Chapter 10: The Watchful Eyes of the Hokage

The air around the training grounds was still thick with tension. Rayne's breathing was heavy, and the adrenaline from the encounter still pumped through his veins. The masked figure that had attacked him was gone, disappearing as quickly as he had arrived. The battle had been a test—but not just any test.

As Rayne looked around the now-empty clearing, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone else was watching him.

Then, he heard the soft rustle of leaves, a sound too subtle for any normal person to detect. He turned quickly, his sharp eyes scanning the treeline until, out of the shadows, stepped none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Third Hokage himself.

Rayne's body tensed, his mind racing. What was the Hokage doing here?

"Impressive," Hiruzen said calmly, walking toward him with his hands clasped behind his back. There was no rush in his steps, no sign of concern, just a measured pace. He looked every bit the wise, old leader of Konoha—but Rayne knew better. There was nothing casual about this meeting.

"That was a test, wasn't it?" Rayne asked, his voice steadier than he expected.

The Third Hokage nodded slowly. "Indeed. I wanted to see if the rumors about you were true."

"Rumors?"

Hiruzen stopped a few feet away from him, his wise eyes studying Rayne carefully. "Your abilities, your strange gift to copy and master techniques far beyond your years—people have started to talk. But I needed to see it with my own eyes."

Rayne said nothing. His mind raced, trying to piece together why the Hokage would take such an interest in him now.

"You handled yourself well," Hiruzen continued. "But don't misunderstand me, Rayne. This isn't just about your potential. There are forces at play in this village—dark forces that require careful management."

Rayne frowned. "You mean Danzo."

The Hokage's gaze sharpened. He didn't confirm or deny Rayne's statement, but the look in his eyes said enough.

"Danzo may have his… methods," Hiruzen finally said, choosing his words carefully. "But it is my duty as Hokage to ensure Konoha's stability. That means finding individuals who can be trusted—people who can handle the weight of this village's future. Your abilities, Rayne, could either be a great asset to Konoha or a danger. That's why I wanted to test you."

Rayne's mind whirled. The man who had attacked him—the test—it had all been orchestrated by the Hokage to see if he was strong enough, capable enough, to be of use.

"You wanted to see if I was a threat," Rayne said slowly, the realization hitting him.

"Not exactly," Hiruzen corrected, his expression softening slightly. "I wanted to see if you could be guided. The path you walk is a dangerous one. If you fall into the wrong hands, like Danzo's, Konoha could face another catastrophe."

Rayne's gaze dropped to the ground. He wasn't sure how to feel about that. Part of him understood the Hokage's perspective—power like his was always going to attract attention, both good and bad. But the idea that he could be seen as a threat, as a potential puppet for someone like Danzo, made his stomach turn.

"I'm not a weapon," Rayne muttered, his hands clenching into fists.

"No," Hiruzen agreed. "But you could become one if you're not careful. That's why I've come to you first. I want to offer you guidance, to help you control your gift."

Rayne looked up at him, searching the old man's face for any sign of deception. But Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was calm, even kind.

"You've been through much already, Rayne. I know your past is more complicated than most, and I know there are things you still don't fully understand. But that's why I'm here. I can teach you, help you control this power, so it doesn't control you."

Rayne didn't respond immediately. The offer was tempting, but he wasn't naive. He knew that no one in this village—especially not the Hokage—offered something without expecting something in return.

"You want me to join your team of loyal shinobi," Rayne said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You want to make sure I stay under your control."

Hiruzen smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying the accusation. "I want what's best for the village. And sometimes, what's best requires certain sacrifices."

Rayne's heart pounded in his chest. He had no doubt now—this was a test, not just of his abilities but of his loyalty. The Hokage wanted to know if Rayne would fall in line, if he could be molded into the perfect tool for Konoha's protection.

"I'll think about it," Rayne finally said, his voice steady.

Hiruzen nodded, seeming satisfied with that answer for now. "Take your time. But remember, Rayne, the choices you make now will determine the path you walk in the future. Choose wisely."

With that, the Third Hokage turned and began to walk away, disappearing into the shadows just as quickly as he had arrived.

Rayne stood alone in the clearing, the weight of the conversation settling heavily on his shoulders. The Hokage's words echoed in his mind—the path you walk is a dangerous one—but Rayne knew that the real danger wasn't his power. It was the people around him, the ones who wanted to use him for their own purposes.

He looked down at his hands, feeling the flicker of chakra still flowing through them. His Copy Talent was growing stronger, more versatile. But with that power came responsibility—and choices he wasn't sure he was ready to make.

As the sun began to set behind the trees, Rayne made his way back toward the village. He didn't have all the answers yet, but one thing was clear: whatever path he chose, it wouldn't be one controlled by anyone else—not Danzo, not even the Third Hokage.

He would carve his own way through the shadows of Konoha.