Slowly, their consciousness stirred. As they opened their eyes, they noticed the ceiling was different.Looking around, they realized immediately they were in a hospital room.

  —You’re finally awake —a voice came from the other bed.Turning their head, they saw Hiroshi, sitting cross-legged on the bed, watching them.

  —What happened? —they asked, still a bit confused.—We lost —Hiroshi replied simply, shrugging.

  Akihiro’s eyes widened as the memories came flooding back.—Oh, right... we lost... I’m not sure how to feel about that.

  —It went better than expected. Maybe if we had pnned ahead or used a different strategy, we could’ve won. But it doesn’t matter anymore —Hiroshi said, biting into a slice of apple.

  —And Aiko? —Akihiro asked, changing the subject.—They’re in another room. Don’t worry about them —he replied.

  Akihiro nodded and tried to sit up, but a sharp pain stopped him.—How bad is it? —he asked Hiroshi.

  Hiroshi gave his body a quick gnce.—Deep cuts down to the bone. Some broken bones in your arm. You’ve got minor wounds and some nasty bruises here and there... but nothing life-threatening —he said.

  Akihiro nodded again; it was nothing unexpected, so he stayed calm.—How long will we be here? —he asked.—I’m out tomorrow. You, though, will be here a few more days until you’re healed up —Hiroshi answered.

  Akihiro nodded, and they kept chatting for a while.That’s when Miyuki entered the room, with Aiko following behind, dressed in hospital clothes and covered in bandages.

  —You’re not looking any better than we are —Akihiro said as he waved to Aiko.—At least I’m not stuck here for another week —they replied with a hint of sarcasm.

  Akihiro didn’t respond to that and changed the subject:—Alright... tell me, what happened? How were you defeated?

  Aiko frowned and began to recount what had happened.

  ◇◆◇

  The ground beneath their feet suddenly colpsed. Aiko reacted immediately: they jumped and left the area, retreating several dozen meters, out of the reach of the Great Landslide Jutsu.

  —That was close... I didn’t expect them to use that right as the match started —they murmured.

  —I’m just as impressed as you. My teammates can be a little over the top sometimes —came a voice from behind.

  Aiko quickly turned and fixed their gaze on the source of the voice. It was someone they recognized.

  —Raiden, right? —they asked, even though they already knew the answer.

  —A pleasure, Aiko. I’ve heard a lot about you... Especially about you. They say you skipped a year, just like us —Raiden replied with a friendly attitude, nodding slightly.

  But Aiko couldn’t let their guard down.They hadn’t felt his presence at all.And if there was one thing they trusted blindly, it was their perception. They could even detect Miyuki, whose presence was nearly imperceptible, let alone a mere genin. Yet, they hadn’t realized Raiden was there until he spoke.If he hadn’t revealed his position... they could’ve taken him out without him noticing.Why didn’t he do it? That was the real question.

  —That look on your face is a bit tense. Don’t you want to talk a little before we have to fight? Look, one of your teammates has already started fighting one of mine —Raiden said, pointing in a nearby direction.

  Several meters away, Hiroshi was already in combat with a genin from Team 12.For a civilian, the visual distance was considerable... but for a shinobi, it was practically within arm’s reach.

  —You want to talk? —Aiko asked, buying time for their chakra to recover.

  —Oh, nothing. Mostly about your friend. That Akihiro. I heard he’s a genjutsu genius, but I think that’s false. After all, he hasn’t used it throughout the whole competition —Raiden said casually.

  Aiko frowned without being able to stop it. The techniques and skills of their team were a carefully guarded secret. The fact that someone outside the team knew such specific details —even if they were from the same vilge— was, to say the least, unsettling.

  —Who told you? —they asked coldly.

  —Oh, no one important. Information just comes and goes. In the end, it always leaks. You should know that better than anyone —he replied with a smile.

  Aiko’s frown deepened even further. With clear murderous intent in their voice, they spoke in a cutting tone:—Enough. This conversation is over.

  —Oh, I wanted to keep talking with you a little longer... but with that expression, I doubt we can —Raiden responded, not losing his composure—. Anyway, an uninvited guest just arrived.

  Aiko couldn’t help but turn to the right. A figure descended a short distance away from them.There was no doubt who it was.

  —Team Leader 3… Souta —they murmured under their breath.

  —I didn’t expect two leaders to meet here without inviting me. I’m truly offended —Souta said with a sideways grin.

  —Our conversation is over anyway. You’re welcome to talk —Raiden said calmly.

  —No, no need. Instead, I invite you both to leave this exam —Souta replied, smiling as his chakra began to rise.

  —I’m sorry, but I can’t accept that —Raiden responded, and his chakra also began to intensify.

  The words ceased. The tension became palpable.

  In an instant, all three charged at each other.Souta grabbed a kunai and charged directly at Raiden, while Aiko did the same, rushing from the opposite fnk.They both considered him the more dangerous of the two. The best move was to eliminate him first... then take care of the other.

  —I’m fttered that you consider me so dangerous. I guess I’ll have to give you a show worthy of the occasion —Raiden said with a grin, just as his body began to wrap itself in lightning.

  The lightning crackled along his skin as if it were part of him, dancing on his body with a terrifying naturalness.

  Aiko couldn’t help but feel the tent danger in the air and took a small step back at the sight of the lightning. The chakra radiating from Raiden made their skin tingle.

  But despite this, Souta didn’t hesitate. Kunai firmly in hand, he charged directly at his opponent.

  Raiden met him head-on, not retreating a single step. The moment they were about to collide, a yer of lightning chakra wrapped around Raiden's arm, protecting him from the immediate damage of the Kunai.

  Souta grimaced when he saw that his kunai not only didn’t pierce but was fully stopped by an electric chakra yer surrounding Raiden.

  Still, he didn’t stop. With precision, he aimed a direct cut at Raiden's torso, targeting a seemingly unprotected spot.

  But Raiden reacted instantly. He blocked the attack with his forearm wrapped in lightning, deflecting the kunai with an explosion of sparks that briefly lit up their faces.

  —Your taijutsu is truly outstanding... Look, you even made me use the Lightning Veil —Raiden murmured, just before unching a counterattack.

  His leg, surrounded by electricity, shot upward with near imperceptible speed. Souta barely managed to cross his kunai to block the kick, but the impact sent him sliding several meters back, scraping across the ground.

  Aiko seized that moment to move, positioning themselves behind Raiden. They quickly formed seals and unched a burst of shurikens imbued with chakra, followed by a simple Earth Spear jutsu.

  Without even looking, Raiden spun around, releasing an electric burst around him that diverted the shurikens mid-flight. With a quick motion, he shattered the Earth Spears heading toward him.

  —Stealth attacks are, undoubtedly, part of a shinobi’s nature. However, you should know that they only work when they're unexpected... and what you just tried was anything but unexpected —he said, fshing a smile that didn’t conceal his confidence.

  Aiko frowned, and Souta was already on his feet, brushing the dust off his uniform.

  —Tsk… that speed… that power. You don’t seem like just a simple genin —he snapped, sharpening his gaze.

  —And do you think I am? —Raiden responded, lightning crackling in his hands as he took a fighting stance.

  At that moment, all three of them charged at once.

  A burst of chakra filled the clearing. Aiko and Souta fought for a while, but unfortunately, from the start, it was already evident who had the advantage.

  —Truly worthy of a team leader —Raiden commented, holding Souta in pce.

  —But this ends now. My teammates seem close to falling, so it’s time to end this —he said, moving his hand toward Souta’s forehead.

  With a simple touch and a transmission of electric chakra, he rendered Souta unconscious instantly.

  He released Souta and looked at Aiko, who was not in the best state.

  —So, now it’s just the two of us, or so I’d say if there weren’t another uninvited guest —he said, turning around as a young man descended in front of them.

  —Hiroshi! —Aiko shouted.

  Hiroshi was surprised to see Aiko so hurt and couldn’t help but say,

  —Are you okay? —he asked, clearly worried.

  Hiroshi quickly approached Aiko, examining their injuries with concern, but Aiko barely paid attention to him, their eyes fixed on Raiden.

  —I’m fine —they replied. —What happened to Akihiro? Was he disqualified? —they asked.

  —He’s fighting a genin from Team 12. I wanted to help him, but he told me to come and support you —Hiroshi said.

  Aiko nodded in understanding and was about to say something when they were interrupted.

  —Looks like you have some support —Raiden commented, looking at Hiroshi. —I don’t know if that will change the outcome, but I’m gd I won’t be without any fun.

  Hiroshi looked at Raiden, who had only a few superficial cuts.

  Aiko, despite their exhaustion, took a step forward, aligning themselves next to Hiroshi.

  —Don’t underestimate what we can do together —they responded, their voice now more confident.

  Raiden prepared himself, his body surrounded by an electric aura that crackled with intensity.

  —We’ll see if your words hold any weight —he said with a wry smile before charging toward them again, this time with a more aggressive approach.

  Hiroshi and Aiko exchanged a quick look and rushed forward.

  Hiroshi formed a series of seals.

  —Lightning Style, Lightning Palm Jutsu —he said as his hands became enveloped in lightning.

  Raiden charged toward Hiroshi, and the two collided with their lightning-covered hands. The lightning crackled intensely, neutralizing and destroying each other’s energy.

  But in that simple csh, the difference between them was immediately clear.

  Raiden’s lightning quickly dominated Hiroshi’s, forcing him to step back, his electric energy barely able to withstand the power of Raiden’s attack.

  Meanwhile, Aiko, who had hidden underground, seized the moment. Quickly, they grabbed Raiden’s ankles and pulled him down into the earth, trapping him with no way to escape.

  Aiko emerged immediately, their body covered in dirt, palms pressing against the ground.

  —Earth Style, Jutsu: Earth Hardening —they said, concentrating their chakra into the terrain.

  The ground responded to their call, hardening instantly, transforming from loose earth to a solid structure that almost rivaled the strongest metal.

  But Raiden’s hand, wrapped in electric chakra, emerged from the earth. His body began to rise slowly, crackling with lightning that danced across his skin.

  Hiroshi didn’t wait. He charged at Raiden, holding his kunai enveloped in lightning, and stabbed with all his might.

  Raiden lifted his hand and effortlessly stopped the kunai.

  —This is no fun —he murmured coldly. His chakra spiked visibly, a surge of energy that made the air around him tremble.

  —Let’s finish this —he added ftly, charging immediately at Hiroshi.

  But Hiroshi didn’t back down. Instead, he concentrated all his chakra into one st effort.

  —Lightning Style, Jutsu: Cutting Lightning —he shouted, enveloping the kunai in a yer of chakra so dense that the bde crackled with intensity. The air around him crackled under the pressure.

  Raiden didn’t flinch. He extended one hand and, in an instant, formed a pure lightning sword, his energy vibrating with lethal force.

  —Come on —he simply said.

  The two weapons cshed. Hiroshi’s kunai and Raiden’s lightning sword created a collision so intense that lightning exploded in every direction. A blinding fsh lit up the entire field, causing even the spectators to look away.

  When the light faded, Hiroshi’s body y motionless on the ground.

  —Good move —Raiden said, a note of respect in his voice. He then turned toward Aiko.

  Aiko tried to react, but it was too te. Raiden appeared at their side like a lightning bolt. His lightning sword descended in a swift cut.

  Aiko raised their arms to defend, but the electric bde cut through their defense like a hot knife through butter, easily slicing through their arm and stopping just short of their neck.

  —It was a good fight —Raiden said softly, just before the lightning from his sword surged into Aiko’s body.

  The powerful shock ran through their body in an instant, making their muscles tense violently. Within seconds, Aiko lost consciousness and fell to the ground, unmoving.

  ◇◆◇

  —That’s how we lost —Aiko replied, letting out a sigh.

  —Wow… —was all Akihiro could say after hearing their teammate’s story.

  Originally, he had expected the battle to be more banced, but in the end, it all boiled down to a one-on-all, with Raiden leading the show from start to finish.

  Even with their observers watching the battlefield, the information they received was more general. This was mainly done to avoid data overload during the fight. However, Akihiro hadn’t expected the battle between the leaders to unfold like that.

  Maybe, if the three of them had been there… something would have changed.

  He couldn’t help but think it, but quickly shook his head. Honestly, he doubted that even the three of them together would have been up to par.

  Raiden was too strange an enigma to him, hard to read, unpredictable. And from the start, Lightning had been the most dominant element of all. Mastering it didn’t just make you dangerous… it pced you at the top with ease.

  —I'll have to increase the training —he said with a sigh.

  —So, what now? —Hiroshi asked.

  —Right, we were defeated. Aren’t we supposed to become Chūnin? —he asked, looking at Miyuki.

  She smiled slightly.

  —Luckily for you, the person who decides who advances or remains as a genin was truly impressed with your dispy of skills.

  —So? —Hiroshi said, his voice full of anticipation.

  Miyuki didn’t waste time.

  —Congratutions… you’ve been officially promoted to Chūnin. —She announced with a small smile.

  —YAAAY! —Hiroshi shouted, jumping up with enthusiasm... only to immediately fall back onto the bed with a grimace of pain.

  —Ouch... I shouldn’t have done that —he compined, curling up.

  We all ughed, each in our own way. Despite the exhaustion and injuries, the joy was real.

  —And the team...? —Aiko asked, a hint of doubt in their voice.

  —Now that you're Chūnin, the Genin team is dissolved —Miyuki expined calmly—. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do missions together.

  She paused before adding:

  —For now, I have to focus on training Kōsetsu and finding her new teammates... but that will come ter.

  She smiled warmly and gave a light cp.

  —For now... let’s celebrate.

  As if on cue, the door opened, and Kōsetsu entered, staggering under the weight of a huge tray of food, rger than herself.

  Miyuki quickly went to help her, and together they started distributing steaming ptes and bottles of drinks.

  The air in the room shifted, filling with the aroma of food and the warmth of a victory that, while not total, was still worth celebrating.

  Days ter, Akihiro was discharged from the hospital. His first mission as Chūnin didn’t take long to arrive, and it was Kusakage himself who personally handed it to him.