Ay

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ay (艾)
Alias(es)	Fourth Raikage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kumogakure; Allied Shinobi Forces
Occupation/Role	Raikage of Kumogakure; frontline combat leader
First Appearance	630

Appearance

Ay is a nearly two-meter-tall, dark-skinned man with a heavily muscled build described as granite-like. His deep, raspy voice and imposing presence place visible pressure on those around him. 630

• Golden hair swept back from his head.
• Short goatee.
• Bloodshot eyes when focused on Konoha's affairs. 630
• Fights while enveloped in blue Lightning Release Armor. 651 761

Personality

Ay is hot-tempered, proud, and prone to acting before fully considering the consequences. His concern for face and early lack of leadership experience contributed to his disastrous first war as Raikage, where he recognized that he had underestimated Ronglin and trusted an enemy's assurances too readily. 654

Despite his volatility, Ay takes responsibility for Kumogakure and its people. He personally traveled to Konoha to negotiate Killer B's return, reasoning that Ronglin could have killed him during the war if that had been his intention. 701 He also becomes more cautious over time, particularly regarding Akatsuki and the danger posed to Killer B. 1153 1154

His impatience remains a recurring weakness. He rashly attacks stronger opponents, including Hashirama Senju and the Third Kazekage Puppet, though he can also display sharp tactical thinking when pressed. 761 1198

Abilities & Skills

Lightning Release Armor

Ay coats his body in Lightning Release Chakra, drastically enhancing his speed, durability, striking power, and defense. 651 761

• Lets him move at speeds considered nearly unmatched outside of Space-Time Ninjutsu. 651 1184
• Deflects barrages of Iron Sand bullets that would threaten ordinary shinobi. 1197
• Requires an exceptionally strong body to withstand its strain. 651
• Does not make him invulnerable; Tsunade shattered the lightning around his fist and sent him flying with a single punch. 665

Taijutsu and Physical Strength

Ay specializes in close-quarters combat, relying on explosive acceleration, immense physical power, and a body far tougher than that of ordinary shinobi. 756 1184

• His lightning-enhanced fist knocked the Nine-Tails backward, though the collision also sent Ay flying. 664
• He can destroy large constructs through brute force, including the Third Kazekage Puppet's head. 1198
• His resilience allowed him to withstand Hashirama and Tobirama Senju's combined attacks without serious injury, though he was repeatedly overwhelmed. 761 762

Tactical Adaptability

Although often impulsive, Ay can recognize and exploit an opponent's weaknesses in battle.

• He used a Black Rod to disrupt Sasori's Chakra control and disable the Third Kazekage Puppet. 1198
• He coordinated with Minato to restrain the Deva Path and prevent further attacks on Kumogakure's forces. 1189
• During the White Zetsu infiltration crisis, he ordered shinobi to spread out and maintain distance so disguised attackers could be identified more easily. 1248

Leadership

As Raikage, Ay rallies Kumogakure's forces during major crises and makes immediate battlefield decisions under pressure. 661 1183

• Chose an all-out attack on Konoha rather than retreat while the Nine-Tails ravaged the Land of Lightning. 661
• Led allied shinobi against the Six Paths of Pain during Akatsuki's assault on Kumogakure. 1183 1184
• Ordered reinforcements when the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path appeared on the battlefield. 1255

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black Rod — Used to interfere with Sasori's Chakra transmission and incapacitate the Third Kazekage Puppet. 1198

Relationships

• Third Raikage — Ay's father and predecessor. Ay mourned him deeply after Iwagakure exhausted him to death, but Kumogakure was unable to retaliate. 576
• Killer B — Formerly inseparable partner whose relationship with Ay became distant after the Third Raikage's death. Ay remains fiercely protective of him, personally negotiating for his return and later concealing him from Akatsuki. 651 701 1159
• Uchiha Ronglin — Rival Kage and adversary. Ronglin outmaneuvered Ay during the Konoha–Kumogakure conflict, captured Killer B, and forced Ay into difficult reparations negotiations. 654 670 706 708
• Unnamed Secretary — Ay's adviser and frequent voice of restraint. She analyzes threats, manages orders with significant authority, and helps calm him after setbacks. 630 654 1038 1154
• Ōnoki — Political rival who later becomes a battlefield ally. Ōnoki supported Ay against the revived Senju brothers and was selected over him as Allied Forces Commander-in-Chief. 761 728
• Tsunade — Initially an opponent who decisively overpowered Ay in close combat; later an ally against Akatsuki and Sasori. 665 1195 1199
• Rasa — Fellow Kage and ally. Ay showed concern after learning that the revived Third Raikage had severely injured Rasa. 1234
• Shisui Uchiha — Opponent during the confrontation in Kumogakure. Shisui prevented Ay from assisting Killer B by threatening to use genjutsu on Kumogakure's shinobi. 1048

Story Role / Major Arcs

Succession as Fourth Raikage

Following the Third Raikage's death in Iwagakure, Ay grieved for his father but did not launch a retaliatory war because Kumogakure could not afford one. He later assumed the position of Fourth Raikage. 576 630

Conflict with Konoha

After Kumogakure stabilized under his rule, Ay considered Konoha vulnerable following the Nine-Tails incident and supported a war plan with the Land of Lightning Daimyo's backing. 630

The campaign became a catastrophe when Ronglin used the Nine-Tails to harass Kumogakure's forces and devastate the Land of Lightning. Kumogakure suffered 760 dead and more than a thousand wounded, including many permanently disabled shinobi. 654 Ay eventually faced Ronglin directly, was forced to submit under threat to Killer B, and watched Ronglin take Killer B away. 670

Negotiations for Killer B

Ay traveled personally to Konoha despite the danger, seeking Killer B's release and a settlement over the war. 701 706 Ronglin pressured him for compensation in money, materials, and mineral resources, while Ay accepted a two-year limit as his final concession. 707 708

Four Great Ninja Villages Alliance

Ay participated in the alliance against the Small Nations Alliance, but lost the vote for Allied Forces Commander-in-Chief to Ōnoki. 727 728 He later fought Orochimaru's revived Hashirama and Tobirama Senju alongside Ōnoki, where his direct assaults were repeatedly countered by the brothers' experience, coordination, and overwhelming power. 761 763 765 767

Akatsuki Crisis

Years later, Ay supported the Five Kage Summit and increased security around Killer B after Akatsuki began capturing Jinchūriki. 1141 1153 1154 He confidently concealed Killer B in a location he believed even Akatsuki's leader could not find. 1159

When Akatsuki attacked Kumogakure, Ay led the village's defense and confronted the Deva Path directly. Even at peak speed, he was repelled without touching Yahiko by Shinra Tensei. 1183 1184 He later joined Tsunade and Rasa against Sasori, destroying the Third Kazekage Puppet and helping clear Sasori's puppet forces. 1198 1199

Fourth Shinobi World War

During the Allied Shinobi Forces' war against Akatsuki, Ay responded to the revived Third Raikage's attack on Rasa with fury and concern, recognizing his father's overwhelming power. 1234 He continued commanding forces through the White Zetsu infiltration crisis and the emergence of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. 1247 1255

Notable Quotes

“This is an order, not a suggestion!” 701

Trivia

• The Nine-Tails refused to let Ay ride on its back after the Orochimaru incident. 786
• Ay was once caught in an Explosive Tag trap after becoming provoked and failing to use his speed to withdraw. 838 839
• Ronglin considers Ay's impulsive temperament a major reason he was unsuitable to command the Allied Shinobi Forces. 746