Shisui laid his hands on the ice covering Sena’s legs while the proctor and even the Kazekage observed him intently. His Sharingan ignited into life as he used carefully controlled chakra bursts, feeding them into the ice itself instead of striking it from the outside. The chakra destabilized the structure from within, fine cracks spreading in measured lines as the ice slowly shattered away from her legs.

  Moments later, he repeated the process for her arms, freeing them as well. The control required to do it this cleanly, with minimal damage, was impressive. It helped that the ice had not been there for long, and the Sharingan gave him perfect awareness of where to apply pressure.

  Medical ninja approached quickly, and Sena was placed on a stretcher and taken to the medical room for a thorough checkup out of an abundance of caution. As she was carried past, she smiled at me and spoke quietly. “Be careful fighting her. She’s really powerful.”

  I sighed and nodded as reassuringly as I could. There was no doubt in her eyes though, like she knew for a fact that I would emerge victorious, and that made a grin rise naturally to my face as my morale lifted. She seemed satisfied with that as she was taken away.

  Shisui watched Sena leave, his posture rigid. I could feel his chakra flaring, almost burning the air around him. “How could I make such a mistake?” he muttered.

  I stepped closer and replied evenly. “Sensei, don’t worry about it. We’re all human. Mistakes are bound to happen, even to the best of us. I’m sure even the Hokage has made mistakes.” An almost mocking smile flickered across Shisui’s face for a moment before he smothered it completely, his unyielding loyalty to the Hokage and the village reasserting his composure.

  He took a deep breath, reining in his emotions and chakra, then closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the Sharingan had faded, leaving only his normal black eyes.

  “Just keep an eye on me, sensei,” I said jokingly, though there was a hint of concern beneath it. “I was out of it and didn’t see her first fight, but Sena warning me is a bit worrying.” Shisui chuckled softly, sounding more like himself again. “Yeah. She only used Lightning Release in that match. She didn’t even draw her sword, and I suspect that’s her main fighting style.”

  He paused before adding, “She’s most likely fourteen or fifteen. She’s gifted with impressive chakra reserves, almost close to yours. Her age means she’s had more time to refine her skills and optimize her jutsu, and she showed that clearly in her first fight. Be careful though. That blade of hers gives me a bad feeling.”

  “Try to overwhelm her early, but don’t get careless. The way she moves tells me her sword strikes are dangerous. For now, rest and meditate. Sharpen your instincts and be ready. The arena will take some time to clear.”

  I did exactly that, sitting down and setting my tanto to the side as I breathed deeply, working to push aside the lingering sadness and clear my thoughts. Time passed quietly until Shisui’s voice cut through my focus.

  “It’s time.”

  I nodded, opened my eyes, rose to my feet, and started walking toward the center of the arena as the proctor ushered me forward.

  “And now for the most anticipated fight of the day, we have Noa of the Hidden Leaf, known to all as the Tyrant.” A tick mark appeared on my face as multiple spectators booed, some of them so loudly that a few kids started crying. Seriously, who brings kids to a fight that might end with someone dying?

  The boos only grew louder as the announcer deliberately stayed silent, letting the tension and raw emotion swell. I turned toward the roaring crowd and spoke in a powerful voice, chakra reinforcing every word. “Your boos mean nothing. I’ve seen what makes you cheer.” Ironically, my words were completely drowned out as the jeers intensified even further, anger over their defeated genin at the hands of another Konoha genin feeding the noise.

  I shook my head, irritation simmering beneath the surface. I was sure the merchants were behind this, and I would remember it. Forcing my focus back where it belonged, I scanned the arena for my opponent.

  Why wasn’t she here yet? She should have been standing across from me already, and I was certain the proctor had ushered her in.

  My thoughts were interrupted when the announcer finally chose that moment to speak again. “Versus Raika of the Hidden Cloud.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  She appeared from the side of the arena, and my mouth fell open. Her hair was extremely long, platinum blonde, tied into a high ponytail yet still flowing freely around it in a way that felt almost majestic. Like a warrior princess, she walked forward slowly, wearing the unique Hidden Cloud uniform, every step powerful and measured. Her top was form fitting, exposing her shoulders in a cold-shoulder design that allowed full freedom of movement. It was practical, and it showed.

  She was tall, almost as tall as me, something unheard of for someone only fourteen or fifteen. Her arms were toned with muscle, relaxed at her sides, and she did not look like a damsel in distress. She looked like the distress itself.

  On her right shoulder, just below the exposed fabric, a slit eye was inked into her skin. At first, I thought it was just decoration, but something about it made my instincts itch. It looked almost alive. For a brief moment, I could have sworn it shifted, as if it were focusing on me. A chill crawled down my spine. She did not react at all, completely unaware, which somehow made it worse.

  Her sword was sheathed, lightning dancing along it with unnatural ease, flowing far too smoothly to be a normal blade. The handle was wrapped in coiled copper wire beneath tight leather straps, clearly designed to conduct chakra. At the base of the hilt hung a tassel made of thin filament fibers that shimmered faintly, lighting up in response to the way chakra moved through the weapon. I did not see any visible chakra damage on the blade either, which made my thoughts race.

  She wore a simple black leather glove on her left hand. It looked ordinary at first glance, but the way her fingers rested near the hilt spoke of unmatched familiarity with her chosen blade.

  I panicked as I thought, “Is she using a chakra blade?”

  A gust of wind swept through the arena, sending her hair flying back and revealing her features more clearly. Her face was pleasant in a calm, almost gentle way, yet there was a sharpness to it that made it hard to relax around her. High cheekbones framed a narrow jaw, and her lips were set in a faint, confident, almost mocking curve. Her green eyes were the most striking part. They were steady, cold, and focused, and they seemed to always be measuring distance, timing, and intent. Even at rest, they carried the quiet pressure of someone far too familiar with dictating how a fight would go, driven by absolute belief in her own strength.

  She stopped and spoke calmly, her voice low and steady. “I have never been beaten by a man before. Given your reputation, I am sure you will give me a good fight. However, like all of them, I am sure that in the end you will disappoint.”

  As she spoke, she shifted into a ready stance, her posture confident and composed.

  The proctor glanced between us, clearly impressed by how refined her chakra felt, before raising his hand. “Get ready.”

  I rested my hand on my ninja pouch as the command rang out. “Fight.”

  The proctor flickered away instantly, and I moved immediately, swinging my kunai at her with full power.

  To my surprise, she did not react at first, and for a brief instant, time itself seemed to freeze.

  Then she exploded into motion, slashing her sword upward with tremendous speed. Lightning trailed behind the blade like a curtain of pure energy as it cleaved my kunai cleanly in half.

  I tilted my head instinctively, losing a few strands of hair as I leapt backward to create distance, my pulse hammering as my mind struggled to catch up.

  “What the hell?” was the only thought in my head as I muttered under my breath, “What was that?”

  She heard me clearly and replied without hesitation. “It’s a sword style taught to me by my sword sensei in the Land of Iron. I was one of the few gifted with the sword who were sent to take part in that special training, and the only one who succeeded. That’s why it took me so long to take the Chunin Exams. This sword is a gift from my master, and I will not let him down.”

  I swallowed hard, trying to recall everything I knew about how samurai fought. That brief exchange alone was enough to ignite old memories, but something else ignited beneath Raika at the same time.

  Lightning surged as she shot toward me, shrinking the distance with a powerful swing. I immediately raised my tanto, coating it with lightning, bracing my legs as our weapons clashed. The impact nearly forced me back, strength surging through the blow, but strength was something I did not lack.

  A surprised look crossed her face as she studied me. “You are strong,” she said, referring to both my Lightning Release and physical prowess.

  Something strange flickered in her expression before she suddenly raised her sword again, moving with shocking agility. It was like going from a dead stop to full speed instantly, with no transition in between, and my tanto was carried upward with her blade as she moved, catching me off guard with the sudden acceleration.

  Her intent was too refined, her resolve absolute, which made my usually sharp instincts dull for a moment.

  She released one hand from the sword and punched forward with barely any space to generate force, yet the blow struck like a one inch punch, pain exploding through my torso as I absorbed it.

  I held my ground, my reinforced body taking the hit as Takemura’s training proved its worth once again. The Senju taijutsu style showed just how terrifying it could be in moments like this.

  Electricity radiated from my Static Shell, but it did not affect her at all, her body clearly accustomed to lightning. I retaliated with a punch of my own, one she chose to take head on to test my strength, and she slid back slightly, boots dragging across the ground before she stopped herself.

  Pain flashed across her face for only a moment before it twisted into a grin. She looked at me with excitement, like this was the fight she had been waiting for her entire life.