A

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	A (艾)
Alias(es)	Little A
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kumogakure
Occupation/Role	Kumogakure battlefield commander; Fourth Raikage
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 173 (as Little A) 173

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Lightning Release Chakra Mode	180	Leads Kumogakure’s second offensive into the Land of Fire, using the mode’s speed, durability, and nintaijutsu to break Konoha’s defensive line.
Full-power Lightning Release Chakra Mode	183	Employs an unnamed “overclocking” burst that further accelerates him; his maximum speed is described as approaching the level beneath Flying Thunder God Technique.
Improved understanding of Lightning Release Chakra Mode	218	After his clashes with Yin Jie, A attains a deeper understanding of the mode and noticeably improves its speed output.

Background

A is the son of the Third Raikage and Kumogakure’s foremost candidate for the Raikage position. He inherits his father’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode-based combat style, though he focuses more heavily on speed-oriented Lightning Release Nintaijutsu rather than the Third Raikage’s exceptional offense and defense. 183 186

During Kumogakure’s invasion of the Land of Fire, A commands the Land of Hot Water front. His initial assault nearly overwhelms Konoha’s defending jōnin before Uchiha Yin Jie arrives as reinforcement. 180 181

Personality

A is aggressive, proud, and exhilarated by close-quarters combat against worthy opponents. He initially trusts the defense of his Lightning Release Chakra Mode enough to meet Yin Jie’s attacks head-on, only to be shocked when Yin Jie breaks through it. 183

Despite his temper, A can place Kumogakure’s military situation above personal honor. After Konoha reinforcements arrive, he orders a retreat rather than allow his forces to suffer ruinous losses. 185 His concern for Killer B is equally decisive: he takes an Amaterasu strike intended for his sworn brother, sacrificing his left arm to save him. 198

Repeated defeats make A more cautious and strategic. He begins treating Minato Namikaze as a true equal after recognizing that Minato can match his speed and pierce his Lightning Release armor. 218 219

Abilities & Skills

Lightning Release Chakra Mode

A envelops himself in Lightning Release chakra armor that dramatically improves his speed, physical power, reflexes, and defense.

• Uses an overclocked state to push his speed even further during full-power activation. 183
• Can overwhelm ordinary jōnin and rapidly cross a battlefield before most opponents can react. 180 181
• His armor can be damaged by powerful Wind Release and penetrated by attacks specifically designed to overcome its defenses. 181 214
• His defensive power is explicitly below that of the Third Raikage’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode. 183

Lightning Release Nintaijutsu

A combines Lightning Release armor with direct, high-speed melee attacks.

• Nintaijutsu: Raging Lightning Axe — A descending lightning-enhanced axe kick used against Konoha jōnin. 181
• Nintaijutsu: Lightning Oppression Horizontal — A lightning-wreathed close-range strike used to meet Yin Jie’s Chidori Blade head-on. 183
• Nintaijutsu: Heavy Lariat — A lightning-enhanced elbow strike intended to crush Minato at close range. 218
• Nintaijutsu: Liger Bomb — A powerful follow-up technique used when attempting to overwhelm Minato. 218
• Lightning Release: Swift Thunder — A ranged Lightning Release attack used to interrupt Minato’s pressure and create distance. 219

Battlefield Command

A serves as Kumogakure’s field commander during the Land of Hot Water campaign.

• Leads Kumogakure’s second invasion force against the Land of Fire border. 180
• Decides to retreat when Konoha reinforcements make the offensive untenable. 185
• Plans a renewed large-scale attack on Konoha after recovering from his injuries, identifying Yin Jie, Shimura Danzō, and Minato as priority targets. 200

Relationships

• Third Raikage A — Father; A inherited his father’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode combat lineage. 173 183
• Killer B — Sworn younger brother and Kumogakure’s Eight-Tails jinchūriki. A sacrifices his left arm to save B from Amaterasu. 186 198
• Dodai — Kumogakure ally who protects A’s retreat with Lava Release: Rubber Wall and later advises him on Konoha’s techniques. 185 200
• Uchiha Yin Jie — Major battlefield opponent. Yin Jie injures A in their first clash, later severs A’s left arm through a trap involving Killer B, and overwhelms him again during their decisive battle. 183 198 212
• Minato Namikaze — Konoha opponent whose Flying Thunder God Technique and Wind Release force A to abandon his earlier confidence in his own speed and defense. 218 219

Story Role / Major Arcs

Land of Hot Water Offensive

A spearheads Kumogakure’s second attack on the Land of Fire border, disrupting Konoha’s formation through his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Yin Jie intercepts him, and their high-speed duel ends with Yin Jie breaking through A’s defenses and injuring his wrist. 180 183

When Danzō’s reinforcements arrive, A concludes that continued combat would endanger Kumogakure’s forces. Dodai shields his withdrawal from Yin Jie’s Chidori Sharp Spear with Lava Release: Rubber Wall. 185

Conflict with Killer B and Yin Jie

A later supports Killer B’s deployment against Yin Jie. During the battle, Killer B’s feigned defeat is anticipated by Yin Jie, who instead targets A’s concern for his sworn brother. A intercepts Amaterasu and loses his left arm. 192 198

Decisive Battle

After recovering, A clashes with Yin Jie again at the head of Kumogakure’s forces. Yin Jie’s enhanced physical strength and Chakra Enhanced Strength overwhelm A in direct combat, leaving him repeatedly wounded by the Sword of the Thunder God. 212

A subsequently confronts Minato Namikaze. Though his improved Lightning Release Chakra Mode grants greater speed, Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique, Wind Release attacks, and Rasengan suppress him throughout the exchange. 218 219

Notable Quotes

“What a ‘Flying Thunder God Technique’! What a Minato Namikaze!” 219