[{"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-38":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},2349089,4591,"Chapter 38: Special Mission!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-38",38,"\u003Cp>Outside the tent, Fujinaka Genma waited for a full half-hour, occasionally hearing faint voices inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t deliberately listen, but he could tell there were many people inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps sounded, and a line of figures emerged from the tent—all wearing the standard Jonin vest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, something big’s going on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma was secretly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he noticed every one of them was looking at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma turned and smiled with relief: “Master Jiraiya, Itachi’re back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving the Hidden Leaf Village, he had learned from Minato and Kushina Uzumaki that Jiraiya was traveling and not in the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he had returned after the war broke out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder—now that Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, is back, Orochimaru couldn’t resist making his move!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Fujinaka Genma hurried forward to bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya, having not seen Fujinaka Genma in a long time, clapped his shoulder and laughed heartily: “No wonder Itachi’re Minato’s student—I heard Itachi’ve earned the title ‘White Flash’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma was speechless; no wonder the Jonin had been staring at him earlier—Jiraiya must have been boasting about his disciple in the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Jiraiya, that’s just praise from Senior Nozomi and the others—I can’t take it seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma helplessly spread his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Killing four elite Sand Ninja isn’t just praise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hoarse voice spoke as Orochimaru stepped out of the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under the blazing sun, Orochimaru radiated a chilling aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma immediately bowed properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Jonin had already left; Orochimaru glanced at Fujinaka Genma, then said to Jiraiya: “Itachi go prepare. I’ll handle this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya nodded, but after taking two steps, he turned back, patted Fujinaka Genma’s shoulder, and smiled: “Don’t be afraid of this guy—follow your own instincts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded; he already had a faint sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What came next would be no simple matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya departed, leaving only Fujinaka Genma and Orochimaru before the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma lowered his eyelids slightly; though unnerved by Orochimaru’s gaze, he showed no sign of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what if a human serpent is watching me? What’s there to fear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru smiled and said: “There’s a mission Itachi’ll be joining.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma looked up and asked directly: “Just me, or the whole team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi want to bring them along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru’s smile was sly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not—I only hope they can be assigned to the medical unit’s camp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru was surprised that Fujinaka Genma hadn’t even asked what the mission was—his composure impressed him even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about joining my unit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru suddenly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly admired this young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strength, his exceptional temperament—he couldn’t help but feel a desire to nurture such talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma replied with mild surprise: “Aren’t I already under your command, Lord Orochimaru?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru stared at Fujinaka Genma for a moment, then chuckled: “Itachi’re clever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank Itachi for your praise, Lord Orochimaru—I deeply respect Itachi as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma showed no excessive distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, Orochimaru was indeed dangerous, but he wasn’t overly afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru made no comment on the flattery, and instead said: “This mission is vital—and extremely dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your demonstrated strength is sufficient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi’ll be assigned to a new team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Fujinaka Genma about to speak, Orochimaru added: “After the mission, Itachi’ll return to your original team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma quietly exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Orochimaru!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, two voices suddenly called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma turned and saw Nozomi Sarutobi and Takuma Sugi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru smiled: “Your new teammates have arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, looking at the three of them, he gave the order: “From this moment, Itachi form a team. Await orders and execute your mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three exchanged glances, then bowed in unison: “Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Orochimaru turned and entered the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nozomi Sarutobi and Takuma Sugi immediately relaxed, then turned to lead Fujinaka Genma to the rest area. Nozomi said: “I never expected we’d be assigned another mission together so soon after just a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder what kind of mission this is—why summon all of us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takuma Sugi sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a large-scale mobilization couldn’t be ordinary—and the more unusual, the more dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Takuma Sugi grinned: “With Genma here, things might be a little easier!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He burst out laughing: “How’s that? Genma—your ‘White Flash’ title isn’t bad, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma was speechless; it was clearly their doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I felt like a monkey just now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma sighed, but inside he thought: “Since the title’s already out there, let it shine now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I’m going to become Hokage, I’ll start now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First step: make the ‘White Flash’ name known, earn his teammates’ respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the rest camp, Fujinaka Genma saw Jiraiya and approached him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So Itachi’ve decided.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya considered and said: “Be careful—this will be real war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He revealed nothing about the mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma asked nothing, to avoid stirring unnecessary trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came to Jiraiya to learn ninjutsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Earth Release ninjutsu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Fujinaka Genma’s request, Jiraiya didn’t hesitate and smiled: “Of course. Which technique do Itachi want to learn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mind Body Switch Technique!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s goal was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique isn’t difficult—he could master it quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, it’s like sharpening a blade just before battle—better fast than perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than an hour later, under Jiraiya’s clear and thorough explanation, Fujinaka Genma had mastered the Mind Body Switch Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While waiting for orders in the afternoon, Fujinaka Genma continued practicing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His diligence left his two new teammates, Nozomi Sarutobi and Takuma Sugi, deeply embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So talented—and still so hardworking… sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Takuma Sugi sighed in awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The afternoon passed in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma had trained the Earth Release—Mind Body Switch Technique to Level 3, and could now use it effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, rest and gather strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, Fujinaka Genma stopped training and sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to meditate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around ten at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orders arrived suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma, Nozomi Sarutobi, and Takuma Sugi went to assemble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they arrived, they saw nothing but green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over eighty percent were Jonin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest were each of distinguished bearing, clearly seasoned chunin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twelve squads, over forty people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s gaze swept across them, then he saw Jiraiya appear with a solemn expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The mission is now assigned!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Target: the Hidden Sand Village’s main camp!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1048,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1ad19bc2068bb9495d85f86bfe0a2450d00303b5d7ea14adb49922b1c0803108","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-39","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-37",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]