Chapter 16: Shadows of Strength

The exams had moved past the Forest of Death, but the tension only thickened. Rayne's team had barely made it through, carrying their scroll and narrowly avoiding several ambushes. Now, standing in the massive hall of the Chunin Exam Stadium, Rayne could see the remaining teams, some battered, others looking more eager than ever for the upcoming battles.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood out in the crowd, clearly shaken by their own encounter with Orochimaru, yet their resolve hadn't dimmed. Rayne watched them closely. He knew what was coming: the preliminary battles, a test to cut down the remaining genin before the final rounds. But his focus lingered on Naruto and Sasuke in particular. Both had raw potential, but they were still learning the limits of their power. Rayne, on the other hand, had begun mastering his abilities in secret.

His Sharingan had awakened once more during their mission, and though he was still unsure how it had happened, he could now control it fully. The question still burned in his mind: Was it really his? The thought that he might have copied it, perhaps unknowingly, weighed on him heavily. He had never copied a kekkei genkai before, but the possibility seemed more real with each passing day.

The doors to the main arena creaked open as the proctors called for the participants to gather. Rayne moved with his teammates, taking their place along the balcony. As they lined up, the faces of the other genin filled the stadium. There were familiar ones from the Leaf, like Shikamaru and Neji, and even a few from the Sand, including the infamous Gaara.

Rayne's thoughts shifted, knowing that the upcoming battles would reveal how much stronger they'd all become. He wasn't the only one keeping secrets.

Before long, the proctor, Hayate Gekkō, stepped forward. His tired eyes scanned the group before clearing his throat. "We'll begin the preliminary matches now. If anyone wishes to forfeit, speak now." No one moved.

The first match was called, and it was none other than Sasuke Uchiha versus Yoroi Akadō. Rayne watched closely as Sasuke, despite the pain from Orochimaru's curse mark, fought with incredible skill and resilience. But something bothered Rayne.

As the fight dragged on, he saw Sasuke struggle with the curse mark. Rayne narrowed his eyes, recognizing the pain that Sasuke was going through, even though it wasn't outwardly obvious to everyone. The curse was slowly eating away at Sasuke's strength. Rayne clenched his fists. If only Sasuke knew how much more dangerous Orochimaru was than he realized.

In the end, Sasuke managed to win with a risky move, but it left him weakened. As the medics rushed to take him away, Rayne's eyes stayed locked on him. "He has no idea what he's up against," Rayne muttered under his breath.

Haruto, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow. "You say something, Rayne?"

Rayne shook his head, trying to brush off the thought. "No, just thinking about the fights."

More matches followed, each more intense than the last. Rayne's attention drifted, but his instincts kept him alert. The exam was still dangerous, and there were plenty of strong contenders. As he watched Naruto, Shikamaru, and others fight, he felt his anticipation grow. He knew that his time to shine would come soon.

But just as he was about to lose himself in the routine of the matches, a presence caught his attention. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Kakashi Hatake, leaning against the wall, observing Sasuke's condition. Rayne felt the familiar pull of curiosity and opportunity. Kakashi's Sharingan was right there.

Rayne's heartbeat quickened. This was his chance. With his Copy Talent, he could finally understand what was happening to him—whether he had the Sharingan because of his bloodline or because he had unknowingly copied it. But this wasn't the time or place. Rayne knew he had to remain patient.

Soon, the match lineup shifted again, and the proctors announced a new pairing: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka. The crowd murmured in anticipation, with many underestimating Naruto's abilities.

But Rayne knew better. He had seen the raw potential in Naruto, and if this played out the way it was supposed to, Naruto would surprise everyone.

The fight began, and just as expected, Naruto stumbled at first, but quickly gained the upper hand with his unpredictable moves. Rayne couldn't help but grin. Despite all the odds, Naruto always seemed to pull through with his determination alone.

As Naruto claimed his victory, a new sense of excitement filled the air. The battles were heating up, and Rayne knew his time would come soon enough.

But more than anything, he felt the weight of his secrets. He had copied the abilities of countless ninjas during the exam so far—some intentionally, others not. But none were as significant as the Sharingan. Could he really handle it? Was this truly his path? The weight of his unknown origins and abilities grew heavier each day, and as he stood there, watching the others fight, he realized that soon, he'd have to face those questions head-on.

For now, though, he kept his focus on the exams, knowing that his team's strength would be tested again soon. And when that time came, he would be ready—not just to prove his worth, but to uncover the truth about his abilities once and for all.