ebisu and Guy, clapping each on the shoulder: “Itachi’re both outstanding—Itachi’re the best students I’ve ever trained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ebisu and Guy were thrilled—this was validation from a team leader jonin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Mimura Yajuu added: “Remember—during the mission, listen to Genma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thrilled—minus fifty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, both nodded seriously—they fully trusted Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Handing the map to Fujinaka Genma, Mimura Yajuu continued: “Rest tonight. We depart at first light.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mission duration is seven days. Another team will relieve Itachi after seven days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and the other two nodded in unison: “Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Mimura Yajuu turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already on the move, heading toward the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass. Meanwhile, Fujinaka Genma and the others were stationed at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Mimura Yajuu vanish into the night, Ebisu and Guy felt lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma took a deep breath, slipped into role, and said: “Ebisu, Guy—Itachi take the first half of the night. I’ll take the second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember—even here, in the rear, never lower your guard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ebisu and Guy immediately found their anchor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the camp, Fujinaka Genma found a tree, lay flat on a branch, and rested with his Raiga chakra blade in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ebisu and Guy, meanwhile, joined the medical unit’s guards in vigilance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night was not peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the cries of insects, birds, and beasts, faint explosions echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, those were sporadic clashes from the front lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma slept deeply—it was a habit long ingrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On missions, no matter the location, whenever he rested, he ensured quality sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just after midnight, Ebisu woke him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He washed his face with cold water, instantly alert, eyes sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grabbing his scroll, he told Ebisu and Guy to rest, then went to the watchpost—and saw a familiar figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio smiled at Fujinaka Genma, then made a few hand signals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they hadn’t teamed up in two years, their synergy remained intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma instantly understood the signals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Itachi copy my watch—I handle combat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a nod in return, said nothing, and vanished into the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second half of the night grew even quieter—even insects and beasts had gone still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Hyuga Mio’s Byakugan was active, Fujinaka Genma kept his vigilance at level one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stole a glance at his Kiba Kanna system—this mission offered 3,000 Kiba Kanna points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite a sum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent roar echoed from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma tensed: “Looks like the Sand ninja are launching a night raid!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the fighting ended quickly—the noise faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than half an hour later, the commotion surged again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the next two hours, it repeated—again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma frowned: “This is a fatigue tactic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such tactics test the defenders’ resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Itachi never know the enemy’s true strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But remembering the front-line commander was Orochimaru, Fujinaka Genma relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to one of the Legendary Sannin, he was just a kid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon it was four o’clock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkest hour before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roars erupted, one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The front-line fighting suddenly intensified—as if the Sand ninja had launched a massive assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma narrowed his eyes: “Could it be… the Sand ninja weren’t just tiring us out—they were probing Konoha’s defensive layout?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Front line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the tent, Orochimaru smiled: “So they were testing our defenses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad—he saw through it, and had already made adjustments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About fifteen minutes later, a figure dashed in, appearing before Orochimaru: “Lord Orochimaru, the enemy is retreating—but a Sand ninja elite squad has broken through our blockade. Their direction: the medical unit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru’s eyes narrowed, killing intent radiating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reporting jonin broke into cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hope we make it in time to collect the bodies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered darkly, then turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reporting jonin exhaled, wiped his brow, and hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the dense forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the sounds gradually fade, Fujinaka Genma relaxed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looks like they drove the enemy off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chirp-chirp!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, birds cried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s heart leapt—he vanished from his spot, reappearing beside Hyuga Mio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, four of them—moving fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio whispered urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go alert the others!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma patted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio said nothing, vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma drew a sharp breath, flashed to another patch of grass, Raiga blade already drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the squad guarding the medical ninja appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team led by Sarutobi Asuma and Yūhi Kurenai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also his old desk-mate, Shirogane Aoba, and Mizuki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the two jonin, all were genin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ebisu and Guy joined Fujinaka Genma—and before he could speak, the enemy came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four of them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing on branches, on the ground, or crouching low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So they’re just kids!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Sand ninja spoke—his face hidden in darkness, but Fujinaka Genma heard the savagery, the scent of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No talking—kill them fast and run!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another Sand ninja spoke, then unleashed a ninjutsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent storm erupted, laced with wind blades sharp enough to sever tracheas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Watch out for the puppet's hidden weapons!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loud shout rang out; the two lead jonin appeared at the front, and immediately two walls rose from the ground, blocking the approaching storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then four Sand ninja surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wind Release technique was meant to distract the two lead jonin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Follow me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma watched as one Sand ninja lunged at him; white lightning flickered across his body, and in a flash of white light, he vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy before him was unmistakably a puppeteer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his second time facing a puppeteer!\u003C\u002Fp>",1114,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bc7f618ca5ffb3e0da468fdaf2ba539d0114d1bb6dee2ad256b3cfc4aa5dd634","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-36","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-34",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]