Back in the tower centralized in the Forest of Death, Raito was trying to figure out a new technique. He needed a true ninjutsu. As he thought through all the fights he'd participated in, he came across one.
When he was ten, his father had sent him on a mission to wipe out a ninja stronghold alongside Jonin and other Genin. He'd fought an old man from the water village who'd been staying at the stronghold that night. It was his first kill, but he explicitly remembered getting cut up by the man's technique.
He tried his best to recall the memory of the fight.
—
The night was beyond cold. However, beneath his skin-tight vest and trousers, Raito was struggling to breathe. The heat was unbearable, yet he knew if he took it off, the cold would bite at his veins and through his bones.
He'd been walking down a corridor, alongside Karasu and Rin. As they walked down the corridor, an older man came around a corner and paused as he saw their headbands. Without asking a single question, he flew into handsigns. Raito and Karasu were the only ones to move in time.
[Water release: Rippling Water Bearings]
Raito moved a slight bit late and felt the water spheres slam into his lower gut. It was a searing pain, one that completely took his mind off the mission. He'd barely landed away when he'd heard the sound of Rin, falling to the ground. Realizing what was happening, Raito flew through his own hand signs.
[Lightning Release: Lightning Arrow]
The arrow of electricity flew from Raito's hand and blew the man's shoulder off in bloody fashion. Karasu appeared behind the man, with an entire murder of crows. The crows pecked the man's out with swift ease. Then Karasu slit the man's throat.
—
Raito thought about the fight now as he sat overlooking the hall that, without his knowledge, would be the center for the preliminary fights.
The fight had been quick, like a ninja fight should be, as he was told as a child.
However, it had cost Rin's life and left Karasu mourning for weeks afterwards, and caused Raito's current state.
That had not been the first time he'd seen blood or even taken a life. However, it had been the first time he'd been close to losing his. Rin had died, fear had taken her, and Raito promised himself no fear would ever cause him inaction, no matter how mighty.
At that moment, Raito had recalled the technique. Rippling Water Bearings had been the name of the jutsu. He would copy it, and while he could not remember all the hand signs, he remembered how to create a jutsu. So he set out to do that; it would take a lot of effort, but he could do it.
For a few days, he stayed thinking.
On the final night, Raito Arashi was tired.
He stood in the shower of the tower, looking down at a kunai nearby. It wasn't enough; washing away the dirt did not make him stronger. He was not strong enough.
He leaned against the quartz shower wall and thought, It's not enough. My father wants me to inherit the title, but I'll never be strong enough at this rate. Look at me, I have to fight secret battles instead of going head-to-head. This is not enough for me. I must desire more.
Raito left the showers and got ready to sleep. He slept, as it was already the fourth night, and by the end of the next day, all surviving contestants would be there.