[{"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-75":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},2349126,4591,"Chapter 75: Become Hokage!","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-75",75,"\u003Cp>Root ninja, Danzo!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma glanced, and wasn’t particularly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m this outstanding, and Danzo only now comes to recruit me—how rare!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lead the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Advisor Elder, the second most powerful figure in Konoha—some respect must be shown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Root ninja walked ahead; Fujinaka Genma followed leisurely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the two left, a shadow clone of Fujinaka Genma rose from beneath the ground where he had stood, turned, and returned to the Hokage Tower, where he met Hiruzen Sarutobi again and recounted everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly and reassuringly: “Don’t worry—Danzo means no harm. I’ve already decided that after this mission, Itachi’ll join the Anbu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma’s shadow clone nodded, then dissolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the mist disperse, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gaze grew deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was satisfied with Fujinaka Genma’s attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because Fujinaka Genma stood by him—but because of the purity and wisdom Fujinaka Genma displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sees the village’s struggles clearly, yet refuses to get involved, choosing instead to firmly carry out the Hokage’s orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing with the Hokage means standing with Hiruzen Sarutobi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A series of figures flashed through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru… then Minato Namikaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma followed the Root ninja to a river at Konoha’s edge, where Danzo, his single eye visible, stood by the water. Sensing their arrival, he turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genma, your achievements are truly astonishing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo’s tone brimmed with praise and admiration as he looked at Fujinaka Genma. “I should have insisted Itachi join Root back then—Itachi would have achieved even greater things than today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo couldn’t help but still harbor resentment over that past moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary geniuses wouldn’t provoke such a reaction from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fujinaka Genma’s performance was simply too astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he took time to return from the Land of Rain—to meet Fujinaka Genma in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Danzo-sama, whether I’m in Root or not, I serve Konoha all the same, don’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t care about Danzo’s praise or admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew better than anyone how outstanding he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, frankly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo now had no right to look down on him or admire him from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Danzo’s transformation would he have even a sliver of grounds to do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for Danzo’s status and the traditional virtue of respecting the elderly, Fujinaka Genma wouldn’t have bothered coming at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, looking at Danzo, Fujinaka Genma said directly: “Danzo-sama, what is it Itachi want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mission is urgent—I need to see Master Minato!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo’s heart tightened at once, his gaze darkening slightly. “Genma, your talent belongs in Root—only Root can unlock your full potential!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi know what Sarutobi’s goal is, don’t Itachi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We now hold absolute advantage, yet he wants to negotiate peace with the Mist ninja?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can such a cowardly peace policy lead Konoha to total victory in this war?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo fixed his gaze on Fujinaka Genma. “How can Itachi honor your own sacrifices this way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can Itachi honor those who died for Konoha?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to Danzo’s passionate voice, Fujinaka Genma felt a slight shift in his perception of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man still had something to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he hadn’t yet gone mad over the Hokage position?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quietly shaking his head, Fujinaka Genma said: “The Third Hokage’s decision may not be optimal, but his goal is to end the war quickly and reduce casualties—it’s not wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo frowned, his voice low. “Then what of all the sacrifices made so far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, Danzo-sama, what do Itachi want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally, to make the invaders pay the price they deserve and seize the gains we’re entitled to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo declared firmly: “Only through force can Itachi make the enemy fear Itachi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Itachi retreat now, Itachi only expose your weakness!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Fujinaka Genma had to admit—Danzo really had a point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even agreed Danzo was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Against enemies, Itachi must be firm—or they’ll keep pushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mercy toward the enemy is cruelty toward yourself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Itachi must also consider Konoha’s current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by enemies, one misstep could bring collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi’s choice was to break free from one, even two, enemies, so Konoha’s war machine could catch its breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn’t purely cowardly—he used war to force peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, with age, he’d grown conservative, losing the ambition of his youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ultimate goal was to end the war as soon as possible, preserving Konoha’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This much Fujinaka Genma could see from the original timeline, where he kept young ninja like Kakashi from joining the Nine-Tails assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine-Tails was terrifying—Kakashi and the others would die if they went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Nine-Tails Rebellion wiped out Kakashi’s generation, Konoha would face a generational void—its collapse plan would succeed for certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s policy wasn’t wrong either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was cautious, even a little weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo, by contrast, was more aggressive and ambitious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma himself had passion—he too wanted to be the victor, fight to the end, return in full strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even crush all Four Great Ninja Villages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was impossible now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even if it were, how many would die for his satisfaction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would Hyuga Mio die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would Ebisu die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would Guy die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even though he personally preferred Danzo’s strategy, Fujinaka Genma still wouldn’t support it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo wasn’t a good ally—he was a trap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had ambition, but his methods, luck, and strength were all far too lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Danzo-sama, perhaps Itachi’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But at what cost?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo snorted. “Womanly mercy—this sacrifice is necessary!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if the sacrifice were Itachi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fujinaka Genma countered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo replied gravely: “I’ve already prepared myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could Fujinaka Genma say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Words sounded noble, but actions might not match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Danzo-sama, for me, whether I’m a team leader, an Anbu ninja, or a Root ninja—it changes nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will only obey the Hokage’s orders!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the Third Hokage approves my transfer to Root, I will become your blade without hesitation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough talk—become Hokage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Become Hokage, and I’m yours!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzō naturally understood Fujinaka Genma’s meaning, but this time he did not grow angry; instead, he admired Fujinaka Genma even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a man is hard to conquer and bring under one’s control, yet one cannot help but respect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what a pity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzō sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>",1054,"2026-06-21T02:29:34.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5ab61c01805fe342997e37860b72514c4e35b183e4d0e4e3da9ea4fee56a1d84","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-76","starting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-chapter-74",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-off-with-horse-and-sword-in-konoha-cover.jpg"]