Chapter 18: Unleashing the Hidden Power

The arena buzzed with excitement as the final stage of the Chunin Exams got underway. Spectators filled the stands, eager to witness the intense battles that would determine the next generation of Chunin. Rayne stood quietly among the other participants, his mind calm, but a storm of thoughts brewed beneath the surface.

He had kept his Sharingan hidden since it awakened during that tragic mission, unsure of its origin and power. It was a puzzle that gnawed at him—was the Sharingan truly his? Or had his Copy Talent absorbed it from someone else without him realizing? These questions had plagued him for weeks, but today wasn't the day for introspection. Today was a day for action.

He glanced at Naruto, who stood a few paces away, stretching before his match. Rayne had watched Naruto fight against Neji earlier and had quietly absorbed the chakra signature of the Nine-Tails during their battle. The power was now lying dormant within him, though he had no intention of revealing it just yet.

As the matches continued, Rayne observed, his strategic mind calculating every possible advantage. His eyes flickered between the fights, noting the strengths and weaknesses of each combatant. But it was when Gaara entered the arena for his match against Rock Lee that things got interesting.

Lee's movements were fast, too fast for most to follow, but Rayne's Sharingan, which he kept carefully hidden, easily tracked Lee's incredible speed. Gaara's sand moved with a life of its own, defending him effortlessly. Rayne's eyes narrowed, studying Gaara's jutsu closely. Sand manipulation was something he hadn't yet copied, and it intrigued him.

As the fight escalated, Lee pushed Gaara further than anyone expected, unleashing his Hidden Lotus. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, but Rayne watched with analytical detachment, already committing the fight's details to memory. When Gaara finally crushed Lee's arm and leg with his sand, Rayne knew that Gaara's abilities would be vital in the future. Without drawing attention, Rayne activated his Sharingan for a brief moment, copying Gaara's technique.

The proctor soon called Rayne's name for his match. His opponent was a ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, known for his aggressive fighting style. Rayne entered the arena calmly, his mind still focused on the techniques he had copied. But now, a decision weighed heavily on him—should he continue hiding his Sharingan or reveal it to the world?

The match began quickly, with the Mist ninja charging at him, kunai in hand. Rayne dodged effortlessly, as he had always done. But this time, he felt different. Why hide anymore? He was powerful, more so than anyone knew. He had copied so many abilities—he was no longer the boy who blended into the shadows. It was time to step into the light.

As the Mist ninja lunged again, Rayne's eyes shifted, his Sharingan flaring to life. The crowd gasped as they saw the distinct red glow of his eyes for the first time. His opponent faltered mid-attack, clearly taken aback.

"Sharingan?!" the Mist ninja blurted out, shock plastered across his face.

The audience buzzed with disbelief, whispers spreading like wildfire. Only the Third Hokage sat quietly, his expression unreadable—as if he had known all along. The Mist ninja hesitated for a moment too long, and Rayne used that opening to counter. His movements were swift and precise, a blur to the untrained eye, as he disarmed his opponent and sent him sprawling to the ground with a single, calculated strike.

The proctor raised his hand. "Winner: Rayne Ashbringer!"

Rayne stood still, letting the weight of his decision settle in. His Sharingan had been revealed, and now there was no going back. As he deactivated it, he caught the gaze of the Third Hokage, who gave him a small, almost knowing nod.

His teammates, Haruto and Ayame, rushed over to congratulate him, though both wore expressions of shock. Haruto was the first to speak.

"When did you... how do you have the Sharingan?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

Rayne shrugged, not giving much away. "It just... awakened during training. I'm still figuring it out."

Ayame stared at him, her eyes narrowing. "That's no ordinary thing to 'just figure out'," she said, half-joking but clearly uneasy.

Rayne gave a small smile, keeping his secret well-guarded. The truth was, he didn't fully understand it either. Was this power truly his? Or had his Copy Talent somehow absorbed it from the Uchiha? The doubt gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside for now.

The matches continued, with Sasuke's turn approaching soon. Rayne kept his distance, watching as Naruto and Sasuke both prepared for their upcoming battles. He noticed how Naruto seemed more confident now, likely due to his victory against Neji. Sasuke, on the other hand, was as intense as ever, sharpening his focus for the fight ahead.

As the final matchups for the day were called, Rayne could sense the growing tension. His fight had shaken the crowd, but he knew it wasn't just because of his Sharingan. There was something else—something about him that drew their attention, though they couldn't quite place it yet.

Rayne's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar chakra signature. He looked up just in time to see Gaara heading toward him, his cold eyes locking onto Rayne. For a brief moment, neither spoke, but the tension between them was palpable.

"You hide a lot behind those eyes," Gaara said, his voice as emotionless as ever.

Rayne met his gaze, unfazed. "So do you," he replied.

Gaara's sand shifted slightly, reacting to his emotions, but he didn't pursue the conversation further. Instead, he walked past Rayne without another word, heading for the stands. Rayne watched him go, his mind racing. Gaara was dangerous, but Rayne had copied his abilities. He knew that in the future, Gaara would be a powerful adversary—or perhaps an ally.

As the day's events wound down, the Third Hokage addressed the crowd, announcing the end of the matches. The final round of the Chunin Exams was set, and Rayne knew that his true test was just beginning. He had revealed his Sharingan, and now all eyes were on him. But that didn't worry him.

He had come too far to turn back now.