KONOHA :THE RISE OF KAITON

Kaiton was very satisfied with the result.

In the past six months, Kaiton had spent most of his time training rigorously. While he made significant progress, the relentless routine left him feeling fatigued. He decided to take a well-deserved two-day break.

It was still dark outside, and most of the students had not yet returned from their classes. Feeling nostalgic, Kaiton decided to visit the training grounds to see his classmates, whom he hadn't interacted with for a long time.

During the latter stages of his training, Kaiton had focused intently on mastering Chakra control, setting aside other exercises like reaction drills with Akirai and the others. By now, it had been nearly two months since his last sparring session with his friends.

Though Kaiton recognized Akirai's extraordinary talent, he felt confident in his own abilities after such intensive training. He doubted that Akirai could defeat him now. With this in mind, Kaiton decided to challenge Akirai to a friendly match.

---

When Kaiton arrived at the training grounds, he found Akirai and the others in the middle of an advanced combat class. The group was fully immersed in their practice, and it seemed they were nearing the climax of their session.

At the center of the action, Akirai and Shinzuru stood opposite each other. Both had changed significantly since Kaiton last saw them.

Shinzuru, as a girl with an early growth spurt, had shot up in height and now stood nearly as tall as Kingsu, the tallest in the class. Her ponytail was longer, and the baby fat on her face had disappeared, giving her a confident, commanding presence.

On the other hand, Akirai hadn't changed much in appearance, though his demeanor was notably softer. Perhaps spending so much time with Kingsu had made him more approachable, but his snake-like eyes still carried an unsettling edge.

Compared to Akirai's calm and collected posture, Shinzuru exuded confidence, standing with her arms crossed.

"Akirai, are you sure you want to do this again? This is the tenth time this month, and you've lost every match so far!" Shinzuru teased with a smirk.

Akirai narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't back down. "True, but have you noticed how much longer it takes for you to defeat me each time?"

Shinzuru's confident smile faltered for a moment. "That's only because you keep running away! If you'd fight me head-on, I'd win in no time!"

"This is my fighting style," Akirai replied coolly. "Isn't that how Kaiton managed to draw with you in the past?"

Back when the group started training together, their focuses diverged based on their unique personalities and strengths. Shinzuru gravitated toward aggressive, power-based techniques, honing her strength above all else, with speed as her secondary focus.

In contrast, Akirai emphasized agility and flexibility, making him a master at dodging attacks. This style mirrored Kaiton's early training, where he relied on evasion and clever tactics.

However, Kaiton's training differed from Akirai's in one key aspect. While Kaiton also excelled in strength, his physical defense was exceptional, rivaling that of Akamichi, who often endured beatings due to his impulsive nature.

Kaiton's well-rounded abilities made him a versatile fighter with no significant weaknesses. Though he lacked the combat experience to surpass Shinzuru outright, his potential was undeniable.

As for Akirai, his evasive strategy often left him cornered by Shinzuru's relentless attacks.

---

The sparring match between Akirai and Shinzuru escalated. Shinzuru pressed forward aggressively, forcing Akirai into a corner. With no room to evade, Shinzuru unleashed a powerful punch, aiming to end the fight.

Everyone watching held their breath. Was this the decisive blow?

A loud bang echoed through the training ground, but instead of Akirai's body, a wooden stake appeared where he had stood.

"Body Replacement Technique!" someone shouted in surprise.

Before Shinzuru could react, Akirai materialized behind her, kunai in hand, aiming for her back.

Shinzuru's sharp instincts kicked in. She bent down just in time, dodging Akirai's kunai and countering with a punch. Akirai leapt backward, but the maneuver left him momentarily vulnerable in mid-air.

Seizing the opportunity, Shinzuru planted her hands on the ground and delivered a powerful kick. The blow connected, sending Akirai flying—but to everyone's astonishment, another puff of smoke revealed a substitution clone.

"When did he manage that?" Kingsu exclaimed, echoing the bewilderment of the onlookers.

Uchiha Retsu, observing from the sidelines, frowned. Despite his keen Sharingan, he hadn't caught when Akirai used the technique. The display of skill was a testament to Akirai's growing prowess.

"There he is!" shouted Hinatabi, pointing to where Akirai had reappeared—back at his original position.

The wooden stake that had been used for his substitution was gone, replaced by Akirai's real form. Without wasting a moment, Akirai formed hand seals and unleashed a jutsu.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

A powerful gust of wind erupted from Akirai's mouth, hurtling toward Shinzuru. Unable to evade, she was struck head-on and sent sprawling across the ground.

The training ground fell silent.

"Did… Did he win?" one student asked hesitantly.

Tenzou crossed his arms and analyzed the situation. "Yes, but it wasn't just luck. Akirai outsmarted her. He used her aggressive nature against her, setting traps from the very beginning."

Everyone nodded in agreement, their respect for Akirai growing. This wasn't just a physical victory; it was a triumph of strategy and intelligence.

Shinzuru, still lying on the ground, clenched her fists. "That damn Akirai… I'll win next time, for sure!"

---

As she stood up, Kaiton stepped forward, surprising her.

"Kaiton! You're back!" Shinzuru exclaimed, momentarily forgetting her frustration.

Kaiton smiled and gently took her hand. "Looks like you had a rough match. Let me help."

Green healing chakra enveloped her hand as Kaiton used his newly mastered medical ninjutsu to heal the scratches. In moments, the wounds were gone, leaving her skin unblemished.

Shinzuru stared at him in astonishment. "You mastered it… You really did it!"

Kaiton chuckled. "I've been working hard. But enough about me—how about a rematch? Let's see if you've improved."

Shinzuru smirked, her competitive spirit reignited. "You're on!"

The training ground buzzed with excitement as Kaiton's return set the stage for new challenges and rivalries.

----------------------------------

Visit our Patreon for more:

patreon.com/Johnwick007

Extra Content Already Available