A

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	A (艾)
Alias(es)	Fourth Raikage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kumogakure
Occupation/Role	Raikage of Kumogakure; Five Kage representative
Status	Active 572
First Appearance	Chapter 459

Background / History

A inherited Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, a secret technique developed by the Third Raikage and passed down through generations. By the time of the Five Kage Summit, he was its only stated fully proficient user; the technique grants exceptional speed, durability, physical power, and accelerated nerve conduction at a heavy chakra cost 461.

He maintains a close, protective bond with Killer B, Kumogakure's Eight-Tails jinchūriki. During their arrival in the Land of Iron, A is visibly concerned for B's safety, though both ultimately comply with the samurai's weapons restrictions 459.

Personality

A is hot-tempered, confrontational, and highly conscious of a Kage's dignity. He nearly clashes with the Land of Iron's samurai over their restrictions and later challenges Naruto's suitability as Hokage on sight 459 461.

Despite his temper, A respects proven strength and can yield when necessary. Learning that Naruto is Minato Namikaze's son earns Naruto a measure of his respect, while his later cooperation with the other Kage shows that he can prioritize the larger conflict over personal pride 461 478.

Abilities & Skills

Lightning Release Chakra Mode

A surrounds his body with Lightning Release chakra, forming an activated armor that bolsters his body and reaction speed.

• Grants extreme speed through the Lightning Body Flicker; his speed is described as second only to the Flying Thunder God Technique 461.
• Strengthens his physical defense and nerve conduction as the amount of lightning chakra increases 461 478.
• Enables his lightning-enhanced close-combat style, or Nintaijutsu 478.
• Consumes substantial chakra and requires refined chakra control 461 522.

Lightning Release Techniques

A employs high-output Lightning Release attacks in close quarters.

• Lightning Release: Raikiri — A high-speed charge executed while in Lightning Release Chakra Mode 478.
• Lightning Release: Hell Stab Four-Finger Thrust — A piercing four-finger strike capable of penetrating Tailed Beast Cloaks 479.
• Lightning Release: Heavy Downpour — Compresses Lightning Release chakra into the elbow for a concentrated strike 480.
• Lightning Release: Raging Thunder Axe — A powerful axe-like attack used against Uchiha Shin 497.

Chakra Control

During his battle with the reanimated Third Raikage, A identifies and exploits a flaw in his opponent's chakra circulation. The encounter improves A's own chakra precision and deepens his understanding of the Raikage's role 522.

Relationships

• Killer B — Fellow Kumogakure ninja and Eight-Tails jinchūriki; A is protective of him and fights alongside him against Uchiha Shin 459 497.
• Naruto Uzumaki — Initially questions Naruto's worthiness as Hokage, but later battles alongside him and recognizes his role in preserving peace 461 572.
• Third Raikage — Predecessor and Lightning Release Chakra Mode user; their battle becomes a lesson in chakra precision before the Third Raikage is sealed 522.
• Darui — Kumogakure subordinate who supports A and Killer B against Uchiha Shin with Storm Release 497.
• Ōnoki and Mei Terumī — Fellow Kage; they intervene to halt A's confrontation with Naruto and later join him in coordinated battles 461 478.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Five Kage Summit

A arrives in the Land of Iron with Killer B and Kumogakure's delegation. His anger at the samurai's weapon restrictions nearly causes an incident, but he ultimately complies 459.

He then confronts Naruto in the courtyard, dismissing the young Hokage and activating Lightning Release Chakra Mode to challenge him. Sasuke and Gaara move to defend Naruto before Ōnoki, Mei, and Mifune force the confrontation to stop 461.

At the summit, A disputes the selection of an Allied Shinobi Forces commander alongside the other Kage. He is initially skeptical of Naruto, whom he believes may have attained the Hokage position through connections 462 463.

Kage Battle Against Naruto

A joins Ōnoki, Mei, and Gaara in a four-on-one test against Naruto. The group combines lightning, water, earth, and Magnet Release techniques to constrain Naruto, but Naruto repeatedly evades and counters them with the Flying Thunder God Technique, Rasengan variants, Shadow Clones, and Truth-Seeking Orbs 478 479 480.

Naruto injures A during the exchange, leaving him with only one functional arm by the battle's later stages 479 480.

Great War

A fights Uchiha Shin alongside Killer B, Darui, Rock Lee, and Chōji. He evades Shin's chakra-draining blade network, but Shin's Soul Absorption Blade drains A's Lightning Release chakra after striking his shoulder 497.

He later battles the reanimated Third Raikage. By identifying a weakness in the Third's chakra circulation, A gains the advantage and helps seal him, earning the former Raikage's pride and acknowledgment 522.

A joins the other Kage against Uchiha Madara, attacking with Lightning Release before Ōnoki, Mei, and Gaara follow with coordinated attacks 549.

Peace Settlement

Following the war, A attends the Five Kage Summit in Konoha and supports the peace initiatives that establish the Ninja Alliance. At Naruto's banquet, he openly praises Naruto and places the future peace of the ninja world in his hands 572.