Chapter 11: Under Pressure

The sun had barely risen when Raiden arrived at Elder Takeshi's training hall. The air was still cool, and a light mist clung to the ground, swirling around Raiden's feet as he walked. His body felt heavier than usual, a mix of anticipation and the weariness from days of relentless training. But his mind was sharp, and he was ready to push himself even further.

Elder Takeshi stood at the center of the hall, his expression as unreadable as ever. Raiden had come to understand that beneath that stoic exterior was a deep well of knowledge, and today, Raiden knew the elder had something more challenging in store.

"You've made progress," Elder Takeshi said, not waiting for a greeting. His sharp eyes flicked over Raiden, assessing him with the ease of a man who had seen countless shinobi rise and fall. "But today, I want to see how well you can maintain that control under real pressure."

Raiden straightened. His training over the past weeks had been grueling, testing the limits of his physical endurance and chakra control, but Elder Takeshi's words carried a heavier weight this morning. He was pushing Raiden into something more—something critical.

"You'll run the usual course," Elder Takeshi continued, gesturing to the perimeter of the hall. "But this time, I want you to balance something more complex. You'll be maintaining a constant chakra flow to your feet to enhance your speed. At the same time, you will inscribe a basic containment seal onto these scrolls as you pass each checkpoint. Your focus must not waver—your chakra must remain steady throughout."

Raiden nodded. The task was clear, but he knew it wouldn't be easy. Balancing his speed-enhancing chakra with the precision required for fūinjutsu was a significant test. If he failed to maintain focus, the seal would be unstable, and the exercise would be for nothing.

Without another word, Raiden set off. His legs moved smoothly at first, his chakra flowing into his feet, amplifying his speed. The ground passed beneath him in a blur, and soon, the first checkpoint appeared. Raiden skidded to a stop, pulling out a scroll and brush, and immediately began inscribing the basic containment seal.

His hand moved quickly, but the strokes were shaky. He was too focused on maintaining his chakra in his legs, and his brush slipped, leaving an imperfect mark. The seal fizzled, and Raiden felt a flicker of frustration as the scroll crumpled in his hands. Elder Takeshi, observing from a distance, said nothing, but Raiden could feel the weight of his expectations.

Focus, Raiden reminded himself, shaking out the tension in his arms. He moved to the second checkpoint, trying to control his breathing. This time, he slowed down his pace before starting the seal. His chakra flowed more evenly, and the brushstrokes came easier, though his legs trembled with the effort of maintaining the speed-enhancing chakra.

He finished the seal, checked it quickly, and moved on. Three more laps to go.

By the third lap, Raiden's entire body was screaming for rest. His legs ached, and the chakra in his feet wavered with each step. He had managed to complete the first few seals, but his pace was slower now, his focus split between his burning muscles and the intricate symbols he had to craft.

At the fourth checkpoint, Raiden stopped again. Sweat poured down his face as he tried to steady his breathing. The scroll unrolled in front of him, but his hand trembled as he picked up the brush. He gritted his teeth, forcing his chakra to remain steady.

The strokes were smooth at first, but then his control slipped. The brush jittered, and the lines came out too thick. Raiden cursed under his breath, quickly adjusting the pressure. He knew Elder Takeshi was watching, and he didn't want to fail again.

He finished the seal, though it wasn't perfect, and pushed on. The final lap stretched ahead of him, his legs moving like lead, his chest burning from the effort of keeping his chakra flowing. This time, his focus was completely on reaching the finish line.

When Raiden finally crossed the final checkpoint, his body felt like it would collapse, but he had made it. He finished the last scroll, and although it was flawed, the seal held. He dropped the brush, exhausted but determined to see if he had done well enough.

Elder Takeshi approached, his eyes scanning the seals. He didn't say anything at first, but Raiden watched as the elder's sharp gaze assessed every mark, every flaw. Finally, Takeshi nodded.

"You've improved," he said, his tone calm but with a hint of approval. "But you allowed your physical exhaustion to weaken your chakra flow. In battle, you won't have the luxury of rest. You'll be tired, perhaps even injured, and still expected to perform. That is what I'm preparing you for."

Raiden nodded, though his body was still trembling from the effort. He understood now—this training wasn't just about getting stronger. It was about learning how to handle his abilities under the worst possible conditions. If he couldn't perform when everything hurt, when his chakra was stretched thin, then he wouldn't survive in real combat.

Elder Takeshi gestured for Raiden to sit. "Rest for now. You've earned it."

Raiden sank to the floor, grateful for the brief respite. His mind, however, was still racing, replaying the exercise in his head. He knew he could do better. His chakra control had slipped when he was tired, and the seals he inscribed weren't as precise as they should have been. But he had improved—Takeshi had said so.

"You'll continue with the fūinjutsu alphabet in the coming days," Elder Takeshi said after a few moments of silence. "I want you to focus on precision while under pressure. We will repeat this exercise, but with different seals."

Raiden nodded, already mentally preparing himself for the next round of training. He had come far, but there was still so much more to learn.

As he sat there, catching his breath, Raiden couldn't help but think about what Kazuki had said earlier. The tension in the village was growing, and the clan was preparing for war. Raiden knew he had to push himself harder—his training was no longer just about personal growth. Soon, he would be expected to use everything he had learned to protect his clan, and the weight of that responsibility was beginning to settle in his chest.

He looked up at Elder Takeshi, his resolve hardening. Whatever came next, he would be ready.