Morning mist drifted across the upper training terraces of the Kumogakure Academy.
The sky above the mountain village glowed pale blue as the first sunlight broke through the clouds.
Raizen stood alone on a quiet training platform.
His hands moved steadily.
Tiger.
Snake.
Ram.
Bird.
The seals were smooth.
Deliberate.
Not rushed.
He repeated them again.
Tiger.
Snake.
Ram.
Bird.
His fingers moved faster than they had a week ago.
Still not elite speed.
But improving.
Raizen lowered his hands briefly and flexed his fingers.
Then raised them again.
Horse.
Ram.
Tiger.
Boar.
Repeating the same seals too long caused stiffness.
Rotating patterns maintained speed while reducing strain.
Raizen had learned that through trial and error.
He continued for several more minutes before stopping.
Breathing slow and steady.
Morning training always cleared his mind.
Observers
A few early-rising students passed through the training area.
One slowed.
"That's Tenrai."
Another glanced over.
"The one climbing the rankings?"
"Yeah."
They watched him for a moment.
His hands moved again.
Faster now.
Still precise.
One student folded his arms.
"Looks like he's obsessed with training."
The other shrugged.
"That's probably why he's winning."
They moved on.
Raizen didn't react.
Akari Arrives
A few minutes later, Akari Mizuta stepped onto the platform, a small scroll in hand.
She watched his hands for a moment before speaking.
"You're training early again."
Raizen lowered his hands.
"Couldn't sleep."
Akari tilted her head slightly.
"Hand seals?"
"Yeah."
She nodded.
"That's smart."
"Most academy students ignore seal speed until it's too late."
Raizen rolled his shoulders.
"Faster seals, faster techniques."
Akari smirked faintly.
"That's the idea."
She watched another sequence.
"You've gotten quicker."
"Been practicing."
Morning Practice
The academy grounds gradually filled with activity.
Pairs sparred across the training fields.
Kunai struck wooden targets.
Shuriken clattered against stone posts.
Raizen stepped into an empty sparring ring and tossed three senbon into the air.
They spun downward.
He moved instantly.
One caught in each hand.
The third deflected with a kunai.
Akari raised an eyebrow.
"You've been working on reaction drills too."
Raizen shrugged.
"A little."
Daigo Mizuta's voice echoed from across the field.
"HEY!"
Both of them looked over.
Daigo jogged toward them, slightly out of breath.
"You guys see the board yet?"
Akari crossed her arms.
"No."
Daigo grinned.
"It updated."
Raizen raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Daigo pointed toward the main academy building.
"You moved up again."
The Board
Students gathered around the Thunder Ranking Board inside the academy hall.
Voices buzzed with discussion.
Some impressed.
Some skeptical.
Raizen stepped closer.
His name had moved higher again.
Several students whispered.
"He beat Riku."
"Now he's almost at the top."
"Think he's aiming for number one?"
Not everyone looked impressed.
A few lightning-affinity students frowned.
The higher Raizen climbed—
The more attention he drew.
And not all of it was friendly.
The Next Match
A new notice had been posted below the rankings.
Next Challenger Matches — Afternoon Rotation
Akari scanned the list.
Then looked at Raizen.
"You're fighting again today."
Daigo leaned in.
"Oh man…"
He laughed.
"That's gonna be interesting."
Raizen followed their gaze.
His next opponent:
Shin Torakawa.
Students nearby reacted immediately.
"That guy?"
"The grappler?"
Akari nodded.
"He barely uses ninjutsu."
Daigo grinned.
"He just throws people."
Raizen tilted his head slightly.
"That sounds annoying."
The Arena
By afternoon, the Challenger Arena was packed again.
Students filled the stands.
Raizen stepped into the arena calmly.
Across from him stood his opponent.
Shin Torakawa.
Shorter than Raizen.
Broader shoulders.
Low stance.
Hands wrapped in cloth.
No weapons.
No pouches.
Just raw physical strength.
Shin cracked his knuckles and grinned.
"So you're the famous Tenrai."
Raizen shrugged.
"I guess."
Shin bounced lightly on his feet.
"I've been waiting for this."
"Everyone keeps talking about you."
He lowered his stance further.
"Let's see how you fight up close."
The instructor stepped forward.
"Match begins on my signal."
Wind rolled across the arena floor.
Students leaned forward.
Because this fight would be different.
And Raizen was about to face one of the academy's most dangerous close-combat fighters.