[{"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-52":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},2349103,4591,"Chapter 52: The Mist Ninja Strike!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>\"Begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the referee’s command, the sound of Chidori shrieked instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi erupted with Chidori simultaneously; the noisy chirping of Chidori filled the entire exam hall at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kakashi was enveloped in blue lightning, while Fujinaka Genma was wrapped in white arcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the instant their bodies were shrouded in arcs, they vanished from their spots; most spectators hadn’t even caught their movements before they clashed three times in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the clashing sound of kunai, many spectators couldn’t even lock onto their positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undoubtedly, this was high-speed, high-power combat—no probing, no preliminaries; they went all out from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speed of their attacks was beyond the tracking ability of any Chunin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Konoha Jounin judge, Hikari Shinichi, couldn’t help but sweat from his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are these really Genin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d believe Itachi if Itachi said they were Jounin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared that if anything went wrong, even he as a Jounin wouldn’t have time to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Hikari Shinichi was on razor-sharp alert, completely losing the casual composure he’d had as a judge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undoubtedly, this was an extraordinary duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the spectator stands, Rin, who had been cheering moments ago, now held her breath, straining to track Kakashi’s movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom. Kakashi crashed to the ground, cracking the floor instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kakashi!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rin couldn’t help but cry out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Fujinaka Genma is incredibly strong!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasuke Uchiha had already frozen in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Kakashi’s strength well, and had heard of Fujinaka Genma’s name recently, but hadn’t taken it seriously—never expecting it to be this real...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though kicked flying, Kakashi didn’t panic; as he landed, his jutsu was already complete—a towering wall erupted from the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma, descending diagonally from the air, smashed through the stone wall with a thunderous crash and pierced Kakashi’s chest with pinpoint accuracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kakashi!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rin instinctively covered her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasuke Uchiha couldn’t help but gasp—then saw Kakashi dissolve into a burst of lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning Release: Clone Technique!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many watching exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Hyuga Mio, Might Guy, and Ebisu remained as calm as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew Kakashi well enough to understand his Lightning Release was formidable—he often trained with Fujinaka Genma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, Genma will win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio concluded inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After destroying Kakashi’s Lightning Clone, Fujinaka Genma vanished instantly from his spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, a hand burst from the ground—then grasped nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earth Release: Head Hunter Jutsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi faced off again, separated by distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kakashi was now breathing heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, his stamina was heavily depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma remained composed and calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Genma, your strength has grown even more!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kakashi rubbed his chest; that kick had nearly knocked the breath out of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma smiled. \"Not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he used full force, he could’ve shattered Kakashi’s ribs outright—absolute instant kill level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his current physical enhancement and relentless daily training, his strength surpassed even pure taijutsu specialists like Guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, once Guy opens the Eight Gates, that’s another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in raw body strength, Guy absolutely cannot match him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After catching his breath, Kakashi summoned arcs again on his hands—this time, he didn’t cover his whole body; it drained too much chakra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the clash resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning Release taijutsu exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jutsu exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spectators’ eyes grew dizzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kakashi unleashed everything he’d learned, while Fujinaka Genma countered solely with Lightning Release taijutsu and Lei Qie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kakashi’s stamina exhausted, he collapsed, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judge Hikari Shinichi let out a long breath and rushed forward, seizing Fujinaka Genma’s hand to declare him the winner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lying on the ground, gasping, Kakashi thought: \"The gap between me and Genma keeps widening—he hasn’t even used his Wind Release or his Lightning Release Rasengan, and I’ve already used every technique I have.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi, having watched the battle, wore a broad smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extremely satisfied!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both young men will become pillars of Konoha’s future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he could see Fujinaka Genma had been effortlessly dominating his duel with Kakashi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, his strength far surpassed Kakashi’s by more than a margin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems becoming a team Jounin is entirely feasible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Fujinaka Genma finished his individual exam, Hyuga Mio quickly took her turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her opponent was a Genin Fujinaka Genma didn’t know; she easily won with Hyuga clan taijutsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next was Ebisu, who faced Hiruzen Asuma—and lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching, Fujinaka Genma had to admit: Asuma was truly impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the Chunin exam wasn’t judged solely by wins and losses, but by overall performance across all three tests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Chunin exam concluded, Hiruzen Sarutobi announced the promotion list on the spot: Fujinaka Genma’s entire team passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Kakashi’s side, Sasuke Uchiha had clearly fallen behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy failed the first test by cheating, and was instantly defeated by Guy in both the second and third tests—he showed none of the qualities expected of a Chunin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember, not every Konoha team is led by a Jounin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most are led by Chunin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or composed of several Chunin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Konoha’s backbone force consists of Chunin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the exam site, Fujinaka Genma and his three teammates each held a qualification form and a Ma Jia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were a Chunin team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s celebrate together—I’ll treat everyone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio beamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma was about to agree when a masked figure suddenly appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fujinaka Genma, the Hokage requests your presence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hokage's direct ANBU unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded, then handed his items to Hyuga Mio. \"Go to Ichiraku Ramen and wait for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Got it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyuga Mio and the other two nodded in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma arrived at the Hokage Tower, knocked, and entered the Hokage’s office. \"Third Hokage, Itachi wished to see me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi turned, holding a pipe. \"I’ve decided to promote Itachi to Jounin, as a team leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma paused, then nodded. \"Understood. I won’t disappoint Itachi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. \"News has just arrived: the Mist ninja have mobilized. I need Itachi to lead your team out tomorrow to report to Jiraiya at the front.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma accepted the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t expected the Mist Ninja to arrive so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Ninja battlefield is no safer than the Rock Ninja front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Fujinaka Genma heard the voices of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he encounter them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he did… hmm, those seven swords were actually quite impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>",1064,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f4c6feff38056fb1e298b9378baa278a9c9d6da5ee22bf34958cfb6c72efdf0b","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-53","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-51",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]