Chapter 44 – Sneak Peek

As the trio approached Training Ground 21, Izumi pushed open the gate and stepped into the wide clearing. Raijin followed close behind, with Sora trailing beside him.

The air was still, and the surroundings were quiet—an ideal place to train, free from distractions. Raijin took in the training ground. It was massive, at least three times the size of his backyard.

Izumi turned to face him and Sora, a grin spreading across her face. “This is it,” she said, adjusting her kunai pouch. “Let’s get started.”

Raijin’s attention flickered to Sora, who was stretching, rolling his shoulders before cracking his neck with an audible pop.

“Alright, if we’re sparring, we should probably set some ground rules,” Sora said, looking between them. “No lethal moves, right? We’re not trying to kill each other.”

Izumi nodded, her expression turning serious. “Definitely no lethal moves. The goal is to sharpen our technique and learn how we work together—not injure one another.”

“Got it,” Raijin replied.

Without missing a beat, Izumi clapped her hands together. “Alright then—Raijin, Sora, you two go first. I’ll watch and analyze your styles, then we’ll rotate.”

Sora exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening at the thought of sparring with someone younger. Still, he stepped forward with a grunt. “Fine. But don’t expect me to take it easy on you, Raijin.”

The purpose of this exercise was to understand how their teammates moved and reacted under pressure. Raijin simply nodded in response.

Without another word, he and Sora took their positions at the center of the clearing, where Izumi had marked the starting point.

“Go!” Izumi called.

Sora lunged instantly, his massive frame charging forward like a bull, hands reaching for Raijin. But Raijin was faster—he sidestepped just in time, using his agility to stay one step ahead.

Grunting in frustration, Sora swung his fist downward, striking the ground. The earth cracked and shifted violently beneath Raijin’s feet, but he had already leaped backward, landing lightly a few feet away.

From the sidelines, Izumi shouted, “You’re too predictable! You rely too much on brute force and defense. If you want to beat someone fast, you need more than just power.”

Sora scowled but didn’t seem offended. Instead, he rolled his shoulders and flexed his fists, determination flickering in his eyes. “I’m just warming up,” he muttered before slamming his hands into the ground, sending another wall of earth surging toward Raijin.

So, they do know each other, Raijin thought, his eyes locking onto the rising wall of stone. Instead of retreating, he darted forward, chakra surging into his legs as he leaped onto the rock’s uneven surface. With fluid precision, he ran along its edge before kicking off at an angle, flipping over Sora’s head.

Sora barely had time to react before Raijin twisted midair, sending a spinning kick toward his back. He turned just in time, raising his arms in a cross-guard to absorb the impact. The force of the blow sent him skidding backward, but his stance remained firm.

Izumi’s voice cut through the clash. “Better, Sora. You read that one in time.”

Sora’s focus sharpened entirely on Raijin. He planted his foot into the ground, his jaw set. “Try dodging this,” he muttered.

With a sharp stomp, the earth trembled beneath Raijin before jagged stone spikes erupted from the ground, aiming to trap him.

Raijin twisted his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the spikes as they shot up around him. With a sharp breath, he channeled chakra into his foot and kicked off one of the formations, propelling himself toward Sora again.

This time, instead of attacking directly, he feinted—a flicker of movement to the right before abruptly shifting left.

Sora, expecting the strike from the opposite direction, raised his arms to block—too slow.

Raijin appeared at his unguarded side, his fist crackling with a small burst of lightning. In a single, precise motion, he drove it into Sora’s ribs.

Sora staggered back, coughing as the jolt forced the air from his lungs. His eyes narrowed, glaring at Raijin, but he exhaled through clenched teeth, conceding. “Damn…”

Raijin didn’t give him time to recover. Instead, he sped toward him again, his body moving noticeably faster this time, chakra surging beneath his feet.

Sora hadn’t yet reacted when Raijin’s lightning-infused strike landed once more—a sharp, painful flick of lightning that surged through his body.

The second surge of electricity crackled through Sora’s form. His body jerked in response to the shock, and his legs buckled beneath him, the seizure-like convulsions leaving him breathless.

The match ended abruptly, with Sora collapsing to his knees, still gasping for air as the residual shock faded from his muscles.

Sora struggled to regain his composure, his chest heaving with deep, labored breaths. The electricity had left him drained, and he couldn’t move for a few moments.

Raijin stood nearby, his hands relaxed at his sides, but a slight furrow creased his brow. “Did I overdo it?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

Sora, still catching his breath, rubbed his chest before flashing a half-grin. “Guess I underestimated you,” he muttered.

Izumi strode toward them, her gaze flicking between the two. “You alright?” she asked.

Sora gave a silent nod.

“You were too predictable,” she teased, her eyes glinting with playful mischief. “I’ll give you credit—when you do land a hit, you make it count. Unfortunately, you couldn’t land one.”

Sora exhaled sharply, but before he could respond, Izumi continued. “Your defense is solid, but you’re too rigid. You rely too much on brute force. Against someone faster, you need to read their movements better.”

Still trying to steady himself, Sora grumbled under his breath but gave a reluctant nod. “Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

Izumi then turned to Raijin, her expression shifting to something more serious. “Your speed is a huge advantage, and you use it well. But you take a lot of risks. Against someone who can keep up, overextending could get you caught.”

Raijin nodded, absorbing her words without argument.

Izumi’s eyes flickered. “Alright, enough standing around. My turn now.” She rolled her shoulders, stepping into the training circle she had marked. “Raijin, you’re up.”

Raijin blinked, then exhaled as he took his stance again.

The ground was still rough and uneven from Sora’s technique—jagged stone spikes littered the battlefield, making movement unpredictable.

He cast a brief glance at Izumi and Sora before squaring his shoulders, his gaze sharpening. “Ready?”

Izumi nodded, her focus locked onto him. “Bring it.” She hadn’t activated her Sharingan yet, keeping it in reserve and relying on her senses.

Without warning, Raijin moved first, dashing forward in a blur of speed.

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Sora, who had forgotten to signal the start, flinched at the sudden movement.

Izumi’s eyes flickered, and in an instant, her Sharingan activated.

Raijin wondered if, to her, the world had already begun to slow—if she could see his every motion with razor-sharp precision, predicting his next step before he even made it.

He closed the gap in a heartbeat, aiming a sharp kick toward Izumi’s midsection. But Izumi was ready. She sidestepped with fluid precision, her body moving with the grace of someone who had studied her opponent carefully.

Raijin’s kick missed by mere inches, but he quickly pivoted, spinning into a backhand strike with his other arm. Izumi reacted just as quickly, raising her arm to deflect the blow with a swift block.

Both Genins leaped back, creating distance between them.

Raijin exhaled, studying her stance. “Hmm… interesting.” A smirk tugged at his lips. No wonder the whole world wants those red eyes.

Izumi smirked, her crimson eyes locked onto him. “Quite fast,” she said.

Raijin exhaled sharply, shaking out his wrist. “I’ve heard about the Sharingan but experiencing it firsthand is different.”

Izumi twirled a kunai between her fingers. “Then you’d better stop holding back.”

Raijin smiled back. “I was about to say the same to you.”

Without another word, Izumi countered with a series of swift kunai throws, her movements fluid and precise. Raijin immediately dodged them. He was fast—very fast for a Genin—but Izumi’s Sharingan gave her the edge, allowing her to anticipate his every move.

Raijin saw Izumi’s attack coming and, with a flick of his wrist, launched a lightning-charged kunai in her direction.

The sudden strike forced Izumi to retreat just as she was about to close the gap. She tried to parry the incoming kunai with her own, but its weight made it difficult to block effectively while she was still moving.

Izumi stumbled slightly but regained her footing almost immediately. “Not bad,” she said, catching her breath. “But it’s going to take more than this.”

Raijin’s smile widened as he began to understand her style—a textbook Uchiha approach—precise, methodical, and relying heavily on her Sharingan to predict his every move. And her chakra wasn’t unlimited.

Charging toward her again, he noticed Izumi shift her stance, her Sharingan already locked onto his movements. Raijin didn’t hesitate—he threw kunai imbued with chakra, hoping to catch her off guard.

But Izumi was prepared. With a graceful leap, she spun through the air and landed behind him in one fluid motion, her kunai aimed at his back.

Or so she thought.

There was nothing there—just empty air.

“Body Flicker Jutsu?” Izumi asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Raijin’s voice reached her, smooth and confident, as a kunai pressed gently against her back. “What do you think?”

Izumi turned to face him, a mixture of admiration and respect in her eyes. “You’re fast,” she said, clearly impressed by his speed. Without warning, she leaped backward, readying herself.

Raijin’s smile remained, though his eyebrow arched slightly. “You want to continue?”

Izumi smiled faintly and glanced at Sora. “No, let’s see how Sora does next.”

Raijin stepped back, allowing Sora to take center stage. The large boy cracked his knuckles, his broad shoulders squared as he shifted his gaze between Izumi and Raijin. His expression was focused, his stance radiating determination.

“Alright, let’s see,” Sora said, his voice low, tinged with quiet confidence.

Raijin moved to the side, watching closely as Izumi and Sora prepared for their spar.

He signaled the fighters. “Go!”

Sora lunged forward first, relying on his immense strength. His speed was less than Raijin’s, but his power was undeniable. He aimed a heavy punch at Izumi’s head, hoping to end it quickly with one solid blow.

Izumi, however, was ready. With a swift sidestep, she avoided the punch, the air whistling past her as she nimbly moved to his side. She reached out with her kunai, attempting to land a quick cut along Sora’s arm. But Sora was quick to react, using his other arm to block the strike, his massive forearm absorbing the blow with ease.

Izumi barely managed to backflip away, creating some distance between them. “You’re slow for someone so big,” she taunted, though there was a hint of respect in her voice.

Sora growled, his pride stung by her words. “Don’t get cocky,” he said, his voice gruff. “I’ll show you what I can do.”

He slammed his palms to the ground, his chakra surging through the earth beneath them. Immediately, the ground in front of him erupted, sending a wall of rock toward Izumi. It was fast and powerful and could easily crush anyone caught in its path.

Izumi’s eyes flickered to the oncoming rock. Activating Sharingan once again, she immediately leaped into the air, twisting her body mid-flight to dodge the massive rocks. She landed behind Sora, her kunai already in hand.

But a low rumble came beneath them, and using the slight distraction, Sora slammed his palms into the ground.

A massive wall of earth shot up between him and Izumi. The ground cracked as Sora grinned, looking confident in his defense.

Izumi wasn’t fazed. Her eyes flicked toward the earthen wall, and with a swift hand sign, she activated her Fire Style Jutsu. A stream of flames erupted from her mouth, the fiery wave crashing against the barrier. But Sora’s defense held strong, the fire dissipating harmlessly against the earthen wall.

“Impressive,” Izumi said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “But let’s see how well you handle this.”

She leaped into the air, her Sharingan flickering to life as she tracked Sora’s every movement. Though his large frame made him a formidable obstacle, her speed kept her firmly on the offensive.

As she neared, Sora raised his fists, preparing for a direct confrontation.

But Izumi didn’t hesitate. She feinted a kunai throw, momentarily drawing Sora’s attention. In that split second, she closed the gap, delivering a swift kick to his side. Sora grunted, the impact sending a shockwave through his body as his defense cracked under the pressure.

Sora staggered back, rubbing his side where Izumi’s kick had landed. “Alright, that was a good hit. But I’m not done yet.”

He planted his feet firmly on the ground, hands quickly forming a series of seals. “Time to turn this around,” he muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, the earth beneath his feet rumbled with force, and with a mighty roar, Sora raised his hand. The ground trembled as massive stones shot up, flying toward Izumi like deadly projectiles.

Izumi dodged skillfully, narrowly avoiding one rock, but the force of another sent her tumbling to the side. Sora grinned his Earth Release on full display, the power radiating from him.

Izumi, however, was already back on her feet. Her eyes narrowed, and she focused on Sora, but she hadn’t activated her Sharingan this time—likely conserving chakra.

+++

Ryouka could tell Izumi was starting to push her limits as the spar intensified with each passing moment. From her vantage point, she observed the trio with keen eyes, noting how they tested each other’s abilities and gained valuable insight into their respective strengths and weaknesses. Despite their individual talents, she recognized they had a long way to go before truly functioning as a cohesive unit.

Sora's overwhelming strength impressed her, but his lack of speed and adaptability held him back. He needed to diversify his attacks and outsmart his opponents rather than rely solely on raw power.

“Let’s spar—all three of us at the same time,” Izumi called out, her voice cutting through Ryouka’s thoughts.

She and Sora took their positions at opposite ends of the field, while Raijin stood at the center, his stance firm and focused. This wasn’t a typical two-person match—it was a three-way battle where each fighter sought their own victory.

Izumi initiated the attack, her hands flowing through a rapid sequence of precise seals. Ryouka recognized the sharpness in her movements—the refined discipline of her Uchiha bloodline. Fire Release was imminent.

As predicted, Izumi exhaled a stream of flames toward Sora, who responded by slamming his hands into the ground. A towering wall of earth rose just in time to block the incoming fire.

‘Good timing,’ Ryouka thought, noting that Sora’s Earth-style proved as solid and reliable as he’d claimed. Yet she wasn’t convinced it would be enough to protect him in the long run. His predictable reliance on earth walls and lack of strategic variation made him vulnerable to faster opponents who could exploit his defensive style.

Sora grinned and began pushing forward, cracking the earth beneath his feet, his hands ready to create another barrier if needed. However, Ryouka noticed—he’s too predictable. He relied heavily on his earth walls, not utilizing much variation in his strategy. If he didn’t learn to adapt and think outside the box, he’d be vulnerable to faster opponents who could exploit his defensive style.

Izumi seized an opening, her agility on full display as she darted around Sora’s defensive structure. Meanwhile, Raijin maintained his position at the center of the sparring ground, his stance deceptively calm but ready.

Before Ryouka could anticipate Raijin’s next move, he flicked his hand toward Sora. A burst of lightning arced through the air, crackling with intensity and striking the ground beside Sora’s feet. The sudden attack disrupted Sora’s footing—Raijin had expertly capitalized on the opening created by Izumi’s assault.

‘Smart,’ Ryouka thought, her lips twitching slightly. Unlike Sora’s brute strength or Izumi’s flashy jutsu, Raijin demonstrated calculation and patience, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

When Izumi approached with a series of swift kunai throws, Raijin responded without hesitation. His body moved like a blur, dodging and weaving as the projectiles barely missed him. Ryouka predicted the disconnection between them—they couldn’t fight as a team and would likely struggle to coordinate their considerable abilities for quite some time.

Ryouka continued to observe from her concealed position in the bushes as the fight continued for another 30 minutes.

“Alright, that’s enough. Good work from both of you,” Izumi announced, stepping beside Sora with a smile.

While their individual strengths were impressive, they still had yet to learn how to complement each other effectively.

They had a long way to go before they could truly work as one cohesive unit.