[{"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-44":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},2349095,4591,"Chapter 44: New Deployment!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>10 cavalry kill points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fiery enthusiasm in Fujinaka Genma’s heart, just moments ago at having upgraded Golden Lock to level 10, instantly cooled by half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Itachi must face reality—not every mission grants ten thousand cavalry kill points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pack your gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouldering their packs, Fujinaka Genma and the other two left the nearly abandoned camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hidden Leaf’s main force had already advanced, relocating directly to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Kawa, facing off against the Sand Ninja who had retreated into Kawa territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night’s battle dealt a severe blow to Sand Ninja morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all of this now had no direct bearing on Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Hidden Leaf had lost one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade, and a powerhouse like the White Fang, it still possessed formidable strength—far from needing him to turn the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, his title “White Flash of the Hidden Leaf” had already begun circulating within the village and was gaining recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night’s battle had drawn too much attention and caused too great a shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Depart after lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Fujinaka Genma notice that Hyuga Mio was also in the unit, assigned to care for the severely wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Camp overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though danger was virtually nonexistent, Fujinaka Genma still remained vigilant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The escort mission wasn’t just his squad—there were also the squads led by Sarutobi Haruno and Sugi Ito, as well as Sarutobi Asuma and Kurenai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They slept peacefully through the night and continued marching the next day, returning to the Hidden Leaf only after noon, where they were greeted by a crowd of villagers lining the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, personally met them at the village gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he was not welcoming Fujinaka Genma—he was welcoming the wounded and the dead of the Hidden Leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the emotional Ebisu and Might Guy beside him, Fujinaka Genma could not help but admire Sarutobi Hiruzen’s methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After delivering the severely wounded to the Hidden Leaf Hospital and the fallen ninja to the mortuary, Fujinaka Genma did not return home—he was summoned by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, don’t be nervous—the Third is a very kind man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, Sarutobi Haruno patted Fujinaka Genma on the shoulder, fearing he might be anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nervous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at all, but Fujinaka Genma could only thank him: “Thank Itachi, Senior Haruno—I’m honored to serve alongside Itachi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Haruno burst into laughter. “It’s my honor to witness the rise of a outstanding ninja!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’m heading back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Sarutobi Haruno waved goodbye and walked off with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma gathered his thoughts, then arrived before the Hokage’s office in the Hokage Tower and knocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen’s voice came from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma immediately pushed open the door and bowed slightly: “Third Hokage, my lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up from his documents, smiled warmly at Fujinaka Genma: “Genma… I heard Itachi fell ill after the battle. Have Itachi recovered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fully recovered, Hokage-sama!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma replied quickly, secretly moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded kindly, exchanged a few more pleasantries, then said: “Your performance was excellent, so I’ve personally promoted Itachi to Special Jonin, to lead your own squad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special Jonin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma paused slightly—it differed from the promotion system he knew in the Hidden Leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had passed the Chunin Exam and been promoted directly to Special Jonin, that would make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t even a Chunin yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly sensed his confusion and explained: “Your ability to lead a squad is unquestionable. With war breaking out, we need young powerhouses like Itachi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for Chunin—take the exam with others when it comes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma had no reply—he immediately accepted the order: “Yes, Hokage-sama!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his cigarette and said: “Hyuga Mio will return to your squad. Your next mission is to report to Commander Mimura Yajiro at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Kusa, and take orders from him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This arrangement surprised Fujinaka Genma—he had expected to be sent to the other front, defending against the Hidden Mist. But he reacted swiftly and nodded: “Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Go rest for two days before departing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sarutobi Hiruzen added finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma bowed deeply, then turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who would’ve thought I’d end up back under Yajiro-sensei’s command?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Hokage Tower, Fujinaka Genma mused silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then thought: “This might be better—if I’m not sent to the Mist front, perhaps I can prevent Might Dai’s death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening the Eight Gates and dying while killing four of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist—so tragic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returned home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akie, seeing her son return safely, felt her worries vanish instantly and began busily preparing all kinds of delicious meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma savored this rare warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, before sleeping, he took out his three most important weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Raiga Chakra Blade—most precious, because it had been enhanced the most times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the senbon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a kunai—ordinary, enhanced only once, after this battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pity—I couldn’t enhance armor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma sighed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had hoped to enhance armor, even though his physique was already strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one ever complains about too much defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the stronger the enemy, the greater the damage dealt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll just keep fighting—eventually, armor will get its turn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After carefully maintaining his three weapons, Fujinaka Genma finally slept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, he trained as usual in the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physique +0.4!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After breakfast, Fujinaka Genma followed his habit and went to visit Kushina Uzumaki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Minato was away—his squad was still on a mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kushina Uzumaki, who had been cooped up too long, was overjoyed to see Fujinaka Genma return and immediately grabbed him, gesturing excitedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike before, when Fujinaka Genma had been the sole target of her attacks, this time their taijutsu sparring was evenly matched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the bout, Kushina Uzumaki was deeply pleased: “Genma, Itachi’ve truly grown up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had watched him evolve from a complete novice into someone who could now stand toe-to-toe with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, she felt he still had room to spare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, don’t slack off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kushina Uzumaki patted Fujinaka Genma on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reclaim her role as a teacher, she immediately pulled out her most skilled sealing techniques to test him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she still couldn’t stump him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma had gained considerable sealing knowledge from upgrading Golden Lock to level 10.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, much of it belonged to Yin-Yang Release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, Golden Lock at level 10 had become a Yin-Yang Release technique!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In certain aspects of sealing techniques, Fujinaka Genma now surpassed even Kushina Uzumaki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left Kushina Uzumaki deeply frustrated yet intensely curious—she couldn’t help staring at Fujinaka Genma’s head, as if she wanted to pry it open and see how his brain was built.\u003C\u002Fp>",1132,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ac27138cc6b822c741b827dd9a62d4163ac37c1be85dd9f3f0ede9f1ca88beac","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-45","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-43",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]