[{"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-39":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},2349090,4591,"Chapter 39: Codename, White Flash—Windmill!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-39",39,"\u003Cp>Hearing Jiraiya’s voice, Fujinaka Genma’s heart jolted—“Exactly as I thought!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With Jiraiya here, Orochimaru has fully let loose and abandoned all defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma sorted through the intelligence in his mind and, recalling the Mist Village’s troop movement against the southern regions of the Land of Wind, immediately deduced: “At this moment, the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage has likely secretly left the front line.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A concentrated strike could very well crush the Sand Village forces and force them to retreat from the Land of Fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason it wouldn’t completely annihilate the Sand Village is that their troop numbers aren’t small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Konoha’s current forces, it’s impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Sand Village is renowned for its elite troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if suddenly struck and defeated, they would quickly react and reestablish their lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orochimaru’s purpose in doing this is clear: keep the battlefield out of the Land of Fire, prevent its destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After announcing the mission objective, Jiraiya immediately began assigning specific tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve elite squads, three to four members each, could never charge headlong as a mob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sand Village would also have set up multiple defensive lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A headlong charge would risk exhausting momentum after the first push; if unforeseen circumstances halted the assault, these elites might be surrounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Orochimaru choosing to hold the rear likely also considered rescuing us if the ambush failed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma listened as Jiraiya assigned tasks, thinking carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each squad had its own mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which defensive line to target, which enemy flank to engage, or how to handle any sudden situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma had to admit: Orochimaru was brilliant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As each squad was called out, Jiraiya’s gaze finally settled on Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, everyone else’s eyes turned to their three-member squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help feeling tense—he’d already realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Taku were even more tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya said: “Once all Sand Village defenses are breached, Genma—I need Itachi to use that technique!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, every eye fixed on Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A technique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this entire ambush plan built around a single technique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of ninjutsu could bear such responsibility?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>including Fujinaka Genma’s two temporary teammates, everyone was intensely curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s expression remained calm as he nodded: “Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll attack from the air. The technique’s range is too wide, so Itachi must not get too close.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, be wary of the storm after the technique erupts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya smiled faintly, then nodded solemnly: “Understood. When the time comes, besides me, only your two teammates will be near Itachi—everyone else will stay behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the other squads: “Once the Sand Village camp is destroyed, immediately scatter and eliminate their key targets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not let the Sand Village regroup into large forces!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single technique destroying the Sand Village camp?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was that possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sand Village camp wasn’t even concentrated in one place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>though curiosity burned inside them, no one dared question it—they all bowed in unison: “Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent. This operation’s codename: White Flash—Windmill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, a hint of amusement glimmered in Jiraiya’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone fell silent. This operation codename…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder Jiraiya-sama is legendary!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many jōnin silently grumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma was speechless—Itachi could’ve just called it Lightning Strike and it’d sound better!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiraiya was thoroughly pleased with his naming skills, beaming as he waved his hand: “Move out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh shhh shhh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures vanished from their spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s squad brought up the rear, with Jiraiya closely shadowing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, how’s it feel? Nervous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya had shed his earlier seriousness and grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could I say I’m not nervous at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma mentally grumbled—he wasn’t nervous now, even felt excited and happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this mission’s price evaluation from the Mount & Blade system was… 10,000 Mount & Blade points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine more missions like this, and he could buy the Rinnegan outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he bought attribute points, that’s ten points—add them to Constitution, doubled to twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiraiya-sama, with Itachi here, I’m not nervous at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s tone remained smooth as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Taku both secretly gave him a thumbs-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya burst out laughing: “No wonder Kushina and Minato adore Itachi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I’ll clear all enemies for Itachi with Haruno and Takumi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Takumi immediately affirmed: “Right, Genma—with Jiraiya-sama and us here, Itachi can unleash your technique without hesitation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the lead ninja squad had already engaged the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the squads ahead of Fujinaka Genma’s encountered enemies, swiftly neutralizing or tying them down to open a path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Fujinaka Genma’s group maintained full speed, without a single pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually, the ninja squads ahead and on both flanks grew fewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, squads behind them who’d completed their tasks rushed forward—not to aid others, but to overtake Fujinaka Genma’s group and continue clearing the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the darkness, the clash of steel and cries of pain never ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some came from Konoha ninja, but most were from the Sand Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Fujinaka Genma’s group advanced in a straight line, piercing straight toward the Sand Village headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, under high-speed assault, the Sand Village couldn’t react in time, and the elite forces they encountered were relatively limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the deeper they went, the more enemies they met, and the fiercer the battles became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma saw more than one Konoha ninja wounded—or killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t get distracted!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya barked, his expression grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared Fujinaka Genma might soften!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma immediately steeled his focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Haruno quickly said: “Genma, these sacrifices now prevent greater losses later!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“War cannot avoid death—only reduce it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded solemnly: “Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Jiraiya roared: “We’re here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a group of Sand Village ninja blocked the way ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, go for it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Takumi accelerated and charged into the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jiraiya had already completed his ninjutsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid rising smoke, the massive form of Gamabunta appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma leapt instantly, landing atop Gamabunta’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya chose to perform the Summoning Jutsu himself to conserve Fujinaka Genma’s chakra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had studied the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken himself—though unsuccessfully—and knew it consumed enormous chakra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gamabunta, leap high into the sky—Genma is about to unleash his technique!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya roared, already dashing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t move now, Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Takumi would be killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Genma—hold on tight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bunta drew a deep drag on his cigarette, one hand gripping his blade, the other braced against the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jump!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma stuck chakra to the soles of his feet, adhering to Bunta’s body, and formed hand seals to create a Shadow Clone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, both the original and the clone condensed chakra into the palms of their right hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Bunta exploded upward with his hind legs—his massive frame roared through the air, kicking up a gale as he leapt into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>",1143,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 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