Chapter 19: Rising Pressure

The sun rose over the Leaf Village the day after the preliminary matches concluded. The final stage of the Chunin Exams was weeks away, but the tension had already begun to build. The entire village buzzed with anticipation for the main event, where the strongest genin from each village would face off in front of the Hokage and dignitaries from across the lands.

Rayne leaned against a training post, his mind distant as he replayed the events of the previous day. His Sharingan—finally revealed—had created quite the stir, and he could still feel the stares that followed him wherever he went. Even among his teammates, Haruto and Ayame, things had changed. He hadn't explained much about the power he wielded, and they hadn't pressed him for answers, but there was a subtle shift in their dynamic now.

He still didn't know whether his Sharingan was truly part of him or a product of his Copy Talent, but one thing was certain: the secret was out.

As he stood there in quiet reflection, Shiro Takeda, his jōnin instructor, approached. The older shinobi had been observing him from a distance, watching how Rayne handled the attention now that the Sharingan had been revealed. Shiro had always been a calm, calculating leader, guiding them through missions with a level-headed approach.

"Still thinking about yesterday?" Shiro asked, his voice as casual as ever.

Rayne shrugged. "It's hard not to. Everyone's acting like I've suddenly become someone else because of these eyes."

Shiro gave him a sideways glance. "It's not every day that someone reveals they have the Sharingan. Especially when they're not part of the Uchiha Clan."

Rayne didn't respond immediately. He had been careful not to tell Shiro or anyone else the truth—that even he wasn't sure how he had obtained this power. But Shiro had always been observant, and Rayne suspected he knew more than he let on.

The two stood in silence for a moment before Shiro spoke again. "The final exam is coming up soon. This isn't just about your individual skills. Your opponents will come at you with everything they have. You need to be prepared for anything."

Rayne nodded. He had expected as much. His Sharingan would make him a target, and he had no doubt that stronger, more skilled opponents would challenge him in the final exam. His eyes, as much as they were an advantage, also made him vulnerable.

Shiro's voice took on a more serious tone. "I won't always be there to guide you, Rayne. You're strong, but the exams aren't just about power. Strategy, discipline, and the ability to anticipate your opponent's next move—that's what will set you apart. Don't rely on your Sharingan too much. You'll need more than that to win."

Rayne turned toward his sensei, appreciating the straightforward advice. "I understand. I'll be ready."

Shiro gave him a small nod. "Good. Now get some rest. Training is going to intensify from here."

Later that day, Rayne found himself walking through the streets of the Leaf Village, trying to clear his mind. As he wandered, he came across Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura by the village square, talking excitedly about the upcoming final exams. Their camaraderie was evident, and Rayne couldn't help but feel a pang of isolation.

He had kept his distance from most of the others, focusing more on his own goals. But now that he had been thrust into the spotlight, it seemed like a good time to build bridges, especially with others who were also competing in the exams.

He approached the group with a wave. "Hey, Naruto."

Naruto, being his usual exuberant self, grinned. "Rayne! What's up, man? That Sharingan of yours was crazy in the prelims!"

Rayne chuckled awkwardly, trying to downplay it. "Yeah, it surprised me too."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Rayne. "How did you get the Sharingan? You're not an Uchiha."

There it was. The question he had been dreading. Rayne gave a half-hearted shrug, hoping to deflect. "It just... awakened one day. I don't really understand it myself."

Sasuke didn't seem satisfied with the answer, but before he could press further, Naruto chimed in. "Hey, don't sweat it! We've got bigger things to worry about—like Orochimaru and those Sound ninja. That creep was after Sasuke, and we've gotta be ready for whatever comes next."

Rayne nodded, grateful for Naruto's ability to steer the conversation away from uncomfortable topics. He had watched Naruto and Sasuke's battle against Orochimaru from the sidelines during the Forest of Death, and he had quietly copied several of the techniques the Sound ninja had used.

The conversation continued, with the group discussing their training plans for the upcoming exam. But Rayne's thoughts kept drifting back to his Copy Talent and the possibilities it held. He had already copied Gaara's sand manipulation and a host of other techniques without anyone noticing. But the Sharingan... the Sharingan was something entirely different.

The potential to copy bloodlines was something that made Rayne uneasy. Had his Copy Talent truly reached a level where it could copy even the abilities of the Uchiha Clan? He didn't know. But he did know that the finals would be the perfect opportunity to test the limits of his power.

And Kakashi, with his one Sharingan eye, would be there as Sasuke's mentor.

Rayne clenched his fist. He would find a way to copy Kakashi's Sharingan in the final round. And if he could advance it to the three-tomoe stage, it would make him even more formidable.

The days leading up to the final exam passed in a blur of intense training. Rayne, recognizing the upcoming challenge, knew he couldn't face it alone. His talents were vast, but refining them required guidance. After some thought, he sought out Kakashi, making a bold request.

"Kakashi-sensei," Rayne had said, finding the jōnin after a training session with Sasuke. "I want you to train me too. Like you're training Sasuke."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Interesting request. Why the sudden change?"

Rayne, always secretive about his abilities, hesitated. "I have... talents, but I need control. If I'm going to survive the finals, I need someone like you to help me push past my limits."

After a pause, Kakashi studied Rayne's determined expression, his visible eye softening. "Alright," he said. "I'll train you both."

The training that followed was relentless. Kakashi, ever the taskmaster, pushed both Rayne and Sasuke to their physical and mental limits. He tested their speed, chakra control, and precision with techniques. As Sasuke worked on refining his Chidori, Rayne focused on mastering the abilities he had copied.

Kakashi observed Rayne's Sharingan with a critical eye, noting how it flickered between the stages of activation as Rayne tried to control it better. Rayne was careful, though, keeping his Copy Talent hidden even from Kakashi. He trained diligently, copying Kakashi's own movements and learning the intricacies of the Sharingan as they trained side by side.

Kakashi, however, had noticed Rayne's unusual growth. "You're not just any genin," he remarked during one of their training sessions. "You adapt too quickly. Are you sure this is only the Sharingan at work?"

Rayne remained silent, focusing instead on the drills.

As the day of the final exam approached, the intensity of their training grew. By the time they had finished, Rayne felt a deep sense of readiness. He had learned much under Kakashi's guidance—perhaps more than he'd ever let on.

On the day of the final exam, the arena was packed. The tension in the air was palpable as the remaining competitors stood in the center of the field, waiting for their matches to be announced. The Third Hokage sat high in the stands, overseeing the event with quiet authority.

Rayne scanned the crowd and locked eyes with Kakashi, who stood beside Sasuke. Kakashi's expression was unreadable, but Rayne could feel the weight of his mentor's gaze on him. He had been trained by one of the best, and now it was time to prove himself.

As the first matchups were called, Rayne's opponent was revealed—a ninja from the Hidden Stone Village. The name barely registered in Rayne's mind. His focus was entirely on the fight ahead. This opponent would be his test—a chance to show the world that his Sharingan wasn't just a fluke.

But more than that, it was an opportunity to prove to himself that all the training, the relentless drills with Kakashi and Sasuke, had been worth it.

As the proctor raised his hand to start the match, Rayne felt the familiar surge of chakra flow through him. His Sharingan activated, the red glow reflecting off the arena walls. There was no need to hide anymore. He was ready.

The match began.