You can create tension and stakes in your very first battle. The hell are you talking about? Naruto and Sasuke had to face a high class Ninja in Zabuza at the start of the series and almost died. Lol Why do you think people have different arcs are people favorites. People think Arlong is the most emotional arc and great written.
you certainly can
regardless they should be even higher towards the end of the story especially if thats what the story is literally telling us.
is that hard for you to comprehend?