[{"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-53":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},2349104,4591,"Chapter 53: A Fated Encounter!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-53",53,"\u003Cp>After leaving Ichiraku Ramen, Hinami Yō and the others headed home, while Fujinaka Genma went to Minato’s house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tomorrow they would go to the battlefield; he needed to say goodbye to Kushina Uzumaki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evening celebration planned earlier had to be canceled—they needed to rest and conserve energy for the journey ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arriving at Minato’s house, Kushina Uzumaki was not surprised by Fujinaka Genma’s farewell; she smiled and said, “Itachi’ve become a very mature ninja already. I believe Itachi’ll return safely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She handed him a box in her hands. “This is a gift I prepared for Itachi, to celebrate your promotion to Jōnin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma reached out curiously, accepted it with thanks, and opened it—then froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a robe!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Try it on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your height should fit perfectly now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kushina Uzumaki said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato chuckled beside her. “This was sewn by Kushina herself—honestly, I’m a little jealous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His nose tingled with emotion; Fujinaka Genma was deeply moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank Itachi, sensei Kushina!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma thanked her again, then unfolded the robe—realizing it was a short-sleeved Hokage robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entirely black, it matched his usual style perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hem was bordered with golden flame patterns; the cuffs were adorned with golden flame accents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the back was a swirling vortex design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma immediately put it on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kushina Uzumaki’s eyes brightened as she looked at him, sincerely praising, “Itachi look incredible, Genma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yō made an excellent choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minato nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hokage robe suited Fujinaka Genma perfectly, adding a touch of maturity to his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after putting on the robe, Fujinaka Genma noticed his Charm stat had surged by two points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… was awesome!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gathered at the gate of Konoha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Fujinaka Genma appear in the Hokage robe, Hinami Yō and the others stared in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Hinami Yō—her eyes sparkled with admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching the three, Fujinaka Genma waved. “Let’s move out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three snapped back to attention; Ebisu couldn’t help but say, “Genma, Itachi look amazing in that outfit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guy nodded. “Itachi look like the Hokage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hinami Yō asked, “Did Akie make this for Itachi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it was prepared by Sensei Kushina.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The undergarments were made by my mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma explained briefly, then gave the order to depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hinami Yō stared at Fujinaka Genma’s Hokage robe, thinking she ought to prepare a unique gift of her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of gift would be suitable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh—what a happy problem to have!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day after the Chunin Exams ended, Fujinaka Genma led Hinami Yō and the others out of Konoha once more, heading for the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, they were headed to the southeastern coastal region of the Land of Fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hidden Mist Village typically invaded the Land of Fire from two entry points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was through the Land of Waves as a staging ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was farther south, entering Konoha through the Land of Whirlpools, then moving northward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the defensive perimeter Konoha needed to establish was vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Land of Fire’s coastline was extremely long; it was impossible to prevent Mist ninja from landing elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was one reason why many Hyūga ninja were assigned to the Mist front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they moved far from Konoha, deeper into the Land of Fire, and neared the front lines, Fujinaka Genma issued a combat readiness order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He not only ordered Hinami Yō to activate her Byakugan for reconnaissance, but also activated his Shion no Me technique at regular intervals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tense routine confused Ebisu and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, even though the Mist have mobilized, Konoha is prepared—surely they can’t break through the front lines so quickly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ebisu said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hinami Yō, with her Byakugan active, thought for a moment. “Genma, do Itachi think the Mist might strike directly into the heart of the Land of Fire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded. “The coastline is too long, our forces too limited—the Mist can easily bypass our defenses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I were the Mist commander, I’d send a elite squad deep into the Land of Fire—to cut supply lines or harass and tie down large numbers of our forces. It would be highly advantageous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hinami Yō and the others nodded, immediately raising their vigilance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around 3 p.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hinami Yō, with her Byakugan active, suddenly shouted, “Genma—there’s something!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seven of them. Moving fast. Heading straight for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their chakra is strong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma immediately raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire squad halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hinami Yō fell back to the rear, with Ebisu and Guy on either side, while Fujinaka Genma stood alone at the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare for battle!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma spoke, then drew his Raiha Chakra Blade, clamped a kunai marked with Flying Thunder God technique between his teeth, and held another identical Flying Thunder God shuriken in his left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the rear, Hinami Yō took out several ration pills and swallowed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she was responsible for reconnaissance, her chakra was already depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Fujinaka Genma’s team finished preparing, seven figures appeared in a blur, fifteen meters ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each was bizarrely built, each wielding a unique weapon unlike any other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the seven, Ebisu and the others broke into cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ebisu’s voice was hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guy instinctively clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hinami Yō looked at Fujinaka Genma in front—and for the first time, felt fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they had never seen the Seven Ninja Swordsmen before—but these seven men’s appearances were unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly a fated encounter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma stared at the seven bizarre figures, unable to suppress a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wheel of fate rolled forward—unstoppable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So they’re just kids!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Hakuō who spoke. “Even kids know our names? Looks like we’ve become famous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tōsakano Emon grinned. “Kids are more fun—and don’t underestimate them. I heard Konoha has a very powerful kid—called the White Flash of Konoha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept over Fujinaka Genma’s team, then locked onto Fujinaka Genma. “Say… could it be this kid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suigetsu nodded slightly. “It’s him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like we’re lucky today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kiri no Sōmaru, holding his needle, let his eyes trace Fujinaka Genma’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where should he pierce through first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hakuō stared at Fujinaka Genma and barked, “Hey, kid—aren’t Itachi the White Flash of Konoha?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma stood up, smiled. “If Konoha doesn’t have another White Flash, then yes—it’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But my name is Fujinaka Genma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After today, I’m sure Itachi’ll remember this name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head slightly. “Guy, Ebisu, Yō—Itachi fall back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, but—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guy gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No buts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma smiled lightly. “Because I intend to kill them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1090,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9ccd021ee13476ddd61153ff19e21ce73c2cc340ad71cf60c5e689373fbe2c57","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-54","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-52",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]