Three days flew by quickly. Over the last couple of days, most of the teams entering the tower were those forced to forfeit due to injuries. However, a few teams managed to complete the mission and enter in surprisingly good shape. Among these was a team from a minor village no one had ever heard of. They carried five scrolls, which meant they had likely fought four teams or ambushed those who had just finished their battles.
This team quickly became the center of attention—not just because of their impressive achievement, but because of their appearance. All three were covered in blood and dirt, a stark contrast to other teams. Two were girls, their expressions hard and stoic, while the third was a massive boy, towering over everyone else. He was probably even larger than Akatsuchi from Iwagakure.
Once the second exam was officially declared complete, the proctor announced that team missions were over. From this point forward, it would be an individual competition. Before the final Chunin Exam, a preliminary round would be held to reduce the number of participants—there were simply too many who had passed the second exam.
The genin were given two days to rest before the preliminaries. While most used the time to recover, a few, like Kaoru, chose to train. Kaoru was thrilled to have time to hone his skills in the tower, but he was frustrated that he wasn’t allowed to spar with Toji. Konoha supervisors strictly prohibited any form of combat within the tower, even friendly spars, with immediate disqualification as the consequence.
Finally, the day of the preliminary exam arrived. The genin were gathered in a large, dimly lit hall with an elevated viewing platform where the guardians stood. The fighting ground itself was a rectangular arena surrounded by towering walls,
[this is exactly the same as naruto.] thought Kaoru as he recognized the place.
But now that he was about to fight in that same hall, he not only felt excited but also nervous. Genin around Kaoru whispered among themselves, exchanging glances as they sized up the competition. Above, the guardians stood in quiet observation. Kaoru glanced toward the platform, spotting Shin and Maki. Maki gave him an encouraging smile and a thumbs-up, while Shin remained as stoic as ever, his eyes scanning the crowd.
[Time to see what we’re made of,] Kaoru thought, clenching his fists. [If I'm unlucky I could be eliminated in this very round] he could not shake this anxiety he was feeling, especially since he could end up fighting Uchiha Itachi himself.
—
“We will now announce the first fighters,” the proctor began. “The matchups were randomly selected, with your guardians present during the process. Once your name is called, you’ll have five minutes to step into the arena and face your opponent—failure to do so will result in disqualification.”
Kaoru scanned the room, observing the guardians standing on the elevated platform and the genin scattered across the hall. Forty-two participants—thirteen teams—had passed the second exam. Among them, seven teams were from the great hidden villages: three from Konoha, two each from Iwagakure and Sunagakure. Kumo had opted out of these exams, and most of Kirigakure’s genin had been eliminated by Mizuki and Kaoru. The remaining participants were from smaller villages, including Takimura’s two teams.
[The competition is tough,] Kaoru thought. Some of those genins were actually strong, Kaoru was genuinely surprised that they were never mentioned in the series.
His train of thought was interrupted when the proctor continued. “The first match will be... Itachi Uchiha versus...” He paused for dramatic effect, his gaze scanning the crowd.
Kaoru frowned. [Just say it already. Everyone knows this is going to be bad news for whoever’s unlucky enough to fight him.]
The proctor finally concluded, “...Ranmaru Aoichi.”
Kaoru winced and muttered under his breath, “Yikes. Unlucky draw, my friend.” He glanced at the boy from a small, obscure village who had been called to fight Itachi. The color had drained from Ranmaru’s face, he did not know how strong Itachi was, but he knew the name Uchiha.
[Better him than me,] Kaoru thought, suppressing a shiver. Just yesterday, the idea of fighting Itachi had seemed thrilling—something that would push him to his limits. But now, faced with the reality of the Uchiha prodigy stepping into the ring, Kaoru wasn’t feeling quite so enthusiastic anymore.
—
Itachi and Renmaru stood facing each other in the arena. Itachi carried two short swords tied to his back, while Renmaru appeared unarmed.
“Ready?” the judge, wearing the Senju clan symbol on his back, asked as he raised his hand. “Begin,” he declared, disappearing from view instantly.
Itachi moved just as quickly, flickering out of sight before reappearing behind Renmaru in an instant. His sword swung in a precise arc, aiming for Renmaru’s shoulder.
“First he flickers, and then he deliberately avoids lethal strikes. He’s kind,” Kaoru muttered to himself, a little louder than intended, drawing the attention of the Konoha shinobi around him. [He doesn’t even need to try, and he’s still holding back. That’s Itachi for you.]
Renmaru barely managed to react, spinning just in time to block the strike with a kunai in his right hand. Without missing a beat, he threw two shuriken from his left hand, aiming to force Itachi to back off and create some distance. But Itachi didn’t retreat—instead, he stepped slightly to the side, dodging the projectiles with ease, and performed a series of hand seals at blinding speed.
“Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!”
As Itachi exhaled, a massive sphere of flames roared toward Renmaru.
Caught off guard by the sudden counterattack, Renmaru’s eyes widened in panic. He scrambled to make his own hand seals, rushing to defend himself.
“Earth Release: Stone Wall!”
A solid wall of earth rose between Renmaru and the oncoming fireball, shielding him just in time as flames licked against the barrier.
Renmaru exhaled in relief—but that relief was short-lived. He realized too late that the wall had obstructed his vision, leaving him vulnerable. In a blur, Itachi appeared next to him, sword swinging once more. Renmaru tried to turn, his kunai ready, but just as the blade seemed to make contact, the figure of Itachi dispersed into smoke—a shadow clone.
The real Itachi materialized silently behind Renmaru, the cold steel of his sword pressing lightly against Renmaru’s neck. “I suggest you surrender,” Itachi said calmly.
Renmaru froze, his muscles tensing as he realized the fight was over. He glanced toward the crowd, his face a mix of frustration and resignation. After a tense moment, he slowly raised his hand in surrender.
The judge reappeared in the center of the arena, raising his hand toward Itachi. “The winner is Itachi Uchiha!” he announced.
Itachi stepped back, sheathing his sword and giving Renmaru a small nod. “You fought well,” he said before turning and walking back to his team, leaving the crowd murmuring in awe at his flawless performance.
<<<>>>
The next five fights were less flashy but far more tense. From Takimura, Mizuki and Akito emerged victorious. Mizuki wielded her kekkei genkai ruthlessly, overwhelming her opponent, while Akito relied on his superior speed to claim victory in a close battle. Iwagakure’s two genin both lost to Sunagakure, leaving the Iwa delegation visibly embarrassed while Suna celebrated their clean sweep with pride. The fifth match featured Yuji Terumi against Toji Senju, which Toji won in an embarrassingly effortless manner. While Toji remained respectful throughout the fight, he didn’t hold back to make Yuji look better like Itachi had done earlier. With six matches complete, the proctor’s exhaustion was starting to show.
“Takime Kaoru versus Hora Arasami,” the proctor announced flatly, skipping any theatrics. By now, he was too tired to care about building suspense, especially since neither name carried weight outside their respective villages.
Kaoru, after being disappointed five times and forced to sit through others’ matches, didn’t expect his name to be called. He flinched in surprise before excitement overtook him. With one energetic jump, he landed in the center of the arena. His opponent, however, approached slowly, dragging a massive blade behind him. This was the same boy from the unknown village who had entered the tower covered in blood and dirt.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Kid, you’re unlucky to face me,” Hora sneered, his voice was dripping with malice. “Because I never kill my prey quickly—I like to savor it.” His grin twisted into a deranged look, his eyes glinting with sadistic glee.
[This guy definitely has some issues,] Kaoru thought, he remained calm and focused. As far as Kaoru could sense, Hora didn’t have an overwhelming amount of chakra. Even if it was suppressed, it wasn’t enough to give him a clear edge. Still, there was something about him that set Kaoru on edge. [He gives me a bad feeling. Better play it safe.]
The Senju judge raised his hand. “Ready?” Both genin nodded. “Begin!”
The judge vanished the moment the signal was given, and Hora immediately charged at Kaoru. His speed was shocking for someone his size, and while he wasn’t flickering, his raw acceleration made up for it.
Kaoru retreated step by step, carefully matching Hora’s movements while firing water bullets from his mouth. The attacks were quick and precise, but Hora deflected them with ease, his massive blade cutting through the projectiles like they were nothing.
[If Itachi won without using Sharingan, I want to try without Suijingan too,] Kaoru thought stubbornly, refusing to activate his kekkei genkai yet.
Hora steadily closed the distance, and as soon as he got close enough, he leaped forward, swinging his blade with enough force to cleave Kaoru in half. Kaoru, already holding a kunai, braced himself to block. But as the blade came closer, a strange sensation rippled through Kaoru’s hand. His heightened senses, a benefit of the chakra rotation technique, screamed at him to dodge instead of block, and he followed them without hesitation.
The kunai Kaoru had raised was effortlessly sliced in two, the massive blade cutting through it like butter. Luckily, Kaoru had already started twisting his body, narrowly avoiding the strike. The blade grazed his clothing, but his flesh remained unscathed.
[Chakra-enhanced attacks. He’s faster, stronger, and can enhance his weapon with chakra. I can’t match him in close combat without Suijingan.] Kaoru’s mind raced as he quickly repositioned himself. [But not yet. I still have my pride. There has to be a way to win without revealing everything.]
Kaoru analyzed Hora’s movements, searching for an opening. [If I can outmaneuver him, I might be able to wear him down. But I need to be precise—one wrong move, and it’s over.]
He quickly realized that wearing his opponent down was easier said than done. No matter how much Kaoru flickered or relied on ninjutsu to evade Hora’s relentless attacks, his opponent wasn’t slowing down. Hora’s physical prowess gave him an edge, allowing him to conserve more chakra while Kaoru’s stamina steadily drained. Kaoru’s breathing grew heavier, while Hora remained as fresh as ever, showing no signs of exhaustion.
[Without Suijingan I’m nothing, huh?] Kaoru thought bitterly as frustration crept in. With a quiet sigh, his cyan eyes began to glow faintly. He didn’t want to rely on it, but he had no choice if he wanted to turn this fight around. “Alright, I’ll recover my stamina first… then I’ll strike,” he muttered to himself, preparing to test a technique he’d developed specifically to counter Maki in their spars.
“The Water Guardian.”
Water began forming in the air around him, swirling toward him in controlled streams. It moved with precision, flowing into a spherical shape that slowly enveloped Kaoru. Soon the translucent dark blue water surrounded him completely. Hora was intrigued by the spectacle and paused his assault watching Kaoru with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
“What is this nonsense?” Hora muttered, gripping his oversized blade tightly as he observed the completed water sphere. “Whatever, it’s not going to save you.” He charged forward, blade raised, and swung it with all his strength.
The blade struck the water with a loud metallic clang, as if it had hit solid steel. Hora froze and his grin disappeared as the strike was effortlessly deflected. He stepped back, narrowing his eyes. “What the hell is this?”
Kaoru remained motionless inside the sphere, watching. The shimmering water repaired itself instantly, leaving no trace of the attack. Hora sneered, “Fine. Let’s see how long that stupid trick lasts.”
Hora launched a flurry of strikes, swinging his blade faster and harder with each attempt. He moved around the sphere, targeting different spots, hoping to find a weak point. The sound of his blade clashing against the sphere echoed through the arena. His attacks grew more desperate, his movements more erratic, until his strength began to wane. Sweat dripped from his brow, his breathing quickened, and his swings lost their initial precision.
Inside the sphere, Kaoru watched patiently, unbothered. Maintaining the Water Guardian didn’t drain much chakra. “He’s getting tired,” Kaoru muttered, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. “It’s time I fight back.”
Hora caught the grin on Kaoru’s face and snapped. “You smug little b*st*rd! I’ll kill you and chop you to pieces!” he roared, his bloodshot eyes filled with fury. Charging at full speed, he leapt into the air, blade raised high for a crushing overhead strike.
Just as Hora’s blade neared the sphere, a spike of water shot out with incredible speed, piercing his shoulder. He kicked the sphere in a last-ditch effort to create distance and propelled himself backward. Landing with a grunt, Hora clutched his bleeding shoulder, his free hand trembling as he glared at Kaoru with unbridled hatred.
Soon he started murmuring something to himself. His expression grew darker and the chakra inside became chaotic.
[This isn’t good. Whatever he’s doing, I need to stop it now,] Kaoru thought, his glowing cyan eyes narrowing.
“Lingering Death.”
The dark blue needles materialized in Hora’s blind spots and shot toward him with blinding speed. Kaoru’s timing was precise—his aim flawless. But just as the needles were about to strike, Hora’s chakra exploded outward in a violent burst, deflecting them with ease.
Kaoru’s heart sank as he saw Hora’s form emerge from the chaotic energy, now surrounded by a red, pulsating aura. His chakra was no longer just wild; it was destructive. [What is this? This… isn’t normal.] Kaoru could feel the raw malice emanating from Hora.
From the stands, a familiar voice roared. “This can’t be allowed!” Shin’s voice cut through the tension, and Kaoru glanced toward the platform to see his guardian yelling at the proctor. “This exam is supposed to test their abilities, not push them to the brink of death! He’s burning his life force to kill his opponent! This isn’t a fight—it’s a death sentence!” Kaoru could see Shin’s usually emotionless face red with rage.
A Senju judge appeared beside Shin, his expression equally grave. “I agree with the Takimura guardian. Hora Arasami must be disqualified immediately. This is no longer a fair test of skill; it’s a risk to both combatants' lives.”
Just as the proctor opened his mouth to respond, a sly, serpentine voice interjected. “Aren’t these exams meant to emulate real missions?” The woman’s tone was smooth and mocking. “My pupil is merely showing his commitment to the mission. Who are you to question his resolve?” She smiled faintly, her words were laced with venom.
Kaoru, meanwhile, had no time to focus on their debate. Hora had finished preparing and charged toward the water sphere with his blade glowing an ominous red.
[This is bad, really bad,] He quickly reinforced the Water Guardian, thickening its outer shell and layering it multiple times. Still, he knew it wouldn’t last long against Hora’s frenzied assault. His mind raced. [If it breaks, I’ll have to retreat immediately.]
Hora’s blade struck the sphere with tremendous force, its red-hot edge slicing into the sphere. For a moment, the reinforced barrier held, rippling under the pressure, but it wasn’t enough. With a loud crack, the sphere shattered like glass. Hora pushed forward, moving through the collapsing water shield with terrifying speed. His weapon was aimed directly at Kaoru’s head.
But Kaoru wasn’t finished yet.
A water tentacle snapped out from the remnants of the sphere, yanking Kaoru backward just in time. Hora’s blade missed by a fraction of an inch as Kaoru retreated to a safe distance. The shattered water barrier reformed behind him, trapping Hora inside.
Kaoru stood firm the adrenaline coursing through him. “If you weren’t trying to kill me, I would’ve let you walk away,” he said, his voice steady but cold. He clenched his fist, directing his chakra toward the water sphere. The barrier morphed instantly, forming spikes that aimed inward, surrounding Hora like the teeth of a deadly trap.
The spikes drove forward, and the entire sphere turned red as blood mixed with water, obscuring the view. The crowd gasped, assuming the fight was over. Kaoru let out a quiet breath, exhaustion beginning to set in. He turned, ready to leave the arena, but something didn’t feel right.
The danger hit him like a wave.
Kaoru spun around just in time to see Hora leaping out of the shattered sphere, his blade glowing even brighter, his body drenched in blood. The explosion from the spiked sphere sent a shockwave through the arena, but Hora was already mid-air, hurtling toward Kaoru with lethal intent.
[There’s no way I can block this,] Kaoru realized, his body frozen for a split second.
The last thing he heard was Mizuki’s panicked scream from the stands.
“Kaoruu!”
**
A/N -
We finally made it to Rising Stars on Royal Road! ❤️ I’m so happy, and I can’t thank you all enough for your incredible support. Also, the novel has now officially exceeded 100,000 words! xD It’s been an amazing journey so far, and I can’t wait to share what’s next with you.
While writing this fight, I realized that Kaoru is a bit one-dimensional right now—he’s practically useless without Suijingan. Both Kaoru and I will need to work on that. That said, I’m not planning to make him excel at everything. Personally, I dislike characters without flaws, so Kaoru will have to work hard to grow, and even then, he’ll always have areas where he’s just average—or worse.
Also, I’d really appreciate your feedback on this fight scene. Does it feel engaging, or do you think something is missing? If you have any constructive criticism, I’m all ears. It’ll help me improve, and that’s all I’m aiming for.
Character Notes:
Kaoru - Helpless - “I’m screwed”
Itachi - Smug - “Don’t compare yourself to me, you ordinary person!”
**